The Lesson of the Ants

Once upon a time there was an immense building, glass and steel and chrome. It had all the latest building amenities; automatic doors, an immense garden with calming walking paths and an employee parking area to be envied. It reached high into the sky. In the morning it sparkled like a diamond and at night it reflected all the hues of the setting sun.

One day some ants approached the building from many directions at the same time.

Out front, the ant that came upon the building was immediately awed by its splendor. It wondered at the great expanse that seemed to go on and on in all directions. The ant watched as the great opening admitted and discharged what the ant thought must be great messengers. It stood and gazed upon the diamond-like glare of the morning and the beatific flow of colors in the evening. And at night it watched as the building stood silently reflecting the big white guiding light of the darkness. The ant was amazed and awed by the building and realized it must be the beginning of everything. The ant left, finding songs within its heart that showed praise for the building, feeling they must be divinely inspired. It sang of the beauty and grace it had witnessed. The ant sang of the messengers it sent froth into the world and the ones that returned. Surely the building must still care and want to be actively involved in the world.

Out back, another ant approached and was greeted by the sight of a huge paved area outside the austere looking area where the employees came and went. The ant witnessed the orderly progression at certain times of the day into and out of the building. It saw how the sole unadorned entrance was carefully guarded to only allow the special occupants. The exterior was austere with few windows, and they were very utilitarian. The ant marveled at the orderly and deliberate progress of those who came and went from the entrance. It noted that as the day waned, the ones who arrived and left were quiet, almost reverent. Truly these were agents of the great power of the building. As it left, the ant decided to emulate the workers and was determined to live as austere a life as possible. It also decided that only those worthy should join its following of the great building.

Still another ant arrived at the side where the gardens prevailed and took up the entire landscape for as far as the eye could see. The ant could see bits of the building through the bushes and trees, thinking this must be responsible for such a beautiful and peaceful place. The ant watched as many immense beings gathered and wandered throughout the great garden. It thought of how these beings seemed content to just sit and look at their surroundings; some who stared, some who closed their eyes in silent contemplation and even others who seem to vibrate with song at the wonders within. The ant look on at the great trees and flowers and green grass, it sampled the richness of the soil and sharp cleanliness of the air. After also spending the day witnessing these events, the ant left with a renewed sense of wonder and grateful for the building to have provided the garden and showing it how it should live its life; in tune with the nature around it and happily humming its praises.

Yet another ant came upon the same garden but did not notice the building. It decided after spending the day witnessing that the great garden was the fount of all life and that it must be worshiped for the life it gave the world.

Other ants saw the building from a distance, afraid to approach. Each had differing reactions to their experience. Some cowered, hiding their faces and refusing to acknowledge the building existed because it did not fit with their view of the world. They left, still looking down at the ground and were determined to forget they even saw it. Some saw the building, registered its immensity and decided that it did exist but that it was so far above its understanding as to not wish to think on it anymore. They left with the secure knowledge that as long as they existed, the building did not matter. And then there were those who saw the building and were so baffled, they determined to live their lives only focusing on what they could understand and explain. Every now and then, these ants tried to fathom the building but soon reverted to focusing on easier things to comprehend.

After some time, each ant had told others about the Building and Gardens and all they had seen. Some were amazed and followed the witnesses, others walked off in disbelief. And even others decided that they must go and see this wonder for themselves. And the ranks of the believers grew. Later, some of these believers had their own thoughts on what it all meant and went their separate ways, each to gather to them other like minded ants.

In due course, as these things will happen, some of the ants that lived Austere lives came upon the ones who had been the followers of the Garden. They could not believe the falsehoods that were being spouted, and determined to wipe these heretics from the face of the soil. Other followers of the Great Entrance met those of the Practical fanatics and were determined to convince them that even if they couldn't understand the Great Entrance, they could still believe in it. And so the wars between the ants began.

To this day, they battle over their differences.

Meanwhile, there was an ant who had gone to the Building to see the wonders for itself. The ant decided to see how far the great expanse of the Entrance went. It came upon the Austere side and marveled at the agents who came and went, as well as the solemn nature of their comings and goings. Continuing on the ant came upon the Great Garden and was captured by the beauty and vibrant life that the Building had spawned. It was humbled by the immensity of the Building, it was encouraged by the rules the Building seemed to employ for its agents, and it was gratified by the marvelous life the Building could create. But it also knew that it had to continue, to find out all the Building would have it learn.

And it continues to follow the path of the Building, knowing there is so much more to learn before it can tell others.