by Dave Corrick
Chapter 22
The bee Household over the Christmas New Year Holiday Period.
For the week between Christmas and New Year each day dawned fine and clear. Louie had a good feeling about the weather. The sunsets had been red, there was no wind and his bee senses told him that there was a high pressure weather system around.
Typically Louie and Lulu would be up about 7.00 a.m. Tiger and Lily were very good in that there was never a squeak out of them during the night.
After Louie and Lulu had brushed their teeth and washed their bodies it was then time to attend to the little blighters still asleep in the spare room.
It was such a peaceful sight when Louie and Lulu went into the spare room. Tiger and Lily would be sound asleep, side by side in their cradle with sounds of soft snuffly breathing.
Louie would pick up Tiger and stroke him gently. Louie didn’t want anything to frighten Tiger as he woke up out of dreamland and came back into the real world. Lulu did the same with Lily.
There would be a few ‘ooos’ and ‘aaars’ from Louie and Lulu as the little eyes opened and the tiny arms and legs waved around reaching out to feel Mum and Dad.
Tiger and Lily couldn’t speak but communicated with squeaks.
To get an idea of what Tiger and Lily sounded like, say ‘Eek’ to your self in a high pitched falsetto voice. It was something like that.
It seemed to be that one squeak expressed surprise at something new. It was a sort of ‘what have we got here’ noise.
Two squeaks meant ‘yes I like it’ and continual squeaking was definitely a ‘food required’ type of noise.
Occasionally there would be a long low squeak which meant displeasure. This typically happened when Lulu might be washing Tiger’s gums (no teeth yet!) or maybe Lily’s diapers needed changing!
While the two mites were waking in Louie and Lulu’s arms, there were double squeaks of pleasure. However these would quickly change to frequent squeaking, indicating that somebody was hungry.
At this point Louie would go and light the stove and warm some dandelion milk for Tiger and Lily. Lulu would go and brush the little bodies and wash their gums ready for the day ahead.
Louie had made a couple of feeding bottles out of single honeycomb cells. In the tops Louie had cemented hollowed out rose thorns with the sharp ends cut off so the milk could flow.
On a sunny morning (as was every morning between Christmas and New Year) Lulu would take Tiger and Lily outside on the deck and feed them with the dandelion milk Louie had prepared. Louie would then prepare breakfast for Lulu and himself. Today Louie was doing over easy spider eggs with gum leaf toast and of course accompanied by TG Tips tea.
Once Lulu had fed Tiger and Lily they tended to be a little bit sleepy again so Lulu put them on a special little deck chair that Louie had made for them.
Lying in their deck chair Tiger and Lily looked a really cool pair of little dudes. Louie had made a couple of sun hats out of small acorn cups turned upside down. The pair also wore little sunglasses that Louie had fashioned out of shed cicada skins. The cicada skins were similar to a hard thin transparent plastic and had factor 30+ properties to protect the little eyes from ultra violet radiation.
If you don’t believe that cicada skins filter out ultra violet radiation, just think with all the time cicadas spend singing in the sun, when was the last time you saw a sun burnt one. Hmmm?
By the time Tiger and Lily had been fed and were resting, Lulu would move quietly to the table out on the deck and position herself so she could keep and eye on them.
Louie would quietly tip toe out with the breakfast for Lulu and himself and the pair would chat in whispers and laugh softly so as not to disturb Tiger and Lily.
It would only be after about an hour that Tiger and Lily would be wide awake again and crawling around the deck. Tiger tended to be a bit of a tease at times and would pounce on Lily from behind when she was least expecting it. This was accompanied by two squeaks from Tiger and a long low protesting squeak from Lily. Lily would then run to Lulu for support.
Seeing Lily run to Lulu, Tiger would know that he had probably pushed things a little bit far and go and put his arms around his little sister to comfort her.
Louie and Lulu would sit back after breakfast, holding each other close, and watch the little bees at play. Their favourite play thing was an apple seed that Louie had found and dried on the stove so that it had gone hard and bouncy. The little bees would take turns at hiding the apple seed then the other would have to find it. At times the antics of the two little ones made Louie and Lulu laugh until they had tears running down their stripes.
Below the deck of course was the stream. From the deck was a small path just big enough for a bee to walk down to the stream. At the end of the path was a delightful little place shaded by wild Elfin Daisies, buttercups, dandelions and small ferns. At this special little place by the stream was a small inlet with a sandy bit that sloped gently to the water’s edge like a small beach. Louie had often come here before he met Lulu. He had found great comfort from the simplicity and beauty of the small area when he had been bothered about something.
