Ant and the Grass Hopper -A New Beginning

In a distant forest near a stream there lived a great ant colony. That colony was well known for its most diligent workers and a wonderful and caring Queen. Everyone loved the Queen. In that community there were three well guarded vaults. First vault was for the Queen to live, second was used to keep the eggs and larvae and the third vault was used to store food.

There was an ant by name Iruve’ who guarded the Queen’s Vault. He was a hardworking ant and respected his Queen very much. Each day, after his shift he would come out of the ant hill to spend time with his childhood mate and best friend Midte’, the grass hopper. They were very close and shared a lovely bond. They played together, ate together, made fun of each other and enjoyed each other’s company very much. Both were impressed by each other’s strengths. Iruve’ would show his skills by lifting weights thrice his own size while Midte’ would showcase his dexterity by flying. There was no inhibition between them and respected each other for who they were.

One day, one of the Queen’s minister saw Iruve’ playing with the grass hopper. He was furious and he immediately complained about this to the Queen. The Queen set up a committee to probe the allegation. Iruve’ was summoned and everyone started to accuse him for befriending a grass hopper. The minister told that it was a serious offence for a guard who took care of Queen’s vault to be with a grass hopper. They told him that grass hoppers were a useless bunch always wasting time by loitering around, singing and dancing without having any concern about the future. That they were a bad influence on ants and being with them will affect the working of the colony.

Iruve’ tried to explain to them that not all grass hoppers were like that. If they could just analyze the situation in a rational way they could understand that the grass hoppers were as hardworking as they were. He told them that it is wrong to be prejudiced against an entire species based on one bad being. But they didn’t listen to him. They had already made up their mind and because of their ego they were irritated by being advised by a young guard. They asked Iruve’ to break all bonds with the grass hopper and they would forgive him, but Iruve’ refused their offer as he saw no reason to break his wonderful friendship with Midte’. So they dismissed Iruve’ from his work and banished him from the colony. Iruve’ pleaded with them consider their decision again but they did not bother. A very heartbroken Iruve’ left the colony.

Midte’ felt sorry for Iruve’ after hearing what had happened. He apologized for being the reason for his banishment. Iruve’ told him that it was not his fault but theirs and they will know it. Midte’ took Iruve’ to his home and gave him food and shelter. Iruve’ was glad to have a friend like him.

Days passed and it was the rainy season. The rainfall was heavy. Both Iruve’ and Midte’ had worked hard and had stored enough food to last for this season. The rains did not stop falling for over a week. The nearby river stream was full up to the brim. The spotters signaled that it was time to relocate the colony as the stream would be dangerous if it floods. Every ant worked day and night to gather everything they had and got ready to move. They asked the Queen to go first but being a good leader she refused and told them that she will be coming last after ensuring that everyone of her citizens has left the anthill safely. With meticulous planning they started moving to their reserve place on a bark of a huge banyan tree were they would be secure and dry.

Everyone had left and it was the Queen’s turn to go. The rain was lashing hard and the stream flooded. The water overflowed and soon engulfed everything in its path. The anthill was soon filled with water. The Queen couldn’t reach to safety. She climbed onto a dry banyan leaf floating on the water desperately in need of help. The pouring rain was hitting hard against the brittle leaf and the water level around her was increasing every second. Other ants just stood on the bark praying for their Queen as they were unable to help.

Iruve’ saw that his Queen was in danger. Midte’ came up with a plan. Midte’ carried Iruve’ and flew to the Queen. He hovered in the air above the Queen and maneuvered Iruve’ down. Iruve’ caught hold of the Queen firmly. Midte’ again flew them through the blizzard. The weight was unbearable, even though he didn’t let go off them. With high difficulty he landed them safely onto the bark. Everyone rejoiced that the Queen was safe. The ants learnt from their mistake and the Queen invited Iruve’ and reinstated him and apologized to Midte’ on behalf of her entire colony.

Make friends not based on religion, caste, creed or color but on true human values.