Anthology 1 : Ants Odyssey: Ants Odyssey

By James Malcolm

When nine educated ants escape the confines of their ant farm and enter the natural world for the first time, they begin a naive adventure with enough chaos to last a lifetime. Their creative nature helps to minimize many of the unexpected trials and tribulations along their legendary journey. This eight book series explores the importance of family, the value of friendship and overcoming the struggles of survival in the wild. The keys to their success or failure depend upon their unity, determination and a belief that anything is possible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477121856

James Malcolm

James lives with his wife Shellie on Harstine Island in Washington State. He is an avid fantasy fiction and lyrical poetry author working on his twenty fifth book.

Book preview

ANThology 1

Ants Odyssey

James Malcolm

Copyright © 2012 by James Malcolm.

Illustrations and cover by Morgan Knowles

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

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112366

Dedicated to the

Memory of

C.M. Twin Benson

With unselfish devotion

to the children’s lives he touched

And

ANTroducing

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Contents

The Looking Glass

Unstable Ground

Lucky Break

Leap of Faith

The Pantry

First Friend

The Journey Begins

Umbrella Tree

The Island

Rapid Transit

Crash Course

Mushroom Bandits

Deliverance

Character Map

The Looking Glass

Walt could barely contain his excitement as he pressed his face against the inner glass of the ant farm. He thought about the long hot summer and was glad it was over, as he stared intently across a quiet classroom. Although the room was empty and the chairs were vacant, Walt knew they would soon be filled with excited children.

The ants had arrived an hour earlier with Mrs. Swanson, the teacher, who was preparing her classroom for her first day of class. He had spent the summer at the teacher’s farm in the country, with her ten year old son Alexander, and his dad who was a contractor by trade.

Walt was smart, most inquisitive, and the eldest of the ants, as far as any knew. He had a scientific mind and a hunger for acquiring useful knowledge. Walt had learned many valuable skills by watching and listening to Alexander’s dad, while he worked on his many summer projects around the farm.

Walt, a female voice called out, approaching from the tunnel behind him. It must be time for class by now, Amy continued, as she came to join him at the viewing window.

Not quite, but it will be soon.

Amy pressed her face to the glass and stared at the clock on the far wall, so she knew how much longer they had to wait. Walt could see the broad smile on her face. Amy smiled a lot, and if she wasn’t smiling, she’d be singing one of her many songs. Life for Amy was a song and she never feared to share her soulful lyrics.

Have you seen Austin? Walt asked.

He’s at the far end of the other tunnel, watching the clock.

These weren’t ordinary ants. They had spent the last two school years becoming educated. They had watched and listened intently. They could all read, write and count. There was still much to learn, and many things they didn’t understand, but most of the ants liked being smart. Dusty and Agnes were the exceptions. Agnes couldn’t see the value or application of knowledge they’d all gained, living behind the glass. Dusty, on the other hand, focused on playing, digging in the ant farm soil and getting dirty. That was all that really mattered to him.

Walt and Amy turned their attention to the tunnel, as they heard someone else coming their way. It was Austin, the leader of the ants, if there was one. Austin had a strong presence, a confidence in his walk and was handsome, as ants go.

It won’t be long now, fifteen minutes tops, Austin cried out.

Austin took Amy’s hand, as all three focused their attention on the room beyond the glass, and the open classroom door. They’d waited three months for this moment, but now it was only minutes away.

One by one, all the ants joined the trio, until all nine of the friends were standing together at the viewing window. The view from this portion of the tunnel was the best. It had the highest ceiling, the largest section of glass and the best light. It was their window to the outside world, a world they longed for and they only had to wait ten more minutes.

I wonder what the kids will be wearing this year, Louise said with a hint of excitement.

Louise loved clothes and one day she promised to make clothes for everyone, even though they all knew she was living in a fantasy world. Everyone has dreams and nobody was going to rain on her parade. She had visions of being a designer, but there are only so many things one can make out of dirt, unless you were Dusty.

I’m excited to see all the bright and cheery colors the children will be wearing, Amy shared.

Just dress me in dirt, and lots of it, Dusty blurted out, as he rubbed his dirty hands together.

You mean mud, don’t you? Cookie laughed.

Yeah, that’s even better.

Dusty returned her look, followed by a slight smile. Cookie and Dusty often teased each other. They were a very good match, when it came to verbal warfare, but it was all in good fun. At least Cookie thought so, even though it was Dusty who received the brunt of the sarcasm. He was a good sport and took the teasing in stride.

I want to see what they all have for lunch, Christian sighed, with his hands on his rather large stomach.

"Are you hungry AGAIN, Christian? You’ll never be able to fit into any of those new clothes Louise is going to make, if you don’t stop thinking about food all the time," Ricky replied.

Christian always had an appetite, even when he was full. He even dreamt about food, foods he’d never seen or tasted before, and one day he wanted to live in a kitchen or pantry. If there was one word to describe him, it would be hungry.

Ricky was the athletic superstar of the nine. He was quick, strong, competitive and handsome. He always made everything look so easy and effortless. Ricky was a natural born athlete and wanted to make a contest out of everything the ants did. If he had one weakness, though, it was his inflated ego.

I like the smiles on the faces of the children when they discover something new, Walt reflected. Remember how confident we felt about the discovery of knowledge and how we could use it to impact our lives.

The possibilities are endless, but it’s the application that’s important. Everyone has a gift or talent that can benefit themselves and others, they just need to find out what it is, Austin said.

Imagine that, Cookie, even you have the capacity for talent, hidden, somewhere, Dusty spouted.

Oh yeah, so what’s your gift, Dusty? Something dirty, I’m sure, she challenged.

I have a gift, Dusty said, I just don’t know what it is yet, but I’ll find it, you’ll see.

I can hardly wait for you to make my day.

The feelings mutual and I’ll bet I find my talent first.

Yeah, what do you want to bet?

Whatever you’re willing to lose.

Okay, the winner gets to decide what the loser has to do.

Agreed, but everyone else needs to decide whether it’s really a gift or not.

I already know what my gift is, Amy boasted. I love poetry and I like to sing. I just happen to have a song that’s perfect, and it’s been in my head for day’s, Amy grinned.

Let’s hear your song, Walt said, encouraging the songstress.

Yeah, I agree. It’s been a long time since you last sang for us, Cookie shared.

"We’ve all been waiting

For summers depart

Wishing and hoping

That school would start.

         A—B—C’s and Do—Re—MI’s

         Education is the key

Hungry for learning

We all do our part.

The next generation

We want to be smart.

         Dot your I’s and cross your T’s

         Education is the key

We’re learning to read

We’re learning to write

Adding up numbers

So we can be bright

        1—2—3 teaches me

        Education is the key."

Suddenly the bell rang, startling them all. They were so focused on Amy’s song, that they missed the last few ticks of the clock. The ringing from their antennae slowly diminished and they could hear loud voices and laughter coming from the hall.

Everyone had their eyes fixed in the same direction… the door. There was a strange silence, as none of the ants moved a muscle. It was finally time for