133 



ting stronger and stronger with every passing 

 moment. 



The beetle, who had come back, stared with sur- 

 prise. 



" Why, is that you ? " he asked. 



" Yes, it is I." 



The beetle stirred its wings in surprise. 



" And now what are you going to do?" it asked. 



" What am I going to do ? Why, fly about in 

 the beautiful air, — learn all the ways of this new won- 

 der world, — flit faster than the butterfly, lighter 

 than the bird." 



" And when will you be coming down into the 

 water world again ? " 



" Never ; I am free from all that now. Good-by, 

 beetle. Good-by and forever." 



The beetle stared after the glittering dragon- 

 fly as it dashed away, swift as an arrow, through 

 the clear air, 



" Well I never ! " it said. " At any rate it's just 

 as I said. He didn't turn into a beetle after all." 



Then the beetle went back to the pond and began 

 playing with the whirligigs. 