When breakfast was over and dishes had been done, Louie would take Tiger, Lulu would take Lily down to the special little place by the stream.
Tiger and Lily would be fascinated by the water and run down and try and touch it. A single squeak would indicate that they didn’t understand what it was. Lily managed to get one up on Tiger when she found that with a quick flick of a foot she could splash Tiger. Great fun she thought! There would be a puzzled look on Tiger’s face accompanied by the utterance of an indignant low squeak!
Louie and Lulu would lie in a little grassy place watching their two treasures. Their antics filled Louie and Lulu with absolute delight and they held each other very closely.
On occasions Tiger or Lily would exercise their wings. The tiny little wings were by no means fully grown yet. The little mites would power up for all they were worth. At times they would almost lift off then they would fall over and land upside down on their backs. Louie and Lulu would smile while suppressing their laughter and rush over to comfort and encourage them. It wouldn’t be long before they could fly.
Occasionally Tiger and Lily would come running up from the stream and think that it would be a good idea to jump on Mum and Dad in case they had gone to sleep. Of course the little rascals just got squeezed with the love and feelings Louie and Lulu had for them and they would all lie in the sun together until something else caught Tiger and Lily’s attention.
Just by the water’s edge was a sycamore leaf that had been dried and curled in the sun. Louie would push the leaf out onto the calm waters of the inlet. The leaf floated beautifully.
Louie would hold the leaf while Lulu placed the two little bees on it. Louie “walked” the leaf up and down the length of the inlet with the wee bees onboard. Tiger and Lily rushed from side to side of the leaf in excitement while Louie paddled along in the shallows of the inlet.
Of course as midday approached squeaks from Tiger and Lily became more frequent which meant it was time to go back up to the house for lunch. After lunch the little bees would become sleepy again. This was time to put them back in their cradle and let them sleep for the afternoon.
Each day, usually late afternoon before tea, Louie and Lulu would get Tiger and Lily to sit on their backs and hang on tight. Louie and Lulu would then carefully take off themselves. On the first day it was a short distance above the deck and straight down again. Each time they did it Louie and Lulu would say, ‘time for a fly’. The little bees loved this business of climbing on Mum or Dad’s back and going for a fly.
After a few days if either Louie or Lulu said ‘time for a fly’ the little bees would immediately jump on their parents’ backs. This was great fun. Louie and Lulu after a few days of practice could fly a short distance up the stream with their children.
Two days before New Year’s Eve the family was out on the d
eck after breakfast. Lulu noticed it first and said. ‘Louie did you hear that? I think Tiger said something’.
The pair listened; yes he was trying to say something.
‘I know what it is’, said Louie. ‘It’s fairly indistinct but he is saying “time for a fly’’’.
‘You are right Louie’, said Lulu excitedly. ‘Let’s phone Pearl and take them up to see her’.
Louie phoned Pearl and said, ‘Could Lulu and I join you for lunch and bring two passengers?’
‘Really! That’s wonderful’, said Pearl. ‘Are they flying with you already? By all means come on up. I would love to see you all’.
Louie packed a bracken basket with some chocolate cake for Pearl, some honey nectar and two feeding bottles filled with dandelion milk.
Tiger and Lily were playing on the deck. Louie only had to say ‘time for a fly’ once and the little bees were up on the backs of Louie and Lulu ready to go.
‘It’s such a nice day’, said Lulu, ‘Let’s take Tiger and Lily down to the village and back before we go to Pearl’s’
‘Good idea’, said Louie.
Louie and Lulu stood side by side on the deck with their wings idling and checked that the two precious little pieces of cargo were holding on securely. The two little blighters liked to snuggle down in the warm fur of their parents.
‘Let’s go’, said Louie.
The pair lifted off. Louie was looking at Lulu and smiling. Tiger and Lily were uttering a mixture of squeaks and unintelligible words as Louie and Lulu headed on down to stream level and off towards the village.
Louie and Lulu circled over the Nest Café and the Hotel Babbleon to show Tiger and Lily.
‘Louie’, said Lulu. ‘Before we go to Pearl’s let’s take Tiger and Lily for a Duck Paddle cruise’.
‘Great idea’, said Louie. ‘You go down first Lulu’.
The pair with the two little bees onboard landed outside Duck Paddle Cruises then boarded for a half hour cruise. Louie phoned Pearl to let her know that they would be about an hour.
