The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE FLY AND THE BEE

ONE SPRING MORNING IN AN ORCHARD, A BEE WAS SITTING
ON A FLOWER. A FLY SAW HER GATHERING THE NECTAR AND
SAID: "DON'T YOU TIRE OF WORKING EVERY DAY FROM
MORNING TO NIGHT? I WOULDN'T TRADE PLACES WITH YOU,
I COULDN'T TAKE IT FOR A DAY. MY LIFE IS HEAVENLY.
I FLY AROUND AMONGST THE GUESTS AT BALLS, WEDDINGS,
AND BIRTHDAYS. I'M ALWAYS THE FIRST ONE THERE. I EAT
FROM RICH MEN'S PLATES; I DRINK SWEET WINE FROM
CRYSTAL GLASSES; I TAKE WHATEVER I FANCY. I CAN
EVEN BE FOUND AT THE KING'S TABLE."
THE BEE REPLIED: "I KNOW ALL OF THAT BUT I HEAR THAT
NOBODY LIKES YOU. WHEN YOU SHOW UP IN A HOME, THEY
CHASE YOU OUT IN SHAME!"
THE FLY SAID: "CHASE ME OUT, SO WHAT? IF THEY CHASE
ME OUT ONE WINDOW, I SIMPLY FLY IN THE NEXT!"

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS IN RUSSIA. IT IS A RUSSIA
A RHYME WHEN TOLD IN RUSSIAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RUSSIA ; Farmington Hills