A hungry bear disturbs a beehive and learns a painful lesson about losing one's temper.
Author: Æsop
Themes: patience, self-control, consequences
A Bear roaming the woods in search of berries happened on a fallen tree in which a swarm of Bees had stored their honey. The Bear began to nose around the log very carefully to find out if the Bees were at home.
Just then one of the swarm came home from the clover field with a load of sweets. Guessing what the Bear was after, the Bee flew at him, stung him sharply and then disappeared into the hollow log.
The Bear lost his temper in an instant, and sprang upon the log tooth and claw, to destroy the nest. But this only brought out the whole swarm.
The poor Bear had to take to his heels, and he was able to save himself only by diving into a pool of water. It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke a thousand by flying into a rage.
Introduction
The Bear and the Bees is a beloved fable from Æsop's timeless collection that teaches children about the importance of patience and self-control. When a hungry bear discovers honey hidden in a fallen log, his quick temper leads to painful consequences. This charming story shows young readers that reacting with anger often makes problems much worse, and that sometimes it's wiser to accept a small setback than to create a much bigger one through impulsive actions.
About Æsop
Æsop was a storyteller who lived in ancient Greece around 620-564 BCE. According to tradition, he was a slave who gained his freedom through his cleverness and wisdom. His fables—short stories featuring animals that behave like humans—have been translated into virtually every language and continue to teach moral lessons to children worldwide. Each fable ends with a clear moral that children can apply to their own lives.
The Moral of the Story
It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke a thousand by flying into a rage. This fable teaches children that when something small goes wrong, staying calm is much smarter than getting angry. The bear could have walked away after one bee sting, but his temper turned a small problem into a big disaster.
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The Bear & the Bees
The Bear and the Bees is a beloved fable from Æsop's timeless collection that teaches children about the importance of patience and self-control. When a hungry bear discovers honey hidden in a fallen log, his quick temper leads to painful consequences. This charming story shows young readers that reacting with anger often makes problems much worse, and that sometimes it's wiser to accept a small setback than to create a much bigger one through impulsive actions.
Origin of This Classic Fable
The Bear and the Bees comes from the ancient collection of Æsop's Fables, stories believed to have been told by a Greek storyteller named Æsop around 600 BCE. These fables have been passed down through generations because of their powerful moral lessons wrapped in simple animal stories. The tale of the bear and the bees specifically addresses the universal human tendency to overreact when hurt, showing through the bear's misfortune what happens when we let anger control our actions.
About Æsop
Æsop was a storyteller who lived in ancient Greece around 620-564 BCE. According to tradition, he was a slave who gained his freedom through his cleverness and wisdom. His fables—short stories featuring animals that behave like humans—have been translated into virtually every language and continue to teach moral lessons to children worldwide. Each fable ends with a clear moral that children can apply to their own lives.
The Moral of the Story
It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke a thousand by flying into a rage. This fable teaches children that when something small goes wrong, staying calm is much smarter than getting angry. The bear could have walked away after one bee sting, but his temper turned a small problem into a big disaster.
patience
self-control
wisdom
thinking before acting
Learning Activities
Engage children with these fun activities based on The Bear and the Bees:
🎨Draw a picture of the bear before and after he gets angry - how does his face change?
💬Role-play: Practice taking deep breaths when you feel frustrated
✨Discuss: What should the bear have done differently?
📝Create a puppet show retelling the story with a happier ending
Frequently Asked Questions
❓What is the moral of The Bear and the Bees?
The moral is that it's wiser to accept a small injury calmly than to make things worse by reacting with anger. Losing your temper often creates bigger problems.
❓What age is this story appropriate for?
This fable is perfect for children ages 4-8. Younger children will enjoy the animal characters, while older children can discuss the deeper meaning about managing emotions.
❓Why did the bees attack the bear?
The bees attacked the bear because he tried to destroy their home after being stung. They were protecting their hive and their honey from the angry intruder.
