Did you ever hear the tale about the little boy who found the bee hive? He got great delight from poking it with a sharp stick, until all chaos broke out and the bees evacuated amidst thunderous drone, hissing, spitting and stinging.

This went on for weeks, everyday he poked the hive and grinned at the result. By now the bees were not only mightily pissed off, but wise to the game. The next time the boy appeared with stick in hand, the bees ignored him and got on with doing what bees do best, being bees.

The boy poked all the harder, his anger at being ignored spurred him on, almost with obsession. The hive collapsed under the assault, and the boy was left looking very sticky as the honey oozed over his head. The bees shook their heads.