The Hum of insects describes, using delightful, witty description, the connection between man and nature.

The author says that the noise of insects may be a source of pleasure on one hand, and an irritant on the other, depending on the circumstance. He draws a comparison between the different types of insects. The mosquito, accordingly, is an 'unscrupulous enemy' as it attacks even without provocation. On the contrary, the bee is described as being far more moral it does not sting unless it is roused, it provides honey and helps the fruit to multiply. Then again, the pleasure of the insect's hum is relative. A wasp may delight us in the garden, but it could also be a source of great irritation if it enters our bedroom at night! The author then goes on to ponder over whether the pleasure we derive from the sound of the insects is because of the reminiscences that arise in our mind because of association with the past. He believes that the rhythmic melodies of nature- the noise of the birds, bees, waves - echo the rhythm of his own breath and blood. On hearing such music, man becomes part of some universal music, which expresses his infinite pleasure in being alive. The author embarks on a nostalgic trip to his childhood, a time of infinite peace; a time when the world did not exist beyond the garden-gate. The noise of the insects reminds him of the trees, flowers, gardens of his childhood. In those days, he did not worry about the past or the future, but lived entirely in the present. Every living being in his world seemed to be full of kindness. To children, the world is still a 'chief toy', an enchantment, a place full of surprises. It is the child within man that responds to the beauty of Nature. But just as we begin to appreciate the gift of Nature, duties and exigencies rise in our lives, and the world loses its harmony. It becomes a 'run-down machine', and the delightful insects become stabbing, irritating creatures that sting one. Thus, Man is unable to fully respond to the melody of Nature.