Percy, Me & The Bee

I was out having my exercises today, chasing a leaf around the garden when I leapt for a butterfly and nearly landed on Percy. He was pecking away furiously just under the acer tree and I didn't see him.

"Steady on young un" he chastised, "you could have squashed me with those leaps"

I apologised and asked him what the attraction was under the tree. I had never seen him so feverishly pecking before.

"Tis the honey bee season"

"What's so special about them then?" I asked

"Come on laddie; surely you know what honey tastes like. All sweet and sticky. Runs down my beak a treat and soothes the old vocal chords so I can make my calls much louder and easier"

"But I don't coo like you. I just purr and sometimes meow."

"Yes, yes. I'm not stupid but think of the strain when you purr for them and the throat ache you get meowing."

"True. So what do we do?"

"You just lay in wait for one and then you pounce on him and chew a bit and swallow and you feel all that lovely honey running down your throat. That's why they are called honey bees"

I did as Percy said. very soon a nice looking bee came and settled on the grass under the tree just close to us. I looked at Percy. I didn't want to offend him by taking his bee, but Percy is a gentleman. He shook his head and ushered me to take the bee.

I pounced on it. Got it in my mouth and it stung me and made me squeal. I opened my mouth and the bee flew out but my mouth was on fire. I felt my tongue swelling.

Percy flew off, squawking with delight.

I wasn't happy