This Brazilian folktale explains how beetles got their colorful coats. A boastful rat challenges a modest brown beetle to a race, with the winner getting a custom-made coat. The parrot sets the royal palm tree at the top of the cliff as the goal of the race. The rat laughed because he thought he was so fast but the little brown beetle flew. Humiliated, the rat remains grey, while the beetle chooses a coat of green and gold. Later, a discontented beetle trades her hard green and gold coat for a soft, blue one and remains small forever. The Brazilian flag even reflects these beetles' colors.

This Brazilian folktale explains how beetles got their colorful coats. A boastful rat challenges a modest brown beetle to a race, with the winner getting a custom-made coat. The parrot sets the royal palm tree at the top of the cliff as the goal of...

How the Brazilian Beetles Got Their Gorgeous Coats | Brazilian Folk Tales