Part 2
Panic took over as the older children tried to destroy this study mound by using a metal pipe. They were unsuccessful and were only able to chip off the top lip at the mouth of the hole, which broke off and fell to the ground. This strange foreign object could not be moved. By the time the teachers and the principal had sectioned this area off and had restored calm, the first day of school was over and the children were sent home.
The following day representatives from the District and the museum arrived and were astounded to see that the top corner of the spire, which had been broken the day before, was totally repaired and the wide end of the mound’s mouth faced East. There was an insect entering the opening carrying what appeared to be a piece of old moldy sandwich bread in its jaws. The museum officials ordered that the insect mound be preserved and studied.
During the next few months the temperatures rose as high as 110 degrees
during the day and fell as low as 65 degrees at night, activity was evident
within the mound. Occasionally, insects looking like the first one were
observed bringing old bread into their home. Strangely, insects looking
like the original but with a few differing characteristics were spotted.
It seemed like life continued to go on within the hill of sand no matter
the temperature outside.
Victoria Seabold, USC CSP Leadership Cohort, Los Angeles