Why did you sting me, she cried.

I had no choice, said the bee, dying at her foot.
The wind blew me against you, and it is my nature to sting.

The god drew the stinger out of her heel.

You are a god, said the bee.
If you give me back my stinger, I will not die.

But you will sting me again.

It is my nature, shrugged the bee.

The god placed the stinger on one leaf, the bee on another,
and set them afloat on the surface of the pool.

Why are you doing this? asked the bee.

The wind decided before, said the god. Let it decide again.