The Queen Bee: Grimm's Fairy Tales for Kids
The Story of "The Queen Bee"
Once upon a time two Princes started off in search of adventure, and, falling into a wild, free mode of life, did not come home again.
The third Brother, who was called the Blockhead, set out to look for the other two. But when at last he found them, they mocked him for thinking of making his way in the world with his simplicity, while they, who were so much cleverer, could not get on.
They all three went on together till they came to an ant-heap. The two elder Princes wanted to disturb it, to see how the little ants crept away, carrying their eggs.
But the Blockhead said: ‘Leave the little creatures alone; I will not allow you to disturb them.’
Then they went on further till they came to a lake, in which a great many ducks were swimming about. The two wanted to catch and roast a pair.
But the Blockhead would not allow it, and said: ‘Leave the creatures alone. You shall not kill them.’
At last they came to a bee’s nest, containing such a quantity of honey that it flowed round the trunk of the tree.
The two Princes wanted to set fire to the tree, and suffocate the bees, so as to remove the honey.
But the Blockhead stopped them again, and said: ‘Leave the creatures alone. I will not let you burn them.’
At last the three Brothers came to a castle, where the stables were full of stone horses, but not a soul was to be seen. They went through all the rooms till they came to a door quite at the end, fastened with three bolts. In the middle of the door was a lattice, through which one could see into the room.
There they saw a little grey Man sitting at a table. They called to him once—twice—but he did not hear them. Finally, when they had called him the third time, he stood up and opened the door, and came out. He said not a word, but led them to a richly-spread table, and when they had eaten and drunk, he took them each to a bedroom.
The next morning the little grey Man came to the eldest Prince, beckoned, and led him to a stone tablet whereon were inscribed three tasks by means of which the castle should be freed from enchantment.
This was the first task: In the wood, under the moss, lay the Princesses’ pearls, a thousand in number. These had all to be found, and if at sunset a single one were missing, the seeker was turned to stone.
The eldest went away, and searched all day, but when evening came, he had only found the first hundred, and it happened as the inscription foretold. He was turned to stone.
The next day the second Brother undertook the quest; but he fared no better than the first, for he only found two hundred pearls, and he too was turned to stone.
At last came the Blockhead’s turn; he searched in the moss, but the pearls were hard to find, and he got on but slowly.
Then he sat down on a rock and cried, and as he was sitting there, the Ant-King, whose life he had saved, came up with five thousand ants, and it was not long before the little creatures had found all the pearls and laid them in a heap.
Now the second task was to get the key of the Princesses’ room out of the lake.
When the Blockhead came to the lake, the ducks he had once saved, swam up, dived, and brought up the key from the depths.
But the third task was the hardest. The Prince had to find out which was the youngest and most charming of the Princesses while they were asleep.
They were exactly alike, and could not be distinguished in any way, except that before going to sleep each had eaten a different kind of sweet. The eldest a piece of sugar, the second a little syrup, and the third a spoonful of honey.
Then the Queen of the Bees, whom the Blockhead had saved from burning, came and tried the lips of all three. Finally, she settled on the mouth of the one who had eaten the honey, and so the Prince recognised the right one.
Then the charm was broken and everything in the castle was set free, and those who had been turned to stone took human form again.
And the Blockhead married the youngest and sweetest Princess, and became King after her father’s death, while his two Brothers married the other sisters.
The Story of "The Queen Bee"
- Grimm's Fairy Tales -
Moral Lessons from "The Queen Bee" by the Brothers Grimm: A Tale of Kindness, Humility, and the Power of Compassion
The Brothers Grimm fairy tale "The Queen Bee" is more than an adventurous journey of three brothers. It’s a narrative with rich moral insights that remind readers of the importance of empathy, respect for nature, and the value of kindness to those who are weaker or less powerful. Through the character of the youngest brother, known as “the Blockhead,” the story promotes the significance of kindness, humility, and patience, even when others may view them as signs of weakness.
Let’s delve deeper into the primary moral lessons conveyed in The Queen Bee.
1. Kindness is a Strength, Not a Weakness
The youngest brother, nicknamed the “Blockhead” by his elder siblings, embodies simplicity and kindness. While his brothers mock him and show their superiority by trying to harm the ants, ducks, and bees they encounter, the Blockhead steps in to protect them. This compassion becomes crucial when he later faces challenges that can only be solved with the help of these animals.
In "The Queen Bee," kindness toward others, including animals and creatures often overlooked or dismissed, builds connections and allies in life. Being compassionate, even when others see it as naive or unimportant, is a strength that can lead to unexpected rewards.
2. Respecting Nature Yields Rewards in the Story of "The Queen Bee"
In the story, the Blockhead respects the ants, ducks, and bees, refusing to harm them as his brothers wish. In return, these animals come to his aid during the three daunting tasks that no one could complete alone. This teaches readers the value of respecting all life, as every creature has a role and a purpose.
"The Queen Bee" encourages us to approach the natural world with reverence, reminding us that living in harmony with nature benefits us all. When we respect and care for the environment, it will sustain and support us in unexpected ways.
3. Humility Overcomes Arrogance
The older brothers are quick to act arrogantly, convinced that their cleverness and superiority entitle them to success. However, they ultimately fail in the tasks due to their pride. In contrast, the Blockhead’s humility allows him to be open to help from others, even small creatures that his brothers dismissed. His modest nature enables him to form alliances that prove essential to his success.
Humility opens doors that arrogance keeps shut. By staying humble, we can find allies and solutions in places where prideful attitudes might overlook them. "The Queen Bee" suggests that humility isn’t just a virtue; it’s a source of strength.
4. Patience and Perseverance are Essential in "The Queen Bee"
The Blockhead’s journey teaches the importance of patience and perseverance. He’s determined to save the princesses and end the enchantment, even when his brothers have failed. Despite initial difficulties, he doesn’t give up, showing resilience that eventually leads to his success.
Challenges require persistence, and patience often brings results where immediate force or arrogance fails. By patiently working toward goals and seeking help when needed, we can achieve even what appears impossible at first.
5. True Value Lies Beyond Appearances
"The Queen Bee" shows that worth isn’t always tied to appearances or intelligence alone. While his brothers see him as “simple” and mock him for it, the Blockhead’s empathy and modesty reveal his true value. His seemingly naive qualities become assets, and he proves more resourceful and successful than his “clever” brothers.
The world often values appearances, but this story reminds us that what truly matters are qualities of heart and character, like kindness, humility, and courage. Judging by appearances or cleverness alone can blind us to a person's real potential.
6. Collaboration and Community in "The Queen Bee" Over Individualism
The animals and the Blockhead’s success show that no one achieves greatness alone. The ants, ducks, and bees each play vital roles in helping him complete his tasks. Together, they achieve what no one could accomplish independently.
Working together, especially with an open heart, creates a power greater than what any individual could muster. This fairy tale encourages embracing collaboration and community over self-centered approaches.
Final Thoughts
"The Queen Bee" by the Brothers Grimm is a powerful reminder that empathy and humility often lead to triumphs where strength or cleverness alone fall short. In a world where quick judgment and self-interest are common, the story inspires us to approach others with kindness, respect nature, and value everyone’s unique contributions. The youngest brother's success serves as an encouragement to uphold kindness, patience, and humility, even when they’re undervalued by others.
Through this timeless tale, "The Queen Bee" encourages readers to look beyond the surface, embrace compassion, and understand that success often comes from respecting and working harmoniously with the world around us.
