Follow That Bee! UFLI Foundations Lesson 91

Ned has a home, a farm, and fruit trees that suit him just fine. The Book likes to teach, and it likes to be right. One morning, a bee buzzes across the yard. Ned drops his apple and gapes. 'A bee!' he whispers. 'I never get to see bees! Where do you live?'

Ned takes off after the bee as it flies among tall trees and past bushes with purple plants. He is in hot pursuit. He rushes under branches and hops over roots. The bee does not slow. Not even a bit. 'Wait for me!' calls Ned. 'I just want to see where you live!'

The bee lives in a hive high up in a tree. Ned stands on the hillside and looks up. A sweet, fruity smell drifts from the branches. 'Honey!' whispers Ned. 'That must be the best treat of all. I have to get it.' A big beast close by gives Ned a look that says: get in line.

But Ned does not want to wait. He grabs his ax and gives a bold grin. 'Stand back, beast! The honey will be mine!' he yells, swinging the ax above him. 'A few bee stings never hurt people!' That is not true. A few bee stings have hurt a lot of people.

'Stop, Ned!' cries The Book, zipping in with an upset look. Ned stops still, holding a golden chunk above him. 'But I got a chunk!' says Ned. 'Ned!' says The Book. 'You can not just chop a beehive! The bees will wake up, and a slew of stings will ensue! Drop that chunk! I have a plan to get the honey.'

Ned stands by his home. The Book sits on the grass, and a small campfire crackles between them. 'Smoke makes bees sleepy,' says The Book. 'It is true. Set a campfire under the hive and wait. When the bees doze, take the honey. No chop. No sting.' Ned gives a slow nod. 'So, no ax?' 'No ax, Ned.'

Ned brings the campfire back to the bee tree and sets it under the hive. Smoke curls up in the branches, and the buzzing gets slower and slower. Ned takes his snips and creeps close. 'That is my cue,' he whispers. 'The bees are sleepy.'

Ned snips into the hive, and bright golden chunks slide into his hands, sweet and chewy, dripping with honey. They smell like fruit and sunshine. 'Well,' says Ned. 'What a treat!' 'Quick!' calls The Book from below. 'Grab the chunks and go before the bees wake up!' Ned does not wait. He grabs every last chunk and runs.

Back inside, Ned gets to work at his crafting table. He puts wood and golden chunks together, and his hands move fast. 'What are you making?' asks The Book. 'I am making my own beehive,' says Ned with a grin. 'A new home for new bees! No more sneaking. Just me and my bees, making honey!' The Book starts to talk. Then it stops. 'This might be your first good plan.'

Ned puts bright plants in the yard and sets the new hive on the grass. He takes a step back and smiles. 'Not bad,' he says. 'Not bad at all.' 'You need bees,' says The Book. 'The plants will bring bees to the hive.' 'Leave it to me,' says Ned. 'I am good with bees.' The Book says nothing, but its face says a lot.

A few bees buzz close by, looking for a home. Ned holds up a bright rose and smiles. 'Follow me,' he says. 'I have plants, a hive, and all that a bee could want.' It works! The bees follow Ned home like a small crew. 'See?' he calls to The Book. 'I am good with bees!'

The new hive has begun making honey, and Ned is so glad he can't stop grinning. But all is not well. The bees like Ned SO much that they will not leave him alone. They buzz by his nose, bump into his face, and go where bees should not go. 'Get off! No! That tickles! Stop!' The Book stands close by. 'After this,' it says, 'we should read the chapter on bee suits.' Ned does not stop to talk. He just runs.