The Forbidden Grove
The Tale of Benny Bee - Chapter 4
Bill looked at the team standing in front of him. “Now listen up. Today you’re going to be working at Cricket’s Hill, which is just past the falls. We’re running a little behind on our production, so I am relying on you to bring back a lot of nectar today. I need you to stay focused, work together and be safe. Remember, not every creature out there is friendly to us. And of course, have fun!”
Benny was standing among the other workers, not really hearing what Bill was saying. This was only his second time to be on a gathering team and all he could think of was how great it was going to be flying outside again.
“Do you hear that?” Belle asked Benny as they flew along.
“What is it?” Benny asked. “It sounds like thunder.”
“It’s not thunder, it is the waterfall. It’s just ahead.”
Just then, Buzzer, a bee who always seemed to find trouble, flew by. “Anyone want to go with me to Shady Grove?”
“Buzzer, you know better than that! That place is dangerous and we’re not allowed to go there,” said Belle.
“Who says?” Buzzer shouted. “I just want to check it out. I’ve heard that there are flowers in there that have enough nectar in one bloom for a thousand bees. Bill said we need to bring back a lot. Anyway, I’m going! Who’s with me?”
“Grrrrr! You’re hopeless,” said Belle as she flew ahead.
Benny came alongside Buzzer. “Are there really flowers like that there?
“I don’t know but I’m going to find out.” Buzzer said.
“Isn’t it dangerous?” Benny asked.
“Nah, what could happen? We’ll just be there for a few minutes, get the nectar and get out. If we see anything that looks like trouble we’ll turn around and leave right away.”
“Ok, I’m in,” Benny said.
As the team approached the falls, the noise from the water grew louder, so much that it was hard to hear anything else.
Buzzer motioned to Benny and the two of them turned south along the lower river. The others continued on toward Cricket’s Hill, unaware.
The air was wet from the mist of the falls and sun glimmered on the rippling surface of the water as they flew together toward the grove.
“I think we’re almost there,” Buzzer said. “We’ll turn at the beaver dam.”
“This is not so bad,” Benny said to himself.
Buzzer pointed toward a large cluster of trees that lay ahead. “This is it.”
As they entered the grove, the air got noticeably cooler and thick. The sun disappeared in the canopy and it seemed like it was almost night.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Benny asked.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine. Let’s find those flowers!” Buzzer said.
They flew among the vines and along the brook, getting deeper and deeper into the grove, but still no sight of any flowers.
SQUAAAAAAWWWWK! The shrill sound echoed throughout the trees. SQUAAAAAAWWWWK! Again, they heard the frightful noise.
“B...B....Buzzer, what is that?” asked Benny.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Buzzer replied, his voice starting to tremble.
“Maybe we should head back,” Benny said. “I’m not seeing flowers anywhere.”
SQUAAAAAAWWWWK! The sound was growing louder.
“Yeah, maybe we should,” Buzzer said. “We can probably catch up with the others and they won’t even know that we were gone.”
They turned around quickly and started heading back, their hearts racing as they made their way toward the river.
SQUAAAAAAWWWWK! Something flew by Buzzer and Benny.
“Buzzer! What was that?” Benny shouted.
“BEEEEEE-EATER!!!” Buzzer screamed as a large bird flew straight at him with its long curved beak stretched wide open.
Benny grabbed Buzzer’s hand and pulled him down just as the Bee-eater flew by.
“Thanks Benny! You saved my life. Let’s get out of here, and fast!”
Faster and faster they flew, darting in and out of the trees trying to stay ahead of the screeching bird that was chasing them. Not every bird is a threat to bees, but the Red-Bearded Bee-eater is a true danger. It is quick and agile and has an exceptionally strong bite.
“Benny, in here!” Buzzer said flying into a thicket. “We’ll be safe in here.”
The bee-eater squawked as it circled above.
“How will we ever get out of here?” Benny asked, landing on the branch beside Buzzer.
“I don’t know Benny. I’m sorry for bringing you here. I should have listened to Belle.”
“Wait, what is that sound?” Benny asked.
The grove was filled with a low hum. It was coming from the direction of the river and it was getting louder.
“Oh no.” Benny said. “What else is coming to eat us?”
“Shhhh. Listen. It sounds like...”
“Like what?” Benny asked.
“Like... Bees! Lots of them,” Buzzer said, straining to see through the leafy brush.
“Benny... Buzzer!” Came a shout from just outside the thicket.
“We’re in here!” Benny shouted. “Bill, is that you?”
Buzzer and Benny made their way out of the shrubbery and were surprised to see, not only Bill, but a whole swarm of bees who had come to find them.
SQUAAAAAAWWWWK! The bee-eater swooped by.
“Quick, join the swarm!” Bill said. “He won’t attack us if we stay together!”
They joined the others and quickly made their way out of the grove and worked their way up the river.
“How did you find us?” Benny asked.
“You should be thankful that you have good friends looking out for you. Ones that care enough to go for help,” Bill said.
“Belle?” Benny asked.
“Yes, she came and got me when she realized that you guys had left the team.”
Not another word was spoken all the way back to the hive. Benny and Buzzer flew just behind Bill, feeling pretty foolish but thankful to be safe.
As Benny made his way through the hole in the tree and into the hive he saw Belle standing there.
“Benny! You’re safe!” she shouted giving him a hug. “I was so worried about you. How could you do that?”
“I’m sorry Belle,” Benny said. “I should have listened. You warned us.”
Buzzer flew in and tried to make his way past without Belle noticing.
“Get over here mister!” she shouted.
Buzzer walked over slowly, his head bowed in shame.
“I’m glad you’re safe too. But don’t ever do that again! Please.” Belle said, giving him a friendly squeeze.
“Team! Gather ‘round!” Bill shouted.
“Benny, Buzzer, let me say that I am glad you’re both ok. I hope you have learned a lesson from today’s experience. As part of the team, you have a tremendous amount of freedom. You are free to gather nectar from any flower in the prairie or on the hills and in the orchards. We have few enemies in those places and there is plenty of nectar there to meet our every need. Enjoy your freedom, but remember, it’s not true freedom if it leads you into places of danger.”
“Bill?” Buzzer said. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too,” Benny quickly added.
“It’s ok. It’s ok,” Bill said.
“Group hug!” shouted Belle as she gathered everyone together.
“Group hug indeed,” said Bill wrapping his arms around them, pleased that his whole team was home safe.
Ephesians 4:11-15 (NLT) Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.