Читать книгу A Little Wisdom for Growing Up, Second and Expanded Edition - John C. Morgan - Страница 10

The wasp was one very proud insect. He knew that even the threat of a sting from him made humans race away. “Such power, such power,” he said to himself as he looked for more humans to scare.

It only took a moment for him to spot a family on a picnic. He went into attack mode, diving toward a child and making her run away. “No one can stand up to me,” he laughed to himself with a very wasp-like chuckle that sounded very much like a whizzing noise.

He decided to move in closer to strike terror in the other humans, when he came upon a bee.

“I hope you are not planning to scare these humans away,” the wasp said, “because I am louder and more dangerous than you.”

“No,” responded the smaller bee, “I could sting them, but I choose not to do so. There are other ways to make yourself known.”

“And what gets more attention than my loud buzzing?” asked the wasp.

“Well, it is true you get their attention,” responded the bee, “but if you look around, you will see all the family have left—which surely must make you feel lonely, not just powerful.”

The wasp thought for a moment and then said, “Well, at least I get their attention, which more than I can say for you.”

“But you miss my point,” said the bee. “I am the insect who gives them honey, so they remember me for a long time after I leave.”

So saying, the bee fled to his hive, leaving the wasp wondering why he suddenly felt so lonely.

Moral: You can keep the attention of others much longer with honey than with a sting.