The funny bee

Previously

…He had found his place, not by conforming, but by embracing his true, sneeze-filled self. He looked up at the queen, who gave him a subtle nod of approval. He looked at Elder Bee Elara, who offered him a gentle wink. And he even looked towards the shadows where Bartholomew had disappeared, a flicker of hope for future, less antagonistic interactions. The hum of the hive was still there, but now, it was a lullaby, a gentle song of acceptance and belonging. Barnaby took a deep, pollen-free breath and smiled. The funny bee, the clumsy bee, the sneeze-prone bee, had finally found his wings. And they carried him, not away from the hive, but right into its very heart.