Too Much Honey

Chapter Two

The next moring, Chip's mom noticed that he was eating his breakfast very quickly.

"Are you in a hurry to get somewhere?" she asked.

"Yes, I am going to meet my new friend, Charley," explained Chips. "We are going to play together all day. I have lots of fun with him. He hops like I do."

"Oh, is Charley a rabbit?"

"No, he is a bug, but a really neat bug."

"A bug? Hmmm...well, if he is nice, I guess it is okay to be friends with him. Why don't you invite him for lunch?" she asked.

"Okay, you will like him. He is lots of fun."

"What are you planning to do with him this morning?"

"We are going to Silver Stream to see if we can hop over it in different places."

"Okay, but please be careful. See you at lunchtime."

Chips smiled and then headed for the door.

"Good-bye, Mom," he called as he headed for the stream.

Charley was already there. They greeted each other and started hopping along the side of the stream.

"Let's try hopping here where it is narrow just for practice," suggested Charley.

"Okay," agreed Chips.

They hopped over the stream and then back again. They traveling down the stream like this until they heard a buzzing sound.

"Bees," whispered Charley.

They hopped over to where the bess were gathered. Since bees could be dangerous when disturbed, they hid behind a bush to watch them.

They bees were flying around a hollow log. They were making a yellow, gooey food.

"Say," wondered Chips, "is that honey?"

"Yes, " whispered Charley.

"I have never eaten honey before, have you?"

"Once before. It is very sweet."

Chips and Charley quietly watched the bees for some time. It was interesting to observe them. Most were busy making the honey. A few were doing a strange dance on the side of the log. Suddenly the leader of the bees made a signal, and they all gathered together a flew away.

"Where did they go?" wondered Chips.

"I don't know, but they sure left a lot of honey." replied Charley.

They looked at each other and smiled. The honey smelled so good. They had to try some. They hopped over the log and tried a little taste. It was smooth, sweet, and so delicious. They took another taste, then another. Soon they were eating mouthfuls of the honey. They were so busy eating, they did not even pay attention to the honey which was dripping all over them.

"This is delicious," cried Charley between mouthfuls.

"I'll say," agreed Chips.

They ate until they were both very, very full. They tried to hop away from the log but they could barely move.

Charley moaned, "Oh, Chips, I ate too much. I don't feel so good."

"I feel a little sick too. We should have eaten that honey more slowly."

They rested under a tree. Soon the bees came back and went right to work. They did not seem to notice that some of the honey was eaten. Chips and Charely watched them until Chips suddenly lifted his head.

"Oh, no. I forgot. You are invited to my house for lunch. We need to go home."

"Lunch! Oh, Chips, please don't talk about food. I'm so full."

"But my mom will be looking for us. She wants to meet you, and I am sure she made something special."

"Well, I guess we should try to hop back to your house. I don't think I can eat much, but I don't want to disappoint her."

They began the long trip back to Chip's house. They tried to hop, but they could barely lift their full tummies off the ground. As they slowly made their way, twigs, pebbles, and leaves began to cling to the sticky honey that was covering them.

When they finally reached Chip's house, they sure were a sight to see! Chip's mom couldn't help but laugh at the slow moving, funny looking friends as they entered the rabbit hole.

"Goodness, what happened to you two?"

"Chips told her about they honey, and Charley just smiled sheepishly.

She shook her head and said, "Now, I suppose you aren't hungry for lunch. I know what you need instead."

She point outside to the stream and told them to take a bath.

They both gladly hopped into the stream. After scrubbing themselves thoroughly, Charley smiled.

"Say, after hopping all the way back home and taking this bath, I am now feeling a little hungry again."

Chips agreed that he could eat a little too.

After they hopped out the stream and dried themselves in the sun, Chip's mom as happy to hear they would have some lunch. She brought out some carrots and clover. Soon Chips and Charley were back to normal. They were laughing and making plans for the afternoon. When they finished eating, she smiled and wonder what other adventures Chips would have in the days to come with his silly new friend.