How is a raven like a writing desk?

I once answered this riddle with a simple statement: "Because its smart". Its weird how sometimes my mind ~especially my non-medicated mind~ comes up with stuff like that and then when I read back on it, I'm like "ok what the hell does that mean?". And I confuse even myself. But the answer to this riddle being "because its smart" is precicely this (because now I remember); if one can correlate the relationship between the two, then that person is pretty smart. But this riddle can apply to just about any two random things and if you can piece together the puzzle to how they relate -no matter which way you come up with it- then you, my friend, are smart. As I reread this I'm starting to get confused with my own logic again. But never the mind, todays prompt is challenging for me, hence the comparison to the aforementioned riddle. So today's riddle is how is an ant, durable?

I see the tunnels ants form and I imagine a maze that connects one ant to another or the others. Perhaps that ant is preparing for a journey and she needs durable equipment to protect and aid her on quest. A sturdy helmet for battle and a mighty shovel for digging? Although I understand that ants don't really need these things in real life, its the allegory I'm going for, but I didn't need to explain that. Perhaps at certain crossroads of the tunnel maze there are definitive challenges like bigger bugs to fight and heavy rocks to lift?

Whats so important at the other end of the tunnel? Of course I want to make it a love story and there be a Prince Ant at the other end. Waiting with mountains of crumbs and seeds to divulge in, not to mention a throne by his side.

I did a small research on the ant as a "spirit guide" and it seems the ant represents qualities such as diligence, patience, willpower, tenacity, endurance, cooperation, truthfulness and power. I like these traits. They all seem relevant to the quest our little ant is to take part in. I wonder how we can portray this in our drawing. (Because if you didn't know, all of this is just me brainstorming what to draw today. I decided to write first today in stead of draw because I was stuck. However, writing it out has helped tremendously!)

I'm starting to visualize this as a triptych. Which if you didn't already know is basically a three-piece drawing (or painting or whatever). I see the first being a battle of stealth, the second a battle of wits and the the third---wait--- maybe this can be more than just a triptych. Maybe it can be a small series. Each battle representing one of the traits and the final- a reunion with his majesty, the Prince! ...I might be getting a head of myself. I think I may just stick to one small thumbnail--and then we can go from there. I suppose I should get started since I'm all revved up with ideas. Thanks for your help!

Some time has passed. I drew a little something for today. Hope you dig it!

I know that this isn't the grand proposal that I was dreaming with a series of masterfully crafted pictures for different allegories, but I do like the way it turned out. These are just tiny sketches in my sketchbook. This picture is probably no bigger than 4x4 inches. I really like the way it looks smaller on my phone. The tunnels are really interesting. I feel like although this picture seems a bit cliche in the "quest to the prince" storyline, it still presents a fresh perspective in that you have to follow the maze to really grasp the story of the picture, and that following of the maze is like a little puzzle for the viewer. I also like how the ants turned out to be androgenous. Meaning that you can't really tell if they are boys or girls.

I honestly can't believe I got through this one, it was a nail bitter for sure. I really had to think hard how to marry these two words today. I know the final pieces for these projects don't necessarily spell out the prompt words, but it has been challenging me and also getting me to think differently about how to start a drawing.

That being said, I really miss being in the print shop.

Always,

Amanda