He walked out of the hive into the sunshine. Here he brushed himself and spread his shining wings and looked very big and handsome. There was a stir in the hive, and the young Queen flew out and mounted into the air. With a rush Billybuzz flew swiftly after her, followed by the other drones who had been waiting. Whoever could catch the Queen first was to marry her, so they all did their best. Higher and higher they flew, till they were all out of sight.
The boy waited below, and presently the disappointed drones came back, bringing the news that Billybuzz had won the race. So Billybuzz the Drone married the Queen, and became King.
A few days later the boy again came to watch the bees.
"Where is Billybuzz the King?" he asked a drone who sat at the front door in the sunshine.
"Dead!" said the drone.
"Dear me!" said the boy. "How did that happen?"
"Oh, he just died," said the drone. "We all die very soon after we become kings. We are not made to live as long as the workers or the queens."
"Is that so? Then I would rather be born a worker than a king," said the boy.
"Everyone to his taste," said the drone. "A short life and a merry one for me."