Beetle (3 page)

A few hours later, Beetle bowed low before the queen. He felt very content after a fine breakfast and a stroll in the royal gardens.

The queen gazed at him with her cruel eyes.

“Well?” she demanded. “Where is my golden ring?”

Beetle closed his eyes for a minute. “Your Majesty,” he said at last, “you will find your ring under the apple tree in the royal gardens.”

“It had better be there,” said the queen, stomping down the stairs.

The queen went straight to the apple tree and looked among the fallen leaves. Sure enough, there was her missing ring.

“You have done well,” she said to Beetle. “I am most pleased.”

Beetle bowed low and started towards the castle gates, sure that he would never return.

But the queen had not yet finished with him.

“Wait!” she cried. “I have one last test for you.”

Beetle’s skinny legs knocked together. His small head shone with sweat.

“What is it?” he croaked.

Turning her back, the queen plucked something from the ground and hid it in her hand.

“Tell me,” she said to Beetle, “what am I hiding in my hand?”

Beetle gasped. This was the end of him. He had no way of knowing what the queen was holding.

“Well?” said the queen frostily.

Beetle sank to his knees. “Ah, Beetle,” he said sadly, “you have been caught for sure.” Hearing this, the queen smiled and opened her hand. A small brown beetle stretched its wings and flew away.

“Well done,” said the queen, “you have passed the test.”

Beetle hurried away before the queen could give him any more tests. He was very happy to return safely to his own village. There he lived a quiet life for the rest of his days, and never again did he pretend to have special powers.