
Mia and the Upside-Down Humming Map
Mia was walking through the humming flower meadow. She wore a soft cream jumper and green boots. Tall flowers brushed her sleeves. Then she heard an unusual sound. “Hmmmm. Hmmmm. Hmmmm.” Mia stopped. She listened. Then she chose to follow it. The warm grass smelled sweet. Bees buzzed. Leaves went swish, swish. In the daisy patch, Mia found Bea Bumblebee and Dot Ladybird. Bea was round and golden, with velvety black stripes and pollen on her feet. Dot was bright red, with neat black spots. They carried a broad green leaf. A golden pollen trail and a little bluebell mark made it a map. “We are going to Bluebell’s evening humming nook,” said Bea. The sun felt warm, so Dot lifted the leaf over Bea like a sunshade. “Ahhh,” hummed Bea. Then Dot lowered the map again. But now it was upside down. Off they went. Tap, buzz, tap. They passed a white daisy. Then another white daisy. Then the very same white daisy again. “We are going round and round!” laughed Dot. Mia looked at the map. “Where are you going?” she asked. “To Bluebell,” said Bea. “When did the path begin looking wrong?” Mia asked. Dot thought. “After I used the map as a sunshade.” Mia noticed that the little bluebell mark was upside down. So was the golden arrow. “It needs turning!” she said. She turned the leaf right-side up. Now the arrow pointed away from the daisies. Mia held the map and led the way. Through the clover they went. Step, buzz, tap. At last, they reached Bluebell’s sheltered nook. Bluebell was a living flower. Deep blue petals bowed around a tiny doorway, just the right size for bugs. Mia blinked. A flower with a door! How wonderful. But the petal doorway was shut. Bea hummed at it. “Hmmmm?” Dot hummed too. “Hmm-hmm?” “Could you open, please?” asked Bea. The petals stayed folded. Mia crouched beside Bluebell. She truly wanted to understand. “What would help you open?” she asked. At once, the petals gave a soft flutter. Unfold, unfold, unfold. The little doorway opened. “That question,” Bluebell whispered. Mia smiled and returned the pollen map to Dot. Bea and Dot crept inside. Their humming became soft and slow. Mia lay beside Bluebell on the clover. The meadow buzz faded to a sleepy murmur. Her breathing grew quiet. The blue petals sheltered the little bugs. The clover held Mia, warm and still.

