The Ants and the Pen

Filled with colourful illustrations, this children's story uses the brave, ultimately tunnel-visioned ants to show that information is not necessarily equal to knowledge.

A group of adventurous ants discover some squiggles on a piece paper. What could these new, mysterious markings be - and what is the strange object hovering over the paper? Some of the ants put two and two together and realise that the lines are being made by the nib of a pen.

Another generation of ants goes on to discover that the pen is being held by - fingers. The fingers are attached to a hand. The hand to an arm... At each stage, the insects celebrate their new discovery.

But will they ever understand the meaning of the writing itself?

Idries Shah published many hundreds of Sufi teaching-stories drawn from the rich cultural heritage of Eastern lands, including his own home, Afghanistan. Fun and entertaining, yet infused with Aesopian wisdom, Shah's children's books enshrine stories which increase our understanding, flexibility, and breadth of vision.

'Shah's versatile and multilayered tales provoke fresh insight and more flexible thought in children.' Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature

These enchanting stories...have a richness and depth not often encountered in children's literature, and their effect on minds young and old can be almost magical.' Multicultural Perspectives: An Official Journal of the National Association for Multicultural Education (USA)