The Footpath Bridge

A deep, jagged fissure split the concrete walkway near the edge of the grass, where a frantic line of tiny black ants bunched up at the brink. I lowered my chest and stretched my broad front foot firmly across the gap, spanning the chasm like a solid stone overpass. The lead ant tapped my scaly claw with its antennae and scrambled right across to the opposite slab. Soon an entire orderly column marched over my knuckles. I locked every muscle and held completely motionless, absorbing the prickly, ticklish tread of dozens of tiny feet until every last traveler safely reached the other side.