Tiger and Lily loved the cruise. Louie and Lulu talked to the little bees about things along the stream bank and pointed to them as they cruised along. There was a very strong bond now between Tiger and Lily, and their parents.
Once the cruise on the stream was over it was full speed off to Pearl’s apartment. The little bees blinked with the pressure of the air from flying at speed and squeaked with delight.
Pearl was so glad to see them all. Pearl hadn’t seen them since Christmas morning. Somehow it seemed ages ago.
Tiger and Lily were absolutely intrigued with Pearl’s apartment. It just had to be explored. Pearl didn’t mind, she just laughed at the little bee’s antics as they got under, into, over and around everything in sight.
Pearl, Louie and Lulu went out onto Pearl’s deck and relaxed while the little bees went about their exploring.
Later everybody had lunch including the two little bees who had their dandelion milk.
After having their milk, Tiger and Lily curled up together in a sunny corner of Pearl’s deck while Louie, Lulu and Pearl talked and relaxed until late afternoon.
Towards the end of the afternoon Pearl made a suggestion. ‘I don’t know how you two feel but how about we all go up to the cave for New Year’s Eve the day after tomorrow. I could phone Virgil and ask him and Virginia to join us. They could bring the necessary supplies. Louie you or Lulu could phone Import and see if the Ten Ants would like to join us’.
‘Yes! Yes! What a great idea’, said Louie and Lulu both at once.
Tiger and Lily came running up to Louie and Lulu with a mixture of squeaks and words that only they understood. They all laughed. These two little bees instinctively knew that something exciting was up!
‘It would be a great experience for Tiger and Lily too’, said Pearl. ‘It would be something they will never forget’.
First of all Louie phoned Import. Yes the Ten Ants were really very keen and excited about the whole idea. Louie told Import he would phone him back after confirming with Virgil.
Pearl phoned Virgil. Virgil thought it would be a great idea and thanked Pearl for her brilliant idea.
‘Bring anything you want to take over to the hangar tomorrow, tell the Ten Ants to do the same. We will load up and head off the next day’. Virgil confirmed.
‘Shall we make it we meet at 9.30 a.m. at your hangar Virgil’, said Pearl tentatively.
‘Is that OK with you two’, Pearl whispered to Louie and Lulu. Louie and Lulu nodded.
‘Yes that will be fine Pearl’, said Virgil to Pearl on the phone. ‘Virginia and I are really looking forward to it and to meeting Tiger and Lily’.
Pearl hung up then turned to Louie and Lulu with a sparkle in her voice, ‘All settled team, 9.30 a.m. at Virgil’s hangar on the morning of New Year’s Eve. We can all be together again just like it was over two years ago. This time though we will have Lulu, Tiger and Lily with us’.
Everybody was very happy with this arrangement. What a great idea of Pearl’s.
‘Well Pearl’, said Louie laughing, ‘we must take these two back home before they completely wreck your place’.
‘No they are absolutely no bother, they are a delight to have here’, said Pearl sincerely.
Pearl looked at the two wee mites and reflected to herself how it had been the right decision for Louie and Lulu to take Tiger and Lily after the tragic death of their mother. Tiger and Lily were certainly going to have a wonderful life with their two doting parents.
‘Thanks for having us all Pearl’, said Louie. ‘I’ll give Import a call when we get home and confirm arrangements with him. We had better get these two home. Apart from wrecking your place they are getting hungry!’
Lulu went up to Pearl and whispered in her ear. ‘You have made Louie and I so happy, you wonderful moth’.
Pearl whispered back to Lulu, ‘Tiger and Lily just couldn’t have better parents’, and gave Lulu a squeeze.
Louie and Lulu headed for the door.
‘Watch this Pearl’, said Louie. Louie called out, ‘time for a fly!’
As if by magic two little creatures jumped on the backs of their parents and held on tightly ready to fly home.
Pearl laughed. ‘See you two the day after tomorrow at Virgil’s hangar. I just know we are all going to have a wonderful time’.
Louie and Lulu flew home, their hearts just bursting with happiness. What a great idea of Pearl’s.
Pearl watched the four disappear into the distance and listened to the little squeaks and other noises get softer and softer until they could no longer be heard. Pearl’s heart was full of happiness too.
The next day (the day before New Year’s Eve) about mid morning, Louie and Lulu along with Tiger and Lily, made several trips to Virgil’s hangar. Each time they were loaded with essentials for the trip away to the cave. Virgil then proceeded to put it all in one of his containers. Pearl dropped by with her stuff too as did the Ten Ants later on in the afternoon.
