"It is passed, I think," returned the young one, "don't you feel the warmth of the sun? It reminds me of the pleasant rambles we took together last summer, and I am impatient to renew them."
"You are indeed impatient," replied the hoary Bee, "but time enough yet; don't you know that our cities are always placed in such advantageous situations that we have the earliest benefit from the sun's rays? but let not this make you suppose the season farther advanced than it is."
"Well, now," replied the conceited chatterer, "only put your head out and feel how very warm it is."
"No, I thank you," returned the other, with a shrug; "I know what it is to trust to appearances, and can feel even here that the cold weather is not gone, and if you go only to the back of the hive you may hear how the wind still whistles behind it."
"I had rather look at the sunshine," returned the simple one, and leaving his sage adviser he determined to think that it was because he was old and lazy he wished to stay at home, and keep others there also, as an excuse for his own idleness; "let them stay then," said he, "but for my part I am inclined to make the most of my time, and no doubt shall bring home many a load before these old creepers will believe that there is anything to be gathered."
This resolution of the young Bee was not long a secret in the community; he buzzed it about among all his acquaintances; nor was it hid from the queen, who, acting in the two-fold character, first warned him of the danger, and then, on pain of their not being re-admitted, absolutely forbade any one's going out of the hive without her leave. But what can deter the obstinacy of a conceited youngster? Nothing. If experience obliges him to confess that in one thing he is wrong, he still continues as firmly bent upon another; and if once inclined to think that he must know as well as others, will continue to think so, till experience teaches him that in all things he is liable to mistake. But my little hero was not yet brought to this conclusion, neither perhaps are many who will read his history; but, as our ingenious fabulist tells us,—
"Every object of creation
"Can furnish hints for contemplation,"
who knows whether something may not be learnt from the history of a Bee?