The Bee and the Ant's Argument

A Bee and an Ant were arguing about who was more important. "I create sweet honey, a food for gods and kings," buzzed the Bee. "I fly in the air and see everything." The Ant replied, "But I and my family build great cities under the earth. We are strong, and our work is the foundation of the world." They could not agree, so they went to the oldest woman in the Batwa camp, who was known for her wisdom. She listened to them both. Then she said, "Bee, your honey is sweet, but it is a luxury. Ant, your tunnels are strong, but they are hidden. Today, you will both help me." She sent the Bee to find a flowering tree that had medicine in its leaves. She sent the Ant to burrow into a cracked pot to retrieve the last of the community's salt. The Bee's sight and the Ant's strength both succeeded where a human could not. The old woman said, "You see? One provides sweetness from the sky, the other provides flavour from the earth. Both of you are essential. Your argument was foolish, for the forest needs you both, and so do we."