There was a dense forest. A stream flowed gently and softly in it. There was a large tree on its bank in which a dove lived. At the foot of the trunk of the tree, there lived an ant in a hole. The ant and the dove were fast friends. When they sat together in the shade of the tree they talked together and passed their time in fun and merriment. Not only this but as sincere friends they always helped each other in time of need. Once, on a pleasant morning, the ant was just out of its hole. He moved about on the bank of the stream. The ant was happy but suddenly the wind began to blow furiously. The ant was thrown into the stream. He tried swimming but he found it difficult. He was on the point of being drowned. The dove, sitting on the branch of the tree, saw that the ant was in real trouble. The dove thought, “My friend, the ant, is in great danger. I must help him now. It is my duty to save him. What shall I do now? How shall I help him?” He thought of a plan. He dropped the leaf in the ant quickly climbed upon the leaf. The dove picked up the leaf in his beak, and flew to the bank. He put the leaf on the ground and the ant got off it. He was thus saved and he thanked the dove. Days passed. A hunter came into the forest. He had a bow on his shoulder and a sheath of arrows on his back. The dove was sitting on the branch of the tree and the ant was moving under the tree near his hole. The hunter saw the dove. He stood at a distance from the tree and aimed at the dove. The dove did not know this. But the ant saw the hunter aiming at the innocent dove. His arrow will be off in a moment and the poor dove will be killed. I must save my friend somehow.” So the ant ran to the hunter and bit his foot. Just as he did so, the hunter shot the arrow, the bite of the ant made his hands shake a litt and the arrow missed the dove. The dove heard the sound of the flying arrow. He was afraid and flew away and the ant was very happy. Some time later the dove came back to the tree and met the ant. The ant told him what had happened, and how he had bitten the hunter. The dove was grateful to the ant and thanked him. The ant said with a smile, “Didn’t you save me from being drowned in the stream? And isn’t it my duty to help my friend in time of need?” The dove smiled and said, “It’s so nice having a friend like you.”