It was a hot summer day in the dry forest.

Little Ant had no water for many days.

"I need a drop of water, even if it falls from a leaf," cried Little Ant.

But even the dew had dried up.

"If I do not have water, I will die," cried Little Ant. "I must go to the river I heard about."

"The river is full and strong. It will sweep you away," warned a wise squirrel.

But Little Ant was extremely thirsty. "I will die if I don't drink some water."

So, he went to look for the river.

He walked past tufts of grass and over dry branches.

He walked until he heard water splashing.

It was the river! He could hear waves.

Little Ant took a long sip of cool water.

He was so happy he did not see a wave coming.

Little Ant tried to grab some grass floating past him.

But he was swept away by the water.

"Help me someone. Help me please!" he called.

"Quick, climb on," said White Dove, holding a branch in her beak.

White Dove saved Little Ant from drowning in the river.

"I will stay here until I can thank the dove," decided Little Ant. 

"I will wait until she comes back to drink."

One day as he waited, two boys came to the river.

They had their slingshots.

"There is a big white dove that comes here to drink," said one boy.

"Let's kill it and have it for supper tonight," said the other boy.

"I cannot let the boys kill White Dove," thought Little Ant. "But I am so tiny, what can I do?"

Just then White Dove flew down from the tree to drink.

The naughty boys got ready to shoot White Dove.

Little Ant had an idea.

Little Ant jumped onto one boy's foot.

He bit that boy as hard as he could.

The boy jumped. "Ouch!" he shouted.

White Dove was startled and flew away to safety.

That was how Little Ant thanked White Dove for saving him.