The Eagle and the Beetle
A Bug once asked the Eagle to spare a Bunny that had run to her for protection. But the Eagle pounced upon her prey, the sweep of her big wings tumbling the Bug a dozen feet away.
Furious at the disrespect shown her, the Bug flew to the Eagle’s nest and rolled out the eggs. Not one did she spare.
The Eagle’s grief and anger knew no bounds, but who had done the cruel deed she did not know.
Next year the Eagle built her nest far up on a mountain crag, but the Bug found it and again destroyed the eggs.
In despair, the Eagle now implored great Jupiter to let her place her eggs in his lap.
There none would dare harm them. But the Bug buzzed about Jupiter’s head and made him rise to drive her away, and the eggs rolled from his lap.
Now the Bug told the reason for her action, and Jupiter had to acknowledge the justice of her cause.
And they say that ever after, while the Eagle’s eggs lie in the nest in spring, the Bug still sleeps in the ground. For so Jupiter commanded.
Moral of the story
Even the smallest can be strong: Don’t underestimate the power of the weak.
Stand up for justice: Sometimes, it’s important to speak up against what’s wrong.
Questions for the children
- Why do you think the Bug wanted to protect the Bunny?
- What lesson did Jupiter teach the Eagle and the Bug?
Post Note: This story is based on Aesop’s fable, written around 600 BC. In this retelling, we’ve used simpler words to make the story easier for young readers to understand.
