“How do you do, Mr. Glowworm? It is not often you pass here. It must be important business that brings you.”
“True,” answered the glowworm. “I seldom come this way. The air is too dry, and there is not wood enough to roam around in. I have come to-day to bring these four little elves, who wish to see the beautiful world. I thought that you, who are always on the go, and have traveled here and traveled there, would surely know the way to the beautiful world.”
“Hum, hum!” said Grandfather Grasshopper, “the most beautiful world I have ever seen is the wheatfield. And I chirp and sing as I go from one field to another. But come, I would know your friends. Perhaps I can tell them where to find their beautiful world.”
The glowworm then called the elves, who, upon seeing Grandfather Grasshopper, appeared surprised and said:
“We know very well who you are. We have seen you ever so many times. You are one of our Queen’s favorites. Were you not chosen to escort her from the north to the south?”
“Yes,” answered Grandfather Grasshopper, “I know you well. Yes, I wait, with the rest of you, on our beloved Queen Wishtah. Hello! Spider Eyes, you look full of glee. Aha! Pointed Toes, you seem very merry. Chip Wing, did I not see you last as herald to the Queen? And Dusty Cap, are you over your fall? But what are you all doing now, away from the Queen?”
“Going to see the beautiful world,” they all said. “Is it far from here?”
“I do not know anything about your beautiful world,” replied the grasshopper, “but I know one thing: People who try to get there are very apt to come back saying they have not found it. Now, my advice to you is, to go home and take care of our beautiful Queen, instead of searching around to find the beautiful world.”
“Ahem!” said Spider Eyes, “we, thank you very much, but we must go to see the beautiful world.”