"Bee" - Tang Dynasty: Luo Yin
Whether it is on the flat land or on the top of the mountain, the infinite scenery is occupied. ?
After harvesting the honey from hundreds of flowers, for whom is it hard work and for whom is it sweet?
Translation Whether on the flat land or on the mountain peaks, the beautiful scenery is occupied by bees. Bee, you collect all the flowers and turn them into nectar. Who do you work hard for, and who do you want to taste the sweetness?
Extended information
1. The creative background of "Bee"
In the 13th year of Dazhong (859 AD), Di Luo hid in the capital to take the Jinshi examination. There is no place in the calendar for seven years. The author was disheartened, and later became angry when he saw the contrast between the people working hard in the fields and some court officials getting something for nothing. This may be the reason why Luo Yin wrote the song "Bee", which is a satirical poem about those who get something for nothing.
2. Appreciation of "Bee"
Bees and butterflies have become symbols of charm in the poet's writings. However, bees are different from butterflies after all. They work hard all their lives to make honey, accumulating a lot but enjoying little. The poet Luo Yin focused on this point and wrote such a profound poem "Animal Story". The meaning alone is refreshing.
This poem captures the characteristics of bees. It is not artificial, sculptural, or rhetorical. It is plain but thoughtful, so that readers can understand something from this "animal story" and feel that it is A sentiment about life. Some people say that this poem is actually a lament for people in the world who work hard for profit; others think that it uses bees to praise hard workers and ruthlessly satirizes those exploiters who get something for nothing.