147. The Partridge and Her Eggs

Partridge screamed when Python coiled around her eggs.
"What's wrong?" asked Buffalo, and when Partridge explained, Buffalo said, "I'll stomp Python and kill him!"
"No!" shrieked Partridge. "You would smash my eggs."
Elephant made the same offer, and again Partridge said no.
Gorilla, Hippo, Warthog all offered to stomp the Python, and Partridge said no to each one.
Then the Ants came.
Partridge explained, and the Ants said, "We will rescue your eggs."
The Ants attacked the Python, nip-nip-nipping all over his body, and he slithered away in terror.
No harm was done to the eggs.
Small can be strong.
[a Bakongo story from the Congo]



Inspired by: "How the Ants Saved the Partridge's Eggs" in Congo Life and Jungle Stories by John Weeks, 1921.
Notes: You can read the original story online.



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