AVARICE by Betsy McCandless

In a very large meadow, just under the tall maple tree, there was a large city.   This city was the largest in all the land and boasted of thousands of citizens.  This city may not seem exceptionally large or beautiful in our eyes, but to those who lived there, it was the greatest in the world.  Now in the center of this city, the royal palace stood high above the rest of the kingdom.

One sunny spring day, Queen Regal sat on her throne, while all of her working subjects scuttled beneath her.  One proud ant, an officer in the Worker Army, approached the throne with an idea.  “Your Highness,” Avarice Ant declared as he bowed, “it is a beautiful day.  I am sure someone is outside, enjoying the weather, and having a picnic.”  Avarice paused before continuing, “Would you like me to begin an expedition?”

Queen Regal responded gracefully, “Why yes, Avarice, that is a grand idea.  Go and do not return until you have acquired a great treasure for us all.”

Avarice was very excited.  “This is my chance to please the queen and stay in his favor.  If I accomplish this task, I will finally become the most famous and rich ant of all,” he thought to himself.  He quickly assembled the strongest worker ants in the kingdom’s army to accompany him on this great feat.

As Avarice and his troops exited the anthill, he stopped to let the sun shine upon his face.  A gentle breeze carried the smell of a great feast of fried chicken, potato salad and big juicy grapes and indicated the direction in which the ants should follow.  He exclaimed, “This way boys!”  A few paces before the ants reached the picnic blanket, Avarice stopped his troops for last minute instructions on the task that lay before them.

Avarice stood proudly before the ants and declared, “Fellow Workers, a great opportunity awaits.  I have chosen you all because you are the most capable of helping me accomplish this most important mission.  Leave no plate unturned, nor any crumb behind, and the Queen will reward ME…I mean, us…. greatly.”  He quickly ordered the ants to attack in hopes that no one had noticed his slip.

The ants charged the blanket and ransacked every basket and dish they found until it was no longer safe.  The enemies had noticed their presence and were beginning to counteract the ants’ advances with brutal force.  “Retreat!” Avarice yelled as the ants ran frantically away from the swats of their adversary. 

Avarice turned around to make sure no ant was left behind and saw something amazing.  In the middle of the checkered blanket was a beautiful treasure that had gone unnoticed.  A massive chunk of cupcake sat there, far away from the foes weapons.   As Avarice noticed the glob of chocolate icing and colorfully sweet sprinkles, he thought, “This is it!  That will definitely make the queen see how wonderful I am.  I must have it!”

The other ants reconvened at their rendezvous point, and began a roll call only to discover that someone was missing.  They turned back towards the blanket and saw Avarice in the middle of the blanket approaching the colossal cupcake. 

One Worker yelled, “NO Avarice, it’s too dangerous.”  Avarice replied, “I’m almost there!  I must have it!”

The ants were afraid to watch, because they knew what would likely happen if Avarice pursued this selfish act.  They pleaded with him to return, but he stubbornly continued, despite all the plunder they had already collected.  Just as Avarice reached the cupcake, he looked up and screamed in terror as a mighty hand descended upon him.

The worker ants stood silently in shock for a few moments before returning to the Queen.  As they presented her with the bounty, she curiously asked, “Where is Avarice?”  The strongest of the workers replied, “Avarice is no more.  He is gone.”  The Queen understood and nodded as she said, “Let this be a lesson to you all, if you are too greedy, you just might be squashed.”