Benny the Bee and the Buzz of Teamwork - A Children's Story

Benny the Bee and the Buzz of Teamwork

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral of the Story:

Working together allows us to achieve what no one can do alone. Each person’s contribution matters, no matter how small it may seem. True teamwork means sharing credit, effort, and responsibility. Pride divides, but cooperation unites hearts and builds success. Helping others does not make us weaker; it makes everyone stronger. When we listen, share, and care, teamwork becomes a beautiful harmony. Great accomplishments grow from humility and a spirit of service. Together we can create something sweeter than honey itself.

In a sunny meadow filled with wildflowers and golden light, there lived a cheerful little bee named Benny. His bright yellow stripes shone in the morning sun as he buzzed busily from flower to flower. Benny loved to work, but he loved something else even more—being noticed.

Every time he returned to the hive, Benny would say, “Did you see how much nectar I collected today? I bet no one gathered more than I!”

His best friend, Ruby the Bee, smiled patiently. “You do great work, Benny,” she said, “but remember, we all help make the honey together.”

Benny waved his tiny wings proudly. “Yes, but the queen should know I am her hardest worker.”

Ruby shook her head with a grin. “Teamwork, Benny. That is how the hive thrives.”

Benny buzzed away, thinking to himself, “Maybe teamwork works for everyone else, but I could make the best honey all on my own.”

One morning, the queen bee called all the workers together. “My dear bees,” she said kindly, “a new field of flowers has bloomed across the meadow. We must gather as much nectar as we can before the rain comes. It will take every one of us working together.”

The bees buzzed with excitement and flew off in a golden cloud. Benny led the way, determined to prove he was the best. He zipped from flower to flower faster than anyone else. His wings fluttered in a blur as he filled his little pollen basket to the brim.

“Look at me!” he called. “I will fill the honeycomb all by myself!”

Ruby called back, “Be careful, Benny. The flowers are far, and the clouds look heavy.”

But Benny ignored her. He flew faster and farther until he reached a patch of flowers no one else had noticed. “Perfect,” he said proudly. “Now I will collect more nectar than the entire hive combined!”

Hour after hour, Benny worked alone. But the sky grew darker, and the wind began to blow. “Just one more flower,” he said, trying to finish quickly.

Then came a flash of lightning and a roll of thunder. The storm had arrived.

Rain poured down, and Benny’s wings became wet and heavy. He tried to fly, but he could not keep up with the wind. “Oh no,” he gasped. “I cannot make it back!”

He landed on a leaf, trembling and afraid. The meadow that had seemed friendly now felt vast and lonely. “Why did I have to work alone?” he whispered.

Meanwhile, back at the hive, Ruby noticed that Benny had not returned. She quickly told the Queen. “Your Majesty, Benny is still out there in the storm.”

The Queen frowned. “Then we must help him. No bee gets left behind.”

At once, a team of bees flew out together, braving the wind and rain. Ruby led the way, guided by the faint scent of Benny’s pollen trail. “Hold on, Benny!” she called into the storm.

Benny heard her voice faintly. “Ruby! I am over here!”

Within moments, the rescue team reached him. Working together, they formed a circle around Benny, using their wings to shield him from the rain. “We have you, friend,” said Ruby. “We will bring you home.”

With gentle strength, they lifted him and flew back toward the hive, pushing against the wind with teamwork and courage.

When they finally arrived, the queen welcomed them warmly. “Well done, my brave bees,” she said. “You have shown that unity is stronger than pride.”

Benny hung his head. “I am sorry, Your Majesty. I wanted to prove I was the best, but I only put myself in danger. I see now that we are stronger together.”

The Queen smiled. “Learning that lesson makes you wiser than before. Every bee has a special part in the hive, and no one can do it alone.”

Ruby patted Benny’s shoulder gently. “Next time, we work side by side.”

Benny nodded. “You can count on me.”

When the storm passed, the sky cleared, and the flowers sparkled with raindrops. The next morning, Benny joined the other bees as they flew out together. This time, he stayed close to Ruby and helped where he could.

He carried extra pollen for a smaller bee who was tired. He shared nectar with another who had dropped hers. And when they returned home that evening, the honey they made together was sweeter than any Benny had ever tasted before.

“Why is the honey so good today?” Ruby asked.

Benny smiled. “Because it is full of teamwork.”

From that day forward, Benny became known not as the bee who worked alone, but as the bee who inspired everyone to work together. Whenever a new worker joined the hive, Benny would tell them, “You can fly fast alone, but you can fly far together.”

The hive buzzed with harmony and joy, and every bee took pride not in what they did alone, but in what they accomplished as one.

Poem:

When many hearts and hands unite,
Their teamwork shines in morning light.
Together strong, they soar so high,
Their gentle hum fills earth and sky.
The sweetest work is shared by all.
No task too big, no bee too small.
When kindness leads and pride is gone,
The hive of love keeps buzzing on.

Questions for Discussion:

1.     Why did Benny want to work alone instead of with the other bees?

2.     What did Benny learn about teamwork after the storm?

3.     How does working together make everyone stronger and happier?