GreyParty

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us ~ Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

I like ants.

I was in my kitchen last night and I looked down remembering how around this time last year I spotted an ant running across my floor. He found a crumb of some sort, scoped out the area, grabbed it in his powerful mandible, and trotted off to parts unseen.

I love watching ants. They are strong, graceful, brilliant, industrious, community centered, and damn it, just a bit cute. Maybe I see myself in his form: another a little black guy in a very big world.

As a result, I hate killing the scout. He who creeps across my kitchen, between the cracks, carefully scampering from corner to counter, searching for the feast which will feed his family: He’s only doing his job. How would I feel if someone ran into my classroom and shot me while . . . hmm. Too close to home?

Regardless: he’s good at his job and I love him for it; his undying devotion to something much larger than he.

But if he continues on, if he reports back to the collective, if I allow him to live, I will be infested with an army of his peers, and that is more than I can bare. One is cute, thousands . . . ants are not like love with its limitlessness. They are more like snow or bacon bits.

While I have less of a problem dispensing justice from a can of Raid upon the invading hordes, than I do on the lone scout, it does not bring me joy. However, selfish though it may be, the needs of this one outweigh the needs of the many legged, and so does my foot.

But then what is the solution? How can i avoid killing the brave little forerunner without being forced to meet and murder his friends and family?

As I pondered all of this I realized what brought it all to mind, for there was no little stalwart soilder ant running serpentine manuvers across my fake tile floor at the moment. I was sweeping.

The solution: Don’t leave food about.