The Spider and the Beetle

Once upon a time, in a forest, there was no rain for a long time. With this, rivers were left with less water, not enough for plants or animals. Some plants were already drying and it was getting harder for animals to find food.

Because of it, the animals that had some stored food offered a share to those who had nothing. The ants shared their leaves with the caterpillars, and the frogs helped the fish. That way, everyone could eat, even if less than normal. The animals waited anxiously for the rain to return.

The beetle was in a difficult situation. The leaves and berries which it kept were already at the end, and it did not know where it could find more. Even with that concern, the beetle would not ask for food from its neighbors. "They are also in difficulties, I could not accept help knowing that their situation will become more difficult," it thought. And it went out once more to look for leaves.

Meanwhile, above a tree branch, the spider watched its friend and thought how worried it must be, and if there was any way it could help it. Then the little spider remembered a nearby tree that still had green leaves. The tree had very deep roots, so it got water from under the land.

The spider ran with its little legs to the tree, and then climbed up to the top of the branch, where it found leaves still green. After collecting a juicy leaf, the spider made the long way back to its house.

When it finally arrived at its house, spider thought how it would hand the leaf to the beetle. "How can I make the beetle accept the leaf, but do not feel bad about it?" Then it had an idea. It tied the leaf with its transparent web and waited the beetle to come back.

Soon the beetle appeared, head down and nothing in his hands. "Maybe tomorrow I'll find something," it thought. The spider then, carefully, stretched its web until the leaf reached the ground, where it knew that the beetle would pass.

When the beetle saw the leaf, he smiled brightly. "How wonderful! A green leaf. " It took the sheet to its house. "Thank you very much, my God, for making this leaf come to me," it said gratefully. Beetle's happiness made spider happy, too, and it returned to its home grateful for the opportunity to help.

Text by Lívia Seneda.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com