Chinese Poems 古诗词 The Bee

The Bee

Introducion:

Through describing the honeybee collecting nectar and making it into honey, the poet asserts that hard work is the only source of great happiness and celebrates the noble, selfless dedication by countless labourers.   

 

Text:

Fēng

蜂

罗隐(唐)

 

Bú lùn píng dì yǔ shān jiān，wú xiàn fēng guāng jìn bèi zhàn。

不 论  平   地 与 山   尖 ， 无  限   风     光     尽  被  占   。

Cǎi dé bǎi huā chéng mì hòu ， wéi shuí xīn kǔ wéi shuí tián？

采  得 百  花     成     蜜 后  ， 为  谁    辛  苦 为   谁   甜 ？

 

The Bee

Luo Yin (Tang)

 

O'er plains and hills flutters the bee,

All the fairest landscapes their retreat,

From flower to flower they gather honey sweet.

Oh, for whose enjoyment thus toils the bee?

 

Comment:

Through describing the honeybee collecting nectar and making it into honey, the poet asserts that hard work is the only source of great happiness and celebrates the noble, selfless dedication by countless labourers. In order to collect nectar, the bee defies difficulty and danger flying all over the plains and hills, and at the same time drinks in the beautiful scenery of the land adorned with millions of colorful flowers in bloom. Work is undoubtedly tiring but productive as well, especially after one achieves success. At the end of the poem the author advances the question "Oh, for whose enjoyment thus toils the bee" and provides some food for thought. The question is seemingly asked of the bee but actually of all members in society at large. Certainly we have different answers to it, but there is no denying that a piece of work, once accomplished and recognized, gains its social value. Similarly the work done by the bee is appreciated, and hence valuable.