Bumble-ina And The Grape Vine

by Alex Susan Geraghty

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young bumblebee named Bumble-ina. She had many friends who were all very kind to her. Bumble-ina's best friend, Cinderfly, had recently moved to another country and Bumble-ina didn't know whether she would ever see her again or not.

One day, Bumble-ina's mother asked her to take Baby Bunny to market.

"Oh Bumble-ina," she said, "we have nothing left except for a broken house which may collapse any day and a broken black and white TV. Please go to market and make sure that Baby Bunny fetches around $50,000. I know you love her dearly but it is our last hope."

Bumble-ina did as she was told, doubting that such a small creature would fetch such a high price. But she was wrong.

Bumble-ina walked towards the animal trade-in store. As she approached it, the woman standing behind the counter said, "Oh hello, Bumble-ina! It's Baby Bunny today is it? The three pears which you brought in yesterday got me $500 each."

"Mrs Cupboard is so nice," thought Bumble-ina, "I wish I could repay her for all the kindness she has given."

"Mother wanted me to get $50,000 for Baby Bunny," Bumble-ina told Mrs Cupboard.

"Well that's quite cheap. I'll give you $100,000 for it," Mrs Cupboard replied.

Bumble-ina walked back down the street. She was almost home when she saw her friend Little Bad Riding Hood standing at an auction with her other friend, Bow-Peep who always wore bows in her hair.

"Where are you going today?" asked Bumble-ina as though it wasn't obvious.

"To granny's," replied Little Bad Riding Hood.

Bumble-ina had arrived at the auction just in time to hear what the woman, Jackie Jill, was saying.

"These magic seeds are superb! They taste just delicious! Any bidders?"

"$40," said Bow-Peep.

"$500," said Bumble-ina.

"$550," said Little Bad Riding Hood.

Bumble-ina ended up winning the magic beans at $90,000.

As Bumble-ina passed Robin Hat's house, she accidently dropped the remaining $10,000 without noticing.

"Hello, Mother!" said Bumble-ina as she entered the house.

"I suppose you have $50,000?" asked Bumble-ina's mother suspiciously.

"No, but I do have $10,000. Baby Bunny was only worth that much," Bumble-ina lied.

"We should be able to buy a house with $10,000 but I was hoping for more. Show me the money, please."

Bumble-ina rummaged around in her bag, emptying all the contents onto the floor.

"It's not in here," Bumble-ina said innocently.

"What's this?" asked Bumble-ina's mother. She had picked up the magic seeds.

"Magic seeds," replied Bumble-ina matter-of-factly.

"You spent our money on magic seeds, didn't you!" yelled Bumble-ina's mother. "They were from that Jackie Jill woman! She's ripped you off!"

With that, Bumble-ina's mother threw the magic seeds out the window.

Bumble-ina woke up the next morning feeling extremely annoyed. She was about to go back to sleep when something huge and green caught her eye. Outside the window was a massive grape vine.

Having a taste for adventure, Bumble-ina started to climb it. After an hour or so, she reached a door. When she opened it she saw a great number of flies working as slaves. One of them was Cinderfly.

Bumble-ina couldn't believe it. Cinderfly's family had moved away because they had been forced to work as slaves. No wonder she hadn't seen any flies for a long time- they had all moved away. Bumble-ina flew over to Cinderfly.

"Hey, Cinders!" she whispered. "Get your family and follow me!"

"Bumble-ina?" asked Cinderfly, stunned. "How'd you get here?"

"I'll tell you later. Just get your family and follow me!"

Cinderfly flew away and later returned with all the flies who had been working as slaves.Then Bumble-ina realised- Cinderfly's family was very large.

"Quickly get out this door. Now!" she ordered of the flies.

All of a sudden, a swarm of flies pushed her out the door. She landed with a bump on the hard ground below. Soon the flies were all dancing with happiness.

The date when Bumble-ina saved the flies was June 5th. That date has been known as Bumble-ina Day on the fly calendar. It is the most important date for flies to remember, as Bumble-ina is the reason why (unfortunately for humans) they have their freedom today.

Oh and by the way, Bumble-ina recieved lots of money from the fly government. Bumble-ina and her mother live happily ever after.

THE END

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