FABLE LXXXVI
by Aesop
Adapted Version
Once, there was a big bear. He loved sweet honey.
The Bear saw a tall fence. He wanted to get inside. He climbed over the fence. He went into a new place. Many beehives were there. The bees lived in them. He wanted their sweet honey. He was very hungry for it.
The Bear went to a beehive. He broke it open with his big paw. He took the sweet honey. He ate it all up very fast. He wanted more honey from another hive. He was very greedy for it. He did not care about the bees.
The Bees saw The Bear. They were very angry. He broke their home. They came out of their homes. A big swarm flew out. They flew to The Bear. They wanted to stop him. They buzzed around his big head.
The Bees flew all around The Bear. They tried to sting him hard. The Bear's fur was very thick. Their stings did not go in. But they found his soft face. They stung his eyes. They stung his nose. It hurt him very much.
The Bear felt much pain now. His eyes hurt very much. His nose hurt very much too. He did not like this pain. The pain was very bad. He wanted it to stop now. He growled loudly. He could not see well at all.
The Bear was very upset. He moved his big paws. He put them on his face. He rubbed his face roughly. He scratched his own ears hard. He made himself hurt more. He did not know what to do. The pain made him wild and sad.
The Bear ran away very fast. He left the sweet honey there. He felt very bad for what he did. He learned a big lesson that day. He knew it was wrong to take. He should not take things not his. He was sad and sore.
Do not take things not yours. Bad things happen if you do bad.
Original Story
FABLE LXXXVI.
*THE BEAR AND THE BEE HIVES.*
A Bear, climbing over the fence into a place where Bees were kept, began to plunder the Hives, and rob them of their honey. But the Bees, to revenge the injury, attacked him in a whole swarm together; and, though they were not able to pierce his rugged hide, yet, with their little stings, they so annoyed his eyes and nostrils, that, unable to endure the smarting pain, with impatience he tore the skin over his ears with his own claws, and suffered ample punishment for the injury he did the Bees in breaking open their waxen cells.
APPLICATION.
Many and great are the injuries of which some men are guilty towards others, for the sake of gratifying some liquorish appetite. For there are those who would not stick at bringing desolation upon their country, and run the hazard of their own necks into the bargain, rather than baulk a wicked inclination, either of cruelty, ambition, or avarice. But it were to be wished all who are hurried by such blind impulses, would consider a moment before they proceed to irrevocable execution. Injuries and wrongs not only call for revenge and reparation with the voice of equity itself, but oftentimes carry their punishment along with them; and, by an unforeseen train of events, are retorted at the head of the actor of them; and not seldom, from a deep remorse, expiated upon himself by his own hand.
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Moral of the Story
Those who inflict harm upon others out of greed or wicked inclination often suffer self-inflicted punishment, or have their wrongs returned upon them by unforeseen events.
Characters
The Bear ⚔ antagonist
A large, powerful bear with a thick, shaggy coat of dark brown fur. His build is stocky and muscular, indicating great strength. His hide is described as 'rugged', suggesting a tough, resilient skin that is difficult to penetrate.
Attire: None, as he is a wild animal.
Wants: To satisfy his 'liquorish appetite' for honey.
Flaw: His greed and impatience, which lead him to disregard potential consequences and react violently to pain.
Begins as a confident plunderer, but ends up severely punished and in agony, having inflicted injury upon himself. He learns a harsh lesson about the consequences of his actions.
Impulsive, greedy, destructive, impatient, easily provoked to self-harm when in pain.
The Bees ◆ supporting
A swarm of small, winged insects with segmented bodies, typically black and yellow striped, and delicate, translucent wings. Each bee possesses a small, sharp stinger.
Attire: None, as they are insects.
Wants: To defend their hives and honey, and to 'revenge the injury' done to them.
Flaw: Their small size and inability to pierce the bear's rugged hide, though they overcome this by targeting vulnerable areas.
They begin as industrious honey-producers and end as successful defenders of their home, having exacted punishment on their attacker.
Protective, vengeful, industrious (implied by their honey production), united in defense.
Locations
Bee Hives Enclosure
A fenced-off area where numerous bee hives are kept, likely in a rural or semi-wild setting, with a sturdy fence to deter animals.
Mood: Initially peaceful and productive, then suddenly chaotic and painful.
The Bear breaks into the enclosure to steal honey, leading to the Bees' retaliatory attack.
Story DNA
Moral
Those who inflict harm upon others out of greed or wicked inclination often suffer self-inflicted punishment, or have their wrongs returned upon them by unforeseen events.
Plot Summary
A greedy bear climbs into a bee yard and begins to steal honey from the hives. The bees, seeking revenge, swarm and sting the bear's eyes and nostrils. Unable to bear the excruciating pain, the bear tears at its own face with its claws, suffering a severe self-inflicted punishment for its initial act of theft and destruction. The story illustrates that ill deeds often lead to unforeseen and painful consequences for the perpetrator.
Themes
Emotional Arc
greed to suffering
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are ancient, orally transmitted stories often attributed to a slave named Aesop in ancient Greece. They typically feature animals with human characteristics and conclude with a moral lesson.
Plot Beats (7)
- A bear climbs over a fence into an area where beehives are kept.
- The bear begins to plunder the hives, stealing honey.
- The bees, seeking revenge, attack the bear in a swarm.
- Though their stings cannot pierce the bear's tough hide, they sting its eyes and nostrils.
- The bear is overwhelmed by the smarting pain.
- In its impatience and agony, the bear tears the skin over its own ears with its claws.
- The bear receives ample punishment for the injury it inflicted upon the bees.
