Ants

By Jack Spies

Herbert—who had been enjoying the blaze of a warm and cozy fire in his fireplace before falling into a light and dreamy sleep—did not notice the arrival of the ants, and napped peacefully until awakened by grinding and crashing sounds coming from the kitchen.

“Helen, what’s going on out there?” he shouted.

“Ants,” she shouted back.

“Ants? What kind of ants?” he asked without opening his eyes.

“Big,” she replied. It was Helen’s final word.

By the time the police arrived, the ants had finished and were gone. Helen and Herbert were also finished. They were gone as well.