her name was Julia because I thought that name was pretty, and she was just whatever ant I happened to see while I was playing outside. "hi, Julia!" I'd say, and imagine whatever the ant did next was a response.
in elementary school we had show and tell, and a kid brought in his pet tarantula which was insanely cool, so the next show and tell I brought Julia in a film canister*. it did not go well.
after that, sometimes other kids (or adults) would pretend to be interested and then ask "so, which one's your pet?" and when I pointed out an ant nearby they would Nelson-laugh and step on her.
"of course I knew you were going to do that. that wasn't Julia. the real Julia is hiding," I'd tell them. but of course I knew the truth.
every ant is Julia.
*kids ask your parents