“What pretty colours the bushes and trees are in autumn!” says Eddie to himself. “Pretty colours, my foot!” replies Mr Beetle. “In no time at all they’ll be faded and brown and grey, and then it’ll be winter!” “But they’ll be beautiful until then,” answers Eddie, picking up one leaf after another: a yellow one, an orange one, a red one, a pink one. He is determined to show Mr Beetle just how pretty autumn is, with all of its magnificent colours. While Mr Bettle is still out on his morning walk, top-hat on his head and cane in his hand, Eddie hops swiftly over to his house: “While Mr Beetle’s out, I’ll turn his house into the most beautiful autumn palace he’s ever seen. Then his grumpy mood will disappear as fast as the autumn breeze,” he thinks. And then he leaps one enormous leap after the next as he gathers together everything he needs: colourful leaves and autumn flowers, soft grasses, pine cones and mosses, redcurrants and blueberries, and warm, cosy cottongrass. 

He uses all of his autumn treasures to decorate Mr Beetle’s gloomy home until it is shining and bright. The bed has a blanket of moss, flowers and bright berries hang on the walls, and the floor is carpeted in the most beautiful of all autumn leaves. It is… a palace of colour! Just as Eddie stands back to admire his work, Mr Beetle returns home and rubs his eyes in disbelief: he doesn’t even recognise his house, it’s so warm and bright and friendly-looking. “Did I come in the wrong door?” he asks hesitantly. And then he breaks out into a smile, and the smile turns to a deep, hearty beetle laugh. He hugs the little grasshopper, and they both agree that it’s a change for the better. Out with the grey winter thoughts, away with the worries and care: this very moment is bright and colourful and happy. And then Mr Beetle and Eddie sink into the soft, mossy bed and enjoy the glow of the splendid, shining colours.