The Two Ants Of The Orient
In small mounds of sand situated in an abandoned lot not too far from a road called Kagandahan near Juan Luna Extension, there lived a colony of ants. The colony is about a thousand in number -- very small number as compared to other insects in the neighborhood. Other than rats and termites, ants are also the most hated in society everywhere.
The colony of ants have two colors in kind, red and black. Almost all of the oriental ants are of smaller sizes, not as big as you can possibly find in many western countries. The red ants are about nine hundred-fifty, while the black ants are only fifty in number. And so, the red ants are the majority. The minority group of ants stay a little farther from the mounds of the red ones.
One day, a young male of black ants was playing with a small piece of green mongo bean. He is rolling it over after finding it very close to their mounds. A human may have dropped it.
Here comes a young male red ant. Curious about the green bean, the red ant approached the black ant and asked, "Can I play with you?" The black ant replied, "Yes, why not?" Later while playing, they knew each other better after asking their names. The black ant is Puny and the red ant is Rocky. The former is a smaller, skinny one while the latter is a bigger and muscular one. Puny and Rocky became friends, best of friends as months go by.
Puny's parents were wondering how their son Puny made a friend outside specially not of their same kind. Puny was asked why, but Puny said he likes his friend Rocky very much. He said that he accepted Rocky as he is though different from him in size and color. That moment, a voice is calling outside the mound... Rocky calling Puny's name from the surface. Puny heard it and came out of the mound. They went to the forest after Puny informed his parents that Rocky and him are off for hiking that day.
In the forest, they found different insects. They were amazed for seeing flying insects like flies, bees and dragonflies. They saw some hidden moths too, sleeping that time of the day. They were more amazed when they saw a grasshopper jumping from one plant to another. They saw a very colorful butterfly, circling around a flower. Then they saw a very colorful insect with so many feet. Puny yelled, "Wow, a train!" Rocky was surprised too and said, "Yes. Let's ride on it!"
The colorful insect they saw is actually not a train, but a caterpillar. When the caterpillar was being approached by Rocky and Puny, it evaded them and passed in a different direction. The two friends were frustrated because they thought that the caterpillar is a living toy. They decided to move around in the forest and the sky was getting darker. Everything around them turned dimmer as nimbus clouds covered the sky. The raindrops began to fall on the ground. They stayed under a leaf for shelter until the rain stopped.
On the ground where they were standing, something was moving underneath -- a long, smooth, silky thing. They waddled and saw a thing coming out of the soiled ground. They thought it's another live toy. The thing came out without eyes or feet, just crawling. It's a worm. A bird suddenly appeared before them and smacked the worm and flew away. They were frightened and scampered away. When they got home in their respective homes, they rested the whole night. For three days, Rocky and Puny didn't see each other to play or rove outside their homes because they were terrified after witnessing what the bird did to the worm.
On the fourth day, Rocky went to Puny's mound. Puny was reprimanded by his parents to play with anybody outside. His parents is only concerned of Puny's safety. Puny talked to Rocky for a while and told Rocky that they will play again maybe after a week or two. Rocky agreed.
Three weeks later, Rocky visited Puny again. Rocky invited Puny to see Rocky's place to introduce him to his parents. Puny didn't tell his parents that he is going to Rocky's place. While on their way to Rocky's mound, the two ants were seen by a large number of red ants in the area. The red colony of ants were all surprised why Rocky is walking with a black ant. Puny is surprised for the different strange reactions he is feeling around him though he is fascinated by the red colony's place that looks like paradise -- so neat and beautiful with lots of food everywhere.
One by one, small and big red ants approached Rocky, nodding at him. Rocky said, "Meet my friend Puny!"
Everybody was silent. Puny whispered to Rocky, "Can I just go home?..."
Rocky said, "You are my friend. I am proud of you for being my friend. Don't be afraid, I will protect you!"
Rocky spoke to everybody with a loud voice, "This is my friend Puny. Please treat him the way you treat me."
Everybody else, about five hundred more red ants were gathered, staring at the skinny appearance of Puny. Then they greeted him, offered food and drinks.
Puny was introduced to Rocky's parents and he was overwhelmed for being accepted by the red colony.
After a few hours of fun and laughter in the red colony's place, Rocky with some of his friends accompanied Puny back home. Puny brought many food for his parents. Puny and his parents thanked Rocky and his friends for everything.
Puny's parents were wrong about what they thought of Rocky as a red ant. They realized that Rocky is actually better than what they presumed him to be. They assumed that all red ants are hostile, aggressive and bad-tempered.
One week later, Rocky went to Puny's mound. Puny was outside far from the mound, looking for some food. Rocky was warmly received by Puny's parents, treated so kind with a morsel of food. Rocky revealed to Puny's parents that Rocky was indeed a bully while growing up, until he met their son Puny and changed his life. Rocky added that he was even stealing food from his neighbors before he met Puny. He changed his attitude while getting along with Puny.
Puny's parents were delighted for hearing good things about their son. No question, both parents of Puny and Rocky already knew that their sons will always be best of friends forever.
Comments