The Choice He Made
In 1938, Carl Stephenson published his short story, “Leiningen Versus the Ants.” The story was an immediate success, and shortly after it was published, it was produced first as a radio drama and then as a movie, The Naked Jungle, which featured Charlton Heston in the role of Leiningen. According to the short story, in his three years as a planter, Leiningen has defeated every obstacle he has encountered. This fact, together with his belief that human intelligence used correctly enables one to achieve anything, plays a large part in his decision to face an approaching multitude of relentless ants which are devouring everything in their path; however, Leiningen’s choice will result in serious consequences for his plantation,
