The Smallest Hero

By the wide blue river under the big mango tree lived Zuzu the ant and Pia the pigeon.

Two little friends with very different wings and legs but one big friendship.

Huff puff one more grain for the day and then oh another. I can't leave it.

Zuzu again with the grain. Don't you ever take a break. You're missing all the fun up here.

Fun is nice, but I must prepare. The rains will come soon, and food will be hard to find.

Oh, you're so small. How much food do you even need. One grain could feed you for a week.

Maybe, but I believe in being ready. You'll see someday.

Pia laughed and flew off to chase butterflies while Zuzu continued his work, steady and silent.

Soon, the skies turned gray. Rain poured for days, and food was nowhere to be found.

One drizzly morning, Zuzu peeked outside his tunnel.

There was Pia on a low branch, eyes filled with tears.

Pia, why are you crying.

I didn't eat for two days. All the berries are gone. The seeds are wet. I didn't store anything.

Well, luckily for you, I stored enough for both of us.

Zuzu ran to his tiny home and returned with a pile of dry grains wrapped in a leaf.

You're giving this to me even after how I treated you. I'm sorry, Zuzu.

And from that rainy day on, friendship blossomed between the ant and the pigeon.

On a hot summer day, Zuzu felt very thirsty after all the work.

Pia, I'll be back in a jiffy. Just going to sip some river water.

Be careful, Zuzu. Those rocks can be sneaky.

I've danced on them a thousand times.

While walking on the rock, Zuzu suddenly slipped and fell into the flowing water.

Wa. Pia. Help. I fell. I'm in the water. I can't swim. The river's too strong.

Hold on. I'm dropping a leaf. Catch it.

A leaf. Got it. Climbing. Climbing. I'm on.

Are you okay. Are you all right, my dear friend.

Yes, you saved me.

The brave pigeon's quick thinking had saved her tiny friend's life.

Pia, I still can't believe what happened. I really thought I was going to sink.

But you didn't because you're safe now. That's all that matters.

You saw me drowning and you didn't even hesitate. You flew straight into danger. You risked your wings for me.

I couldn't just watch. You're my best friend, Zuzu. What else would I do.

But I'm so tiny. So many creatures would have ignored me. But you you saw me.

Tiny or not, your heart is big. And I see that every day.

You know what, Pia. If danger ever comes looking for you, I'll be there. I promise.

Oh, even if it's a giant jungle cat or a fire breathing dragon. Even then.

Oh, you're braver than you look, Zuzu. Don't underestimate ants. We lift 50 times our weight.

And you lifted my spirits today.

One day, Zuzu strolled by the riverside bushes, humming happily after finishing her grain collecting chores.

La, what a perfect day. I'll visit Pia soon and tell her about the big crumb I found under the old log.

But her joy stopped cold. Something moved. Too quiet. Too sneaky.

Wait, what's that. Oh no, a hunter.

The man held a slingshot. His eyes were fixed above at a low branch on the mango tree.

There she was, Pia, her feathers glowing in the sun, softly cooing a song. She didn't know. She didn't see.

Hold still, little bird. You're mine.

No, no, no. I can't let this happen. I won't.

With her promise echoing in her heart, Zuzu raced up the hunter's boot, her legs trembling but her heart burning with

courage.

This is for my friend. For Pia.

Yo, what was that. Something's on my leg.