I am a very old beetle now, and as I reflect back on my life, I think I have become a wise beetle too. As is beetle tradition, I am writing my Great Letter to pass on to you, my beloved 1,022 children. How different I thought this letter would be! I thought it would be about which leaves are finest for eating and where to find them. I thought I would tell tales of the best places to lie for relief in the summer months, and how to survive winter. Ha! Who cares of those things! You are smart beetles, you can figure those things out for yourselves. No, I am writing of things much more important. I am going to pass on great lessons I have learned about life, love, honor, and death. I have seen much death in my time but it has taught me a good deal about life.

For a long while I was apart from you all, and most of you still don't know where I went. Well, my dear ones, I went to India! I know it is shocking to think of me traveling so far! I accidentally climbed aboard a human man's sandal, which carried me along for my entire journey. I clung to that sandal, and later his coat, and that human took me all over India! You must all really watch where you are going because what looks like a hard lump of dirt could be a human satchel or something of that nature. Be careful, dear ones, but if a journey like mine should present itself to you, take it! You will learn so much that it will most likely be worth the dangers.

I am telling you these tales because I want you to grow to be courageous beetles. I have seen courage like never before, and with courage honor. We may be small but we can be mighty and heroic in our own right. I have seen the darkest of evils, and I want you to hear how terrible dealing with evil doers is. I want you to learn to cling to what is good and right in this world. I want you to find true friends that will never betray you but always stand by your side. I have seen true friendship displayed and it is wonderful.

In these pages you will read about a magnificent bird, Jatayu. I know birds are a scary lot to us, but I saw this bird give up his life for his friend. He conquered fear and helped to overcome evil. I also saw the death of a mighty monkey, Vali, who was stubborn and prideful. We can learn a good deal from the other species on this earth, even humans.

You will also read about the great war between Rama and the most evil creature on earth, Ravana. He was a King of demons with ten heads and an a black heart. Don't grow anxious reading this, though, for he was defeated. I saw it happen myself! I will tell of the lessons I learned on the battlefield. Then I will tell you the tragic death of mighty Rama's wife, Sita. Again, there is much to be learned from her story as well.

My journey was as scary as it sounds. I saw so much destruction and death, sometimes I thought my life was at its end. This thought grieved me mostly because I wanted to get back to write my Great Letter to you all. Read every word my children, and you will be stronger and better beetles in the end.

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