A classical story from another world about humility and gratitude
***
Once there was a little ant who rode on a Dragon's back.
On the day they met, the ant was separated from his colony
Swept away by a great flood, he sought to return to his tribe
But stranded as he was, he grew frantic and restless
And it's at that time that the Dragon came to him
***
"What's wrong, little ant?" Asked the mighty gold dragon.
His sublime scales glistened under the noon sun
And his bright cerulean eyes looked downward naturally
as he gazed at the small ant bustling about his feet
Which his prodigious physique and great height intimidated.
***
The ant shuddered presently, and strained his neck to see
With trepidation he asked, "oh great and venerable dragon-
Who flies the open skies, you're so big and tall!
I'm afraid my small size makes it impossible to meet your eyes
Would you mind lowering your head so that I don't have to strain mine?"
***
And the great gold dragon abided the ant's request
He brought his tall and handsome head, crowned by ivory horns
Into the dirt to gaze at the little ant on the floor
Who once more shuddered before the might of the dragon
And then he said, "there, I've met your size, so I ask again, what's wrong?"
***
Frightfully, the ant answered, "I am lost and stranded!
A flood has swept me far away, and I cannot find my tribe
Oh, great dragon, would you so kindly allow me to climb on your back
and search for my tribe from the greatest height of your horned head?
I fear that down here on the ground, I shall never find them..."
***
The kind dragon agreed, "very well little ant," he said
"Go on and crawl onto my head, and then I shall lift you up high"
and the ant did as the dragon instructed.
He crawled onto the marvelous scales, and gradually
Ascended up the dragons strong back all the way to the head.
***
Once firmly planted there, the dragon lifted the ant up high
So that he could gaze out across the horizon in search of his lost tribe
"There!" the ant said, "I've spotted them in the distance."
"I'm glad I could help," said the dragon, "I hope you reach them safely."
And with a final goodbye, the dragon prepared to set the ant down
***
But the ant, as he admired the high view
Felt bitter to touch the dirt again, and he spoke
"Before we part, dragon, dare I ask for your help again?
It would be quite the journey for such an ant as myself
won't you carry me back to my tribe, it's just over across the river there?"
***
Kindly, the dragon nodded, "it is no trouble to me," he said.
He carried the ant on his head, and waded over the river calmly
And the river was wide and full of cold crystal waters
It would surely be trouble for an ant to cross through
yet to the large and lean dragon, it was a mere cold bath
***
Finally on the other side, the dragon said his farewells again
"It is time for us to part little ant, now that you have found your tribe."
But the ant, standing above the dragon's head, refused to leave
"Just a moment, do you see how small that anthill is?
Such a little dirt mound could never house an ant as large as I"
***
The ant tapped his foot on the dragon's head
And then he said, "I could very well live here on your head-
And I would be no trouble to you!
Your scales have large enough crevices for me to slip through
and your high head gives me the greatest height to see from."
***
"But little ant," said the great dragon
"This is your home, the place where you belong.
Trouble for me you may not be
but what of your fellow ants straining their heads to see you?
Surely, they'd be scared of an ant who stays so high above."
***
The dragon plucked the ant suddenly, with one pale claw
and lowered him down to the dust once more.
"I could carry an army on my back, for I am a mighty dragon.
But you are an ant; not meant to stand so high
So I bring you here again, returned to your tribe.
***
Forget not your place among the others
For my strength is not yours
And these heights are only mine.
Be humble to yourself, ant
And take pride in your tribe."