A big dog is afraid of bees. He does not wish to associate with them. The small bees frighten him, although he is so big and so strong. This is what makes the story funny as the dog seems so strong, but wants to be strong by tiny insects. The other animals try to help him. One of them tells how to confront fear. The idea is simple. The dog ought to remain close to the thing that frightens him. In case he does this gradually, the fear can be reduced. The dog listens and still he knows nothing. His expression indicates that he does not entirely believe in the plan.
Big Dog and Bees
Next some other animal tells us that he is afraid of something. He is afraid of big piles of food scraps. This is a weird thing to the rest. They are not kind with his fear. They swiftly dismiss him and send him off. This section demonstrates that not all fears receive equal reverence. What one regards as a big fear might be seen as a stupid fear by another. Then the group goes back to assisting the large dog. They challenge him to attempt. They make him get nearer to a bee on a flower. The dog is frightened, yet he makes an attempt. He moves slowly. Things, however, are not so bad to start with. He starts to feel somewhat more relaxed. He believes that he might be able to cope with it.
The bee nears nearer and nearer to the dog. This is the high role of the story. The bee is a small animal but to him it is a giant. It is a dog which is doing its best to remain courageous. The other spectators are cheering him on. In a moment there is an illusion that the plan could work. Then the bee lands on his nose. And soon it all changes. Fear, full upon the dog comes back to him. His soothing emotion is lost. His mind cannot think as fast as his body reacts. He scampers away as quick as he can. He is so fast that the other people could hardly figure out what has happened.
Its subject matter is funny at the culmination as the gigantic dog turns into a lightning bolt of action. He is not dawdling and wary any more. It is fear that enables him to fly. He does not go around the fence, but across it. The others stand firm and puzzled with a look of surprise. They discuss how quickly he moves, and why he constantly busts through the fence. The message is clear in this light, and silly story. Addressing the fear is not easy, yet it may assist. A human being or even an animal can be courageous at a certain time and still lose their head when the emphasis of the fear becomes too near. Fear is powerful. It is able to get even the most powerful beast to do something without thinking.
Another lesson in the story is that friends can have good intentions, but they might not know very well what it is like to be afraid. They may be able to offer guidance, but they are not the ones to deal with the bee. It is up to the dog to confront it. His fear is very real. After all the story is one of trying, failing and having a comeback in an amusing manner. The dog does put effort in it and it counts. He is frightened, and he comes nearer. Although he elopes, he has made a little step. The narrative brings to mind the fact that courage is not always a perfect sight. Other times bravery appears jittering, trembling and like to fly over a fence.
