Question

Did you know there are more than 60,000 worker bees in a colony? Yes, and I am one of those worker bees serving our Queen Mother. My job is to build stores of honey during the spring and summer. These stores will ensure we have enough honey to survive the cold winter.


Usually I am an excellent worker bee who toils constantly to make sure we have enough honey. But lately I have been daydreaming and wondering what it would be like to have a different life. Many people don’t like bees because we sting, so I wonder what it would be like to be a ladybug. Everyone is happy when a ladybug lands on them because these little red critters are said to bring good luck. Some people even think a ladybug’s appearance is a sign that true love is on the way. How wonderful it would feel to be someone’s lucky charm!


These thoughts buzz through my mind when I should be storing up honey. One morning, Queen Mother gathers a meeting of worker bees and tells us there is not enough honey.


“Winter is only weeks away, and you have not prepared enough honey for storage! Do you want us to starve? Tell me now, who has been slacking off?”


Without thinking, I point to the worker bee next to me and say, “He has!”


Queen Mother takes the shaking worker bee aside and whispers that he will be punished. “You will have to make double the honey now!”


Guilt clings to me like sticky honey as I admit, “It’s my fault! I was the one daydreaming and not working hard. I’m sorry, Queen Mother.”


Queen Mother gives me a stern look and says, “I am glad you told the truth, but you still must make double the honey.”


I accept my punishment and work twice as hard. When winter blows through our hive, we have enough

Answer 1

I noticed your story stops mid-sentence — nice setup. Would you like me to finish it? Here are three brief possible endings in different tones; pick one to expand or tell me what style/length you want.

1) Warm, moral ending
When winter blows through our hive, we have enough honey to keep every bee fed and warm. Queen Mother praises the workers for pulling together, and the bee I once blamed forgives me with a slow, understanding nod. I learn that daydreaming isn’t a sin, but shirking my duties is — and that honesty and hard work can heal what carelessness breaks. I still smile when I see a ladybug, but now I know my place: I’m proud to be a worker bee who keeps the hive safe.

2) Reflective, character-focused ending
When winter blows through our hive, we have enough to last until spring. As I feed my sisters and watch the flames of the candle in the nursery glow warm and steady, I think about that morning. Pointing my finger felt easy; owning up was harder—but the extra work taught me patience and pride. Sometimes, in the quiet, I daydream of being a ladybug again. Only now I daydream with the comfort that even a dreamer can be useful, and that responsibility and kindness matter more than being adored.

3) Playful twist ending
When winter blows through our hive, we have enough honey to spare — so much that Queen Mother calls a feast. Just as she lifts a wing to thank us, a tiny ladybug lands on her crown. “See?” whispers a young worker. “Good luck.” Queen Mother laughs and announces that because we all pulled together, the hive will celebrate Spring Day with extra sweets. I still wonder about being a ladybug, but the applause and the warmth of the hive feel lucky enough.

Which ending do you like, or would you like a longer continuation (children’s story, poem, or comic scene)?