10 THE WORK OF THE BEE 



\l 



CHAPTER III. 



THE WORK OF THE BEE— INTRODUCTORY. 



Well, we are to keep our eyes open. This was our 

 first lesson ; and now we have heard how kindness 

 and gentleness will help us with bees, as with every 

 other creature of God. And these are two very good 

 things to learn ; but the bees have many other lessons 

 to teach us, and before we go on to speak of other 

 things, we will listen to their pleasant hum, and see 

 if we can make out anything they have to tell us. 



I told you just now that a bee flying from flower 

 to flower will never sting you if you leave it alone. 

 Only if you hinder it, tease it, touch it roughly, 

 will it at last get angry. Yes, and so what I think 

 it says in its hum is this : ' Do, pray, mind your own 

 work, and let me attend to mine. I don't want in 

 the least to interfere with you, and only wish myself 

 to be let alone. I have much to do. Pray do not 

 stop me.' And this is a capital lesson, for we all 

 have our work to do ; and whether it is a great or 

 little thing, the way to do it well is to stick to it,, and 

 to give it our whole attention. I dare say you often 

 have lessons at school, or things to do at home that 

 you find hard or troublesome. Well, follow the 

 example of the bee, and, while you do not interfere 

 with others in their work, don't let them stop you. 

 Always remember that your task or duty, whatever 

 it is, is of the first importance. 



