The bees were planning not one but two high-summer salons.

The first — organized well in advance — would feature a tiny guest list; discussions on literature and music and art; a feast of honey cakes and nectar; and even an appearance by the queen.

But the second was an impromptu affair to which everyone would be invited, as soon as all the cicadas and katydids had hatched. There would be plenty of fresh fruit and icy popsicles, a late-evening light show provided by the fireflies, katydid and cicada sing-alongs, and dancing long into the night.

(July 2023)

Story & Photo © Jennifer Singleton / Read+Purr

This is another vignette in my ongoing series of Tiny Garden Stories: peaceful 1-minute tales, full of cozy vibes, delicious details, and generous dollops of imagination & whimsy. Click one of the first two buttons below to go to (or back to, if that’s where you fell down the rabbit hole) either the Public Garden archive page or (if you’re a Story Club member) to the Private Garden page. Or click the third button to learn more about my Tiny Garden Stories. Want each week’s featured story delivered directly to your inbox? Subscribe to my Substack.