Читать книгу The young fox, who raps - Rosemary Bloom - Страница 7

Ants

It’s one of the splendid summer afternoons when the four of us: Father, Flynn, Fiona and me are walking in the forest. Dad teaches us to read traces. Then we play hide-and-seek, a leapfrog, and run a race, till we are out of breath and fall with fatigue.

When we walk past an anthill, Father stops and says, ‘What amazing creatures are those ants!’

‘Are they?’ Flynn asks. ‘They are so tiny and fussy running here and there, carrying leaves and pine needles. I don’t find them fascinating at all!’

‘They are, trust me!’ Dad objects. ‘Ants are hardworking and strong. They work nonstop all day long. Each ant can lift 20 times its body weight!’

‘Look, Dad, those aren’t working but fighting!’ I notice, coming up closer to the anthill. ‘Why?’

‘And what? We also fight sometimes. All boys are the same,’ my brother says knowingly, punching me slightly with his fist.

‘It’s evident, those ants are fighting to protect their dwelling from intruders. You know, they are great security guards!’ Father adds.

‘Are they?’ I ask.

‘You shouldn’t judge by their size! Despite being tiny, those insects are so brave that often fight to the death!’

‘Wow!’ Flynn says and his eyes get wide in surprise. ‘I start liking them!’

‘So, do I! They are fearless and fair!’

‘Fair? Well, I wouldn’t say so… Sometimes they enslave other ants and make them work for their colony,’ Father says.

‘Aha! So, they aren’t entirely good and flawless, as others might think!’ our sister remarks, trying to spoil our admiration and delight.

I flinch in surprise, when Fiona shows her interest at last. Then I look at Flynn, who frowns and clenches his teeth.

‘Anything interesting about their families and she-ants?’ sister asks, bending over the anthill. All this is boring for me.’

‘Well… Ants have a queen. She can live for many years and have millions of babies!’

‘Oh, that’s amazing!’ Fiona exclaims and jumps with joy.

‘Hush, you silly! See? You are disturbing them!’ I whisper.

‘Do they hear us, Dad?’ brother asks.

‘Ants don't have ears, kid,’ Father remarks. ‘But Fred is right, we have to get out of here. It’s their territory and we are not welcome.

* * *

I can’t fall asleep, thinking about ants and their ability to communicate without any ears, and ask Flynn, ‘If ants can’t hear, so they don’t talk?’

‘No idea, bro! What do you think?’

‘I think you should better keep silence, because I want to sleep,’ Fiona breaks in.

‘I suppose, they use the antennae they have got on their heads,’ I whisper.

‘Terrific! They move them to talk!’ my brother says miming the action.

‘But what if they want to chat at night?’

‘They sleep at night, stupid head! And SO DO I!’ the sister snaps.

‘I think, we should ask Dad about this, right?’ I offer.

‘We might go there tomorrow and watch them! Flynn suggests.

‘Good idea!’

‘Oh, you might go there right now! I would be awfully happy then! Fiona interrupts angrily, sitting upright.

‘I see, you envy us!’ I say.

‘Me? Why should I?’

‘Because we don’t ask you to join us!’

‘Pf-f-f! Who needs you and your ants?’ she says with contempt.

‘Great! We can do pretty well without you too!’ I exclaim.

‘Do whatever you want and shut up at last!’ Fiona growls.

‘You shut up, cabbage head!’ my brother steps in.

‘A whole day of silence for all of you, for lack of respect to each other,’ Father concludes.