Stop, said the god.
Why are you menacing me?
I hope I did you no harm while I was sleeping.

You have done us no harm, said the largest ant.
It is our nature to ravage.

But, said the god, If you attack me,
I shall grind you into the earth with my heels.

That, said the ant, is neither here nor there.
It is our nature to attack,
and we have grown accustomed to
such treatment from those we attack.

You are right, said the god.
It would not be in my nature to destroy you,
even though it is in yours to destroy me.

With that the god stepped over the encircling ants
and strode off toward the horizon,
leaving the ants to threaten the air.

And that is why, when given a choice between two natures,
it is best to choose your own.