The little rap on jealousy.

In the hollow heart of a fallen tree Lived a jealous Beetle who stewed silently. He stayed mostly alone, but was keen to observe, Though others' affection would rattle his nerve. He was rigid and strong, with a jaw clenched tight, And narrow eyes that darted left and right. He'd shrink back and note every flutter and cheer, Afraid there'd be none left for him to hear.

One busy spring morning, as the sun started glowing, He felt a sharp pang, without even knowing. A determined young Bee buzzed into his view, Zipping through blossoms, the sky bright and blue. "I wish I could fly," Beetle muttered alone, "Instead I sit stuck on this old, rotting throne." Bee spun and she looped in the shimmer of day, While Beetle stayed hidden and grumbled, "No way." "She has it so easy," he said with a glare, "While I get ignored, like I'm not even there. They cheer when she passes, they shout and they clap, But no one looks twice at a bug in the gap." He kicked at the ground, his belly all tight, His shell felt too heavy, his head not quite right.

Just at that moment, like sun through the shade, A Confident Panda came to Beetle's aid. "Hey there," said Panda, with kindness and care, "Are you okay? You seem bothered down there." "It's Bee," said the Beetle. "She's better than me. She soars through the sky, I crawl under debris." Panda asked, "Do you think how you feel comes from fear? Does it point to a dream or someone you hold dear? Jealousy can spin you a great tale of loss, Of things you might miss when you're not the boss." Beetle pondered these words and shifted his weight. What Panda had said was quite hard to debate.

He turned and trudged back home, deep in thought, When a shriek from above rang out loud and distraught. The rain had begun, and Bee's wings were soaked through, She spiraled down low, there was nothing to do. She crashed through the brambles with vines in her way, Tangled and stuck in a web of dismay. Determined Bee struggled, unsure what to do, Then Beetle called out, "Don't worry, I've got you! I have a hard shell, these thorns won't make me bleed, Climb on my back, I'm just what you need. I'll carry you through till we both reach the light, Then dry off your wings and make sure you're alright!"

He'd envied those wings, he admitted, chagrined, But now he saw clearly, they could also make wind! So once free of the bush, he found a dry cave, Then called to the birds with a confident wave, "Parrot! Sparrow! Duck! Let's make her a breeze! Bee's wet and shivering, we can help her, please!" All three birds flapped their wings with great care, Drying poor Bee with warm gusts of air. Bee gave a small smile and fluttered once more, Her wings now felt stronger than ever before. And Beetle felt proud of how much he had grown, In seeing their gifts, he discovered his own. Jealousy's tricky, it can cloud what you see, And hide just how brilliant YOU might be!