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.