A legend by Toni Alvarez
Long ago, ants were only white and lived in a vast kingdom not far from the city and the woods. They led harmonious lives, working together to gather food for their colony. This was where Kiko and Pipo, two mischievous young ants, lived. They spent their days playing with their friends, avoiding their duties.
One day, Kiko suggested, “Hey, why don’t we play hide and seek in the woods? That would be exciting!”
“Oh, no, no, no,” exclaimed a small ant with big spectacles in a squeaky voice. “The elders told us never to go there. It’s too dangerous!”
All the ants nodded in agreement, recalling the warnings about forest fires and the dangers of the woods.
Pipo, the largest and most confident of the group, stepped forward. “Then let’s go to the city instead!” he declared.
“The city?” gasped the geeky ant, bouncing with excitement. “I’ve always wanted to see those big, tall buildings the elders talk about—”
“Stop it!” interrupted a girl ant. “The city is even more dangerous than the forest. Haven’t you heard what the elders said? It’s no place for ants!”
“Oh, stop being such a killjoy,” Pipo scoffed. “If the elders survived there, so can we! They won’t even notice we’re gone. They’d just think we’re just somewhere around here playing.””
“But that would be disobeying them and…” The girl ant tried to reason further, but Kiko cut her off. “If you’re scared, you can stay here. Nobody’s forcing you. Right guys?” If you don’t want to join, no one’s forcing you, right, guys?” Kiko looked at the other young ants, waiting for an approving response. Everyone remained silent, as if waiting for someone else to speak first. Then the fattest ant in the group smiled, nodded in agreement, and the others quickly followed.
Wait, I thought we were going to the woods?” Kiko asked, confused. “I said a while ago that we were heading to the city,” Pipo replied, folding his arms as if telling Kiko to move aside.
The young ants just looked at the two of them arguing. After a few minutes, Kiko and Pipo finally reached a compromise.
Both decided to divide the colony into two groups. All ants brave enough to go to the city and mingle with humans would go with Pipo, while those swift enough to flee in case of a forest fire would go with Kiko.
The young ants, who were initially giddy about the idea, now seemed reluctant to split the colony. However, after some deliberation and persuasion from Kiko and Pipo, all the ants finally agreed to their suggestion.
Before separating, Pipo taunted, “Your group is boring. All you do is wander around trees.”
Kiko retorted, “At least we’re not reckless. Let’s see who regrets their choice!”
And with that, they parted ways.
Pipo’s Group in the City
Pipo’s group reached the bustling city and marveled at the towering buildings and busy streets. “Wow! So this is the city!” exclaimed the smallest ant.
Their curiosity led them to a park, where children were playing. “What’s that thing going up and down? And that big slide?” asked an ant.
Eager to explore, they crawled closer. One ant climbed onto a girl’s leg. Startled, she screamed and brushed them off, alerting the other kids. The children began chasing the ants, trying to squash them.
“Bite them!” ordered Pipo, and the ants defended themselves fiercely.
Kiko’s Group in the Woods
Meanwhile, Kiko’s group ventured deep into the woods, enchanted by the towering trees and abundant fruit. But their awe turned to alarm when they smelled burning wood. They stumbled upon a charred section of the forest, evidence of a recent fire.
“Let’s collect ashes and burnt wood as proof we’ve been here,” Kiko suggested. Despite their fear, the group agreed.
Suddenly, the smell of smoke grew stronger, and they heard a roaring sound. Flames appeared, consuming the forest. Using their speed, Kiko’s group ran through thick smoke and falling branches, barely escaping with their lives.
A Strange Transformation
As Pipo’s group returned to the kingdom, they noticed a peculiar change. “Why are you turning red?!” cried a girl ant, pointing at the fattest ant.
One by one, the ants turned bright red. Pipo realized it must have been the bites they gave the children.
Kiko’s group also discovered an odd transformation. Covered in soot, they tried washing in a river, but the black color wouldn’t come off.
A New Reality
Back in the kingdom, the elders waited anxiously for the young ants’ return. Days turned into weeks, but none came back.
In the city, red ants began appearing, biting humans to defend themselves. In the woods, black ants scurried swiftly, as if always fleeing danger.
And so, the legend of the red and black ants began—a tale of curiosity, bravery, and consequences that shaped the ant kingdom forever.
