The Bee and Jupiter
Aesop | Greece
A small Bee gave Jupiter golden honey and asked for a powerful sting, but Jupiter warned that using it would cost her life.
Once upon a time, a small Bee gave a very special gift to Jupiter, the ruler of all. This gift was a pot filled with sweet, golden honey. Jupiter was so happy with the gift that he told the Bee she could ask for any one thing she wished for, and he would make it come true.
The Bee, being so small and often ignored, asked Jupiter for a powerful gift. She wanted her sting to be very strong, so strong that it could take away life. She thought this would make her important and feared.
But Jupiter didn't like this wish. He thought it was mean and unfair to all the other creatures. He didn't want them to be scared of such a tiny creature. He also didn't want to give so much power to someone who had such an unkind wish.
But Jupiter had promised, so he had to give the Bee something. He told her, "Okay, I will grant your wish, but you must be careful. Your sting will be strong, but if you use it, you will leave it behind and lose your own life."
The Bee was surprised. She had not thought that her wish could also be harmful to her. She realized that wanting to be powerful and feared had almost caused her to lose her own life.
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