VII How the Ants Saved the Partridge’s Eggs
Once upon a time a Partridge having laid her eggs, was driven from them by a Python, who took possession of them by coiling herself round and round the eggs.
The Partridge, seeing she had been deprived of her eggs, began to call for help. A Buffalo, hearing her, came and asked what was the matter.
The Partridge said: “The Python has rolled herself round my eggs, and I want a wise body to save them for me.”
“Don’t worry,” said the Buffalo, “I will go and stamp on her.”
“Not you,” cried the Partridge; “while you are stamping on her you will smash my eggs. I am looking for a wise body to help me.”
The Partridge continued to call, and the Elephant came asking what was the matter.
“Oh!” sobbed the Partridge, “the Python has curled round my eggs, and I want a wise body to save them.”
“Never mind,” replied the Elephant, “I will go and smash her to pulp.”
“Not you,” cried the Partridge, “you will break all my eggs.”
So one animal after another offered help, but they were rejected, as they could not drive the Python away without endangering the eggs. The poor Partridge was at her wits’ end, when an army of Driver-ants arrived and inquired the reason of her calling for help. When they heard the cause they marched right up to where the Python was, and at once began to nip, nip, nip with their strong mandibles, and the Python unrolled herself and glided away as fast as she could. Thus the Ants rescued the stolen eggs that would otherwise have been broken by the clumsy attempts of the Buffalo and the Elephant.