Intelligence Saved the Partridge Eggs African Folklore
How the Intelligent Ants Saved the Partridge's Eggs African Folklore
As the elders say, there once lived 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 the matter was. 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 the matter was. "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."
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 ants arrived and asked the
reason of her calling for help. When they heard the problem, they marched right
up to where the Python was, and at once began to bite, nip, and pinch the Python.
The
Python unrolled herself and glided away as fast as she could. Thus, the smallest
creatures, ants’ intelligence rescued the stolen eggs that would otherwise have
been broken by the clumsy strength of the big Buffalo and Elephant.