When Tiger and Lily first saw Virgil they ran to their parents and hung on for dear life, Virgil was so big! However after a bit of tender stroking and continually saying ‘Virgil won’t hurt you’, the two little bees gained confidence and scampered around saying something that sounded like ‘Virgil won’t hurt, Virgil won’t hurt’.
With now having reassurance from their parents, Tiger and Lily wanted to climb onto Virgil. Louie said sternly ‘No Tiger, No Lily’.
The two wee bees, although they couldn’t yet understand what Louie was saying, knew by the intonation of Louie’s voice that this was not the best of things to do be done by a small bee and said something that sounded like ‘naughty bee’. Instinctively Tiger and Lily, knowing that they should not be “naughty bees” obeyed the command of Louie and stood looking in awe at Virgil, muttering little squeaks of frustration.
Virgil laughed and said ‘It’s OK Louie, come here Tiger come here Lily’. Tiger and Lily looked back to the
ir parents for approval with mischievousness written all over their little faces. With a smile and complete capitulation by Louie (and Lulu) Virgil became fair game for two small bees to climb all over him. They thought Virgil was something very special. To them he was a gentle giant.
Virgil felt very honoured to have become the centre of attention and lifted the pair onto his back. Virginia came over and stroked Tiger and Lily. She laughed at the utterances of the little double squeaks. The two little bees made everybody oh so very happy.
It was great for Louie and Lulu to have all they were taking on the trip in Virgil’s container. All Louie and Lulu now needed to bring tomorrow were Tiger and Lily.
As an after thought Louie suggested, ‘Maybe we should put Tiger and Lily in the container it would save us a lot of hassles in the morning!’
‘Louie!’ said Lulu giving Louie another of her affectionate smacks. ‘You naughty mischievous bee!’
‘Sorry Lulu’, said Louie. ‘You know I don’t mean it! They are coming with us. In fact the highlight of tomorrow will be these two little blighters coming with us and being with us!’
Louie held Lulu close to him and said, ‘You make me so happy, we are going to have such a good time tomorrow’.
After the final trip to bring all the gear to the hangar, Louie and Lulu thanked Virgil and Virginia for their trouble and headed back home to take it easy with Tiger and Lily for the rest of the day. They would all be returning again in the morning ready and eager to go. Everyone was very excited!
The day of New Year’s Eve dawned fine and clear. The bee household was up and about at 7.00 a.m. as usual. Two little bees were given their breakfast and made ready for the day ahead. They knew that something exciting was about to happen but they didn’t quite know what.
Louie and Lulu had breakfast out on the deck while Tiger and Lily scampered about uttering the usual unintelligible words peppered with squeaks! They were excited.
At about 9.15 a.m., everybody in the bee household was ready to go. Louie said the magic words ‘time for a fly’, and the two little bees were within an instant in position on their parent’s backs. Louie and Lulu checked that Tiger and Lily were safely in position then it was off to Virgil’s hangar.
At Virgil’s hangar Pearl had already arrived as had the Ten Ants.
The Ten Ants of course presented something new to Tiger and Lily. It was a case of circling around the Ten Ants with caution while uttering ‘what have we got here noises’ until any fear had disappeared. Having satisfied themselves that the Ten Ants were quite harmless, Tiger and Lily gave each of them a big hug. The Ten Ants were delighted, especially being of a similar size to Tiger and Lily. In no time they were all the best of friends.
Pearl joined Louie and Lulu to watch. ‘Isn’t that just marvellous to see them getting on so well together’, said Pearl. Louie had brought the dried apple seed with them. The Ten Ants were throwing it for Tiger and Lily to chase and catch. Tiger and Lily flapped their tiny wings while running and scooted along quite quickly to the delight of everyone.
By 9.30 a.m. Virgil had the main container attached. Virginia had a second smaller container so that there was plenty of cargo space to take everything required.
Virgil made his usual boarding call for the Ten Ants with Deodor and Flatual seated in rows nine and ten. Virgil then called everybody around for flight instructions.
‘What I have decided’, said Virgil in his captain of an aircraft sort of voice, ‘is that as we have our leader and Queen in our midst, Pearl should lead the way’.
Everybody cheered and agreed; yes they all owed so much to Pearl. Tiger and Lily rushed up to Pearl and squeaked as if they knew she had saved them. They both knew instinctively that Pearl was indeed a very special moth.
‘I would be honoured’, said Pearl and she picked up Tiger and Lily and told them what wonderful little bees they were.
