THE STORY OF

THE

GOLDEN BEETLE

BY

DOLF RIESER

FIRST EDITION: DEDICATED TO BARBARA

(1947)

The Story of the Golden Beetle

On her seventh birthday Stella went to look for the golden beetle. She had known about its’ existence ever since she could remember. The old nurse was the first who had told her about the marvellous beetle – the bug which could heal all pain – all pain – all disease and all sorrow – the beetle made of pure gold.

The nurse was a bit vague as to its habitation. Opinions differed on that point!

The old hill farmer, Joe swore he had seen it on the wild hills to the south – where it glittered like a star on the hillside. –

Margit – the gipsy who collected rare herbs and told the future – swore she had touched it once. She attributed her old age to this fact. Nobody, however believed that she was 120 years old, as she claimed.

“It’s a professional trick “, said Stella’s father – “She thinks it gives her added prestige!”

Anyhow, Stella decided to go and look for the golden beetle herself on her seventh birthday.

After she had received her birthday presents – she strolled through the orchard and went into the woods which covered the hill to the east of the house.

She knew she couldn’t go wrong – for had she not seen the golden beetle sending out its marvellous rays many a time in her dreams? Had it not always been in the same spot?

The little girl knew that spot well – and she also knew why she wanted the beetle so badly!

Poor old Granny was failing rapidly - poor old Granny was not expected to last much longer!

So, Stella went into the woods on her seventh birthday and climbed the hill to the east.

This was a very ordinary hill covered with pine trees – higher up only with shrubs and ferns which grew between the boulders and rocks.

She grew very tired as the hill got steeper and it got hotter and hotter.

Finally, she reached the top and turning the last boulders she suddenly saw the golden beetle sunning itself on a grassy spot.

It glittered so strongly that little Stella had to put on her dark sun- glasses but she was not surprised she had expected this.

“Hello beetle” she said, “Can I borrow you for Granny?”.

“But why of course my child”, said the golden beetle.

“I have been expecting you. That’s why I came into your dreams. There is only one condition: no one else must know about this and

after I have seen Granny you must bring me back here without delay and without telling a soul about it.”

Stella promised and she carried the golden beetle home on a fern leaf in her hands. Then she took the beetle up to Granny and when she kissed her, she touched her head with the golden beetle. But, this she did so cleverly that no one was aware of it – not even Granny.

Three weeks later Granny was drinking teas in the garden! All the Doctors shook their heads and said, “It’s a miracle-it’s impossible”.

But there you are, Granny was drinking tea in the garden and said to everyone, “ I feel fine. I feel fine. I feel like a young girl.”

Stella was happy but she kept her promise and told nobody about the golden beetle.

You may believe this story or not, but everything really happened just as I have told you.

Finis

DR 31.1.47