Health Tales

BEE-ING YOUR BEST

Dee the bee loved his queen so much that he felt sad when she was away on royal duties. His sadness was easy to hide for a while because he would wipe his eyes after being alone to cry.

 

The queen had so many children and workers she was very busy indeed. Unlike the other bees, Dee’s only role was to serve the queen, supporting her, as and when she needed. These were the best moments of Dee’s existence.

 

The queen grew very busy indeed and she stopped making time to recover with Dee. This made Dee so sad, that his yellow stripes all turned black. ‘Argh!’ screamed all the other bees when he tried to return to his rightful place in the queen’s chambers.

 

All the bees thought Dee was a horrid fly. So they all shooed him away with contempt, to his further dismay. Dee was so sad he couldn’t even fly. His wings felt as broken as his heart. So Deee crawled away and found a quiet place to stay and cry some more.

 

Dee cried himself to sleep and woke up the next day too exhausted to cry. Dee just lay still staring in front of him,  numb to everything, too sad to find joy, wonder, or hope, in anything. A ladybird watched him for a while and started to feel sorry for him.

 

“Good afternoon,” said the ladybird, in the friendliest voice it had. Dee started to cry again because he wanted to be good, but it was no use, he was no use. “please don’t cry, big fellow” said the ladybird. I have many friends who can help you feel good again, follow me, you’ll see” the ladybird cheerfully said.

 

Dee followed the ladybird and felt good enough about the thought of being with his queen again, that he stopped crying. They walked for ages and then Dee saw a sign ahead marked ‘ZOO’. Dee was very interested in who they would see, he had heard wild stories about the ‘Zoo’ from the queen.

 

The ladybird sat in front of a sloth, who smiled at her and blew her a kiss. “my friend!” he said with excitement. “I have missed you too buddy” replied the ladybird”. Dee didn’t know it was possible to be friends with other species. Dee was very intrigued.

Ladybird asked sloth if he would help her new friend, her very sad new friend. Dee couldn’t believe the sloth asked him, “what is the problem little fly?” Dee told them he was a bee, a very important bee actually, the queen's very own beloved, personal servant bee! “Whoa is me, nobody recognises me, not even my family!” Dee started weeping again.

 

Sloth was full of pity and said, “Don’t cry” and he gently picked Dee up, sang him a lullaby, and rocked him from side to side. Sloth had calmed Dee down and now Dee yawned, “Arrrhhhhheeeehhhhh!, Dee yawned very loudly, and for a very long time indeed! Sloth was shocked, something so small could make such a big sound! “How much do you normally sleep? Asked sloth. “probably not enough,” replied Dee, I can never sleep easily without my queen.

 

“Without enough sleep, you cannot succeed!”  said sloth to the bee. “You need to sleep all night, every night, to be strong, and to be able to fly again,” said sloth. “You mean if I just sleep more I will be free of misery? Replied Dee. “Not completely, but this is the first step, you must sleep well to be well,” said the Sloth. Dee smiled and wiped his eyes.

 

Ladybird thanked sloth and said, “I’ll see you very soon my friend, thank you. And she blew him a kiss goodbye. She told Dee, “follow me,” and they went on to the next creature to help Dee be healthy and free. Dee was excited to meet Mr Great Staff, the monkey chief. Dee had never seen such a marvellous creature before. “Hello ladybird and friend, it is an honour to see you both,” said monkey.

 

“The honour is ours,” ladybird replied. “How may I help you?” monkey said as he looked at Dee. Dee explained his story. “AH, I see,” replied monkey. “Tell me please, what do you eat?” Dee realised he only ate when he was with the queen, and he explained his error to monkey. Monkey was shocked indeed.

 

Dee thanked monkey for explaining the importance of a healthy diet. He had only thought of being with the queen when he should have been learning how to be the best he could be, to serve the queen. Ladybird said her thankyou’s and goodbyes to monkey, and they went to see another dear friend of ladybirds.

 

Ladybird and Dee travelled further until they got to the cage of macaw birds. “Hello Godfrey,” said ladybird. “My friend!” Godfrey excitedly replied as he flew down to meet her. Ladybird introduced Dee, to Godfrey and Dee explained his problem. “Oh my my!” cried Godfrey. “You mean to tell me that you don’t fly every day, you just mostly sit and wait!” Exclaimed Godfrey. “No, no, NO! This won’t do! This is no good for you, no wonder you’re all black and feeling blue!” Sighed Godfrey, feeling overwhelmed at the thought of Dee’s lifestyle. “You must exercise regularly, and you must make time for fun and rest too, if you want to be healthy. This is the only way to be worthy of the attention of a queen, so no wonder she is away so frequently! Godfrey then laughed to mock Dee’s stupidity.

 

Dee couldn’t help but laugh too, now he knew how to be all good and new. Ladybird found Dee’s laugh so funny, and his happiness such a relief, that she started laughing too and once they started, they could not stop. It was contagious, all the creatures that could hear the laughter joined in with the laughter until all the creatures were rolling around on the floor crying with laughter. The whole zoo laughed the whole day. Everyone felt so much better and ladybird wiped away the tears of joy and was so surprised when she looked at Dee!

 

Dee had got all his yellow stripes back. Dee was so happy he started dancing and singing and all the creatures were clapping and laughing, and they were so happy they all started dancing. They literally danced the night away and all the animals slept the whole of the next day, to recover from all the fun they had had.

 

Dee was so happy when he woke up still feeling as happy as a bee could be. He would be able to go home and see his queen now. Dee thanked ladybird so much and promised she would always be welcomed and she was allowed ten per cent of all the honey his colony made, to share with all her amazing, and kind friends. Ladybird was over the moon and hugged Dee tight.

 

“Before you leave Dee,” said ladybird, “will you please meet my best friend, owl, queen of the zoo creatures?” Of course ladybird, anything for you, you have given me everything. I am so grateful.” And so ladybird took Dee to meet the owl queen. The owl Queen was the most wisest of all beings, and she was fascinated to meet Dee and hear his whole story. “You have been on quite the journey,” she said kindly.

 

“Now, before you return home to your queen Dee,” said the wise owl, “I want to share a secret with you.”  Then wise owl leant down to Dee and whispered something into his ear. Dee instantly started glowing, and his stripes changed from a bright yellow, into a dazzling golden colour.” Everybody laughed from joy and sheer amazement! “I certainly am fit for a queen now!” exclaimed Dee excitedly.

 

Dee said his farewells to everyone, happy he would see them all again soon. Then he headed home, excited to see his whole family, especially his beloved queen. But Dee was so shocked to see what he saw when he returned to his colony. They were all so sad they also had started turning black.

 

“Quick, let me through!” cried Dee. “Let me see the queen immediately!” All the bees were amazed to see Dee again. They were astonished to see him looking so vibrant and golden, like the lord of the bumblebee kingdom. They all bowed to him in awe and wonder and he quickly made his way to the queen’s chamber.

The Queen was so happy to see Dee again and she rejoiced and returned to full health, as Dee shared his recovery journey with her first, then the other bees. Everyone began to sleep, eat, and exercise and felt complete again. Finally, Dee shared what wise owl had whispered to him; “ Always share with the wise and kind, and enjoy every second of your free time.” And all the bees never suffered depression again, living happily ever after, with lots of love and laughter.