Red Ants- March across the Waters!

The ongoing saga about life in the garden! ( sequel to Unlikely Stories)

                          RED ANTS- THE MARCH ACROSS THE WATERS!

Things seemed to be peaceful, as life was getting back to normal in Farmer Johnson's garden. Suzee Bee had some relatives coming to help with pollinating the fruits and vegetables. Herman was busily digging holes in the ground, since worms were God's way of bringing the good soil to the surface. Nikki was contentedly being his lazy self, and resting on his many feet (in a figurative way- since he really had none being a caterpillar).

K.C. was always perfecting his Karate moves when not working. One day when he wandered into Farmer Johnson's house, he saw that her magic box was left on. He sat mesmerized as he watched the man doing all kinds of martial arts moves. It was exciting and that's when he wanted to become one of the best Kung Fu Ants! Not just in this garden- but in the whole world!

He remembered having a cousin living in Japan that used to write him. In one letter he told him how they had been trained from an early age. They trained in a way to be a fierce, disciplined warrior- only killing when it was absolutely necessary! He thought he could be just as good as they were, even better with enough training.

K.C. remembered that letter and while watching the magic box muttered " I may not be Red, but I can become a fierce fighter too!"

So while K.C. sat staring at the magic box, we'll move on to the others, and what they were doing in the garden today. Pretty Katy-Did was always primping herself, and doing her best to stay close to Nikki. Even though he did his best to hide from her, she always managed to find him.

Once he asked King Sherman if he could hide inside his shell. But the King told him he wouldn't like it since it was a little slimy, even in the empty parts. Yet he would be on the lookout for a good hiding place for him. Nikki thanked him, and they both went in opposite directions.

Katy had been following him ever since the bands last tour. She had become obsessed with him and the former "Fuzzy Caterpillars." He thought at first it was cool that the band had a fan so focused on them. Yet she started to focus on just him, and everywhere they went……..there she was-Katy-Did! She swooned over Nikki, and only him. It finally came to be to much, the band began to fight. Thus ended in them parting their ways.

As Nikki moved away from Sherman he thought to himself ' doesn't Katy know it would never work- we are two different species. I would hate to see what our offspring would end up looking like! Hideous flying creatures- I feel it would be an abomination to nature!' Then he crawled up the stalk of a corn plant, hoping to get some rest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been months since King Sherman's cousin had his untimely demise. They had all watched as Farmer Johnson scraped the remains of his squished slug body off the bottom of her boot. The bugs even heard her let out a loud 'ugh' as she stepped on his body. Then sit and watch her cleaning up the spot where his slimy body had been.

Suzee Bee always busted out laughing when she recalled the squishing noise. Then kept on apologizing to Sherman buzzing " sorry, sorry" in between her giggling. One by one the others began to laugh until tears ran down their faces. That's when they decided to stay apart, and get back to more important things. Doing the best job they could in maintaining the garden- their home! Also, keeping all the unwanted pests outside of the garden area.

One day while K.C. had stopped to chat with Herman, they heard a buzzing noise. As they looked up, a mail wasp called 'Rufus' flew by depositing a letter. It landed near K.C.'s legs, Rufus buzzed " Express letter for a Master K.C. Joseph!"

He bent over to pick it up, then said " Thanks Rufus!"

As Rufus was flying off he remarked " Just doing my job, as usual."

K.C. opened the letter, and as he read it he got a big grin on his face. Herman popped out of a hole, and inquired " Oh was that Rufus flying over head?"

K.C. replied happily, " Yeah, I got a letter!"

Herman bumped him and asked "Ohhhhh getting love letters from some girlfriend?"

K.C. blushed then replied " No, you know girls don't like me. Besides it's from my cousin, you know the one from Japan. The one who knows about the Red Army, and says he has something to tell me. He claims it's so important it will not only affect our garden- but life as we know it on this planet! He says nothing will be peaceful again- it will be all gone, kaput!

At the time all the Red colored ants were considered to be a part of the Red Army in China. Where as black ants are just the opposite, not allowed to be included" K.C. said as Herman went down into the ground.

Herman went down, then popped up out of another hole, then while frowning said,

"Wonder what could be so vital……. Does he say when he will get here? It must be really important if he is willing to travel all the way here to America!"

K.C. replied quietly " yeah it must be! It doesn't say when he will arrive either. Do you think I should inform the King?"

Just then Katy flew up overhearing the last part, she stood beside K.C. asking sweetly,

Tell the King what? Does it have to do with Nikki? Are his band members coming here to live? Oh that would be so cool, then they can become a band again. Maybe we could watch them practice………. Oh Nikki is so dreamy, don't you think guys?"

Caught up in her excitement, K.C. started to say " yeah- that would be………. what am I thinking. Katy this letter has nothing to do with Nikki, now why don't you go do what you do best at - go preen yourself, preferably away from us! And leave Nikki alone, he doesn't like you bugging him!"

Herman giggled as he went down a hole, missing what she said.

