There once was a tiny flower fairy named Joy. It was her very important job to wake up the Blue Bells every morning and close them up every night. One morning, she went to wake up her friends and they were too sleepy to open their blossoms. She whistled and shouted and shook them one by one. All she got were yawns and snores. The Blue Bells whined, "Joy, go away. We just want to take a little nap."

Joy begged them to wake up quickly. So many depended on them. The fuzzy, buzzy bees would be there soon for their soft yellow pollen. Green hummingbirds were on their trek north and would need to feed off their nectar. The brightly colored butterflies, too wanted a resting spot during their journey from the south.

The Blue Bells told Joy that they were tired of giving to so many without getting anything back. She was startled to hear this and asked them where they got the idea that they were doing all the work. A little brown spider told it to them last night after he talked them into dancing the night away on a soft breeze.

Joy sighed and then said, "well that spider has it all wrong. Every day the sun gets up in order to warm you and help you grow. The clouds also give you big drinks of raindrops. When the bees and hummingbirds take from your bounty, they give back by spreading pollen so there will be new baby Blue Bells."

Blue Bells hung their heads in shame and then as they stood up proud and tall quietly said, "we're sorry." Joy smiled on them as sun came up and warmed them all. 

© 2003 Sue Barton