Buzzley woke up one morning, her little heart buzzing with excitement. The remnants of a vivid dream lingered in her mind—images of foreign lands, places she had only heard about in Auntie Bealy’s stories. Since she was a baby bee, Auntie Bealy had enchanted her with tales of faraway lands beyond the meadows, where trees were made of stone, and gardens grew in the strangest places.
As Buzzley lay in her honeycomb bed, she glanced around at the hive, bustling with life as the worker bees prepared for their daily duties. Tomorrow, she would join them. The thought sent a shiver of dread through her. Would she ever get the chance to explore the world beyond the hive?
She thought of Auntie Bealy, who had seen the wonders of the big city and returned with stories both thrilling and terrifying. Auntie Bealy called it a magical place, full of treasures and adventures, but also fraught with risks. Buzzley had listened in awe, her imagination soaring to those distant places. But now, with her worker bee ceremony just around the corner, Buzzley feared her chance to see the world would slip away forever.
That day, as the worker bees buzzed off to their duties, Buzzley made a decision. She would talk to Auntie Bealy one last time before the ceremony. She quietly flew to her auntie, who was busy babysitting Buzzley’s younger siblings. Everyone in the hive had a job, and Buzzley knew it wouldn’t be long before she, too, would have to take her place. But the thought of spending her life without seeing the world beyond the hive filled her with unease.
As Buzzley approached, she saw Auntie Bealy tending to three tiny eggs that the queen bee had laid. “Oh, sweet heart, you’re here again!” Auntie Bealy exclaimed with a warm smile. “Look how beautiful these new eggs are. Our hive is growing, and we have more and more little ones to care for.”
Buzzley hesitated, her tiny wings fluttering nervously. “Auntie… do you ever miss the city?”
Auntie Bealy paused, her eyes softening. “Sometimes,” she admitted. “But the city is a dangerous place, Buzzley. It’s full of wonders, yes, but also perils. Tomorrow is your ceremony, and the worker leader bee is looking forward to welcoming you. You may think you’re not important, but every bee has a role to play. The city is no place for a young bee like you.”
“But Auntie,” Buzzley implored, her voice trembling with anticipation, “I need to see it for myself. I need to know what’s out there, beyond the meadows.”
Auntie Bealy sighed deeply, her gaze far away. “I understand, Buzzley. I was once like you, full of dreams and curiosity. But the world outside is not kind to bees. If you go, you might not come back.”
Buzzley’s heart pounded. “I’ll be careful. Please, Auntie, just tell me how to get there.”
Auntie Bealy’s eyes filled with concern. “If you won’t listen to reason, then I can’t stop you. But I won’t tell you how to get there. I don’t want to be responsible for your demise.”
Buzzley’s face flushed with frustration. “Then I’ll find my own way!” she declared, her voice rising. With a sudden burst of determination, she flew out of the hive, leaving a flurry of worried bees behind.
Buzzley’s journey began with excitement and determination. She flew for hours, her small wings buzzing tirelessly. The vast world around her was both thrilling and intimidating. She soared over fields, streams, and forests, her heart racing with the thrill of adventure. But as the day wore on, her wings grew weary, and doubt began to creep into her mind.
Eventually, she decided to rest on what she thought was a mountain. But to her surprise, the “mountain” started moving! Buzzley had mistaken a truck for a mountain and was now disoriented as it rumbled along, taking her far from anything familiar.
When the truck finally stopped, Buzzley gazed in wonder at a tall garden filled with strange, towering structures. “How do the worker bees reach so high?” she wondered, mistaking a skyscraper for a flower.
As she hovered in confusion, a voice called out, “What is a little bee doing here?” Buzzley’s heart skipped a beat. She turned to see a friendly worm inching along the ground. “Don’t worry, little one. I won’t bite. I only eat vegetables,” the worm said kindly. “I’m about to transform and need your help. Could you carry me to a branch where I can wait for my big change?”
Relieved to find a friend in this strange place, Buzzley agreed to help the worm. With her strong wings, she lifted the worm to a safe branch. “Be careful out there,” the worm said as Buzzley prepared to continue her journey. “The city is beautiful, but it’s full of dangers. Thank you for your help.”
Buzzley pressed on, determined to explore the big city. But as she ventured deeper into the towering forest of metal and glass, she began to feel the weight of her decision. The noise of the city was overwhelming, and the air was thick with unfamiliar smells. She set her sights on a tall structure she believed was a giant flower, hoping to meet the enormous “sister bees” she had imagined. But when she reached the top of the skyscraper, she realized her mistake. There were no flowers, no nectar to harvest, and the “sister bees” were actually airplanes soaring high above.
Despair washed over Buzzley. She had never felt so lost and alone. The enormity of the city, with its endless concrete and towering buildings, was nothing like the stories. “Why didn’t I listen to my family?” she cried. “I’m lost, and I don’t know how to get home.”
Just as she was about to give up, a flash of blue caught her eye. A beautiful butterfly fluttered nearby, its wings shimmering in the sunlight. “It’s me, Buzzley!” the butterfly called out. “I’m the worm you helped earlier. I’ve transformed, and I’ve come to help you find your way home.”
Buzzley’s heart lifted with relief. “Thank you,” she whispered, tears of gratitude welling up in her eyes.
With the butterfly’s guidance, Buzzley retraced her journey, the city gradually giving way to familiar meadows and forests. When she finally reached the hive, the whole colony buzzed with joy at her return. Even the queen bee, usually so stern, greeted her with a gentle smile. “Sometimes, we must lose our way to truly appreciate what we have,” the queen said wisely. “Your journey has taught you to value your hive, just as your Auntie Bealy once learned.”
As Buzzley nestled into her honeycomb that night, she reflected on her adventure. The city had been nothing like she had imagined, but the journey had shown her the true beauty of her home. From that day on, Buzzley embraced her role in the hive with pride.
She understood that being a worker bee was not just a job—it was a great responsibility, and she was ready to fulfill it. The other bees were counting on her, and Buzzley knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Also read: The Story of The Birds and the Bees
Follow Up Questions
Why do you think Buzzley wanted to explore the big city instead of staying in the hive?”
This question encourages kids to think about curiosity, adventure, and the desire to explore the unknown.
What do you think Buzzley learned from her adventure? How did it change her?
This question prompts kids to reflect on the story’s themes of self-discovery and the importance of appreciating one’s home and community.
If you were Buzzley, would you have gone to the big city? Why or why not?
This question allows kids to put themselves in Buzzley’s shoes and consider the pros and cons of taking risks versus staying in a familiar, safe environment.