Bees that have honey in their mouths 
have stings in their tails — 
—Old Proverb 
I 
MY INTRODUCTION TO A HIVE 
I HAVE a friend who says she is “more afraid 
of a bee than a bull,” and though that seems an 
exaggerated statement, I find most people consider 
a sting a serious injury and keep well out of bee- 
range, if possible. Should a bee buzz on an investi¬ 
gation tour about their ears, they fight it frantically. 
Those not familiar with beekeeping are apt to 
consider a beekeeper an extraordinary being—almost 
a magician—who charms all bees and is never stung. 
It is a fact that some people seem to rouse the 
antagonism of even the gentlest bees and others are 
attacked comparatively little by the most vicious, 
but the “magic” of it lies mainly in our own tempera¬ 
ment or manner of approach. 
Bees dislike the proximity of anyone who is 
nervous in movement or who strikes at them, so it 
follows naturally that those who are seldom stung 
are quiet, careful, and unafraid. 
But there are no real beekeepers who have never 
been stung. Accidents will happen—and—bing! 
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