Willow Tales: The Beaver Tree
The Adventures of a Carolina Dog
As Willow walked along the pond path with her Highland House pack, she stopped to stare at something that wasn’t there the day before.
Well, actually, it was there, but it didn’t look the same. In her young mind, she knew it was different, but she couldn’t put her paw on it.
She looked at Elli, her older pack-mate and surrogate mother, and asked, “Why does this tree look different today, Elli?”
“Because it’s a Beaver tree”, Elli replied.
Willow peppered Elli with more questions. “What’s a Beaver tree? And, why does it look different than it did yesterday?”
‘These young pups’, Elli thought to herself. ‘They’re so full of questions, always asking why.’ But, she knew that Willow had to learn the ways of their Creator, just like she had when growing up.
Patiently, she countered with a question of her own, “Willow, why is it that you chew on sticks and just about every other thing you can fit into your mouth?”
She thought a minute and said, “Because it makes my gums, where my new teeth are coming in, feel better. And it also feels like it cleans some of the sticky food off my teeth. Plus I just like to chew. I guess it is how I was made.”
‘Bingo’, Elli thought.
She said, “That’s right, Willow. Ancient wisdom determined that every creature is made as its very own kind. Different from every other kind. When the Creator saw the work he had done, He was very satisfied with the variety of His handiwork. So, he rested for a day.
“So, you see, Beavers, just like us, were made in a certain way. Each part of their bodies has a certain purpose.”
“But, you still haven’t answered why this tree looks different”, Willow said.
‘Puppies’ are so impatient’, Elli thought.
“I’m getting to that part. Did you know that a beaver’s teeth never stop growing? We dogs chew things for pleasure and to keep our teeth clean, but beavers gnaw on wood to keep their teeth sharp and from growing too long. Also, bark is one of their primary food sources.”
‘Wow’, thought Willow. Although she couldn’t comprehend everything Elli was telling her, more questions kept forming in her young mind.
“Elli, what do they do with the trees when they fall down?”
Somehow, Elli knew that question was coming. She said, “That’s a good question, Willow. Everything has a purpose. When the trees fall, the beavers continue to chew them into smaller pieces and then they begin linking them together with other limbs and tree pieces to form a dam. Then they build shelters in the water that builds up behind the dam to protect them from predators who like to eat beavers.
“And look at the beaver’s flat tail. They use that to slap the water and signal danger to other beavers. The tail also helps them balance when they stand upright to gnaw on a tree. And it stores fat for sustaining them in the winter months.”
Willow’s eyes grew wide. “How do you know all that?”, she asked.
“Well, it seems to be ancient knowledge that is built into us”, Elli replied. “Eventually, we understand it.”
Willow thought about that. Somehow, she already knew that Carolina Dogs descended from the ancient Pariah canines and were also uniquely created to thrive and survive in a wilderness environment.
“Everything after its kind”, Elli had said.
As they continued down the path alongside the pond, Willow thought, ‘The Creator has given us a unique appearance and functional abilities for survival, hunting, and pack signals.’
It was almost too amazing to comprehend. ‘I have so many more questions’, she thought, but she knew that was enough for today. Elli needed a break. So, she found a stick to chew on, instead.
Well, that’s it for now. Standby for more Willow Tales, y’all.
Until then, Face licks to all -
Willow
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Very cute story. Enjoyable. Reminded me of Robert Fulghum.