One bright, sunny morning, in a meadow bursting with colorful flowers, lived a little bee. She wasn't just any bee. Oh no! She was a master honey-maker. Her honey was so golden, so sweet, it sparkled like sunshine in a jar.

"This honey is too good to keep to myself!" she buzzed proudly. "I must share this with Zeus, the king of all the gods!"

So, she carefully filled her tiniest, prettiest pot with her best honey and flew up, up, up, past the fluffy clouds, all the way to Mount Olympus.

Zeus was sitting on his big, cloudy throne, looking very important. The little bee, a bit nervous but very brave, buzzed, "Oh, mighty Zeus, I’ve brought you a gift!" She presented her pot of sparkling honey.

Zeus smiled. He loved sweet treats. He dipped a giant finger into the pot. "Mmm!" he boomed, his voice like gentle thunder. "This is the most wonderful honey I have ever tasted! Little bee, for this delightful gift, I will grant you one wish. Anything you desire!"

The little bee thought hard. She loved her honey, but sometimes, big humans would come and take it all, and she felt quite helpless. "Great Zeus," she said, her tiny voice trembling a bit, "I wish for a weapon, a tiny, sharp sting, so I can protect my precious honey from anyone who tries to steal it!"

Zeus’s smile faded a little. He didn’t like wishes that were meant to harm others. "A sting, you say?" he rumbled thoughtfully. "Very well. You shall have your sting. But know this: if you use it to hurt someone, you will give up your own life in that very same moment."

The little bee was surprised. She had her sting, yes, but now she had to be very, very careful about when she used it. She thanked Zeus and flew back down to her meadow, buzzing thoughtfully.

And that’s why, even today, when a bee stings, it’s a very big deal for the bee, because she knows it will be her last act. She learned that sometimes, what we wish for can come with a big surprise.

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