If you really wanted them to, they would just jump in the boat for you. But, no one really wants that because it wouldn’t be any fun.

Even though the bee is small, there she is on the flower, doing something of value. And the value she creates there contributes to a larger ecosystem of value, in that mountain meadow, in that range of mountains, in the world and even the universe. And can’t you just feel how happy she is?

The men only do something when they’re told to. That’s why they’re called drones. You’ll see a lot more humor in this someday when you’re married, trust me.

There’s no lonelier feeling than when a crowd of people is staring at you and there’s nowhere to hide. But you know what you do? You take your lumps and then give it another shot the next time. A better shot. That’s all you can do.

I told them a bit of what I told you: that this is bigger than a beekeeping class, that Slovenia is a magical place, and that the person who comes here will have an Aha! moment that will change them forever. And that person will absolutely become a champion for bees in the process.

That is also a unique Slovenian tradition, and people have different opinions on how it originated. Some believe the paintings were originally done to bring good luck to the bees; others say it was to help the bees find their way to the right hive. My own view is that painted hives are just more interesting.