The last days of the winter season, and grandfather had received an invitation to attend a meal at one of his uncle’s houses, who was older in age. The weather was cold, and there was a beautiful cat, as well as a bird searching for food, and many poor people.
After walking around the house and the cat in the beautiful yards, grandfather went with the other children to the garden where the family had moved there. While the adults were talking, the old cat ran, and the children followed him laughing, running, and playing.
Adham stopped surprised at a long line of small ants, and that ant was carrying small pieces of food. Adham looked with fascination at the ant to put his foot down until he would grab with his hand and crush her without pity. The good ant’s mother who was with Adham saw her son being crushed and fell to the ground. Adham looked at his mother with sad looks, as well as the other children who had seen the scene gathered in fear from Adham.
The mother said with a loud voice, “Why do you oppress the small ant? Is there anything you think? Do you not see how hard is the work in gathering food during the winter season?” Then the mother looked at the other children and spoke to them also on the same subject, and they listened to her with attention.
The mother said to the children, “We must not harm any creature just because we are only able to do that. On the contrary, we must benefit from them and learn from them. For example, the ant, despite its small size, is one of the most hard-working and organized creatures found in nature. So see how they all cooperate to transport the loads that are bigger than them in size!”
Adham felt sadness because of the bad work he was committing, and he promised his mother that he would not harm any creature on the earth, whether small or large. As well, the other children learned the same lesson that they would apply in their lives.
The story is translated from the Spanish language: Las hormigas laboriosas