Now, telling the bees was a custom in which the bees would be told of important events in their keeper’s lives, such as births, marriages, or departures from the household. If the custom was omitted or forgotten and the bees were not “put into mourning”, then it was believed a penalty would be paid.’ ‘What kind of penalty?’ Hazel asked. ‘Oh, such as the bees might leave their hive, stop producing honey, or even die in some cases.
