What I'm Made For
The Tale of Benny Bee - Chapter 5
Bug ran after Benny. “Can I come to work with you today?
“Sure, let’s go!” Benny answered as they flew out of the hive with the others.
Where are we going? Bug asked.
“Back to the sunflower field,” Benny said. “I think we’ve hit the jackpot!”
Benny flew to the front of the group. “Come on bees, we’ve got a great day ahead!”
It was a great day, indeed. A heavy dew was on the tall grass and the warm late-July sun was rising brightly in the east. A soft wind blew gently through the trees. A couple of geese flew above in the clear blue sky, honking out their greeting.
The bees followed along the creek, past the the pond and made their way up a steep hill. As they came over the crest of the hill the land unfolded in front of them in a great sea of yellow.
“Wow!” Bug said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Beautiful, isn’t it,” Benny said.
“It sure is.”
Benny got the attention of the team. “Ok, you know what you need to. There’s lot’s of nectar here - plenty for everyone. Work together, be safe and, of course, have fun!”
With that the team spread out into the field and got to work visiting the tall sunflowers as they swayed in the breeze.
Benny and Bug flew above the field to get a good view.
“This is the life,” Benny said. “I love it out here.”
They swooped down for a closer look.
“You’re doing a great job! Keep it up!” Benny said to a couple of the workers as they flew by them.
“It looks like there’s a good one over here that no one’s been to yet,” Benny said to one bee who was not sure exactly where to go next,
“You’re pretty good at this,” Bug said.
“At what?” Benny answered.
“At, you know... this,” Bug said. “Everyone wants to be on your team. They talk about it back at the hive. They say you make work... an adventure!”
“Oh, stop Bug, you’re embarrassing me,” Benny said. “Come on, let’s go get some nectar!”
~~
Benny and his team were busy unloading their newly gathered nectar into buckets back at the hive.
“Benny!” Bill called out. “I need to speak with you.”
“Ooooh. I bet you’re in big trouble,” joked Bug.
“Come, let’s take a walk, Benny,” Bill said. “I want to let you know I’m very proud of you. You’re making a big difference around here.”
“Thanks Bill, I’m just glad I can help. I get the feeling that this is what I’m made for.”
“Yes, Benny, I think you’re right. But I think there may even be more.”
“More? So much has changed with me already,” Benny said, looking down at his medallion. “I can’t imagine anything else.”
“Just be ready,” Bill said. “You’ll know when the time is right.”
“See you at the party this afternoon?” Benny asked.
“You can count on it,” Bill said.
~~
Belle, Bug and Benny opened the doors to the dining hall. The room was packed full of everyone who had come to honor Bill and have a chance to see the Queen.
“I can’t believe Bill is retiring,” Belle said.
“Why is Bill tired?” asked Bug.
“He’s not tired,” Benny said, “he’s retiring. That means he won’t be working at his job anymore.”
“What will he do then?” Bug asked.
“I don’t know, maybe we’ll find out tonight,” Benny said working his way through the crowd.
“Attention! Attention! Can I get your attention please?” said the announcer. “We are about to begin.”
The music stopped and the crowd grew silent. Bill walked up and took his place on the stage.
“All rise!” said the announcer.
Everyone stood and turned to see the Queen entering the room. Her crown was shiny gold and robe was a royal purple that matched the ribbon on Benny’s medallion. One bee clapped, then another, then the whole room erupted in applause and cheers as Queen Belinda took the stage.
Everything about her was royal. But was what endeared the hive to her most was her smile. You’ve never seen a smile that was more warm and loving and full of joy than the smile of Queen Belinda.
“Thank you! Thank you!” the Queen said trying to get the crowd to quiet down.
“Thank you for coming here today. We have something very important to do. Today we are going to honor someone who has worked hard for years to make sure our hive has been running smoothly. He makes sure we have all the honey that we need to survive the hard winters and most importantly he keeps an eye out for each one of you.”
Queen Belinda turned to her attendant and grabbed a tall silver staff. The top of the staff was formed to look like the tree that their hive was in and the handle was engraved with different sayings from The Living Book.
She placed the staff into Bill’s open hands. “Please accept this gift and our sincere appreciation.”
The whole room cheered.
Bill turned to face the crowd and began to speak. “Wow! I’m honored. It is a privilege to have served you. I’m looking forward to now helping the Queen in other ways. I’m confident that our hive will continue to be strong as I see many of you stepping up and taking the lead.”
Benny smiled as Bill’s eyes met his.
Bill raised his staff. “To the Queen!”
“To the Queen!” the crowd responded and they all cheered.
~~
The hall had mostly emptied and the decorations were being taken down.
“Do you guys want go flying?” Belle asked.
“I’m in!” said Bug.
“How about you Benny?” said Belle.
“Yeah, but give me a minute. I’ll catch up with you outside.” Benny said.
Benny walked across the room to a small group of bees. One of them, Bonnie, was crying and the others were trying to comfort her.
“Bonnie, you ok?” Benny asked.
“Some of the boys have been teasing her,” said her friend.
“They make fun of her because she’s taller than everyone else,” said the other.
“Is this true Bonnie?” Benny asked.
“I just wish I was like everyone else,” she told him. “I don’t think I belong here.”
“Well, I can tell you that that’s absolutely not true,” said Benny, “and I can prove it!”
“You can?” said Bonnie, wiping the tears from her eyes. “How?”
“I tell you what. You three meet me in the Library after dinner. I’ll explain it to you there,” said Benny. “Just believe me when I say, you do belong here. Well, I gotta go. Remember. The library after dinner. And don’t be late!”
[The end]
Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT) So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you Gary