Bumble buzzed his way into the world. Papa Bombus and mamma
Bombee celebrated his birth by throwing a huge feast for the entire clan of
creepy crawlies. They rented the trunk of the biggest oak tree in the
neighborhood. Mamma Bombee decorated the hollow with hand woven petal
streamers. Guests drowned themselves into barrels of nectar and pollen that the
couple imported from exotic flowers. The highlight of the event was the slug
dance and the humming competition. A day old bumble watched everything
from his sunflower cradle and thought to himself, 'ah this is life'.
He grew up a brat, arrogant and dominating. He was best at
eating and his frequent siestas were exasperating. He rarely left his hollow
and when he did he had ants to carry him around. Silly snail who lived next
doors was his only friend. One fine morning silly snail crept into Bumble’s
room and told him about a fair in the neighboring forest. Bumble immediately
summoned his chariot and marched towards the fair. Now this fair was not an
ordinary one and attracted birds and insects from all over the world. Their
performances were enthralling. For the
first time in his life bumble was awestruck. He could see through his
unworthiness and wished himself to be invisible.
Bumble was about to escape into his make believe kingdom when he
saw her for the first time. She was majestic in her blue and silver
attire and oozed confidence as she fluttered through rings of fire, danced on
ice and hummed for the audience. Bumble couldn’t take his eyes off chirpy. Yes
that was her name. Bumble knew nothing about love because all his life he had
taken advantage of those who loved him but this was different. He felt he could
let go of all the comforts, his home, his people only to get a glimpse of her.
The show was over but bumble remained rooted to the ground and he had to be dragged
by silly snail and the ants to get him home.
Bumble slugged into his tiny home but he knew something in him
had changed forever. He couldn't sleep, he lost his appetite and nothing
made him happy. He could only think of chirpy and ways to meet her. But chirpy
was a free bird, the sky at her disposal, and Bumble only had his hollow. He
knew he was chasing a futile dream but for the first time in his life he had a
purpose. He thought to himself ‘I will learn to fly’ no matter what it takes.
The next morning he woke up determined and began his journey up the highest
branch of the tree. This took him half a day. He was too tired even to jump.
The following day he began his climb yet again and this time he
tightly closed his eyes and jumped. Of course he landed at the foot of the tree
and ouch he was hurt. Bumble remained undeterred and back he was the next day
to take his shot at flying. Other animals made fun of him, his parents scolded
him and Silly snail pleaded with her friend. But bumble climbed again and again
be it sun or rain. He had now jumped for three weeks and refused to give up. Each
day as sunlight trickled through the trees onto the forest, a huge crowd of
animals big and small would gather to witness Bumble’s feat. Most ridiculed
him, some cheered for him but none could ignore his passion and determination.
Bumble grew feeble and thin and knew in his heart he wouldn’t
last long. Nothing could have stopped bumble from perishing had Fate not
intervened. Now Mr. Fate was an unpredictable old man who was known to be a
magician and used potions whenever he deemed fit and on anyone for better or
for worse. Bumble’s story had spread far and wide even into Mr. Fate’s hut and
so moved was he by it that deep in the night he hurried into Bumble’s hollow with
a pair of wings. He gently attached the wings so as not to wake a tired Bumble,
and blessed him.
Next morning bumble woke up but he was too weak to notice his new
accessory. Thinking this to be the last day he pulled himself up to the branch.
The tree wept for him. His family tried to dissuade him. There was a heavy,
haunting silence in the forest as everyone looked on helpless their head and
eyes bowing in shame at Bumble’s sheer grit. Bumble looked down one last time,
thought about Chirpy, closed his eyes and jumped.
Down and down came Bumble shattering the gloomy air. He was waiting to hit the now familiar ground
except he wasn’t going down any longer! Bumble opened his eyes. Was he really
flying? Swish, swoosh went he and the forest erupted in applause and tears of
joy. But wait what’s a story without a happy ending? Bumble thought he could
finally sleep in peace and flew to his hollow.
There perched on his chair was Chirpy. Bumble’s news had reached her and
she did not wait a moment to meet him. She witnessed the magic in the forest and
decided to hold on to it forever with Bumble.
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