The Bees

by Laline Paull

lost?” “Since last inspection?” Sister Teasel stared in alarm. “Compared to other departments, hardly any. We are not like foragers, we keep ourselves safe from the outer world and its perils—but even our kin will sometimes suffer.”

sophisticated Category Two kins of Violet, Primrose, and Vetch won Flora’s particular admiration. Discreetly, in the dim, holy atmosphere of Category One, she practiced her own curtsy to overcome her shameful splay—just in case Sister Sage should reappear and move her to Category Two. This was such a wonderful thought that Flora began including it in her prayers at Devotion. She forgot it each time the enchanting fragrance of the Queen’s Love rose up through the comb, but when the nurses changed again, and her fur had still not risen, she gathered up her courage and sought out Sister Teasel. “You want to move?” Sister Teasel

in his thick and foreign tongue.” “Foreign?” Sister Prunus recovered herself. “From what direction? I only ask because the Sage like to be informed of all immigrants in our neighborhood.” She lowered her voice. “In case of disease, you see. Also, they take our nectar.” “Calm yourself, Sister. This Congregation was farther than you could fly.” “I am just a house bee, I did not presume.

task. She looked at the last three

triggering her thoracic engine. A power

brightness. “You will wait for permission!” shouted

intimate that for a second Flora did not

out across

As for the food—that is another reason I sit here, that I may overhear some information about the latest deliveries to know if we are fairly fed, for there is never enough choice.” He groaned. “To think it has

substance. “You still make wax—