Kyle Tremain

ENG 114B
Professor Batty
16 April 2014

A Lesson on the Appreciation of the Smaller Things in Life

As humans we often take things for granted. Especially those things that do not directly
have noticeable impact on our life. We value superficial items and worship television, laptops,
and money. Currently the average American does not have a lot to worry about beyond work or
school. Advances in technology have made life so simple and caused us to expect so much.

The situation is drastically different in the year 2065. Something so many of us have
considered as insignificant has changed the world. People who once thought they were so
powerful and indestructible with their advanced technology were threatened by a small insect.
The threat grew so huge that the majority of the human population was whipped out and only a
few remain.

What is this strange tiny bug that caused such a big mess? The answer is the bee. Bees
were in the background of the busy and crowded lives that so many people lived. That is why
they were so easily overlooked. No one took their role in nature seriously and this mistake
almost cost us the entire human race.

The bee plays such a crucial role. An ignorant person might think that all this organism
does is obtain nectar from flowers and make honey. But another important responsibility of the
bee is pollination of flowers. When this insect lands on a flower its fuzziness allows pollen to
stick to it. Then the bee travels to different flowers and pollinates them.

Humans needed bees because about a third of peoples food supply depended on insect
pollination. So many people did not know this and those who did were not doing enough to keep
bees safe. They were not made a priority. Therefore when colony collapse disorder was
identified not much was done. Colony collapse disorder was a strange phenomenon where bees
from a colony would disappear.

The negative effects of this disorder was not significant enough until it was too late.
Decreases in bee population had severely reduced pollination. The result was less vegetation and
available food for the human population. Prices for crops quickly rose and people were dragged
into living in poverty. Many people were dying and angry mobs started revolting against
governments around the world. Huge wars began over limited resources as well. The war and
lack of food eventually led to 99% of the human population dying.

Right before the extinction of man- kind, scientist who had been researching for a
solution finally made a discovery. In 2065 they found how to make Artificially Produced Live
Energy Source or APLES. With this they could feed people. So then the leaders of the world
who had survived got together and created a new government. This government was nervous of
more revolts so they took drastic measures to ensure that this wouldnt happen again.
They introduced the remaining humans of the world to the city of Minschertorville and
enticed them to come by promising APLES as a way to feed themselves. With all the destruction
and death that occurred everywhere people were relieved to hear that there was a new place to
live that offered food. For most it looked like the best chance for survival. The new government
leaders monitored the number of people who entered the city and once enough people arrived
they went through with their plan.

Minschertoville leaders waited until people mated and an adequate amount of new borns
were birthed. Then they had all the parents and other humans over the age of 3 killed. The babies
and young ones were taken into group homes and raised by the adults that the government had
trusted to keep alive. They killed to erase the memory that it was Colony Collapse Disorder that
had caused the war and starvation of the world. These new babies would be taught to be obedient
and grew up following strict rules.

Over the years a giant wall was built around Minschertoville and guards were appointed
from the trusted adults to keep order. The babies were taught that everything outside the wall
was dangerous and that many killer creatures lurked in the forests. Those kids grew up and had
kids of their own who were taught the same things.

After a few generations a boy named Billy and a girl named Jill were born in 2195. They
grew up as neighbors, but didnt get along at first. All the kids would get together to play softball
and Jill and Billy always ended up on separate teams. Each of them had a competitive spirit and
took the games seriously. This would often lead to aggressive plays that would end in a shoving
match between the two hot heads.
Billy said during a close game, Wow Jill way to bring down your team!!
Jill was playing her heart out and obviously one of the better players of the team, But
Billy knew just what to say to distract her.
She yelled back, Shut up! You wouldnt know talent if it hit you in the face.
The game progressed as normal, but when Jill was next at bat she hit a line drive towards
Billy. It hit the ground at the perfect angle to bounce up and hit Billy right in the face.
The injured boy screamed and said, You did this on purpose! I cant believe you. She
needs to be kicked out the game or something!.
None of the other players really paid much attention to him because he was known to be
a wussy.
Hoverer this accusation infuriated Jill and she yelled back, No I did not do it on
purpose! It hit the ground before bouncing up.
She did not like to be accused unfairly of things and kept a grudge against him. Their
ongoing battle would escalate at all the games after this incident and they acted like sworn
enemies.
One day when they were both about sixteen, Billy and Jill relationship would change
completely.
They were walking with a group of mutual friends and he started joking with his friends
saying, Jill is obviously the slowest of the group.
Jill shot back, What do you mean!?
Oh you know exactly what I mean.
I guess I dont because I have the highest grade in our class, dummie.
He laughed and said, Well know you are a nerd and slow! I meant you are not as fast as
us. There is no way you could beat any of us in a race.
She scoffed. Oh yea? I challenge you to a race right now then!

