Albert Einstein once predicted that if bees were to disappear, man would follow only a few years later. The impacts of a declining bee population have dire consequences for mankind not least because the bee is essential for bio diversity and for pollination. Imagine a world where there are no apples, and where the taste of a raspberry is unknown to our children.

Bees are of great importance to our world, whether we realize it or not. In the past there were many superstitions and legends associated with the bee. Bee culture is shrouded in superstition and, in some parts of the world, they were symbols of regeneration, wisdom and obedience.

Why such traits have been accorded to the bee, only hints at the wisdom about the natural world that our ancestors possessed, most of which has been forgotten in todays industrialized world.

The words of Ralph Waldo Emerson (American poet, 1803-1882) speak to the importance of the humble bee in our world:

"Wiser far than human seer,
Yellow-breeched philosopher!
Seeing only what is fair,
Sipping only what is sweet,"

from 'The Humblebee'

Learn more about this author, Una Enoch.
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