The 'fly in the ointment' in a short story often represents a small but significant flaw or problem. It could be a character trait that causes issues, like a hero's over - confidence. This element adds realism and conflict to the story.
There could be a protagonist who is preoccupied with the fly. This character could be someone going through a period of boredom or self - reflection. The fly then becomes an object of their attention, and through their interaction with it, we learn about their character traits, like whether they are cruel, indifferent, or empathetic.
Well, it could be about power dynamics. Maybe the way the characters interact with the fly shows how they exert power over the small and vulnerable, which reflects on power relations in human society. In the story, the actions towards the fly can be seen as a microcosm of how power is used and misused in broader contexts.
The 'fly in the ointment' short story could be about a situation where there is an otherwise good or positive thing, but there is one small problem or drawback that spoils it a bit. For example, a character might be having a great day at a new job, but there is one annoying coworker (the fly in the ointment) who keeps getting in the way.
The 'Fly Away Home' short story might be about a journey or a longing for home. It could involve a character who is trying to find their way back to a place they consider home, perhaps facing various obstacles along the way.
The moral could be not to be easily deceived by flattery. The spider in the story uses sweet words to lure the fly into its web. It shows that we should be cautious when others are overly flattering us.
It could be about a small but significant problem or flaw within a seemingly good situation. Maybe it's about a character who has almost achieved their dream but then a minor thing, like the 'fly in the ointment', comes along to disrupt it.
Since I don't know the specific 'fly in the ointment short story', I can't say for sure. But it could be the person who discovers the 'fly in the ointment' and the one who is causing it. For example, in a story about a business deal, it might be the investor (the one who discovers the problem) and the unethical partner (the cause of the problem).
The moral of 'the bald man and the fly' short story could be related to self - control. The bald man loses his self - control because of a tiny fly. His actions in trying to get rid of the fly without thinking rationally end up causing him pain. This story can teach us that we should be in control of our emotions and actions, especially when faced with minor irritants. If we don't, we might end up in a worse situation than we started, just like the bald man who hurt himself while trying to swat a fly.