Killer Bees and Common Sense

Once upon a time a scorpion stung an innocent fawn and did great harm. The grieving and angry forest animals gathered to plan and retaliate. The bear, forest leader at the time, led the discussion as a recognized expert on strength and stings. While the animals met, the bear, in an act of decisiveness, quickly destroyed a hornet nest in the outer forest where the scorpion (according to the rat) was said to dwell.

Soon afterwards, the bear reported a large honeybee hive to the forest animals. The beehive (he said cleverly) could sting thousands of times more than the scorpion and had (according to the rat) been allied with the scorpion for some time. The beehive appeared strong and aggressive, but could not begin to match the might of the bear. The bear seemed very sincere when he announced that he would knock the hive over and build it anew to keep the forest safe from future stings. The skunks, rats and snakes agreed that future honey sales would pay for any costs.

Given the anger about the scorpion, the fear of more stings, and the greed for honey, most animals did not question the attack, other than a few doves, some rabbits, and a wise old owl. The owl spoke of consequences and history, as well as the differences between scorpions and honeybees. The skunks, snakes, and rats questioned the owls loyalty to the forest and quickly shouted him down.

So, the bear knocked the beehive over and killed and scattered thousands of honeybees, and awoke a bunch of neighboring bumblebees and yellow jackets, all caught up in the messy confusing fight. The honey became ruined in the fracas, unsuitable for market, although many rats, skunks and snakes fed very well amongst the chaos. The forest animals suffered many stings. The bees, many homeless and hopeless, defended their home territory and kept stinging in spite of their terrible losses. Many of the rats moved elsewhere to avoid criticism and grow fat from the spoil, leaving the bear holding the bag.

Later, the rats, skunks and snakes found a larger beehive and began agitating the animals to attack again, lest they be stung even more. The scorpion hid under a rock and never did get his just deserts. The owl hopes to lead the forest some day and get the animals out of bee killing and beekeeping all together.