The summer band class I taught was just getting underway when a large insect flew into the room. The sixth-graders, eager to play their shiny new instruments, tried to ignore the buzzing intruder, but eventually one student, Tommy, could stand it no more.

He rolled up his music book and swatted the insect and then stomped on it to ensure its fate.

"Is it a bee?" another student asked.

"Nope," Tommy replied. "Bee flat."