THE LIFE OF A BEE 



fail to return to the flowers I had come to love. Other 

 petals from the elder had fluttered away, due either to 

 the eager foraging of bees or to the gusty impatience 

 of the wind. The younger had opened wider her heart 

 to the sun. 



"I've been waiting for you," she said, sweetly. 

 "All that I have I yield up to you gladly. This 

 is my end. Oh, how glorious is life! How splendid 

 to be able to give of one's store so that life shall 

 go on eternally!" 



"Yes, eternally," echoed the elder blossom. "Even 

 I, in dying, leave my seed behind to follow the summer 

 suns through numberless ages; and I breathe into the 

 world an imperishable fragrance. It shall be wafted 

 to the utmost bounds; it shall gladden the hearts of 

 the lowliest. Though it be scattered by the winds, it 

 shall not cease to exist." 



By this time I had filled my honey-sac, and, after 

 flying three times around these two well-beloved blos- 

 soms, I made for home. I was depressed by the talk 

 which I had heard. I could not wholly comprehend it, 

 and I wanted to consult Crip. 



I was not long reaching our hive, for the wind seemed 

 to get under me and literally to blow me on. I de- 

 posited my treasure, hurried out again, and once more 

 headed for the sunflower-field, where I quickly gathered 

 a load. Then straight for home. It was difficult fly- 

 ing now, because the wind was in my face. I rose 

 higher, following Crip's advice, but still it blew and 

 almost beat me back. The black clouds which I re- 

 membered having seen in the west seemed almost over 

 me, and suddenly terrific noises crashed around. It 



57 



