Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Irel...

The Beetle The beetle is not killed by the people for the following reason: they have a tradition that one day the chief priests sent messengers in every direction to look for the Lord Jesus, and they came to a field where a man was reaping, and asked him-- "Did Jesus of Nazareth pass this way?" "No," said the man, "I have not seen him." "But I know better," said a little clock running up, "for He was here to-day and rested, and has not long gone away." "That is false," said a great big black. beetle, coming forward; "He has not passed since yesterday, and you will never find Him on this road; try another." So the people kill the clock because he tried to betray Christ; but they spare the beetle and will not touch him, because he saved the Lord on that day.