Chapter 7
The Beetle Who Went on His TravelsTHERE was once an Emperor who had a horse shod with gold.
He had a golden shoe on each foot, and why was this? He was a
beautiful creature, with slender legs, bright, intelligent eyes,
and a mane that hung down over his neck like a veil. He had carried
his master through fire and smoke in the battle-field, with the
bullets whistling round him; he had kicked and bitten, and taken
part in the fight, when the enemy advanced; and, with his master on
his back, he had dashed over the fallen foe, and saved the golden
crown and the Emperor's life, which was of more value than the
brightest gold. This is the reason of the Emperor's horse wearing
golden shoes.
A beetle came creeping forth from the stable, where the
farrier had been shoeing the
