The Sacred Beetle 



to follow the incline ; the insect, however, for 

 reasons best known to itself, prefers to cut 

 across this natural road, a bold project which 

 may be brought to naught by a false step 

 or by a grain of sand which disturbs the 

 balance of the load. The false step is made : 

 down goes the ball to the bottom of the 

 valley; and the insect, toppled over by the 

 shock, is lying on its back, kicking. It is 

 soon up again and hastens to harness itself 

 once more to its load. The machine works 

 better than ever. But look out, you dunder- 

 head! Follow the dip of the valley: that 

 will save labour and mishaps; the road is 

 good and level; your ball will roll quite 

 easily. Not a bit of it! The Beetle pre- 

 pares once again to mount the slope that has 

 already been his undoing. Perhaps it suits 

 him to return to the heights. Against that 

 I have nothing to say: the Scarab's judgment 

 Is better than mine as to the advisability of 

 keeping to lofty regions; he can see farther 

 than I can in these matters. But at least 

 take this path, which will lead you up by 

 a gentle incline! Certainly not! Let him 

 find himself near some very steep slope, im- 

 possible to climb, and that is the very path 

 which the obstinate fellow will choose. 

 Now begins a Sisyphean labour. The ball, 

 II 



