When solving the Contagious Ants on a Meterstick problem, puzzlers often overlook the fact that ants are sophisticated creatures with names, dreams, and personalities.
_ _ _ (_) _ _ _ is an expert navigator, and is especially skilled in the presence of celestial bodies.
_ (_) _ _ _ _ is always taking back sworn testiony.
_ (_) _ _ _ _ _ _ is the oddball ant of the bunch. She always seems out of place.
_ (_) _ _ _ _ _ is magical and makes powerful weapons.
_ _ (_) _ _ _ _ is the poorest and lowliest ant.
_ (_) _ _ _ _ _ always gets things done right this second.
_ _ _ _ _ (_) _ _ _ is the best at following orders and instructions.
_ _ _ _ (_) _ _ _ is a chemist, and she also has a fondness for fissile material.
_ (_) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is the most stubborn ant of the bunch. She always defies authority.
_ _ _ _ (_) _ _ _ _ is always deeply sorry and committed to changing her ways.
_ _ _ _ _ (_) _ _ _ is the most consequential and influential ant.
_ _ _ _ _ _ (_) _ _ _ is always poring over the books, mindful of the bottom line.
_ _ _ (_) _ _ _ is an expert at keeping temperatures low.
(_) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is forever interviewing for employment.
(_) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ has the most opulent, pampered lifestyle of all the ants.
(_) _ _ _ _ _ _ is the most chivalrous ant, and aspires to be a knight.
_ (_) _ _ _ _ _ _ is actually a wild fowl disguised to look like an ant.
_ _ (_) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is larger-than-life grandiose. Always bigger and better for this ant!
_ (_) _ _ _ _ _ is homeless, forever wandering the streets.
_ _ (_) _ _ _ _ _ smells. :(
(_) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is forever trying to overthrow people to take their place.
(_) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is by far the biggest ant, and she looks a little gray.
But wait! There are still three ants left!
Can you take all the circled letters, unscramble them, and determine the names of the three ants I missed?
Please include the answers to the 22 clues along with your solution.
