FABLE LX
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Two little bees lived. One bee was wise. One was careless. Wise Bee was smart. He thought about winter. Careless Bee just wanted fun. He did not think. They went to find sweet honey.
They came to a garden. The garden had many flowers. The flowers smelled sweet. Bright colors filled the air. Birds sang happy songs. There were also many fruits. The fruits were very tasty. It was a happy place.
Wise Bee worked hard. He gathered honey for winter. He flew from flower to flower. He worked all morning. He put honey in his leg basket. Careless Bee did not work. He just ate tasty things. He played in the flowers. Careless Bee laughed and played. He did not care about work. He thought only of fun now.
Then they saw a pot. The pot hung from a tree. The pot was big and round. It smelled so good. It was full of honey. The honey looked very sweet.
Careless Bee was very happy. He wanted all the honey. Wise Bee warned him. Wise Bee said, 'Be careful, friend.' Careless Bee just smiled. He wanted to eat it all. Careless Bee did not listen. He jumped right into the pot. He swam in the sweet honey.
Wise Bee was careful. He took a little honey. He thought, "Too much." He did not stay. He knew what was best. He flew to other flowers. He ate a little fruit. He sipped its sweet nectar. He felt happy and light. He enjoyed just enough.
The sun went down. It was evening now. Wise Bee thought of his friend. He went back to the pot.
Careless Bee was still in the pot. He was stuck in the honey. The thick honey held him tight. He struggled to get free. But he could not move. His wings were heavy. His legs could not move. He was very sad. He could not fly out. He could not enjoy the honey now. He felt very tired.
Careless Bee looked at Wise Bee. He tried to speak. He said, "Too much honey. I am stuck." A tear rolled down his face. He wished he had listened. He was very, very sorry. Wise Bee felt sad for his friend. Wise Bee wished he could help. But the honey was too much.
The Wise Bee flew home, happy and safe. Careless Bee learned a sad lesson. Too much honey was not good. It is always best to have just enough.
Original Story
FABLE LX.
THE TWO BEES.
On a fine morning in May, two Bees set forward in quest of honey; the one, wise and temperate; the other, careless and extravagant. They soon arrived at a garden enriched with aromatic herbs, the most fragrant flowers, and the most delicious fruits. They regaled themselves for a time on the various dainties that were set before them: the one loading his thigh at intervals with provisions for the hive against the distant winter, the other revelling in sweets, without regard to anything but his present gratification.
At length, they found a wide-mouthed vial, that hung beneath the bough of a peach-tree, filled with honey ready tempered, and exposed to their taste in the most alluring manner. The thoughtless Epicure, spite of all his friend's remonstrances, plunged headlong into the vessel, resolving to indulge himself in all the pleasures of sensuality. The Philosopher, on the other hand, sipped a little with caution, but, being suspicious of danger, flew off to fruits and flowers; where, by the moderation of his meals, he improved his relish for the true enjoyment of them.
In the evening, however, he called upon his friend, to inquire whether he would return to the hive, but found him surfeited in sweets, which he was as unable to leave as to enjoy. Clogged in his wings, enfeebled in his feet, and his whole frame totally enervated, he was but just able to bid his friend adieu, and to lament, with his latest breath, that though a taste of pleasure may quicken the relish of life, an unrestrained indulgence is inevitable destruction.
MORAL.
Moderation rewards and intemperance punishes itself.
Story DNA
Moral
Moderation rewards and intemperance punishes itself.
Plot Summary
Two bees, one wise and one careless, set out to gather honey. The wise bee works diligently, while the careless one indulges. They find a vial of honey; the careless bee plunges in, ignoring warnings, while the wise bee sips cautiously and leaves. Later, the wise bee finds his friend trapped and dying in the honey, lamenting that unrestrained indulgence leads to destruction, thus proving the moral that moderation rewards and intemperance punishes itself.
Themes
Emotional Arc
caution to regret
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables have been used for moral instruction across many cultures for centuries, often attributed to figures like Aesop.
Plot Beats (9)
- Two bees, one wise and one careless, embark on a honey-gathering expedition.
- They arrive at a lush garden filled with fragrant flowers and delicious fruits.
- The wise bee diligently collects provisions for winter, while the careless bee indulges freely.
- They discover a vial of pre-tempered honey hanging from a peach tree.
- The careless bee, ignoring his friend's warnings, dives headfirst into the vial for unrestrained pleasure.
- The wise bee sips cautiously, senses danger, and flies off to continue enjoying fruits and flowers in moderation.
- In the evening, the wise bee returns to check on his friend.
- He finds the careless bee surfeited, unable to move or enjoy the honey, and dying.
- The dying bee expresses his final regret that unrestrained indulgence leads to destruction.
Characters
The Wise Bee
A standard worker bee, approximately 1.5 cm long, with a fuzzy, segmented body covered in fine, golden-brown and black hairs. Its six slender legs are adapted for collecting pollen, with the hind legs featuring prominent pollen baskets (corbiculae). Its body is robust and well-maintained, showing no signs of excess.
Attire: Natural bee exoskeleton, covered in golden-brown and black fuzz. Its wings are translucent and veined, shimmering in the sunlight.
Wants: To gather provisions for the hive and ensure survival through the winter, while also enjoying life's pleasures in moderation.
Flaw: Perhaps a slight over-cautiousness, though in this story it proves to be a strength.
Remains consistent in its wisdom and moderation, serving as a foil and a lesson for its friend.
Wise, temperate, cautious, provident, self-controlled.
The Careless Bee
Initially, a standard worker bee, approximately 1.5 cm long, with a fuzzy, segmented body covered in fine, golden-brown and black hairs. Later, its body becomes visibly sticky and matted with honey, particularly its wings and legs, making it appear disheveled and heavy.
Attire: Natural bee exoskeleton, initially clean. Later, its natural fuzz is matted and clogged with sticky honey, particularly on its wings and legs, hindering movement.
Wants: Immediate gratification and unrestrained pleasure.
Flaw: Lack of self-control, impulsiveness, inability to foresee consequences.
Begins as carefree and indulgent, but through its actions, it suffers a tragic downfall, becoming incapacitated and dying due to its excess.
Careless, extravagant, thoughtless, epicurean, self-indulgent.
Locations
Garden of Aromatic Herbs and Fruits
A vibrant garden bursting with fragrant flowers, various aromatic herbs, and delicious fruits, likely in full bloom and bearing fruit.
Mood: abundant, delightful, inviting, initially peaceful
The two bees begin their quest for honey, finding initial sustenance and pleasure here.
Peach Tree with Honey Vial
A specific spot within the garden, beneath the bough of a peach tree, where a wide-mouthed vial filled with honey hangs, exposed and alluring.
Mood: tempting, dangerous, ultimately tragic
The thoughtless bee plunges into the vial, leading to his demise, while the wise bee sips cautiously and departs.