Even as a boy, Ferdinand was fascinated by the colorful hustle and bustle of nature around him. He tirelessly studied the flora and fauna of his home village of Vacha. At grammar school in Eisenach, he gathered a circle of like-minded people around him, the so-called "Kauzverein". Together and with a serious thirst for research, the friends discover the world of animals and plants. They are particularly fond of bees. Little Ferdinand wants nothing more than to pursue a career as a naturalist. But things turn out differently ...

Hugo Schlippe tells the impressive story of Ferdinand Gerstung's life and work in an instructive and entertaining way. Despite all opposition, he pursued his research and revolutionized German beekeeping with his findings. As co-founder of the "Deutscher Reichsverein für Bienenzucht" (German Beekeeping Association), he provided the impetus for the founding of the "Deutsches Bienenmuseum" (German Bee Museum) in Weimar.