“Then, since we cannot live underground, on the ground, in the trees, or in the air, where are we to live?” asked the Black Ant. “I see no way but to fight.”
“How do you expect to fight a Centipede?” asked the Red Ant.
“Or an Anteater?” asked the Red Ant.
“Or a great, pouncing Bird with a beak like a spear?” asked the Wagtail Ant.
Each insisted that his own way of escape would be effective and that every other plan was foolish and dangerous.
“There is nothing for us to do,” said the Black Ant at last, “but each to live as suits him best, for we shall never agree on a way of living that will suit us all. For my part, I intend to fight.”
Then the Black Ant and his people fought their way through the rest and departed in a column across the country.
The Red Ant built a strong castle with hundreds of winding passages and chambers, but no sooner was it done than the Anteater saw it. Clawing his way through the wall, he put in his long, slender tongue and licked up the inhabitants.
The Rice Ant burrowed under the earth, but no sooner had the many worms and burrowing insects learned of the new colony than they came and ate not only the grown Ants but the baby Ants and even the eggs.
The Wagtail Ant climbed the trees and hid under the bark, but Birds with long, slender beaks pried into every crack and nipped the hidden Ants with their pincers.