The pair ran off ahead of the group not waiting for anyone to yell start. About a hundred
yards ahead they bother witnessed a tiny black and yellow dart fly onto Billys skin.

He let out a scream and said, What the heck was that? It pinched me!
Jill saw it happen and watched as the teeny tiny creature buzzed off.
Meanwhile the boy was still in pain and said I have never felt anything like that. I think
I may be sick. We have to go back to the group!
Can you please stop being such a baby and toughen up for once? Jill said.

She was too focused on the little creature that she had seen. It had wings, but not like
those on a bird. Also its brilliant yellow and black coat made her think of a butterfly, but she had
never seen one sting a human before.

Come on Billy! she yelled and ran after the bizarre creature.
Fine. He said and quickly followed.

Following its path led her to the wall that blocked the city from the forbidden forest. Her
strong sense for adventure almost made her forget about all the horror stories she had heard
about what awaited on the other side of the wall.

Jill hesitated briefly which gave Billy enough time to catch up. He ran up to her out of
breath and rubbing the area on his arm where the darting ball of black and yellow had landed.

She cursed, We will never know what that thing was because of this stupid wall.
It is probably for the best. said Bill.
How can you say that!
We do not know what it was and if it came from over the wall it cant be any good.
I wish I could go over that wall. I want adventure!
You know it would be too dangerous, Jill
Since when do you care? she retorted.
Billy looked down at his feet and whispered, I have always cared.

Jill blushed and quickly ran off, but she was smiling. Later the two got together and they
talked about the occurrence for hours. After that they were inseparable and eventually just ended
up going steady.

Years passed and the two love birds got married. Still they never told anyone about the
tiny dart that had stung Billy. People had been disappearing who spoke of seeing such crazy
creatures so they thought it was best that they kept what had happened to themselves. This did
not mean that they didnt discuss what the creature could have possibly been. Their deep
curiosity required them to at least do that.
Let me further explain the city of Minschertosinville that Jill and Billy had lived in their
entire lives. Besides have a huge wall surrounding its boundaries, it had no green vegetation
what so ever. It looked like a desert and the air was warm and dry. Near the center of the city is a
huge factory called the Food Pen. It happens to be where the happily married couple both work.

At Food Pen workers produce Artificially Produced Live Energy Source (APLES). This
is what feeds every person in Minschertosinville so their jobs are very important. The scientist
who created this alternative food modified it into a shake that could be easily consumed by
everyone.

However APLES can have some bad side effects. It causes certain people to lose mobility
in their legs and leaves them paralyzed. Billy and Jill have only seen a couple of these cases, but
the government leaders actually take these people and dispose of them to make it seem as if
APLES is the best food solution possible. The government fears that if the people find out they
will revolt.

Both Billy and Jill, unlike others, like to go climbing and explore new places they have
not been in hopes to also one day find something new and better for people to eat. They know
they are not allowed to go beyond the wall, but it is so hard to resist the temptation. One day they
pack APLES and water and venture out. The couple walks along the wall and are so tempted just
to climb to the top of it and see what is on the other side.

Jill blurts out, What if we use pegs to just climb to the top.
Billy dreams about it, but then quickly snaps out of it.
He grabs her hands and says, Lets keep walking.
She doesnt budge and keeps gazing up.
I mean maybe we could. He says dreamily,
They both recall the times they wished they could see what was on the other side.
Im doing it. Jill declared. You cant stop me.
Who says I would stop you. Bill says with a smile. He has already made his mind up
that he at least needs to see what is over the wall. The possibility of finding an alternative to
APLES propels him to agree.
Imagine if we find something that the community can eat besides APLES! Jill said.
That would be amazing Bill replied.
I know they say that there is no alternative, but I dont believe it.
Yea, I cant stand to see another friend go paralyzed.
They make their way up the pegs and up the wall. Finally while at the top they look over
and their hopefully eyes droop.
I cant believe this is it. Jill says with a sigh.
I thought there would be more, but it just looks like the desert we live in. her husband
responds.

Dissapointed that they see no miracle solution they turn to head back down the pegs.
Then suddenly Jill shouts out and points to a low overhang on a nearby mountain.
Wait she screams.
She is drawn to a strange greenish he on the ground of the cave. Billy sees it too and
starts his way over the wall knowing his wife is close behind him.