"Well, I can see I am not wanted here, and I don't preen- that's what a bird does. I just make sure I always look my best!" she said in a huff as she buzzed away.

Herman popped back out of a hole to see her flying off. K.C. waited until she was out of earshot, turning to Herman " she always gets me all flustered, I can't think straight sometimes."

" I hear ya bro! At least I can burrow down and hide, you're forced to stand there and listen to her jabber! Going on and on, 'Oh Nikki this and Nikki that' " Herman said laughing.

K.C. replied " you are so lucky getting to escape. Well better put this letter away for now, it will take my cousin awhile to get here. Japan's a long ways off from here, I believe. Until then let's get back to work, I have some dead plants to move!"

Herman retorted " Later gator" then laughed and said " get it- you chomp down on leaves, just like an alligator does on his food."

K.C. started walking away waving his arm, saying " Yeah, ha ha very funny Herman. Better than what you do………leaving piles of poop around!"

Herman proudly replied " I'll have you know my jobs a very important one. It enriches the soil, so the plants you chomp on grow correctly. Otherwise the land could be desolate, and that would such a waste!"

As K.C. walked off he raised his leg doing a Karate move, then yelled back " Yeah, yeah Herman I know. Then we all would be out of a job."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

He was just about to start using his sharp teeth on a plant, when he heard a buzzing noise. He looked around, and at first he didn't see anything. Then he heard a rustling noise, as he looked down at one of the plants, he spied something caught in the brambles and didn't recognize the bee.

" Oh dear let me help you out of this mess you got yourself tangled in. Are you hurt, and how did this happen?" K.C. asked the young bee.

" I seem to have taken a wrong turn into a broken limb, and it came crashing down on me" she quickly replied.

" There now you're free, and out of that tangled mess. Are you hurt anywhere?" K.C. asked with a sense of concern.

"Well, let's see" she said flapping her wings, then said "No, not really. It seems like everything is alright. But then again I am just a lonely bee- not a doctor. Are you one?" she asked.

" No I'm not, but that's good you don't feel like you're hurt. Yet I think the King should check you out, just to make sure nothing is broken or damaged. By the way, my name's K.C…er Joe, but you can call me K.C.! And you are?” he inquired with a sly look in his eyes.

While brushing her body off, she happily exclaimed " Oh dear me, I seem to be forgetting my manners again. My name is Bettina C. Bee, but most people call me Betty!"

Then she gave him a sweet grin, which made him blush. Making him get all flustered, and forget what he was going to say.

As Betty looked around, she ask " So what do you do here, Joe….. uh, K.C.?"

K.C. stood proudly, and replied " I help manage the plants, making sure they are clear of dead leaves! Plus I feed myself in the process!"

"Um, mighty big garden……. and you do this all by yourself?" Betty asked as she peered over to K.C.

He began shaking his head saying " Oh no, no. I have my friends helping me. In fact one might be popping up any minute!"

Tilting her head to one side, she inquired " Popping up- whatever do you mean by that?"

K.C. began telling Betty about his friend Herman, who happened to be the caretaker of the ground. How important his job was to enrich the soil by digging into the ground. And by bringing the good rich soil from deep inside the ground, up to the surface. As he finished saying that Herman came popping up out of the soil behind the asparagus plants.

Betty leaned over to K.C. asking quietly " Is he long and lean- like a snake?"

" Why yes he is……… so you've met him already?" he replied happily.

" No silly, but I do believe he is right behind you!" Betty said while grinning.

He quickly shot around, and when he saw Herman, K.C. questioned " Are you spying on me again?"

Herman retorted " Who me? Spy on you? No K.C., at least not this time, he he. For heavens sake you are so paranoid. By the way, who's this beauty? She far prettier than Suzee!"

Betty blushed a bright pinkish red, then said shyly " Why thank you…… ah, Herman is it?"

Herman politely bowed to Betty then said " I would shake your appendage, but as you can see I don't have any…..ha ha!" He laughed as he bumped the side of K.C.

K.C. was unable to say anything, he just stood there shaking his head.

So Betty turned to him and said " Hey K.C. where's this King you spoke about. I want to make sure that I am alright. I came to help my sister, Susanna."

K.C. woke up from his apparent daydreaming, and replied " What did you just say? You came to help who…… your sister Susanna? We know of a Suzee, but nobody called Susanna."

He then glanced over at Herman as if asking 'could she be her sister?'

Herman shrugged his body, then asked K.C. " What do you need the King for? You do know how he despises being disturbed at this hour."

Betty replied nonchalantly " Well K.C. thought it would be a good idea for him to check me over. Making sure I didn't break or injure anything. See I flew into those brambles, and got myself all caught up. I may have injured myself, and it would be so terrible if I couldn't fly anymore."

Herman sharply said " Well what are you waiting for K.C., take this beautiful bee and go find the King! Let him look her wings over, and make sure she's not damaged."

