THE WIGWAM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 361, 23 May 1928, Page 6

THE WIGWAM

LITTLE LAME BEAVER

•THE gods of misfortune had attended at the birth of Little Lame Beaver and decreed that ever after he must hold council with their half-brother Pain. But Old Grey Beaver, who was wise with years, thought differently. “All my life I have built dams, brought great trees crashing to earth and lived the life of my kind, until age has claimed me. Now my work is over and I can sit in peace watching the river run by and my brothers pitting their ingenuity against the might of Nature. All this has taught me wisdom. In my time I have met many lame beavers. Their lives are always hazardous, for peril ever lies in wait for the adventurers of the world. But a lame beaver is not so helpless as you might think. By keeping his eyes open he is gaining knowledge and may impart his theories to others. This brings content, gives him an interest in life and helps him to combat his own misfortune.” So Little Lame Beaver kept his eyes open and, by deep thinking. became an authority on the building of dams. Then the time came for Old Grey Beaver to mingle with the waters of the river he had known so long. “But this is not all,” he said. “Soon I shall find a new colony of beavers and a river fhirer even than this. And I shall be young again with other work ahead. You too, shall find that colony, Little Lame Beaver.” For many days after he had gone Little Lame Beaver held bitter council with the gods of misfortune and their half-brother, Pain, then he remembered the words of his friend and became whole again. And when he had grown old and wise, and respected for his deep council he. too, mingled with the waters of the river he had known so long. It is said that he found a new colony of beavers and a dam greater than any he had ever dreamed of. The gods of misfortune had never heard of it, but Old Grey Beaver, who was old no longer, was quite at home there. “Now, what did I tell you,” he said as Little Lame Beaver, lame no longer, explored that new-found territory with his friend. REDFEATHER.