Ant

The ant calmly walked along the corridor of the nest, serene amongst the flowing tide of her fellow workers. She carried an object of vital importance. Her destination was known, her pace steady with the conviction of purpose and the importance of the assigned task. On seeing her approach other chittering ants fell respectfully silent and deftly manoeuvred to clear her path from obstruction. She smiled in thanks, a curt responsive twitch that wasn't rude; but merely polite enough not to distract her from her quest. The other ants nodded in quiet respect and admiration.

The corridor delved further into the bowels of the hive, passing the complex's food preparation area. The familiar but not enticing scent of stockpiled standard grub; the mossy damp mildewed odour of the stores would not deter her today. She was often hungry, but preferred titbits that she scavenged from surface life, they were far more interesting than the communal fare.

Now passing the hatchery, she could see the industrious nursery worker ants tending to the younglings. Wafting pheromones of maternity and love drifted into the corridor; filtering into her mind. Would she be a queen one day herself, she mused? Her daydream was swiftly batted away as she reached the end of the corridor.

Antonia pushed through the ward doors and fronted the desk.

"Kidney transplant for Roger Cardle," she said.

"Cheers Ant, you've been brilliant as usual," said the receptionist, receiving the parcel.

Her vital task done, Antonia rejoined the nest and its scrabbling, chittering workstaff.