As Herman crawled off Betty yelled " Oh Herman be a dear, if you see Susanna don't mention me- I want to surprise her!"

Herman shook his head in a yes motion in reply, then dove head-first, back into the ground.

K.C. tapped her arm and said, " This way Betty, I believe the King is over near the cabbage patch. He loves munching on the leaves while he listens to his Jazz collection!"

Blissfully Betty exclaimed " Oh, I just love the sounds of Coltraine- isn't Jazz the best. My sister loves rock music. Her favorite was this band called 'The Fuzzy Caterpillars'. Have you ever heard of them K.C.?"

K.C. kept the fact that Nikki was residing in the garden somewhere, so he just answered "Um yeah, but not so much lately."

Betty laughed, hit his arm and replied, " Silly ant, they aren't a band anymore. I think Nikki had a breakdown or something, and went into hiding at a rehab place."

He absentmindedly said " Oh yeah, that's to bad huh! They were a good band."

Betty stopped walking, looked over at K.C., and asked " You sure aren't to talkative, I don't intimidate you, do I? I mean it's not like I am going to bite you any."

K.C. glanced her way, then said " Nah, its not that Betty. I guess I'm preoccupied, I can't seem to focus on much of anything today."

Just then they both heard the slight sounds of music- B.B.King! Betty started dancing, which brought a huge smile over his face.

As she danced, he yelled " Sherman, King Sherman where are you? I have someone who needs your assistance. Can you turn the music down, and stop eating long enough to check out my new friend?"

Betty smiled when she heard K.C. call her his friend.

Sherman promptly turned the music down, then came out slowly from behind a cabbage plant. He still had been munching on a leaf when he came into view. After he swallowed the piece that was hanging off his mouth, he took a deep breath.

He gazed over at the beautiful bee, and asked " Well, well what have we here, what have you brought before the King? Another Bee to grace our garden, and whom might you be, my lovely Princess?"

K.C. cleared his throat and spoke up saying " Your Highness, may I present this most beautiful Bee, Miss Bettina C. Bee!"

He bowed, and let Sherman slither up to her side. He figured if she wanted him to know she was Suzie's sister; it would be her place to tell him.

Betty stepped back from Sherman, and inquiringly said " so I suppose you are the King, he was speaking about?"

"Yes, King Sherman to be exact!" he said with a sense of royalty.

" Oh well I never met a King before. How do you do your Highness!" Betty said while she curtsied.

"Very well indeed, as you can see. Now how can I be of help to you , m'lady?" Sherman asked.

Betty turned so he could see her wings, then told him " I accidentally flew into some brambles, and a part of one fell on me. So K.C. thought you could examine my wings, and make sure I could still fly. It would be dreadful if I weren't able to do my job of pollinating the flowers."

So Sherman went inside his shell, got his glasses and came out with the spectacles on. Then he moved closer to begin examining her delicate wings. With K.C.'s help he had him carefully hold one, then the other. While shaking his head, he replied " They don't seem to be broken or torn anywhere, but I feel in your best interest you should rest for awhile."

“Oh what a relief, it would be so tragic if I couldn't fly again” Betty replied.

“K.C. Find this young lady a nice place to rest, and make her comfortable. Maybe she could use a nap after her terrible ordeal today” Sherman ordered loudly.

Then he turned to Betty and replied gently “ I'll play some soothing music to help you rest, my dear.”

Betty tiredly replied “ You are so sweet King Sherman, and I am a bit tired, as I have flown a long way to get here.”

K.C. had walked over to the rows of marigold flowers. He took some of the leaves and flowers to make a soft bed for Betty to lay down on. Then he walked back to where he left her standing. When he got there, Betty smiled at him causing him to blush again. While giggling she asked “ Are you ready to show me where to rest?”

“Yes” K.C. answered. Then after clearing his throat, and felt the redness leave his cheeks he said “follow me, its this way!”

She followed him until they came upon a downy bed of leaves and flower petals. She sat down to get comfortable, then looked up at him and said “thank you.” He stood there grinning at her, not moving for fear of falling down.

Betty asked him politely, “ Would you like to sit here with me?”

K.C. shook his head then said “ Yes.... no.... maybe. I gotta go back to work. See ya later Betty, rest well.”

Girls always got him so flustered, it didn't matter what kind of bug they were. A female was a female- no matter what!

Betty was soon laying down as off in the distance she could hear the music playing. In no time, she was sound asleep and resting peacefully.

Author's Note

Different picture posted!

Reviews

[Sean M. Addams]

i like this alot ..i like the creativness of your story..a very enjoyable read :)

[Desert Dreamer]

Interesting story about garden insects with human personalities...I love watching insects and taking photos of their activities. Thanks for sharing your imaginative story.

[A.Lee]

I like this! It sounds like something that could be turned into a book for kids.

[Not A Writer]

This would make a good children's book. Not my type of reading particularly though. I read most of it and you did pretty well. From first read, you just got separate the diaglogue from the rest of the paragraph. Good job.