Beetle Captain#

Summer turns to winter, spring returns to autumn, my body is wasting
time and gradually becoming old and ugly.
I know that my white hair has been exchanged for fame, and my stubborn
and arrogant character has burdened your life.

Unlike the bee, wasp, hornet, katydid, cockroach, grasshopper, and dragonfly-the adopted sons of the spider ladies, the beetle captain earned his rank through his own valor. Perhaps this was what made him stubborn, quick to anger over slights to his status. He often quarreled with the lesser guais over matters of words and etiquette. They called him arrogant and overbearing behind his back, disliking him all the more.

One day, a petty dispute drove him to brandish his twin sabers at the lesser guards. The beetle commander chanced by and pulled him aside, "You think your deeds and skills command their respect. But, know this, rank has no bearing on the actions of others. What would happen if you measured your worth by the regard of everyone? When stone spiders show you disrespect, you'd think that makes you their inferior."

The captain retorted, "You're a commander, thus none dare offend you. But I'm a minor officer. If I don't assert myself, those lesser ones will scorn me even more."

The commander shook his head, "1f they treated you with greater deference than me, would that make you my superior in practice and skill? Nay, for I have observed that those who clamor most for respect often receive the least of it."

What became of the beetle captain? Alas, he remained as he ever was, as one's nature could not be easily altered. It was said that he continued to contend with all who crossed his path until at last, he was never to be seen again.