Rang

Ant's can kill a snake

Once upon a time in the Kutumba Forest there lived a terrible snake called Asoor, who liked to terrorize all other animals, not just small ones even the larger ones wouldn't want to  cross their paths with the Snake. You may ask why a tiger or an elephant would be afraid of a snake, that's because the snake was elusive and couldn't be trampled upon or killed, it was poisonous, a single bite could kill an elephant or a Lion too. That created a fear in all animals. Sometimes Asoor would kill or threaten just for the thrill without any intention to prey upon.

There seemed to be no escape, all animals had accustomed to live in fear and some which could no longer take fear started migrating to other forests. Was there only one Asoor, or there were many more much snakes no body knew. Asoor wouldn't attack for days and when they relaxed a bit, he would attack out of no where. This technique kept the fear psychosis going on. One day it came to be known that the old banyan tree which housed many a birds and small animals was dying. The animals were shocked beyond measure. Could Asoor be behind this? How were they to get rid of this Asoor? Jumbini, the old matriarch of the elephant herd, took it upon herself to put an end to this asoor. The animals were eagerly awaiting the good news, but none came.The Eagle went in search of Jumbini to ask what happened instead found a wake of vultures feeding on the carcass of Jumbini.

No one then talked about getting rid of Asoor. Life went on with fear, amidst fear in all alertness. They lived all huddled up. Smaller animal and little ones at the center, larger ones protecting them and largest ones at the periphery. But what life was that if you cant be happy. For all they could be happy for they were alive. Jumbini, their savior, didn't stand a chance what could they do? If Jumbini couldn't how could they?

What to do? It was established that the best solution was to kill the snake. Who would do it? No one volunteered. What to do then? How about a compromise? That seemed a better plan. So the Owl, Eagle, and Cheetah formed a delegation and went to meet Asoor. On the way they saw a swarm of ants dragging a dead mouse to their anthill. The owl had an idea but she kept it to herself and continued their journey to meet Asoor.

Asoor wasn't keen on any sort of compromise or negotiations. He wanted the thrill of the chase and kill. The Cheetah too had had a narrow escape from being fanged. The delegation came with disappointment. What awaited them was starvation as the existing resources were almost used up and they had to look for greener pastures. But that meant going out of the huddle, straight into the danger's arms.

The Fox tried to enlighten a few small animals and insects about how Jumbini died and other such stories. His aim seemed to be to frighten them. The ants listened calmly and then replied, "you didn't see the snake killing Jumbini, she could have died due to old age too or any such problem". The sparrow overhead this and went to the lion to report what she felt they could do. She had always felt that if you are to die, then it's better to do so bravely. The lion listened to what she said. If the sparrow can show so much courage...
Yet another meeting was called and this time all animals attended including leeches and locusts. Sparrow's point was put forth. Just then Asoor attacked, all hell broke loose.

It seemed that someone had given Asoor the exact details about location and time of the meeting. There was a traitor among them.

United we stand divided we fall and that's what happened to inhabitants of the Kutumba forest. The mistrust amongst them led Asoor and his cohorts to have a field day. The animals started picking each other's long forgotten faults and the discord among them only intensified. The wiser animals understood Asoor's game plan but rest didn't care as they were busy finding faults with each other and falling prey to Asoor.

There was an anthill in the middle of the forest near the old banyan tree, Asoor decided to occupy that so that he could stay amidst his prey. What if it housed a colony of ants? What chance did these ants have when bigger animals couldn't do anything? And that was where Asoor tasted his first lesson. The conceited snake failed to recognise his enemy's strength.

The ants, unlike the other animals of the forest, harboured no ill feelings towards each other. They followed the statement 'one for all, all for one' in it's entirety. A tiny ant came to the fore demanding the snake tell the reason of its visit. The snake didn't see any reason to pay attention or give it any thought whatsoever. He proceeded inside the anthill as though he owned it and these insects were the ones that were seeking refuge. The Queen didn't stand insolence and ordered Asoor to leave, which fell on deaf ears as the snake started making itself comfortable. The ants by now also understood that this was the notorious snake that was causing havoc in the forest. They taught it will be nice to teach this creature a lesson and make it leave their home and if possible to make it leave the animals at peace too.

The owl decided that this was the right time to intervene and called on the ants. Since she couldn't enter the ant hill not just because of Asoor's presence but also because she wouldn't be able to fit in, the representative of the queen met the owl at the base of the old banyan tree. After exchanging a few pleasantries by either party, the owl came to the point. "Where are you going to stay? " she asked. The ants were perplexed "why? In our Hill only".
"No, Since you have let Asoor stay there I thought you are vacating the place".
"Why should we vacate? It's ours!"
"Hmmmm" and with that the owl took leave.
By the time they returned to their home the ants had taken the solemn pledge to drive away the snake for good. They briefed their Queen, and she decided that Asoor must be killed for the betterment of all. The ants didn't contemplate whether they could, nor did they blindly follow what their Queen said (like your wish is my life mission kind of things). They believed in themselves. They believed tyranny can be overthrown. This self esteem and self respect coupled with courage and valour spiced and marinated with quick and intelligent thinking led to extinction of tyranny in the Kutumba forest.
As courtesy called them, a couple of ants tapped Asoor and requested him to leave. When that failed to garner any response, the ants by hundreds started dragging Asoor out. He tried to fang them and that let some ants into his mouth. He tried to get rid of them and ended up banging his head on stone crevice. A limp and almost dead snake was dragged out in the open. While all other animals looked in awe and from afar a young elephant calf decided to avenge Jumbini's death and trampled the remainders of Asoor.
Seeing Asoor die the cunning fox and a couple of more animals ran, they tried to escape but where caught by the deer and the Tiger; they were brought to the centre of the gathering and questioned. Fear that ... since Asoor had died, they too may face such a fate set their tongues rolling. They were the spies that worked for Asoor and told him what was going on in the forest. The old banyan tree had been struck by lightening, that killed the tree not Assor's poisoning. Revelling in the fear of these animals, fox and his gang had concocted such similar stories thus making Asoor seem all powerful. Jumbini too had died of old age, the wake of vultures scavenging the elephant made it impossible for other animals to investigate the actual cause of death and this too was used by Asoor to spread fear. The only important killing made by Asoor was that of the vulture as he was close to figuring out what may have happened and expose him. But before the fox and hyena could use it to their favour the meeting was convened and so Assor came out in the open to attack.

The animals stood facing each other, all heads hung down in embarrassment, not knowing what to do. They young began rejoicing their new found freedom and old slowly and shyly joined in.

Though the laws of nature were followed, the animals lived happily ever after.

The Fox and hyena were exiled, word came that they were hunted by the humans because they strayed into the human keep.