The Bee

4/14/2026

by Tom Peters

To prevent bees floating in our pool and climbing on my back and stinging me, I scoop a good portion of water and ‘sha whoosh’ them up onto the ground next to the pool.
They’re struggling in the water, and they struggle after being flipped out of the water. Watching them struggling trying desperately to turn over and let the sun dry them, I’ll get my sandal and let them crawl unto it. Nice guy I am, right?
The first time I did this and just went on about my routine of swimming 12 laps.
After swimming, no bee in sight. I’d like to assume he or she dried off and flew off to live the rest of their live forever indebted to me.
It happened again today. Got the bee out of the water, coaxed him or her unto the sandal sanctuary, then swam my laps.
Finish to see the bees struggling in water right next to the sandal in a small, thin layer of water. Back on the sandal I help the littler critter.
I watch the bee going straight to the edge of the sandal, jump over the side and crawl over to the pool’s edge and….jump into the pool.

Was it like a dog wanting to play fetch or is it where bees, poor, selfless worker bees go to die?