Fern and the Sunflower Seed

Off to find breakfast

Every morning, Fern set off from the anthill to search for food, her six quick legs carrying her over blades of grass twice her size. She loved being outside — the smell of warm dirt, the tickle of dew on her legs, the whole wide garden waiting to be explored. Ants may be tiny, but Fern always felt ready for anything.

A seed too big to budge

Then she found it — a plump striped sunflower seed, fallen from the flowers by the fence. It smelled wonderful, rich and nutty, and Fern knew right away her whole family would love it. She braced her tiny legs and pushed with all her strength. Even though her muscles were mighty for her size, the seed didn't budge one bit.

Leaving a trail of scent

Fern sat back and thought. One ant alone couldn't carry a seed this big — but she remembered what her mother always said: an ant is never really alone. She pressed her abdomen to the ground and walked all the way home, laying down an invisible trail of scent that said, follow me, there is food to share.

Following the scent home

Inside the anthill, Fern's sisters caught the scent at once. One by one, they scurried out and followed the trail — over pebbles, under leaves, straight to where Fern and the giant seed were waiting. "You found something wonderful," one sister said, tapping her antennae against Fern's in greeting. "Now let's bring it home together."

Home, all together

Together, the ants lined up around the seed, lifted with their strong little legs, and pulled in exactly the same direction. What one ant could never move alone, a whole team carried easily — over roots, past pebbles, and down into the anthill, where the whole colony cheered. Fern had been strong enough on her own to try, and strong enough with her sisters to succeed.