Emma Bee and Her Pollen Adventure

by E K Garrigan
(New York City)

Emma and her friends Amy and Stacy buzzed around an almond tree grove. They were collecting nectar for the hive again. The hive was brimming with honey and the worker bees were racing to make space for all the incoming nectar.

“Emma,” Stacy called, “I’m covered in this flower dust.” She flew over to her friends, covered in the dusty powder.

Emma laughed. “That’s pollen, Stacy. We’ve been eating it in the hive for days!”

“Oh!” Stacy said. “I’m getting it all over the other flowers. I hope they don’t mind.”

Amy buzzed over next to Stacy. “That’s part of our job, Stacy. Without us, there would be no flowers next year.” The bees were busy pollinating the entire grove. Every flower had to be investigated and pollinated for next season.

Emma nodded at Amy. “It’s an important part of our work. We help the flowers and they help us. We’re almost done with this tree; let’s hurry so we can get back to the hive.” Amy and Stacy hurried to keep up with Emma.

Together, they all buzzed over to other flowers and were covered from antennae to stinger in pollen. Now that it was spring, all the bees were coming back to the hive with pollen on a regular basis.

Stacy buzzed around the bees. “Pollen really is tasty.”

Emma and Amy nodded. Amy said, “I’m glad we have the pollen to eat. I don’t know what we’d do without these flowers.”

Emma said, “I agree, but I don’t know what flowers would do without us either. But I’m glad they give use pollen, I feel so energetic after I have some. It really powers my wings.”

“Speaking of delicious pollen, I think it’s time to go back to the hive,” Stacy said. “I feel like we’ve pollinated this entire grove.”

The three worker bees flew back to their hive covered in the dusty yellow pollen. They were careful to avoid the spider web that almost trapped Emma on a previous outing and skirted around a well-known toad hang out. They buzzed past the yellow flower field that gave the hive the nectar needed to survive the upcoming winter.

Finally, Emma, Stacy and Amy entered their hive with all the other bees coming in. Everyone was covered in pollen, not just the three friends.

“We’re going to have a good meal tonight,” Emma said. Stacy and Amy nodded.

Emma walked around the hive. Another bee came over to her. “The Queen Bee wants to see you,” she said.

“The Queen Bee?” Emma said, “really?” The worker bee nodded. She followed the worker bee into the Queen’s chamber.

“Emma,” the Queen smiled down on her. “You brought so much pollen into this hive. I wanted to thank you. Because of all this pollen, I’m going to start laying eggs soon and we’re going to have a new batch of worker bees. I want you to make sure that they know all the best flower spots.”

Emma beamed. “I’ll do the best I can.” The Queen dismissed her and Emma flew back to her friends to share the news.

“New bees!” Amy said, “This hive is going to be the biggest, best hive ever.” Stacy laughed.

“Well, we’ll see!” Emma said. “In the meantime, we’ve got to eat some pollen and get some energy for all the work that’s ahead of us.”

Emma, Amy and Stacy enjoyed their pollen and were out early again the next day. They pollinated and found nectar, keeping the hive healthy and buzzing.