I Am an Ant.

Summary

An ant reflects on its existence and its relationship with humans, highlighting the contrast between its communal lifestyle and human behavior.

Abstract

The narrative is a first-person account from the perspective of an ant, which finds itself in a human environment, specifically on a fruit bowl. The ant ponders over the human's aversion to its presence, despite its harmless intentions. It reveals its biological trait of having two stomachs, one for personal consumption and another for sharing with its colony, implicitly criticizing human selfishness. The ant observes the human's physical condition and lifestyle, contrasting it with its own agility and communal sharing. The story takes a dramatic turn when the ant faces potential danger from a human and a cat, emphasizing the vulnerability of its existence. The author, Sherry McGuinn, uses this encounter to explore themes of coexistence, empathy, and the unnoticed life of an ant, drawing a parallel to broader societal behaviors.

Opinions

The ant perceives human reactions as unjustified hostility, as it means no harm.
There is a critique of human dietary habits and exercise routines, contrasting them with the ant's natural efficiency and communal sharing.
The ant expresses a sense of superiority in its ability to share food, implying humans could learn from this behavior.
The ant acknowledges its vulnerability in the face of human and animal threats, appealing to the reader's empathy.
The author suggests that humans often overlook the intricate lives of smaller creatures, taking an empathetic stance towards the ant's plight.

“F” your fruit!”

Guillaume De Germain/Unsplash

You don’t like me, even though I hold no ill will toward you. I see you coming, as I scramble over your fruit bowl.

I don’t have ears, so I can’t hear your curses. Your recriminations. Why do you hate me? What have I done?

I should run, but an overripe banana gives me pause. My two stomachs rumble from its sweet, cloying call to my antennae.

You didn’t know, did you? That I have two stomachs. One to hold food and the other to share with my brethren.

Can you say the same? Do you share your food? From what I’ve seen of you and yours, I think not. For shame.

In fact, where I am lean and strong, you are soft and pliable. How is that treadmill working out for you? Hmmmm?

Go ahead. Hate me. You’re just lucky I’m not a Bullet ant. I would sting the living crap out of you.

A phone call distracts you. Time to leave this bowl and move on Ahh. Crumbs on the counter. A good nosh. See how you like that.

Up ahead, a compadre signals to me. “Yo! Better pickings, over here.” But, as I hustle like a mofo, I see you reach for something.

Still on the phone, you are relentless. I hate you. You suck. As fast as I am, you are gaining on me!

Shit! A cat! I can’t outrun you both. Or, that blunt instrument. Please don’t hurt me. I have a family.

Sherry McGuinn is a longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.