The Gray Ant grew wings and learned to fly, and although he succeeded in dodging the Birds, he found that when he alighted and tried to hide in the leaves, the web of a Hunting Spider awaited him.
Meanwhile the King of the Insects had heard of their troubles, and he sent a message to the Ants, saying: “You will find safety only in union. Join all together, and, small as you are, you will be safe.”
The Beetle, who was sent with the message, started out bravely, but bumped into a tree and hit himself a blow on the head which knocked the message completely out of it. Thus the Ants have never received the advice of the King.
Many of the men of the village had been listening to this story, and there was silence for a time after the Alo Man had finished.
“It is true,” said one of the hunters at last, “we quarrel a great deal among ourselves, and we have not been able to agree with the other villages even about this expedition.”
“But our own ways are the best,” said another. “Why should we change them for those of others?”
“That is what the people of Satu’s village say,” said the Alo Man.
“If there is ever a great meeting in which we are to plan how to defend ourselves against Tswki,” said Mpoko’s father, grimly, “I think we shall have to begin by making a law like that of the People of the Bandaged Faces.”
The others grinned, for they knew that story; but Mpoko could not imagine what his father meant, and there was no time just then to ask.