The Summer Court and the Little Bee
a Tiny Kingdom story about courage, gentle beginnings, and the love that keeps watch
In the Tiny Kingdom, summer brought a special kind of magic. The royal family would travel to one of their distant castles, where the Summer Court was held. There, gardens bloomed, trees stood tall and proud, and the great pool shone like a lake of glass beneath the sky.
This year, the Summer Court welcomed its youngest royal. Princess Guusje arrived in her royal bee garment, small and bright, ready to discover this new part of her kingdom. The vest, golden and soft-winged, made her look both noble and playful as she explored the shimmering world of the Summer Court.
But the pool was no ordinary part of the kingdom. It was deep and full of secrets. Prince Dingus knew this well. When he was small, the water had tricked him, twice. Once, when cress and reflections made him believe there was a path. And once when silver fish tempted him to leap. Both times, the Queen had saved him at once, and Dingus had decided: pools were not to be trusted. Swimming? Not for him. But he would stay close to his sister, because loyalty means standing near, even to the things we fear.
The King cradled the princess gently in his arms and stepped into the water. The little bee princess rested safely against his chest, feeling the coolness of the water, hearing its soft music, and learning, little by little, that it could be kind. The King spoke to her quietly, his arms strong, his heart steady. And Princess Guusje listened.
When she had seen enough for her first day, she returned to dry land with confidence in her step. The King stayed in the pool, watching her with pride. Prince Dingus kept his post on firm ground, as any loyal knight would.
And when the day softened into evening, the Queen touched the small star at her wrist. High above, in the clear sky, a beloved star seemed to echo the day’s gentle victories. The family rested, knowing that courage begins with trust, small steps and with love that keeps watch over every new adventure.