asked the child whom the angel wascarrying to heaven.
  "I know it," said the angel, "because I myself was the poor sickboy who walked upon crutches, and I know my own flower well."
  Then the child opened his eyes and looked into the glorioushappy face of the angel, and at the same moment they foundthemselves in that heavenly home where all is happiness and joy. AndGod pressed the dead child to His heart, and wings were given him sothat he could fly with the angel, hand in hand. Then the Almightypressed all the flowers to His heart; but He kissed the witheredfield-flower, and it received a voice. Then it joined in the song ofthe angels, who surrounded the throne, some near, and others in adistant circle, but all equally happy. They all joined in the chorusof praise, both great and small,- the good, happy child, and thepoor field-flower, that once lay withered and cast away on a heap ofrubbish in a narrow, dark street.
  THE END.
  1872
  FAIRY TALES OF HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
  THE BEETLE WHO WENT ON HIS TRAVELS
  by Hans Christian Andersen
  THERE was once an Emperor who had a horse shod with gold. He had agolden shoe on each foot, and why was this? He was a beautifulcreature, with slender legs, bright, intelligent eyes, and a mane thathung down over his neck like a veil. He had carried his master throughfire and smoke in the battle-field, with the bullets whistling roundhim; he had kicked and bitten, and taken part in the fight, when theenemy advanced; and, with his master on his back, he had dashed overthe 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 ofthe Emperor's horse wearing golden shoes.
  A beetle came creeping forth from the stable, where the farrierhad been shoeing the horse. "Great ones, first, of course," said he,"and then the little ones; but size is not always a proof ofgreatness." He stretched out his thin leg as he spoke.
  "And pray what do you want?" asked the farrier.
  "Golden shoes," replied the beetle.
  "Why, you must be out of your senses," cried the farrier."Golden shoes for you, indeed!"
  "Yes, certainly; golden shoes," replied the beetle. "Am I not justas good as that great creature yonder, who is waited upon and brushed,and has food and drink placed before him? And don't I belong to theroyal stables?"
  "But why does the horse have golden shoes?" asked the farrier; "ofcourse you understand the reason?"
  "Understand! Well, I understand that it is a personal slight tome," cried the beetle. "It is done to annoy me, so I intend to goout into the world and seek my fortune."
  "Go along with you," said the farrier.
  "You're a rude fellow," cried the beetle, as he walked out ofthe stable; and then he flew for a short distance, till he foundhimself in a beautiful flower-garden, all fragrant with roses andlavender. The lady-birds, with red and black shells on their backs,and delicate wings, were flying about, and one of them said, "Is itnot sweet and lovely here? Oh, how beautiful everything is."
  "I am accustomed to better things," said the beetle. "Do youcall this beautiful? Why, there is not even a dung-heap." Then he wenton, and under the shadow of a large haystack he found a caterpillarcrawling along. "How beautiful this world is!" said the caterpillar."The sun is so warm, I quite enjoy it. And soon I shall go to sleep,and die as they call it, but I shall wake up with beautiful wings tofly with, like a butterfly."
  "How conceited you are!"