 On this album, the song followed the routine called "Fish Licence" in which Mr Eric Praline, played by Cleese, tried to obtain a pet licence for an halibut and numerous other pets all named Eric, much to the chagrin of the licence office worker (Michael Palin).One such pet is half a bee.The song relates the tale of the half-a-bee, having been "bisected accidentally" by his owner one summer's afternoon.