Bee-man is going on a long expedition this time," they said; but no
one imagined the strange business on which he was bent. About noon he
sat down under a tree, near a beautiful meadow covered with blossoms,
and ate a little honey. Then he untied his hive and stretched himself
out on the grass to rest. As he gazed upon his bees hovering about
him, some going out to the blossoms in the sunshine, and some
returning laden with the sweet pollen, he said to himself, "They know
just what they have to do, and they do it; but alas for me! I know
not what I may have to do. And yet, whatever it may be, I am
determined to do it. In some way or other I will find out what was my
original form, and then I will have myself changed back to it."

And now the thought came to him that perhaps his original form might
have been something very disagreeable, or even horrid.

"But it does not matter," he said sturdily. "Whatever I was that
shall I be again. It is not right for any one to retain a form which
does not properly belong to him. I have no doubt I shall discover my
original form in the same way that I find the trees in which the wild
bees hive. When I first catch sight of a bee-tree I am drawn towards
it, I know not how. Something says to me: 'That is what you are
looking for.' In the same way I believe that I shall find my original
form. When I see it, I shall be drawn towards it. Something will say
to me: 'That is it.'"

When the Bee-man was rested he started off again, and in about an
hour he entered a fair domain. Around him were beautiful lawns, grand
trees, and lovely gardens; while at a little distance stood the
stately palace of the Lord of the Domain. Richly dressed people were
walking about or sitting in the shade of the trees and arbors;