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WHY I’M AFRAID
OF BEES
Goosebumps - 17
R.L. Stine
(An Undead Scan v1.5)
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If you’re afraid of bees, I have to warn you—there are a lot of bees in this story. In
fact, there are hundreds.
Up until last month, I was afraid of bees. And when you read this story, you’ll see
why.
It all started in July when I heard a frightening buzz, the buzz of a bee.
I sat up straight and searched all around. But I couldn’t see any bees anywhere.
The scary buzzing sound just wouldn’t stop. In fact, it seemed to be getting louder.
“It’s probably Andretti again,” I told myself. “Ruining my day, as usual.”
I’d been reading a stack of comic books under the big maple tree in my back
yard. Other kids might have better things to do on a hot, sticky summer afternoon—
like maybe going to the pool with their friends.
But not me. My name is Gary Lutz, and I have to be honest. I don’t have many
real close friends. Even my nine-year-old sister, Krissy, doesn’t like me very much.
My life is the pits.
“Why is that?” I constantly ask myself. “What exactly is wrong with me? Why do
all the kids call me names like Lutz the Klutz? Why does everybody always make
fun of me?”
Sometimes I think it might be because of the way I look. That morning, I’d spent
a long time studying myself in the mirror. I’d stared at myself for at least half an
hour.
I saw a long, skinny face, a medium-sized nose, and straight blond hair. Not
exactly handsome, but not terrible.
Bzzzzzz.
I can’t stand that sound! And it was coming even closer.
I flopped over on my stomach. Then I peered around the side of the maple tree. I
wanted to get a better view of my neighbor’s yard.
Oh, no, I thought. I was right. The buzzing sound was coming from Mr.
Andretti’s bees. My neighbor was at it again. He was always hanging out in the back
by his garage, messing with those bees of his.
How could he handle them every day without worrying about getting stung? I
asked myself. Didn’t they give him the creeps?
I climbed to my knees and edged a few inches forward. Even though I wanted to
get a better look at Mr. Andretti, I didn’t want him to see me.
The last time he caught me watching him, he made a big deal out of it. He acted
