Chapter Four - The Opening 

My Child was born and she was just the first of many many such births.  I welcomed her into the world tenderly, she was frail, weak, and slow.  I knew that she would grow, it would take time, but she would become strong and fast.  I told her to check on my other children.  I gave her some nutrient from my internal store, and settled back into the chamber for some much needed rest.  I watched my child, she moved over the eggs, larvae and pupae slowly, tending them.  She felt them with her antenae.  If one needed feeding, she would feed it.  If they were too warm, she would move them, or turn them.  She knew what was required of her, and it was instinct for her.

Time moved on, My first born was soon joined by another callow ant.  The first born was now fully black, strong, and fast.  She was as big as she would ever get.  The callow ant was pale in colour, and small but that didn't mean she didn't know what to do, she had just as much instinct as her sister did.  My family...and oh what a family.  Soon 1 had become 5 and then I knew it was time.

I called my first born to me, and told her that it was time to reach for the surface.  It was time to re-open the old tunnel.  My first born, I called her Miriam moved to the her sisters and told them what was required.  They all set to work.  Particle by particle they removed the sand from the old tunnel and lined the walls of the chamber with it.  As the chamber got smaller, the tunnel got longer until just when you thought there was no more room left, the surface was broken.

I asked Miriam what it felt like, and this is what she told me.

"My queen it was a fantastic moment.  We pulled away the final particle, and the air rushed in to the tunnel.  The air was fresh and smelled good.  But the light came to our eyes and we had to move into the shade of the tunnel until our eyes got used to the light."

Miriam reported to me that they had broken the surface.  I knew this of course as the rush of fresh air reached me also.  I told her that they must find food and water quickly as my reserves were dry.  I would not last much longer unless the food was found.  I told her that 2 of my children must venture out for this reason.  2 should remain at the tunnel entrance as guard, and 1 must tend to the other children.

Soon there was a great excitement around the entrance to the chamber.  Miriam came in followed by her sisters.  Two of them stepped forward, and presented me with food and water.  We had a fantastic feast that night, and fully replenished I instructed the children to begin the work that they were to carry on until my final days...The construction and maintenance of the nest.  I am tired now, I need to rest, so I will tell you some more of my story soon.