The Bouncy Ball

Barnaby Bumble was a very popular little bee. He loved to play games and had lots of friends. Barnaby's favorite game was tossing a shiny, bouncy ball high in the air and catching it. He was really good at it and everyone admired how far he could throw it and how smoothly he'd catch it. One day, a new bee named Beatrice Buzz arrived at the hive. Beatrice was even better than Barnaby at the bouncy ball game! She could throw it higher and catch it with even more flair. Barnaby was used to being the best, so he felt a little sad at first. He tried to throw his ball even harder, but it just made him tired. Then, something funny happened. Beatrice threw the bouncy ball so high, it came down with a little *thump* on her head! Everyone giggled, even Beatrice. Barnaby realized that having fun with the game was more important than being the best. He started to laugh too. Instead of trying to be better than Beatrice, he asked her to teach him her special tricks. They played together, bouncing the ball high and low, and soon, all the other bees joined in. They learned that playing together and having fun was the best prize of all! Barnaby learned that when you send out good energy and fun, it always comes right back to you, just like a bouncy ball!