The bee, queen of the hive, flew from My Hymettus to the top of Mount Olympus with some of her freshest and tastiest honey from her combs. She was to present her combs to Zeus, king of the gods. Zeus was so delighted with the gift that he offered to grant the bee any wish she desired. The bee thought for a while. And her request was as follows:
“I would like a sting so that I am able to kill a mortal who comes near my hive or near my honey.”
Zeus was not happy with this request. He had a deep love for the human race. But, he had promised the queen bee he would grant her a wish. He responded to the request:
“A sting you shall have, but know that when you sting a mortal, you shall lose your life from the loss if the sting.”
The moral of the story:
Never ask for evil to befall your enemies. Evil will rebound.
And that is how the came to have only one sting.
See & hear this Zeus & the Bee story on YouTube
Enjoy a good legend? Anansi is a West African Trickster
