In the fourteenth century, Tamerlane, a great conqueror, found inspiration from an ant while hiding from his enemies in a deserted building. Dejected and desperate, he observed an ant struggling to carry a kernel of corn, much larger than herself, over a wall. Despite falling back sixty-nine times, the ant persisted, and on the seventieth attempt, she succeeded in pushing the corn over the top. This display of perseverance so inspired Tamerlane that he regrouped his army and defeated his enemy. The life of ants further illustrates the concept of initiative. Ants, though small, are remarkably strong, capable of lifting twenty times their body weight, and they possess significant brain power for their size. They live in complex colonies with millions of members, each ant having a specific role. Worker ants tirelessly forage for food, care for the young, defend the nest, and maintain cleanliness by removing trash to designated dumps. They communicate through a form of language and leave scent trails to guide others to food sources, demonstrating resourcefulness and organization without a ruling leader. Ants show an innate focus on the colony's welfare, rushing to defend it without hesitation when threatened. Unlike humans, they do not exhibit jealousy or suspicion; each ant simply does her job. No ant shirks her duty or complains about her role, whether foraging or protecting. Tamerlane's ant, for instance, carried the grain of corn back to the colony without being told, driven by the need to provide food. The idea of not doing her task was alien to her. From these examples, ants embody initiative through their ambition, drive, energy, inventiveness, and resourcefulness. They work diligently and intelligently, with each task contributing to the colony's well-being, offering a powerful lesson in perseverance and dedication.