how you can get out of the difficulty, if you will but follow my
advice. I remember that the same misfortune happened to us in this
hive a long time ago. I was then a Grub myself. I lay in my cell,
and distinctly heard what took place. All the Princesses had killed
one another, and the old Queen had gone out into the world: it was
just as it is now. But the Bees took one of us Grubs and laid her
in one of the Princesses' cells. They fed her every day with the
finest and best honey in the whole hive; and when she was
full-grown, she was a charming and good Queen. I can clearly
remember the whole affair, for I thought at the time that they
might just as well have taken me. But we may do the same thing
again. I propose that we act in the same way."

The Bees were delighted, and cried that they would willingly do so,
and they ran off at once to fetch a Grub.

"Wait a moment," cried the head Bee Nurse, "and take me with you.
At any rate, I will come and help you. Consider now. It must be one
of the youngest Grubs, for she must have time to think over her new
position. When one has been brought up to be a mere drudge, it is
not easy to accustom oneself to wear a crown."

That also seemed to the Bees to be wise, and the old one went on,
--"Close by the side of the Princesses' cells lies a little Grub.
She is the youngest of them all. She must have learnt a good deal
by hearing the Princesses' refined conversation, and I have noticed
that she has some character. Besides, it was she who was honourable
enough to tell me about the wicked intentions of the old Queen. Let
us take her."