Here is the English translation of the given content: "Short stories to read while drinking coffee"

Author: Liu Xiangyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The Rescue of Ants
One afternoon in summer, a person was watering several pots of flowers on the balcony. While watering the pomegranates, he noticed several red ants struggling on the surface of the water. He knew that although ants cannot swim, they are extremely resilient little creatures. He decided not to rescue them because the water in the pots would seep away in a few minutes, allowing the ants to land freely without any danger to their lives. Shortly after, the water had drained away. The ants quickly resumed their normal activities on the wet soil, but two unlucky red ants were partially buried in the mud, struggling to crawl out but unable to succeed. He thought, "I should rescue these two victims." He needed to find a tiny tool, as using his fingers or even slightly thicker sticks could turn the rescue into a killing. However, when he picked up a large needle from indoors, an unexpected thing happened: the two buried ants were being rescued simultaneously by two other companions. The rescuers were pulling their companions out with great effort. He gave up the chance to compete for credit with the two heroic rescuers and quietly observed this heartwarming story of life that summer moved his soul. One ant was rescued first, and the other, with the help of the rescuers, struggled free from the mud as well. After cautiously testing their surroundings, they quickly fled. Strangely, one of the rescuing ants did not leave immediately after saving its companion but continued to bite the soil at the rescue site, as if something else was buried beneath. He wanted to see what was going on and did not disturb it. Soon, he noticed a pair of tiny antennae twitching, revealing that another trapped companion was hidden beneath. This time, he had to help them, as this "flood" was his fault, and he was responsible—even guilty—in the eyes of these small creatures. He carefully used the needle tip to pry open the mud, and indeed, another small ant emerged. The rescuing ants immediately approached their companion, kissing and touching it, trying to carry it away. At this moment, the rescued ant had recovered and touched the rescuer’s antennae in return, then they left together.
We are not entomologists, so we don’t know whether the ants’ rescue behavior is accidental or a natural instinct. However, in this regard, they truly demonstrate a moral sense that humans should possess.
Coffee Chronicles
Love is a silent force, and helping is an action that exists between humans and animals. In critical moments, extending a hand can save a person, even create a miracle—this is the greatness of life.