The melipone bee and the vanilla orchid plant hailed from the heart of the tropical rainforests of Mesoamerica. Over time, they evolved along-side each other because the melipone bee was tiny enough to pollinate the vanilla orchid flower. The only other insect that could possibly pollinate the vanilla orchid was a gnat-like fly called the midge. This story is about a melipone bee named Bettina Bee who was from the Cocoa Stand-where Bees and Flies lived in harmony, had adventures, and searched for nectar that was called Treasure. Nectar from the Vanilla orchid was called Big Treasure because it was valued more than any jewel or gold that a king or queen could find anywhere. More than anything, Bettina Bee wanted to discover Big Treasure. So, she led a secret expedition with her best friend, Midge Fly, into the Jungle-never thinking about how dangerous that would be. Maybe she would have been better off staying at home. You can be the judge of that because she had adventures and encounters, but also made a discovery-just not in the way that you and I might think."