Sting Like A Bee
Bees have existed for perhaps 130
million years. An estimated 65 million years ago some of them survived the meteor that struck earth, caused global temperatures to drop and brought the extinction
of larger mammals. Some of those bees had already evolved a social lifestyle,
like Apis mellifera Linnaeus, the western Honeybee. Along with hive mentality
they also evolved a way to defend themselves, a sting. We, the descendants of
smaller mammals who also survived destruction, are dependent for sustenance on
pollinating bees.
My monotype print “Sting Like a Bee” depicts one of Aesop’s
teaching fables that present flora and fauna as characters with human
fallibilities. The Queen of the Bees could bear it no longer. Humans were
forever plundering her hives of honey, so she decided to petition Zeus for
justice and a means of defense. She gathered the sweetest of her honeycombs and
made her way to the very top of Mt. Olympus to present it to God Zeus. He was
delighted by the bee's offering and asked what wish he might grant her in
acknowledgment of the gift? The Queen Bee replied, “Bestow upon your servant a
mortal sting so that I may defend the fruits of my labor and punish those who
attack me.” Zeus really liked the honey but he had great affection for humans
and was angered by the dark nature of her wish. He therefore said that he would
give her the power to protect her honey, but she must be careful how she used
the power, for where she planted her sting she would leave it, and with it lose
her life.
The fable teaches that when we wish harm or do harm to others, we pay
a price and ultimately will bring harm to ourselves.
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