Fable
The Bees, Wasps, & the Hornet
A store of honey had been found in a hollow
tree, and the Wasps declared positively that it belonged to them. The Bees were
just as sure that the treasure was theirs. The argument grew very pointed, and
it looked as if the affair could not be settled without a battle, when at last,
with much good sense, they agreed to let a judge decide the matter. So, they
brought the case before the Hornet, justice of the peace in that part of the
woods.
When
the Judge called the case, witnesses declared that they had seen certain winged
creatures in the neighborhood of the hollow tree, who hummed loudly, and whose
bodies were striped, yellow and black, like Bees.
Counsel
for the Wasps immediately insisted that this description fitted his clients
exactly.
Such
evidence did not help Judge Hornet to any decision, so he adjourned court for
six weeks to give him time to think it over. When the case came up again, both
sides had a large number of witnesses. An Ant was first to take the stand, and
was about to be cross-examined, when a wise old Bee addressed the Court.
"Your
honor," he said, "the case has now been pending for six weeks. If it
is not decided soon, the honey will not be fit for anything. I move that the
Bees and the Wasps be both instructed to build a honey comb. Then we shall soon
see to whom the honey really belongs."
The
Wasps protested loudly. Wise Judge Hornet quickly understood why they did so:
They knew they could not build a honey comb and fill it with honey.
"It
is clear," said the Judge, "who made the comb and who could not have
made it. The honey belongs to the Bees."
Moral
- Ability proves itself by deeds.
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