Their excitement reaches its peak as that stand at the entrance of the cave and look down
at lots of green and flowers.
My god what is this place? Jill says.
Let us go explore! Billy says with excitement.
It is a sight they have never seen before or been taught about. They walk quickly through
the cave and see more flowers along the floor.
The couple start bending down and picking up the flowers.
Look at this says the proud husband to his wife.
What about this one! Jill says holding up some plants.

Soon they realized it wasnt a cave at all, but a tunnel that led to a lush paradise. They fun
over to a stationary branched object off which red sphere like objects hang. It is an apple tree.

This is like no tree I have ever seen. says Billy.
I wonder what this is? Jill says as she picks off an apple.
Honey dont we dont know what it is!
She puts it close to her nose and takes in its sweet aroma.
How could anything that smells this great be bad?
The brave Jill is ready to take a bite out of an apple she picked when they both hear a
familiar noise. Its the buzzing of the creature that strung Bill all those years ago.
They listen harder and hear the bees and watch as they visit the lush green things that are
growing out of the ground.
We did it. Jill says.
She realizes they have discovered something so incredible and take a bite of the apple. A
smile spread across her face at its sweet juices and hands it for Billy to try.
Try this she says.
Wow its incredible! he replies after taking a bite.
Imagine all the other edible plants we could find here!
I think there is something about these tiny flying creatures that causes all these amazing
plants to grow!
It was fate that you got stung that day. Jill says and hugs him.
Yea it brought us together Billy smiles and holds her close.
Also we found an alternative to APLES!
Oh yeah, that too. Both equally as great. He says and leans in to give her a kiss.
Jill has no fear that the food could be poisonous or inedible. What she tasted was so pure
and right that she knew this was news that had to be quickly shared. The couple came back and
forth from the city to this intriguing place in order to investigate what was going on.

After a couple of weeks Billy and a group of scientist realized that the flying buzz-
making creature would cause this pretty green life plain to grow and prosper. They returned to
the cave to learn more.

Over hear guys! Billy shouted to lead the group over to the apple tree.
I dont think anyone should try to eat anything before we test it all back at the lab. It
could be poisonous. said lead scientist Mr. Herb.
Well Jill tried it and she has been fine the past month.
I know the case of your wife is very uplifting
So why not try a bite? Billy said as he handed another scientist the apple.
Its delicious! the female scholar replied.
Alright, alright. I will try some when we get all the samples back to the lab! replied Mr.
Herb. Lets load up!

All the scientists go the samples they needed and headed back the city. Jill was back at
the city preparing a speech to give the leaders of the government. She had to explain why they
had gone over the wall. The leaders werent as worried about her going over the wall as they
were about this plant she had eaten. They listened as she told them about how she feels fine and
healthy. The leaders grew hopefully after her presentation, but wanted to wait for the scientist
and her husband to return.

In the lab Mr. Herb discovered that the creature that stung Billy was a huge factor in
pollinating flowers and are crucial to the reproduction of the food humans consume. He named
them herbies after himself. Once this was realize Jill and Billy came up with the idea of
capturing about 80 percent of the herbies and bringing them inside the city walls.

There is a chance that our city could become lush with plants like the place we found
said Jill to the leaders.
I agree with this plan added Mr. Herb.
The plants have proven edible and can be used to feed our city said Billy.

The members of government all agreed that this idea was worth a shot. After about 1,000
bees were collected they were released and all the townspeople hoped this plan would work.
Their city could become the paradise discovered and generate safe food for everyone to eat.

Finally when they made it back with all the bees Billy released half at one point of town
and Jane released the other at the opposite side of town. Townspeople watched on awe when the
bees actually started creating green life all around the town. The town went from sad and dull to
nature-like and exciting.

Sadly in about a year the entire bee population vanished causing the new food that people
were getting to learn about to also disappear. Scientist later discovered that the bees could not
breath properly due to the smog pollution from the Food Pen and eventually died out. In the end
everything gets back to its regular routine and Jane and Billy die full of APLES.




Work Cited
Berghom, Jennifer L. "Valley Feels Sting of Colony Collapse Disorder." Valley Feels Sting of
Colony Collapse Disorder. The Monitor, 19 Mar. 2007. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Gillet, David. "Colony Collapse Dissorder: The Bee's Disease." ProQuest. MinnPost, 29 Mar.
2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2014
VanEngelsdorp, Denise, and Niko Speybroeck. "Weighing Risk Factors Associated
with BeeColony Collapse Disorder by Classification and Regression Tree Analysis."
BioOne.Entomological Society of America, 14 June 2010. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.