Section 220
The Bee-Keeper explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Thief found his way into an apiary when the Bee-keeper was away, and stole all the honey. When the Keeper returned and found the hives empty, he was very much upset and stood staring at them for some time. Before long the bees came back from gathering honey, and, finding the...
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Public-domain original
A Thief found his way into an apiary when the Bee-keeper was away,
and stole all the honey. When the Keeper returned and found the hives
empty, he was very much upset and stood staring at them for some time.
Before long the bees came back from gathering honey, and, finding
their hives overturned and the Keeper standing by, they made for him
with their stings. At this he fell into a passion and cried, "You
ungrateful scoundrels, you let the thief who stole my honey get off
scot-free, and then you go and sting me who have always taken such
care of you!"
When you hit back make sure you have got the right man.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A Thief found his way into an apiary when the Bee-keeper was away, and stole all the honey.
Why this scene matters
This fable matters because it turns the lesson “When you hit back make sure you have got the right man.” into a compact story about everyday judgment.
Characters in this scene
- The Bee-Keeper: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
Simple story version
A Thief found his way into an apiary when the Bee-keeper was away, and stole all the honey. When the Keeper returned and found the hives empty, he was very much upset and stood staring at them for some time.