With a final nod to Tiny, Ruffus set off toward the meadow, leaving the colony behind. His tiny legs moved quickly, and his heart raced with excitement. He passed familiar landmarks - tunnels made by the worker ants, piles of fallen leaves, and the busy gathering spots - but he didn't stop. He had a goal, and nothing was going to distract him.

The air smelled fresh, filled with the scent of flowers, and the sun's warmth made his journey even more thrilling. Ruffus's tiny body may have been small compared to the vast world around him, but his spirit was as wide as the sky above.