Beetle Tale

      Once in Africa there was a little dung beetle. This industrious beetle lived near some elephants. The big animals always produced lots of dung.
      The beetle rolled the dung back to its home. It rolled and rolled and rolled. And after many weeks, it had a great pile of dung.
       The other beetles were envious of the little beetle.
       “He always gets the best dung,” they said. “And he leaves nothing for us.”
       During the dry season, the pond dried up. The elephants moved away to find water.
       The beetles went to see the little beetle.
       “We don’t have enough dung for the winter.”
       “Please, may we have some of yours?”
       The little beetle stopped stacking dung.
       “You should have collected more. I only have enough for my family.”
       The beetles went away empty handed.
      During the rainy season, it rained very hard. Raging floods washed away the beetle’s dung supply.
      “Woe is me! What will happen to my family!”
      It went to see its beetle neighbors.
      “Please, may I have some of your dung?”
      “We only have inferior lion dung. But you are welcome to some.”
      The little beetle had dung for the winter.
      In spring the pond filled with water again.  And this time, many elephants returned.
      Soon, there was enough dung for everyone.