‘Right that’s settled’, said Virgil. ‘Pearl you lead the way, I will be immediately behind. Next will be Louie and Lulu with Tiger and Lily. Virginia will follow at the rear to ensure all is well with the wee bees. Please line up as indicated ready for takeoff’.
Pearl moved out onto the take off area ready to lead the team of insects. Virgil positioned himself behind Pearl. Louie and Lulu called Lily and Tiger aboard and moved in behind Virgil. Virginia lined up at the rear.
Once everybody was in position Virgil announced. ‘All smell phones on in speaker mode please’. Virgil tested that everybody could communicate.
Virgil had his wings idling at 1,500 r.p.m. ready for takeoff. Louie and Lulu checked that Tiger and Lily were OK and Virginia was behind with her wings also idling at 1,500 r.p.m.
‘Everybody ready for takeoff?’ Virgil called over the smell phones. Yes everybody was ready. The Ten Ants had stopped chattering and were eager to go.
‘Pearl’, said Virgil. ‘You are our captain; we will all takeoff behind you on your command’.
‘Thank you Virgil’, Pearl responded taking control. ‘After takeoff we will fly at stream level. Follow me to the falls. I will count down from ten to takeoff’. Pearl felt very proud indeed to be in control.
Pearl counted slowly down from ten to zero. Virgil and Virginia increased power as did Louie and Lulu. Tiger and Lily were hanging on tight.
‘Takeoff!’ Pearl announced. ‘Follow me!’
What a wonderful sight. Pearl Baker-Moth leading the way. The two dragon flies at full power lifting their loads. Two bees with happy little creatures on their backs. They were off, the Ten Ants were cheering. On they went for a well deserved trip away for the night.
Pearl checked communications with the others, ‘Everybody alright back there?’ Yes everybody was.
‘Increasing speed to twenty knots, maintaining twenty feet above the stream’. Pearl announced.
We remember of course that insects had small feet so twenty feet was in fact quite close to the surface of the stream. Knots in the insect world were derived from the speed at which a centipede could run. At twenty knots a centipede was likely to end up with twenty of its legs in a knot. It was quite a good way for insects to measure speed. Naturally the maximum was one hundred knots.
Louie and Lulu were on a high. Ahead they could see the Ten Ants seated on the back of Virgil, waving and chattering amongst themselves. Louie and Lulu frequently glanced at each other and looked at the precious little bundles on their backs, snuggled down into the furry bodies of their parents. Behind them they could hear the powerful wings of Virginia. It was comforting to know Virginia was there to watch over them.
On up the stream the five flew in a tight formation. Pearl turned right at the fork then up the rapids she climbed on to the falls. The team followed.
Just before the falls Pearl announced, ‘Reducing speed to ten knots, Louie and Lulu please circle overhead with me and let Virgil and Virginia land first’.
Virgil and Virginia landed first and parked well up so Pearl, Louie and Lulu could land safely.
On arrival it was just as it had been on the previous occasion. The Ten Ants rushed to the pool edge chattering amongst themselves.
Tiger and Lily stayed with their parents for a moment until they had been reassured that the falls were nothing to be frightened of. Louie and Lulu pointed at the falls trying to explain to Tiger and Lily what they were. They both held Tiger and Lily for a moment saying. ‘Don’t be afraid’.
With confidence restored, Tiger and Lily ran off to join the Ten Ants at the edge of the pool while saying to themselves something that sounded like. ‘No fraid, no fraid’.
Yes the Ten Ants were now Tiger and Lily’s buddies. It was a happy little scene down at the water’s edge. Louie and Lulu were happy as they knew the Ten Ants would watch over Tiger and Lily.
As with the trip two years earlier Pearl had packed her Thermoth and they all sat around enjoying a hot cup of gum leaf tea. Lulu served up chocolate cake and some pollen biscuits she had made the day before. Of course as soon as cho
colate cake was mentioned the Ten Ants, Tiger and Lily appeared from nowhere.
Tiger went to Louie and put his arms around his neck as if to say ‘thank you for bringing me here’. Lily did the same with Lulu.
Tiger and Lily munched on little bits of chocolate cake; yes they were starting to take solids now! Tiger liked to dip his chocolate cake in his dandelion milk. He made many utterances of ‘I like this’ sort of noises. It didn’t take long for his sister to catch on to the idea too.
Most of the chocolate cake and dandelion milk went into the mouths of the little blighters, however some of it didn’t. Some of their yellow stripes had a distinct autumn toning! – Until Lulu carefully cleaned them down by the pool. Yes these two little bees provided plenty of happy entertainment and laughter for the others in the party.
