stem dot bitty He’s illegally parked Bee began to riffle through her fanny pack looking for a ticket book but as usual she couldn’t seem to find what she wanted She took out a boomerang made from a bit of bark a dandelion lasso and an itty polka bikini 8
body ho kini Oh for goodness sake How’s this supposed to help us serve and protect Bee held up the bathing suit Hey There’s my flea Flea cried delighted Toss it over would ya Bee threw it to her friend then went back to searching You know Flea said as she wriggled into the suit there’s no need for a ticket Worms always lie on the path when it rains But should they Bee winced Remember Carl Earlier that week a tent caterpillar had been lounging on the path when the gardener had come tromping along and well now Carl the Caterpillar was more like Carl the Flaterfiller Oh quit being such a buzzy Flea waved 9
a claw dismissively The gardener never comes out in the rain Besides when you work as hard as the f l e a does all week you’ve gotta make time for some r&r Bee frowned Rule Reinforcing Flea flopped back on her floating petal Regulation Reminding Bee tried Oh Review of Restrictions Flea took a leisurely sip of smoothie Rest and Relaxation Bee Ever heard of chillaxin Chill-what-ing But Bee didn’t wait for an answer She’d wasted enough time chitchatting Enjoy your swim Flea If you need me I’ll be patrolling by the bird bath 10
abiding Chapter 2 The Invitation Rest and relaxation Bee muttered as she trudged along That’s no way to get ahead Bee passed a law ladybug that was sheltering in a hollow stump She peered at some mild-mannered mites messing around in the mud and watched a snail inch innocently across the garden path Only how was she supposed to prove herself when no one in sight needed f l e a assistance 11
