Beyond the Pasturelands

Author: Yamam Khartash

Illustrator: Sara Wafeeq

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The original work of this book was made possible through the generous support of the All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD) Partners (the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Vision, and the Australian Government). It was prepared by Asafeer Education Technologies FZ LLC and does not necessarily reflect the views of the ACR GCD Partners. Any adaptation or translation of this work should not be considered an official ACR GCD translation and ACR GCD shall not be liable for any content or error in this translation.

Every morning the amber ants led a herd of termites to the green plants. The termites drank from the tasty, juicy plants until they were full. This is why the termites are so thankful for the ants, day and night.

Termites are blind, and without the ants they wouldn’t be able to reach the plants and quench their thirst.

The amber ants protect termites from the ladybugs that surround them everywhere in the pasture. Termite wings are short and they can’t fly and escape the ladybugs when the ladybugs attack. That’s why the termites are so thankful for the ants, day and night.

The ants are also responsible for the termites’ eggs too. The ants carry them for the termites and hide them underground. When the eggs hatch, they lead them to feed on the roots of the juicy plants. That’s why the termites are so thankful for the ants, day and night.

One day, while the ants were carrying the eggs underground, one of the eggs fell and rolled over and over, away and away. The ants didn’t notice the missing egg and went along their way. The egg ended up on a small leaf and hatched after a few days.

A little insect came out. It was Terry the Termite. She looked around and she was totally astounded by the natural beauty around her. She drank from the juicy plants till she quenched her thirst. She liked the taste of the juice and drank it every day. Terry grew bigger and bigger.

One day, a lady bug attacked Terry. Terry saw her coming so she flapped her wings and flew away. Finally, she reached the pastureland where the all the termites lived.

When Terry saw them she shouted, “Oh! These insects look just like me.” She landed where the other termites were. When they saw her, they asked her, “How can you fly?” She asked, “You mean you can’t fly?”

Terry looked at the other termites. They drank the juice the ants prepared for them. Then Terry saw the ants carrying the termite eggs away and wondered, “Where are the ants taking the eggs?

Terry decided to follow them. She saw the eggs hatch. Tiny termites came out. But the ants kept them in holes until they could barely see and then they cut off their wings!

Terry ran to the other termites and told them what she had seen. The termites said, “That’s not true. Ants feed us and protect us.” Terry replied. “Oh really? Come on, look at me! I can see and fly, do you know why? Because I didn’t live with the ants.”

An old termite said, “Even if you’re right, why worry if we have our food and no one will attack us as long as the ants are protecting us?” Then she looked at the rest of the termites and said, “Let’s leave her and go. It’s time to show the ants just how thankful we are.”

Terry yelled, “Has anyone seen the warm rays of the sun through the leaves of trees? Has anyone seen the waterfall as it flows between the rocks in the river? Has anyone seen the wonder of two puffy clouds under moonlight? There’s life beyond the pastureland by the way. If you had your wings you could fly and hide from ladybugs, without needing anyone to protect you.”

No one cared about what Terry said. Only three termites decided to stay with her. They all hid behind the leaves until the ants passed by.

Terry protected her friends. She told them when she saw danger. She also told them all about the wonderful colors she could see.

Before winter, the termites laid lots of eggs. Terry hid them within the roots of a plant. The lives of Terry and her friends ended, but it was the beginning of new generation of termites who could see and fly.

Spring was finally here and the eggs hatched. The baby termites gazed at the wonder of nature. They all played together as they ate and drank from the different plants.

While they wandered around, the little ones saw a pastureland full of insects and amber ants. The little ones went closer and said, “They look so much like us.” They knew what happened to them and managed to convince twenty more insects to leave the pastureland. They protected them and told them about the beauty of that surrounded them.

THE END