The Bee and Jupiter
by Henry Wallace Phillips · from Fables for the Times
Adapted Version
Once, a Little Bee lived. She loved to make sweet honey. Little Bee went to the King. She brought him a gift. It was her best sweet honey. The King was on his big chair.
The King tasted the honey. He was very happy. "This honey is so good!" he said. The King smiled at Little Bee. "Ask me for something," he said. "I will give it to you."
Little Bee felt happy. She thought for a moment. "Dear King," she said. "I want a special sting. It will keep me safe. I am very small. Bad things can hurt me."
The King did not like this. He knew bees often sting people. He loved people very much. But he promised Little Bee. A king must keep his word. "Okay," the King said. "You can have your sting."
The King gave Little Bee the sting. But he added a rule. "Listen, Little Bee," he said. "Use your sting, it is gone. You will lose your special power always. You must know this."
Little Bee got her new sting. She buzzed with joy. She flew up high. She landed on the King's neck. Little Bee buzzed very loud. "Change your rule!" she buzzed. "Or I will sting you now!"
The King felt a fright. He did not want a sting. "No, no!" cried the King. "No more rule for you!"
Little Bee smiled. She flew away fast. She had her sting. No bad rule for her! She was very happy.
Original Story
The Bee and Jupiter.
A Bee, the queen of all the hives, ascended to Olympus with a present of some super-refined honey for Jupiter.
The god was delighted with the honey, and in return offered to grant any request the Bee might make.
"Give to me, I pray, O Lord of the Heavens! a sting, that, small and weak as I am, I may not be defenceless against my enemies."
Jupiter was quite put out at this demand, as he knew the weapon would be used principally against mankind, whom he much loved. But a god's promise must be kept, so he said:
"It is granted you."
"Many thanks, most potent one!" cried the Bee, running the new-gained weapon in and out with much satisfaction.
Jupiter sternly cut short her thanks, and continued:
"In using this means of defense and offense you will imperil your own life, for the sting shall remain in the wound it makes and you shall die from the loss of it."
The Bee flew around for a moment, and then lit on the back of the god's neck.
"You will kindly reconsider that last clause," she said, "or," in a very meaning tone, "I die right here."
Jupiter felt a cold chill take its agitated way up his spinal column.
"All right," he said, hastily. "I don't want to be small about it. Have it your own way. Only please get off my neck!"
The Bee went joyously back to earth, humming a song of praise.
IMMORAL:
How to play a cinch (Hoyle). "Put both feet on the encircled object. Rosin the hands, take a long breath and Pull."
The Bee and Jupiter
Story DNA
Moral
null
Plot Summary
A Bee presents Jupiter with exquisite honey, and in return, Jupiter offers to grant her a wish. The Bee requests a sting for defense, which Jupiter grants but with the condition that she will die after using it. Unhappy with this, the Bee lands on Jupiter's neck and threatens to sting him unless he removes the fatal clause. Frightened, Jupiter quickly agrees, and the Bee returns to Earth with her desired weapon, free of its deadly drawback.
Themes
Emotional Arc
desire to satisfaction
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a modern fable, not an ancient one, despite using classical figures. The 'IMMORAL' section is a satirical inversion of traditional fable morals.
Plot Beats (9)
- A Bee presents Jupiter with a gift of super-refined honey.
- Jupiter is delighted and offers to grant the Bee any request.
- The Bee asks for a sting to defend herself against enemies.
- Jupiter is displeased, knowing the sting would be used against humans, but grants the wish due to his promise.
- Jupiter adds a condition: the Bee will die after using her sting.
- The Bee, upon receiving the sting, is initially satisfied but then lands on Jupiter's neck.
- The Bee threatens to sting Jupiter if he doesn't remove the fatal condition.
- Jupiter, feeling a chill, quickly agrees to the Bee's terms.
- The Bee joyously flies back to Earth, having secured a sting without the fatal drawback.
Characters
The Bee ★ protagonist
Small, segmented body covered in fine, golden-brown fuzz. Six delicate, jointed legs. Two pairs of translucent, iridescent wings that beat rapidly. A distinct black and yellow striped abdomen. Her overall form is plump and industrious.
Attire: None, as she is an insect. Her natural chitinous exoskeleton is her 'covering'.
Wants: To gain a defensive weapon to protect herself and her hive, and to ensure her own survival even when using it.
Flaw: Her initial vulnerability to enemies, and her potential to die if her sting is lost.
She begins as a supplicant seeking a weapon and ends as a triumphant, empowered figure who has outsmarted a god to secure her own terms of survival.
Clever, cunning, determined, somewhat manipulative, and self-serving.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, plump insect with a segmented body covered in fine, golden-brown fuzz. She has six delicate, jointed legs and two pairs of translucent, iridescent wings. Her abdomen is distinctly striped in black and yellow, and a sharp, needle-like sting protrudes from its end. She has large, dark compound eyes and constantly twitching antennae. She is hovering in mid-air, facing forward, with a triumphant and slightly mischievous expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Jupiter ◆ supporting
A powerful, imposing male figure of immense stature, with a muscular build befitting a king of gods. His presence radiates authority and power.
Attire: Flowing, regal robes made of rich, heavy fabric, possibly in deep blues or purples, adorned with golden embroidery or celestial symbols. He might wear a laurel wreath or a simple golden circlet on his head.
Wants: To maintain order and his divine promises, and to protect humanity.
Flaw: His pride, his commitment to his promises, and his vulnerability to direct, unexpected threats.
He begins as an all-powerful, generous god, but is briefly outmaneuvered and intimidated by a smaller creature, showing a moment of vulnerability.
Benevolent (towards mankind), powerful, easily delighted, somewhat temperamental, but ultimately bound by his promises. He can be easily flustered when directly threatened.
Image Prompt & Upload
A majestic, imposing male figure of immense stature, with a muscular build. He has a stern face framed by a full, flowing white beard and long, wavy white hair. His eyes are piercing. He wears flowing, regal robes of deep blue fabric with golden embroidery, draped over one shoulder. He stands upright, facing forward, with an authoritative but slightly flustered expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Mount Olympus, Jupiter's Throne Room
A grand, celestial throne room on Mount Olympus, likely built from gleaming white marble and gold, with an open aspect to the sky. The air would be clear and bright, filled with a divine light.
Mood: Majestic, powerful, initially benevolent, then tense and slightly humorous
The Bee presents honey to Jupiter, requests a sting, and negotiates the terms of its use.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, open-air throne room on the peak of Mount Olympus, constructed from polished white marble and shimmering gold. Colossal fluted columns rise to support a celestial dome, with the bright, clear sky visible beyond. Divine light streams in, illuminating intricate golden friezes depicting mythological scenes. A massive, ornate throne carved from a single block of white marble sits at the far end, radiating an aura of immense power. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
