The Complete Fairy Tales & Other Stories
By Hans Christian Andersen - online book

Oxford Complete Illustrated Edition all his stories written between 1835 and 1872.

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THE BEETLE                            75.5
advanced, and had sprung with his master on his back over the fallen enemy's horse, and had saved, the crown of red gold, and the life of the Emperor, which was more valuable than the red gold ; and that is why the Emperor's horse had golden shoes.
And a Beetle came creeping forth.
' First the great ones,' said he, ' and then the little ones ; but it's not size that does it.' And so saying, he stretched out his thin legs.
1 What do you want ? ' asked the smith.
1 Golden shoes,' replied the Beetle.
' Why, you must be out of your senses,' cried the smith. ' Bo you want to have golden shoes too ? '