Library:The Spider and the Ant

This fable by Iazon Paragon is featured in the anthology.

The Spider and the Ant
by Iazon Paragon

One day, as a sad young worker ant was foraging food for its colony, it discovered a huge spider spinning a magnificent web.

“Oh Mr. Spider, you are so big and free. You do not follow orders or carry food you’ll never get to eat. You can spend your days building such beautiful webs, and stay out as late as you want. Your life is so much better than mine.”

The large spider paused from its weaving and dangled down, gazing all five eyes at the little ant.

“Sweet little ant, my life is not so grand as yours. Why, when a bird pokes its head into this chamber looking for a meal, and sees a big juicy spider and a small puny ant, which one of us would it choose to eat? And which one of us would live to see another day? This freedom of mine you speak so fondly of comes at a price little one, as I am cursed to spend all my days alone, and when I fall asleep at night I have only this web to protect me. The food you harvest, is it not for a family that shares with you, protects you, and loves you? You would do well to be thankful for your community.”

The ant, now filled with joy that he was not alone like the spider, returned home to his family and never complained of his chores again.