Once, waking up in nature early in the morning, I noticed something surprising. Several dozen ants had fallen into a five-liter bottle of water that had been left open the night before. They waved chaotically in the transparent water, as if each one was fighting for its life.

At first, it seemed to me that they were drowning each other, saving themselves at the cost of the death of others.

This thought made me repulsed, and I turned away, deciding not to intervene.

However, after two hours, curiosity got the better of me, and I looked in the bottle again.

My astonishment knew no limits: the ants were alive! Furthermore, they had formed a true living island, a pyramid, in which some were supported by others, staying afloat like an entire colony.

I held my breath and began to observe. Those at the bottom were actually submerged in the water, but not forever. After a while, they were replaced by ants from the upper layer, which voluntarily descended. Those who were tired went up, without hurrying, without pushing the others.

Nobody tried to save themselves first. On the contrary, each one made an effort to go where it was most difficult. This coordinated system of mutual aid touched me to my core.

I couldn't resist. I found a spoon that easily passed through the neck of the bottle and carefully inserted it. Seeing salvation, the ants began to come out one by one, without generating even a drop of panic.

Everything was going well, until one of them, weakened, slipped back into the water, without reaching the edge.

And then something happened that I will remember all my life.

The last ant, almost outside, suddenly turned back. He came down, as if to say: "Hold on, brother, I won't leave you!"

She dove into the water, clinging tightly to the drowning one, but she couldn't pull him out on her own. I couldn't resist, I brought the spoon closer, and then they both came out, alive, together.

This episode moved me more than any movie or book about friendship and sacrifice. I felt a storm of emotions: first, condemnation, for having taken the ants for insensitive beings; then, amazement at his resistance; admiration for his discipline and brave sacrifice... And in the end, shame.

Shame on humans. For us. Because of indifference, because of how we lose each other in pursuit of benefits, because of how rare it is that someone comes back to save the weak. We build walls, instead of creating living bridges.

If ants, small creatures, are capable of such coordination and selflessness, why are we humans so often deaf to the suffering of others?

That day I understood one thing: true strength is in unity. And if someone still doesn't know how to live correctly, let them learn from the ants.

Credit goes to respective owner 

 

BELANGER

NEGAUNEE – Negaunee resident Carsen Belanger, 18, is accused of taking exploitative pictures of and sexually assaulting a woman last year.

Belanger is charged with eight felonies: three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct-personal injury, four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct-personal injury and one count of capturing/distributing an image of an unclothed person; says the case report from the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office. For each first-degree felony Belanger faces imprisonment for life or for any term of years and to be registered as a sex offender; for each second-degree felony Belanger faces up to 15 years in prison; and for the capturing/distributing crime Belanger faces up to five years in prison and or a $5,000 fine.

The case report received from the Sheriff’s Office was released after The Mining Journal put in a request for public records and was processed under the provisions of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Much of the case report is redacted, specifically the mention of Belanger’s name, the sheriff’s department cited the reasoning as, “public disclosure of the information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of an individual’s privacy.”

The victim was 19 years old at the time and Belanger was 17 at the time of the report in July 2024. The case was first investigated when the victim went into Bell Hospital requesting a sexual assault kit be done on her, and claimed the assault happened early that morning. A month later, DNA was collected from the assault kit, and Belanger, his phone and social media accounts were searched by the Michigan State Police Computers Crimes Unit. By April, multiple photos of a match to the victim were found on the phone, and the DNA collected from the sexual assault kit matched Belanger to the victim.

A warrant was issued for Belanger by chief prosecuting attorney Jenna Nelson and magistrate Felicia Savola a few days after the DNA match. Two days later, on April 17, Belanger was arrested in the Negaunee High School parking lot.

Belanger is scheduled for a preliminary exam hearing at 9:30 a.m. on May 28. Alex Berger from Berger Law will be representing Belanger, with Nelson prosecuting.

No Home, No Money, But Unbroken Loyalty:

 No Home, No Money, But Unbroken Loyalty: The Man Who Carried His Dog’s Final Journey on His Back

For years, that dog was his only companion. They had no luxuries, no home, no comfort - but they had each other. Through rain, sun, and the dust of endless roads, they always walked together. They shared dry bread, puddle water, and cold nights wrapped in cardboard. Today, the silence is heavier than ever. His four-legged friend no longer runs beside him. No tail wags. No more licks at sunset. But he couldn't leave him behind. He would not abandon him, not like the world had abandoned them so many times. With his own hands, he built a small wooden stretcher. And with a shattered heart, he carried him on his back. No money, no car, no help — yet he took him to his final resting place. Step by step, broken inside but with dignity intact. Because real love never gets left behind. Not everyone will understand this picture. Some will only see a man and a dog. But those who've truly loved will see a story of loyalty that endures even beyond death. 

Credits goes to the respective owner❤️