Once upon a time, an ant was passing by, carrying grains of wheat. It came near a beehive. The smell of honey made its mouth water, but the hive was placed high on a rocky ledge, and no matter how hard the ant tried to climb up to reach it, it couldn’t. Its hands and feet slipped, and it fell. The desire for honey made it cry out, “Oh people, I want honey! If a brave young man is found to bring me to the beehive, I’ll reward him with a grain.”
A winged ant was flying in the air. It heard the ant’s voice and said to it, “Don’t go there… the beehive is very dangerous!” The ant replied, “Never mind, I know what to do!” The winged ant said, “There’s a bee’s sting there.” The ant said, “I’m not afraid of the bee, I want honey.” The winged ant warned, “Honey is sticky, it’ll trap your hands and feet.” The ant said, “If it traps me, then nobody will eat honey!” The winged ant said, “You know it yourself, but listen to me and give up this desire. I’m experienced, I’ve been through seasons, I’m telling you going to the hive will cost you dearly and may land you in trouble.” The ant replied defiantly, “I don’t need your advice. If you can take your reward and bring me, fine. If not, don’t interfere. I don’t like someone advising me.” The winged ant said, “Someone might come and bring you there, but I won’t assist in something with a bad outcome.” The ant retorted, “Then don’t tire yourself in vain. I’ll go to the hive at any cost today.” The winged ant left, and the ant called again, “I want a young man to bring me to the beehive, and I’ll reward him with a grain.” A fly came forward and said, “Poor ant! You want honey, and you deserve it. I’ll fulfill your wish.” The ant cheered, “Great! May God give you a long life. They say you’re a benevolent creature!” The fly lifted the ant from the ground and placed it at the edge of the hive and left. The ant was very happy, saying, “Wow, what luck! What a hive, what a smell, what honey, what a taste! Happiness couldn’t be greater than this. How unfortunate are the ants who collect grains and never come to the beehive!” The ant tasted some honey from here and there and kept going until it reached the middle of the honey pot. At one point, it found its hands and feet stuck in the honey and couldn’t move anymore…
No matter how hard it tried to save itself, it was futile. Then it cried out, “What a mess I’m in! Misery couldn’t be worse. Oh people, save me. If a young man is found to bring me out of this hive, I’ll reward him with two grains!”
The winged ant was returning from its journey. It felt sorry for the ant and rescued it, saying, “I don’t want to blame you, but excessive desires lead to trouble… This time, your luck was good because I arrived, but beware not to listen to the fly before you get into trouble again. The fly doesn’t sympathize with you and can’t be your kind friend…”