Pearl as leader of the expedition called everybody to order and announced it was time to move on. If they timed it right they would be able to see the light in the chamber at 11.00 a.m.
With everything packed away again Pearl led the way to the top of the falls and in they went to the cave behind. The little ones with Louie and Lulu went very quiet as they circled around to get used to the dark.
‘Entering the tunnel now’, Pearl announced and the others followed with Virginia at the rear.
Tiger and Lily squeaked with delight at the sight of the glow worms lining the tunnel wall.
Because of the newly acquired liking for chocolate cake, anything the pair saw that they liked brought about a sound from them that distinctly sounded like ‘cake! cake!’ as was the case when they pointed to the glow worms along the tunnel.
‘No, glow worms’, said Louie laughing.
After coming through the first tunnel and landing in the chamber, Louie and Lulu sat close to Tiger and Lily and said softly. ‘Watch, something special will happen. More special than cake!’
Sure enough, it did. No matter how often the insects had seen the phenomenon before, it never failed to bring about absolute silence. That was until Tiger who was watching in awe said something like. ‘More cake?’ Everybody laughed.
Tiger didn’t quite know what he had said and clung to his father for reassurance, just in case he had said something wrong!
The shaft of light lasted a few minutes then it was gone. Tiger and Lily rubbed their eyes to try and adjust to the dark again. It was a bit scary not being able to see Mum and Dad and there were a few whimpery little squeaks. Louie and Lulu picked them up and comforted them for awhile. Holding them tight and stroking their little furry backs soon made the world right again for the little bees.
When everybody had adjusted to the reduced light, Pearl called for takeoff. The little bees climbed aboard Louie and Lulu. On Pearl’s command the insects followed Pearl up to the top of the chamber where the second tunnel commenced. It was then on to the cave.
Even though the insects had flown through the tunnels before, it was always a thrill to do it again. It was a unique world that could only be enjoyed by them. Everybody was silent as they sped along. All that could be heard was the sound of beating wings and the occasional splashing sound of a waterfall or two. The glow worms either side rushed past like shooting stars. Louie held Lulu’s hand while they were flying alongside each other. Their hearts were full of the love they had for each other and for the two little bees on their backs.
After about half an hour Pearl announced. ‘Coming to the cave, slowing to five knots, prepare for the change from dark to light’.
The bright blue of the sea and sun shining in from the cave entrance that Pearl had warned about, blinded the insects momentarily. Pearl had control and announced. ‘Louie, Lulu, you land first, with me. Virgil Virginia please circle and hold outside the cave entrance until Tiger and Lily are safely in position’.
‘Roger’, said Virgil on behalf of Virginia and himself.
Louie, Lulu and Pearl landed safely on the sandy bit to the left of the pool and then vacated the area for Virgil and Virginia to land.
‘All clear to land Virgil and Virginia’, said Pearl.
‘Robert’, said Virgil who thought other names besides ‘Roger’ might as well be used.
Virgil and Virginia landed safely and detached their containers.
Oh it was so good to be back again. Louie and Pearl smiled at one another, reminiscing about the time they had been at the cave over two years ago.
Virgil came over to Pearl and congratulated her on controlling the flight in. ‘Well-done Pearl! Thanks for that, couldn’t have done better myself’.
‘Thanks Virgil’, said Pearl. ‘Only too glad to be of assistance!’
The first thing to address was lunch. Tiger and Lily had with various “where’s the food” type noises let everybody know that this was probably the best course of action.
Pearl and Lulu organised the food and they all sat at the mouth of the cave looking out over the sea. Tiger and Lily stayed quite close to their parents; it was quite scary being so far above something that looked so strange and blue.
After lunch the wee bees were quite sleepy so Lulu put them up on one of the sandy ledges where they slept for an hour.
After their sleep, Tiger and Lily joined the Ten Ants at the pool and splashed around the edge under the watchful eye of Louie and Lulu. The splashing around bit was good for getting any remains of chocolate cake and dandelion milk out of the fur of the two little bodies.
Pearl, Louie and Lulu sat together relaxing for most of the afternoon and talked about the past year. While they talked, Virgil and Virginia flew outside the cave gliding in the updrafts off the sea from an onshore breeze. This was something the two dragonflies really enjoyed doing together.
At about 6.00 p.m., Louie and the Ten Ants with a bit of help from Tiger and Lily, piled up some of the sticks from the seagull’s nest ready for a fire to sit around in the evening. The pile of sticks was setup close to the entrance of the cave.
