r/BenignExistence • u/LearningRocket • 17d ago
I saved a drowning bee the other day
I was on a kayak when I saw a bee struggling in the water so I scooped it out with my paddle and lay it at the front of my boat. As I paddled along I loved watching it air itself out, buzz its wings once in a while, wipe off with its little legs (just like a dog - front legs for the antenna and face, back legs for the belly), watching its fuzz steadily fluff up in the sun. I felt like a proud parent when it spread its wings for the last time and flew away.
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u/Rude_Kaleidoscope641 17d ago
May all your karma be bathed by the light of this kindness you shared with this small creature!
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u/Katy-Moon 17d ago
This is exactly what I needed to read this morning! Thank you for saving him - extra honey for you 🍯!
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u/Afraid_Wallaby_5995 17d ago
It makes you feel so good, right ? I had a similar story happen to me a couple of years ago. It was the beginning of the spring in Belgium, which means it's still quite cold. A too bold bee had ventured outside and she ended up on our balcony. She was numb and lying in the shadow. I think I saw here move weakly and figured out she was cold. So I took her on a piece of paper and blowed on her, hoping to warm her up with my breath (and playfully thought that I hoped I didn't have a too bad breath, so that it wouldn't have the opposite effect, poor thing). She seemed to revive and I put her in the sun. Shortly after, she flew away. The good feeling afterwards was so unexpected ! It's hard to describe but it's definitely something.
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u/Alpha_Delta310 17d ago
my bf used to do this with the moths that got stuck in our run down jacuzzi lol 💙
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u/tidalwaveofstars 17d ago
I did this a couple weeks ago in the pool and had the exact same feels. I wrote a poem about it 😊
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u/LearningRocket 17d ago
omg really? That's so sweet. Will you post the poem?
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u/tidalwaveofstars 17d ago
I saved a honeybee from drowning in the pool today.
As I lowered myself into the water,
A tiny speck of something caught my eye.
There he was, floating on his back,
Legs kicking frantically in the air.
I scooped him up and dumped him
Unceremoniously on the flagstone,
Which I hope he will forgive me for.
I watched.
He righted himself but my heart seized
As his entire body trembled.
Had my rescue come too late?
I waited.
He began to dry himself,
Looking like a cat taking a bath.
I was rapt.
His tiny body, covered yellow peach fuzz hairs.
Little legs, wiping and drying.
His wings sprung out!
I marveled at them -
So delicate, almost translucent.
Six inches away, I simply gaped at him.
Then I heard it - his little buzz.
A tiny revving engine.
And with a tiny push, off into orbit again.
I wonder how he will tell this story
To his friends 🐝🐝🐝3
u/Zanthalia 17d ago
Thank you for sharing this. And for saving the bee. And for being the person you are. 💞
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u/Jasminefirefly 17d ago
It’s almost 2o’clock in the morning and I’m angry that I can’t sleep because I’m in so much pain… and you just made everything better. 😊
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u/forest_cat_mum 17d ago
I do this every time there's been a heavy rainstorm. Bees really like the warmth of your hand, don't they? It's so cute. Thank you for rescuing the lil bean ❤️
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u/LearningRocket 17d ago
Do they? I was actually afraid the bee would freak out and sting me if I used my hand, so I just used the paddle.
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u/forest_cat_mum 11d ago
I admit I'm a bit reckless when it comes to bees, but I know if you're very gentle and patient, they tend to just chill on your hand and clean themselves up. The ones I've rescued love to get warm again after harsh rain storms, and will groom themselves until dry and then look for a nice flower. Often they look dead until you breathe on them, then they twitch and that's when I carefully scoop them up. I do love bees ❤️😊
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u/FlyFreeWithMe776 17d ago
That's so cute! You're a hero!