The Tiger and The Bee, a Fable

Once upon a time, in a garden rich and green, lived a very busy bee. All day long she went from flower to flower, pansy, petunia, daisy, morning glory, rose, lily and sunflower, gathering food for her hive. She was buzzing around, hardly having time to notice the beautiful blue sky, to rest her weary body and soak up some of that delicious sunshine. Then , one day, very quietly and unexpectedly, this tiger with big green eyes and a luxurious grin, came wandering into the bee's garden, from the forest in the back. The bee was so busy, she did not notice the big tiger at first. The birds were trying to tell her, the chickadees, the sparrows, the swallows, the mourning doves, but the bee was too preoccupied to see. The tiger now, he found a cozy place in the shade, and had a bird tickle his belly. He was the sort of tiger that was really relaxed. I guess he was on vacation from all his responsibilities in a far away jungle. Finally, one day, as the tiger was letting out a frightfully loud, but friendly roar, the bee took notice that something was different in her garden. She flew over to the tiger, but he did not bother with her, and swatted at her, like she was some pesky fly. The bee hid behind a bush, and took a good look at this visitor. He sure was big, and he had a goofy grin, but he also looked very strong and handsome in his magnificent stripes and fur. The bee decided she would see if maybe the tiger was interested in being friends, as she realized she had not taken any time off from her constant chores. The tiger seemed agreeable to the idea. "Sure," he said with a yawn, we have something in common, we both have stripes. Have a seat, take a load off, you look awfully tired." So the bee sat down and rested her aching back and wings. She looked around the garden, and noticed how beautiful it was. She noticed all the birds, the blue sky, she felt the sun tickle her tired face. It felt good, she decided. That night, the tiger and the bee had a marshmallow roast for all the other bees, and they also invited all the birds, even some raccoons and opossum. Every one had a marvelous time. The bee went back to work the next day, but she took every Wednesday off from then on, and hung out with the tiger, who it turned out appreciated her company as the bee was very knowledgeable about poetry and the tiger lover her reciting to him. So, even though they were so very different, the tiger and the bee became very good friends. He took care not to sit on her, and she made sure not to sting him accidentally. Sometimes, the oddest of friends, can be the best of friends, and things are not always as weird as they at first may seem. Kind of like you, and me.