At 7.00 p.m. Virgil and Virginia came in from their afternoon of flying. The fire was lit with some of Louie’s Beehive Matches. It was time for some red wine, chocolate cake, and honey nectar for the Ten Ants.
Tiger and Lily were fascinated with the fire. It was warm and made crackling noises. What was it? Louie and Lulu explained that it was something to be respected and not to go too close.
It had been a good day. Virgil and Virginia talked about when they were out gliding they had gone all the way down the cliff to the sea. Near the bottom, close to the sea, they had found another cave much larger than the one they were in. They were both excited that there maybe access via tunnels from the other side. It was something to be investigated another time.
After the evening meal, everybody propped themselves up on the sand in front of the fire and sat and watched the dancing flames. Louie passed around a few more glasses of his famous honey nectar. Talking and chatter flowed with the consumption of the nectar.
Every so often Louie put some more wood on the fire and sparks would fly upwards into the darkness like a fireworks display. Tiger and Lily jumped for joy pointing skywards and squeaking with excitement. Louie thought Tiger had said something like ‘more glow worms daddy!’
Beyond the fire, way out to sea the sun had by now disappeared below the horizon. Darkness was upon them, the stars shone brightly.
The flames of the fire lit up the cave and produced dancing shadows across the walls. The insects had a feeling of excitement and anticipation about the year ending and a new one beginning.
Virgil had remembered to bring his ten ‘Megapixie’ fidgetal camera and spent some time capturing the magical moment. Virgil must have taken at least three or more pictures.
A little later in the evening, Virgil and Virginia moved closer to the fire and sat side by side. It wasn’t well known but Virgil and Virginia were quite musical dragonflies. Virgil had in fact spent many years learning to play the triangle.
Apart from Virgil’s triangle talents, he and Virginia had beautiful singing voices and the pair brok
e into a perfect two part harmonised song. Everybody clapped including the two wee bees who quickly imitated their parents and squeaked with glee.
Virgil and Virginia went on to sing songs where everyone joined in. It was wonderful, it was magic. Virgil then gave instructions to the insects for rhythm participation to accompany a special song about two small bees that he and Virginia had written.
Pearl was to flutter when instructed, the bees were to buzz and the ants clap. On Virgil and Virginia’s instruction the rhythm section went something like; buzz buzz flutter clap; buzz buzz flutter clap. Yea! Virgil had them all going while conducting the group with a stick from the pile of firewood.
‘Come on louder, I want to hear you’, said Virgil.
Buzz buzz flutter clap.
‘Louder!’ said Virgil waving his firewood stick baton.
BUZZ BUZZ FLUTTER CLAP!
‘That’s better, that’s what I want to hear!’ said Virgil.
Now having the group at full swing Virgil and Virginia broke into song. Some of the words of the song went a little like this:
‘Louie was a bee of modest means who lived quite close to a stream.
He lived by himself in a little house and little did he dream.
That a beautiful bee named Lulu would come into his life.
They would fall in love then Louie would ask her to be his wife.
Oh Louie and Lulu. (Chorus)
The best bees in the world.
We love you both just oh so much.
Of you we feel so proud.
For Louie and for Lulu, when they were husband and wife.
There was something sadly missing that they needed in their life.
Although it seemed impossible and some would have said it was silly.
They wished for two little baby bees and along came Tiger and Lily.
Oh Louie and Lulu. (Chorus)
The best bees in the world.
We love you both just oh so much.
Of you we feel so proud’.
……………….A couple of buzz buzz’s were missed from the buzz buzz flutter clap sequence while Louie and Lulu held each other very tightly with tears streaming down their stripes. They picked up Tiger and Lily and held the two little mites. They were both squeaking and clapping their little hands.
The Ten Ants replaced the missing buzz buzz bits with some extra clapping. What fun Virgil and Virginia had made New Year’s Eve.
Virgil and Virginia sang some beautiful romantic songs. Louie and Lulu danced together under the shadows flickering on the ceiling of the cave. The fire was like a bright sun in the black of the cave entrance. They were lost in another world.
Louie whispered to Lulu and said. ‘Sit with Tiger and Lily for a moment I will go and ask Pearl to dance’.
Lulu squeezed Louie for his thoughtfulness and went and sat down and held Tiger and Lily so they could watch Louie and Pearl.
‘Please dance with me your highness’, said Louie going up to Pearl and bowing.
‘My pleasure sire!’ said Pearl laughing.
