HOW BEAVER GOT HIS FLAT TAIL

Beaver was very proud of his tail. He bragged to the other animals about how big and bushy it was. Then, one day when he was cutting trees for a new dam, a large tree fell across his tail and flattened it. Beaver looked at his tail and became very sad. He began to cry.

 

Then he heard a voice. It was the Creator. “Why are you crying, little beaver?” the voice asked.

“A tree has flattened my tail and now no one will like me,” sobbed Beaver.

 

Creator assured Beaver he was liked for his wisdom and kindness, not for his tail. “Now your tail will help you swim rapidly,” said Creator. “And when you want to call your friends, all you have to do is slap your tail on the water.”

And so the beaver decided his tail was better flat. He bragged no more to his friends, and all the animals liked him.