Congo Folklore Tales: Stories I–VI

II. Why the Small-ant was the Winner

One day a fierce Driver-ant^[70] and a Small-ant had a long discussion as
to which of them was the stronger. The Driver-ant boasted of his size,
the strength of his mandibles, and the fierceness of his bite.

“Yes, all that may be true,” quietly answered the Small-ant, “and yet
with all your size and strong jaws you cannot do what I can do.”

“What is that?” sneeringly asked the Driver-ant.

“You cannot cut a piece of skin off the back of that man’s hand, and
drop it down here,” replied the Small-ant.

“Can’t I? All of you wait and see,” said the Driver-ant.

Away he climbed up the man until he reached the back of his hand. At the
first bite of the strong mandibles, the man started, and, looking down
at his hand, saw the Driver-ant, picked it off, and dropped it dead at
his feet right among the waiting crowd of ants.

[70] Driver-ant = Nsongonia. Small-ant = Mfitete.

The Small-ant then climbed to the place, and gently, softly, with great
patience he worked round a piece of skin until it was loose, and he was
able to drop it to the ground. The waiting throng of ants proclaimed him
the winner, for he had done by his gentleness and patience what the
other had failed to do by his strength and fierceness.