The Bee and Jupiter
A Bee from
Mount Hymettus, the
queen of the hive, ascended to Olympus to present Jupiter some honey
fresh
from her combs.
Jupiter,
delighted with the
offering of honey, promised to give whatever she should ask.
She
therefore besought him,
saying, "Give me, I pray thee, a sting, that if any mortal shall
approach
to take my honey, I may kill him."
Jupiter was
much displeased,
for he loved the race of man, but could not refuse the request because
of his promise.
He thus
answered the Bee:
"You shall have your request, but it will be at the peril of your own
life.
For if you use your sting, it shall remain in the wound you make, and
then
you will die from the loss of it."
Evil wishes,
like chickens, come home to roost.
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