Royal Jelly: A Short Story from Roald Dahl's 'Kiss Kiss'

by Roald Dahl

A brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail.In Royal Jelly, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here a husband and wife, unable to get their new baby to feed, hit upon a novel and disturbing solution . . .Royal Jelly is taken from the short story collection Kiss Kiss, which includes ten other devious and shocking stories, featuring the wife who pawns the mink coat from her lover with unexpected results; the priceless piece of furniture that is the subject of a deceitful bargain; a wronged woman taking revenge on her dead husband, and others.Roald Dahl, the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more classics for children, also wrote scores of short stories for adults. These delightfully disturbing tales have often been filmed and were most recently the inspiration for the West End play, Roald Dahl's Twisted Tales by Jeremy Dyson. Roald Dahl's stories continue to make readers shiver today.

Genres: Short Stories, Horror, Fiction, Classics

35 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Roald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.

Reviews

[Will Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you leave father home with the kid.

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We don't want our little queen to catch a cold."

[Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was reading this story, it reminded me that I had seen this story on tv many years back. I really enjoyed it and I liked how the writer tried to make you think about the end and how he makes you fantasize about the end. I give this a 5.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

این وقتی می‌خواسته دارک بنویسه خیلی دیگه دارکش می‌کرده.
یعنی توقع یه چیز کیوت و گوگولی راجع به نوزاد داری، بعد یهو این داستان رو تحویل میگیری.
حالا قسمت های کریپی چارلی‌ش به نظرم دیگه اون همه کریپی نیستن. (تو کتاب یکم دارک‌تر از فیلمش بود.)

[Bhawna Balchandani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is my favorite. Actually one of my favorites. I simply love the author and I can't digest the fact that he has CRAWLED all over me in this story. I couldn't give a hoot to where I was sitting while reading this because I was just taken aback with the creepy INFORMATION in the story and Dear God, I would never on Earth test this on my child EVER ! Eww :p

[consti · Rating 5 out of 5]

as someone who's massively afraid of bugs, this story terrified me.
the last paragraphs are so creepy, and they made my skin crawl from how deeply disturbed i was.

the way dahl turned us into Mrs. Taylor, with concern over the baby followed by happiness that she is now eating, then worry about the so called Royal Jelly, and finally the shock and horror at the reality of what the husband has become: all of these made the perfect horror short story.

i'm glad i jumped to dahl's work after my first experience with 'skin' during english class. absolutely amazing narrative.

[Elysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Zai Zai · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ode to all the products with no approved therapeutic claims lol

[Thomas Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Creepy. Unsettling. Just some of the words that sum up this amazing short story. It’s one of those texts that once you re-read it, after learning the twist at the end, you notice so many more details of foreshadowing, showing just how perfect this story is in its entirety. Read it. No other words needed.

[sana · Rating 3 out of 5]

i didn’t really enjoy this one as much as the other short stories i’ve been working my way through. i revisited this one after a few years and it achieves the goal of making the reader feel unsettled and creeped out, but i definitely felt that it dragged on too long. incredibly creative premise, but not quite up my alley.

[Karna · Rating 5 out of 5]

!

[sorin ♫ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ayo what

[Mayumi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estava sentindo falta desse Roald Dahl do bizarro. Os últimos que li não me tocaram em nada e foram definitivamente só contos lidos. Gostei como ele foi deixando as descrições físicas dos personagens pra depois de alguns acontecimentos para corroborar com as desconfianças que me foram surgindo. Continuo achando que o autor tem um pouco de misoginia nele -- suas personagens mulheres são muito estereotipadas, com uma única característica, nesse conto: super-protetora a ponto da histeria -- mas aqui a histeria poderia ser entendida como preocupação de mãe de primeira viagem, não fosse o contraponto das falas técnicas e sem emoção do marido, fazendo dele o racional e contido numa situação que merece o desespero em que a mulher se encontra. Dessa maneira, o pai também fica um personagem estereotipado, mas pro cientificismo. A ironia é que geleia real faz mal para bebês, mas aqui não faz mal, né, já que a bebê está virando uma abelha, como o pai. Esse conto me faz pensar naqueles pais que querem que seus filhos sejam espelhos deles mesmo, sigam seus passos, tintim por tintim.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of The Complete Short Stories: Volume One 1944-1953

* Royal Jelly - 2.5 stars - A beekeepers's 7-week-old baby daughter isn't thriving and her mother is exhausted. He tells her to go to bed and then puts royal jelly in the baby's bottles. The baby drinking the bottles are rapidly begins to gain weight. The child's mother isn't impressed at what her husband has been doing, and the baby begins to look very fat. Kinda dull.

[Samik Basu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A daughter is the apple of her father’s eye…..in this case “Queen” is more apt ….the story follows a couple struggling with the food disorder of their infant and the singular novel solution which the father finds. It also depicts dark, paranoia and obsessive behaviour and disregard for cause and effect

Dahl builds up the tension by putting at the forefront the distress of an infant, which will pull some parental strings and then presents a unique solution , of the macabre type . The twist is saved for the last bit by then the reader is already aware that something is amiss

Definitely a good read

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roald Dahl was one of my favorite authors as an elementary and middle school student - The Witches, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, and The Twits - so this short horror story was a thrill to pick up after so many years.
The premise: Albert and Mabel Taylor are newborn parents and are frightened that their child will not eat. At six weeks old, she is losing more weight than she had when she was born. However, Albert reads up on his beekeeping magazines and discovers he may have the answer to feed their baby.
My rating: 5/5

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in one of Hitchcock's compilations. I honestly can't remember much about this one. Giving it the benefit of the doubt and giving it three stars. Seems fair enough. At the end of the day, it's just another rating towards my account.

[Heleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny story that I read in preparation of an escape room which was based on this.
I love how Dahl incorporated "normal" English language to elaborate his bee-related story.
Short story, so a quick read. But a bit of a strange story in which you can see the "reveal" at the end a mile coming.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fly in the form of a baby. This story creeped me out on so many levels. Great read.

[Simon Gianoutsos · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay for a super short story. It's very light, drags on a bit and simplistic.

[Petra Hermans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hhmmm. I have never read a story, as it seems all the way very funny!

[itchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

25october2019

read as part of the collection kiss kiss.

[Dom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but a bit repetitive which isn't needed in a 'short' story

[Anita]

What the hell even was this story.

[Frankie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story about the darker side of human nature.
Really makes you think.

[Tracey Pearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow Roald Dahl did have some imigination, I remember this being a tales of unexpected episode which my friend kirsty loved.

[Mile Millseron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It bit long for a short story and the ending is very predictable. But, overall, a fun read.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Delia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just learned bees are capitalists.

[Nayelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT