Down the Ant Tunnel

Read-aloud note

Let repeated rain sounds become a soft rhythm while you read.

Story

Across the sunny grass marched one tiny ant. Step, step, step—she carried a crumb almost as big as she was. Ahead waited a little hole in the dirt. Was that where she was going?

Into the hole she slipped, and the bright day faded behind her. Down curled one tunnel. Then two tunnels. Then many! Wiggle your fingers like six tiny ant legs as she scurried deeper into her underground home.

The tunnel opened into a round room. Our ant set her crumb beside seeds, crumbs, and little pieces of leaves. Other workers hurried in with more. This was the food room, where the nest kept food together.

Farther on was the quietest room. Nurse ants gently moved creamy eggs and curled close to tiny, soft larvae. Every little ant baby was tended and kept together in the cozy nursery.

Deep in a wide chamber rested the queen. She was much bigger than the workers, with a long, round body. Helpers stayed close, caring for her and the nest’s new eggs. The whole ant family had one queen.

Now the whole nest came into view. Workers carried food. Nurse ants tended babies. Helpers gathered near the queen. Tunnels curled from room to room. Our little ant rested beside the food, then climbed toward daylight once more. Beneath the grass, the tiny world worked together as one busy, cozy home.

Scenes

Where Is She Going?

Across the sunny grass marched one tiny ant. Step, step, step—she carried a crumb almost as big as she was. Ahead waited a little hole in the dirt. Was that where she was going?

Down, Down, Down

Into the hole she slipped, and the bright day faded behind her. Down curled one tunnel. Then two tunnels. Then many! Wiggle your fingers like six tiny ant legs as she scurried deeper into her underground home.

The Food Room

The tunnel opened into a round room. Our ant set her crumb beside seeds, crumbs, and little pieces of leaves. Other workers hurried in with more. This was the food room, where the nest kept food together.

The Nursery

Farther on was the quietest room. Nurse ants gently moved creamy eggs and curled close to tiny, soft larvae. Every little ant baby was tended and kept together in the cozy nursery.

The Queen’s Chamber

Deep in a wide chamber rested the queen. She was much bigger than the workers, with a long, round body. Helpers stayed close, caring for her and the nest’s new eggs. The whole ant family had one queen.

A Whole World Below

Now the whole nest came into view. Workers carried food. Nurse ants tended babies. Helpers gathered near the queen. Tunnels curled from room to room. Our little ant rested beside the food, then climbed toward daylight once more. Beneath the grass, the tiny world worked together as one busy, cozy home.

Read-aloud note

Let repeated rain sounds become a soft rhythm while you read.