The Dove and the Ant

On a hot day in summer, an ant was searching for some water. After walking
around for some time, she came to the river. To drink the water, she climbed up
on a small rock. While trying to drink water, she slipped and fell into the river.

There was a dove sitting on a branch of a tree who saw an ant falling into the
river. The dove quickly plucked a leaf and dropped it into the river near the
struggling ant. The ant moved towards the leaf and climbed up onto it. Soon, the
leaf drifted to dry ground, and the ant jumped out. She looked up at the tree and
thanked the dove.

Later, the same day, a bird catcher nearby was about to throw his net over
the dove hoping to trap it. An ant saw him and guessed what he was about to do.
The dove was resting and he had no idea about the bird catcher. An ant quickly bit
him on the foot. Feeling the pain, the bird catcher dropped his net and let out a
light scream. The dove noticed it and quickly flew away.
Comprehension Check:
1. What was the ant's problem in the story?
a. The ant wanted a cold drink of water. c. The ant bit the hunter.
b. The ant fell into the water. d. The ant bit the dove.
2. How was the ant's problem solved?
a. The hunter rescued him. c. The dove brought a leaf to help the ant.
b. The ant climbed out by himself. d. The wind blew the ant.
3. What was the dove's problem?
a. The dove got bitten by the ant. c. The dove couldn't hear the hunter sneaking up.
b. The hunter caught the dove. d. The dove ate too many ants.
4. How was the dove's problem solved?
a. The hunter let him go. c. The dove heard the hunter and flew away.
b. The ant bit the hunter. d. The dove played dead.
5. Why does the author keep using the phrase, "That's what friends do."
a. The author needs a good friend. c. The author only knows one phrase.
b. The author wants the reader to learn a lesson. d. Ant and Dove are the author's friends.
6. What subgenre of fiction is The Ant and the Dove?
a. Myth b. Fable c. Legend d. Fairy Tale
7. Just then a pretty dove looked down. She saw the ant in the river. She knew she had to help the ant. The dove flew
to a tree. She used her beak to cut a leaf. She dropped the lead into the water. The ant swam hard and got on top
of the leaf. Based on this evidence, how would you characterize the dove?
a. Selfish b. clever c. generous d. delightful
8. Your text says: The Moral of the story is If you help others, they will want to help you. How would you define moral?
a. Lesson b. brain c. setting d. plot
9. "Startled, the mean dropped the net." What is the meaning of the underlined word?
a. process of b. surprised c. did or give in return d. amuse
10. "And the dove, thinking that you never can tell how or when a kindness may be repaid, flew away." What is the
meaning of the underlined word?
a. process of b. surprised c. did or give in return d. amuse