The Slice of Cake

“We are marching two by two hurrah, hurrah, we are marching two by two, yee-haw, yee-haw, we are marching two by two and then we stopped to tie a shoe…”

“Will you shut up!” yelled Brian’s mother.

“Sorry Mom, I’m just so excited, look what Billy and I found.” he held out the small brown crumb for her examination.

“Is that what I think it is?”, she asked.

“YES!” Brian fist pumped his mandible in the air, not an easy thing to do when you have six mandibles and you need to balance.

“Honey come look and see what the kids found!”, mom yelled into the neighboring tunnel.

Dad walked in, “What is it, I’m rather busy at the moment.”

“Were you working out again?”, Dad looked at the ground, “honey, you can already lift 20 times your own body weight, give it a rest. Look at what the boys found.”

Their father examined the dark piece of material and his antenna perked up, “Where did you find this boys, is there more?”

“Yeah Dad, there is a mountain full! We can show you where.” Said Brian.

Brian and Billy followed their scent trail back to their treasure, singing the whole time, “we are marching two by two…”

“Things were easier before they could talk”, said Dad. “I agree, but it’s too late to do anything about it now. Besides, look how happy they are.” Said Mom, as she smiled.

“How much further kids?” asked Dad.

“Not far now, we just have to cross the park “, said Billy, “we are marching two by two, yee-haw, yee-haw…” sang both boys.

“Your mother taught them that song to drive us insane, you know that right?” sad Dad.

“Oh shush, she did no such thing. You are just grumpy because she’s coming to stay in our adjoining tunnel next week.”

Brian then announced, “Look, we’re here!”

There in front of them was a gigantic slice of chocolate cake lying next to a tree. The Ant family was in awe. They had never seen such a perfect, pristine looking, slice of chocolate cake.

“It’s just so beautiful” Mom began to sob.

“There, there honey, it is an amazing site to see, but you have to pull yourself together. There is work to be done.”

The Ant family broke off what they could and transported the cake back to the colony. The Dad went to the main area with the boys and announced that a gigantic slice of chocolate cake had been found by his sons and they needed the colonies help. “How much are we talking about here?” asked one of the Queen’s guards. Billy said, “Enough for the whole colony!”

The Ant Family directed the other ants to the treasure. Soon, the entire colony made a line across the park to the cake. Every ant worked night and day transporting it back to the colony.

After all the cake had been transported, the Queen held a meeting. “My people, this is a great day for our colony. Two of our youngest, Brian and Billy, were able to find a treasure. Did they keep this treasure to themselves?”, “NO!” the ant colony shouted in unison. “No, they did not. For they cared about the colony and what this treasure could mean for our survival. Last winter our colony nearly perished due to lack of food. This year our colony WILL THRIVE!”, “YEAH!!!!!” the masses shouted. “Where are Brian and Billy?” the Queen asked.

The two young ants stepped forward. The Queen said “Brian and Billy, from this day forward, you are no longer worker ants. You have been promoted to Scout level!” A cheer went up from the crowd. Their mother cried, their father looked on, prouder than he had ever been. Brian and Billy thanked the Queen and rejoined their parents. As they walked back to their tunnel their Dad told their Mother, “Okay, I guess it was a good thing we taught them how to talk.” Just then Brian started singing again, “We are marching two by two hurrah, hurrah”….Brian’s father continued, “I think however, we need to tell your mother not to teach them any more songs.” “Agreed”, said Mother.