HOW THE BEES HELPED

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 35, 4 November 1933, Page 23

HOW THE BEES HELPED

All was peaceful at a Bengali farm one summer day. No one would have thought that, only a few miles away, the invading armies of the Afghans were ruthlessly laying waste the country through which they marched. Suddenly the owner of the farm saw in the distance a cloud of dust, caused by a troop of mounted men. Their weapons glittered in the sun* light. “The. are upon us,” he cried. “Let us geti into the house and defend ourselves.” They bolted and barred the doors and drew big chests across the windows. The farmer whispered to his son, who jumped through the last window which was left open, and threw down the seven beehives from their stands. He then jumped quickly into the house again, and the window was fastened. Just then the Afghans rode in and called on the inmates of the farmhouse to surrender. But before anyone could reply the swarm of bees buzzed about t>he riders; and the horses’ heads. Pistols and swords could not avail against the bees, which stung the horsemen and their beasts until, maddened with pain, they turned tail and fled. —From “Great Adventure,” age 9, Masterton.