The Surprise Gift
The Tale of Benny Bee - Chapter 2
BEEEEEEP... BEEEEEEP... BEEEEEEP... BEEEEEEEP!!
“Ohhh, make it stop!” groaned Benny, trying to find the switch to his alarm clock. “I can’t believe it’s morning already.”
Benny stumbled to the bathroom, flipped the light switch. “Oh that hurts!”, he said, “That light is blinding!”. He splashed some cold water on his face, trying to wake up. Just then there was a knock on the door.
“Who could that be?” Benny wondered. “Bug is that you? I’m not ready yet!” he shouted.
No answer.
“Belle? Is that you?”
Nothing.
“That’s weird!” Benny mumbled as he made his way to the door. He opened it slowly, peeking through the slight opening. Not seeing anyone, he swung the door open wider and tried to step into the hallway to take a better look.
“Ahhh!”... THUMP! Benny had fallen over something that lay at his feet.
“How did that get there?” Benny said, picking up the shiny package.
Benny hollered down the hall. “Hello? Did someone forget something?”
“Hmmm. I wonder what this is,” he said as he stepped back inside his room and closed the door.
He placed the package on the table. It was a beautiful box, wrapped in sparkling silver paper and tied with gold bands and a silk ribbon. Attached to the side of the box was an envelope with the letters B. B. written neatly on the front.
Benny picked up the box and gave it a gentle shake. “I wonder who this if from? And why was it left of my doorstep? I didn’t order anything and it’s not my birthday!”
Again there was a knock at the door. “Aha, they came back to pick it up!”
Benny opened the door and to his surprise, Belle and Bug were standing there.
“Are you ready to go?” Bug asked.
“Come on Benny, we’re going to be late for breakfast!” Belle added.
“Breakfast? What about the package?” Benny asked.
Belle and Bug just stared at Benny. “Package?”
“Yes, this one here,” Benny said pointing to the box on the table.
Belle stepped into the room past Benny. “Woah, that looks fancy!”
“Is it chocolates? I like chocolates!” said Bug.
Benny picked up the box. “You mean you didn’t leave this on my doorstep?”
“It wasn’t us, we just got here, remember,” said Belle.
“Open it up! Let’s see what’s in it!” Bug said.
“I can’t open it. I don’t even know if it’s for me.”
“Benny, it was left on your doorstep and it has your initials on the card. It has to be for you!” said Belle.
“What does the card say?” asked Bug.
Benny lifted the envelope from the box. Turning it over he saw that the envelope was held closed with a spot of wax. His eyes grew wide as he discovered that the imprint on the wax was none other than the royal seal.
Benny handed the envelope to Belle. “I can’t open this, it’s from the... Queen.”
“Wow, Benny what did you do to deserve a gift from the Queen?” asked Bug.
“This was given to you Benny, you need to be the one who opens it,” said Belle.
Reluctantly Benny broke the seal and pulled out the card. He opened the card, reading the message silently. When he finished reading it he walked over and sat down on the edge of his bed.
“What does it say Ben?” Belle asked. “Is everything ok?”
“I guess it is.” Benny answered. “I just don’t understand.”
Belle took the card from Benny and read it out loud.
Dearest Benjamin Bartholomew Bee,
I am pleased to present to you a symbol of our Hive’s highest honor, the Royal Medallion. It would bring me great pleasure for you to gratefully receive this gift and wear it proudly.
Sincerely,
Queen Belinda
“So it’s not chocolate?” asked Bug.
Belle grabbed the box and handed it to Benny. “Open it up, I have to see this!’
“I can’t take this gift. What did I do to deserve a ‘Royal Medallion’? There must be some mistake. I need to return it,” Benny said. “That’s what I’ll do, I’ll send it back!”
“Benny, I’m not sure why Queen Belinda gave this to you, but it sounds like she really wants you to have it. I think she might be hurt if you didn’t keep it.”
“And wear it,” Bug added.
Benny placed the box on the table and started to untie the ribbon. “Are you sure I should do this?”
“Absolutely!” they said.
He laid the ribbon on the table and lifted off the lid. He reached inside and pulled out a small wooden case, hinged on one side and held closed with a bronze clasp. The hinge creaked as Benny lifted the clasp and opened the lid. Bug and Belle gathered around Benny to take a peek.
Benny placed the case down and gently lifted out the medallion by its purple ribbon. It was beautiful! It was made from pure gold and engraved on one side with an image of the Queen. It glimmered in the light as Benny lifted it up for them to see.
“Put it on Benny!” Bug said.
Benny looked at Belle.
“It’s ok. It’s yours. Go ahead,” Belle said.
Benny stepped toward the mirror on the wall by the door, took a deep breath and placed the medallion ribbon over his head.
Benny smiled proudly and turned back towards the others. “What do you think, does it look good on me?”
Bug and Belle just stared.
“Guys? What’s the matter? Why are you looking at me that way?”
Bug tried to speak. “B... b... b... Benny... You... you... you... you’re glowing!”
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT) God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.