It all began back in 1984 on a lonely roadside in rural Maine, when a bearded beekeeper who lived in an old turkey coop gave a lift to a young female hitchhiker.

Intrigued and at loose ends, she stayed to give him a hand with the bees… The partnership blossomed into romance and, in due course, the business called Burt’s Bees was born.

Cut to the fall of 2007.

Burt’s Bees is now a household name in beeswax- and honey-based personal care products. The folksy label and eco-friendly reputation have built a substantial income for the beekeeper and his partner. But this happy situation is too good to last —

Disagreements arise.
Words are spoken.
And a giant corporation comes knocking at the door.

Today, Burt the beekeeper is a single man again, and back living solo in his old turkey coop — while his former partner has gone her own way and pursues quite a different lifestyle. The difference is, this time, Burt’s got about 4 million dollars to his name.

The New York Times has the whole Burt’s Bees story — and does anyone else see big potential here for a made-for-TV movie?