Louie and Pearl danced beautifully. The beautiful moth was like something from Swan Lake. Everybody clapped when they had finished. Louie held Pearl at arm’s length for a moment. He looked into her beautiful eyes and just simply said. ‘You wonderful moth’.
Oh dear, what a wonderful evening. Emotions were running high with the feelings the insects had for one another. There was such a strong bond between them all.
The hour of midnight was approaching. Tiger and Lily were looking up expectantly at their parents wondering what exciting thing would happen next. They were too excited to sleep even though it was way past their bed time.
Virgil said to Louie, ‘Pile some more wood on the fire Louie’. Louie and the Ten Ants did as Virgil bid. The flames went high and the shadows danced and flickered through the cave even more.
Virgil and Virginia moved to where the two containers were. They were lit up by the light of the roaring fire that Louie and the Ten Ants had made.
Virgil and Virginia started beating their wings on top of the containers in a rhythm that to a human would have sounded like something from the African jungle. Virgil and Virginia chanted a count down to the magic hour. Yea! Everybody cheered, it was the New Year!
There was more dancing then the insects sat down in front of the fire again and watched the flames die down.
Tiger and Lily had their little arms tightly secured around their parents’ necks. The two little blighters had dropped off to sleep. It wasn’t long before tiredness overtook all the insects and soon they were all sound asleep!
As the Ten Ants had done when they were at the cave last time, they had pulled up some seagull feathers and made themselves a cosy little arrangement to sleep on.
The fire died. There was no moon tonight, it was dark and all was hush. Tiger and Lily had an experience that they would remember for the rest of their lives.
The following morning breakfast was made and the much refreshed insects talked about the New Year and what might lie ahead.
The insects reluctantly departed about mid morning and headed home. It wasn’t quite as exciting as it had been coming the day before.
Virgil led them home and took them out through the opening in the roof of the chamber. It was a high speed run at fifty knots plus, down the hill side, past the falls and on home along the stream again. The rush of air at such speed was exhilarating. The Ten Ants ‘yahooed’ and ‘yippeed’ all the way down!
Louie and Lulu said goodbye to Virgil, Virginia and the Ten Ants who peeled off to land at the hangar. Pearl accompanied Louie and Lulu for a short distance then headed up to her apartment.
‘Happy New Year to you all’, Pearl called back as she headed away.
‘You too Pearl, see you soon’, Louie and Lulu called back to Pearl.
Louie and Lulu landed outside their precious little home by the stream. They both felt a little flat after having such a good time up at the cave. It was all over and another year was beginning. The joy of Christmas had come and gone and what a very special Christmas it had been. Louie held Lulu close to him. The little bees clung to their parents. Louie looked into Lulu’s eyes and said. ‘Lulu I love you so much, it is so good to be home and safe again with you Tiger and Lily. What a wonderful Christmas and New Year we have had’.
‘I know Louie’, said Lulu looking up at Louie. ‘Nothing could ever replace what we have here. Look at these two wee mites, they love us so much’.
‘Come on my bee’, said Lulu. ‘We have got another week of holiday and we are going to enjoy it’.
‘You are right my Lulu’, said Louie lifting Lulu off her feet and squeezing her. ‘This is the first day of the rest of our lives. Today is not only the first day of the New Year but it is a new beginning for us all!’
Louie and Lulu walked outside and onto the deck and looked down at the quietly flowing stream below them. Tiger and Lily followed, clinging to their parents while looking up at them in adoration.
‘Let’s take some lunch down to the stream’, said Lulu. ‘Tiger and Lily can splash around in the water and we can sit and watch them.
‘Yes let’s’, said Louie.
Lulu went and put together a lunch of some hard boiled spider eggs, pollen biscuits, chocolate cake and of course some dandelion milk for Tiger and Lily.
The four bees spent a very happy afternoon down at the water’s edge.
Louie and Lulu relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the week with Tiger and Lily. It rained on a couple of days but the remaining time was spent in their special place, down the little track by the stream.
The week of living in paradise of course eventually came to an end. The Factory was due to start operating again.
Things weren’t going to be quite the same as before. Louie and Lulu had discussed it and agreed that Lulu would work at the Factory two days a week. On these days Rose would take care of Tiger and Lily.
However this was to be a short ter
m arrangement until the wee bees had settled in a little more and then Rose would look after Tiger and Lily for five days a week.
Louie couldn’t help reflecting on those happy happy days before Christmas when Lulu was with him every day at the Factory. He would miss her.
