STORIES

there was once an eagle
who thought he was a beaver
for long had he wanted to stay grounded
and to have a safe home
he watched the beavers protect their families
and he thought that maybe if he could build a dam
that all would be well with his own
so he flew down from his high perch in a willow tree
and began to gather twigs
setting them beside the small creek
by nightfall he had gathered so many that he awoke
early the next day
to a large grouping of animals chattering about
what he could be up to
a few finches thought that maybe his wife's nest had fallen
and that he was offering to rebuild it
but then the fox was quite convinced
that it was a mouse trap of some sort
even a deer had come to see
what the frightening racket was
but couldn't seem to think above the loud, arguing sparrows
chirping their opinions
the eagle sat defensively next to the pile of twigs
and wished that everybody would go away
and simply leave him alone
that was why he was building this dam in the first place
he started to lay the twigs across the water
as he had seen the beavers do
a hundred times before
he still felt groggy from the short night's sleep
but tried to shake off the tiredness
by working hard and doing his best to act and walk
like a beaver
his beak was tired and his neck was sore
but he carried and placed "branch" after "branch"
day after day he worked
growing all the more determined
as the gossiping crowd watched
finally on the 5th day 6 rabbits ventured over
and asked him what he was making
thinking it should be obvious
to anyone who had seen a beaver before
he snapped rudely back
at the curious rabbits
the grumpy "beaver" still didn't want to explain his project
on the 7th day he finished his crude dam
proud as a confused bird can be
he waddled between the twigs
and found the "home" quite comfortable
within the small shelter
he called for his family to come
but just as they entered he heard a terrible roar
as he peered out of the "dam" and saw the flood waters swiftly approaching
he tried to remember how to fly
he tried to remember how to be an eagle again
and he hoped that his family remembered that they were eagles too
he leapt in the air and stretched out his wings
stiffly attempting to escape his futile project below
and praying his family would follow
he prayed they wouldn't get trapped
in the "safe" dam he had built
the family followed but it was a dangerous exit
and almost too late
humbled by the lesson
the eagle once more believed he was an eagle
and assumed the role he was meant to play
never again failing to soar
he flew with strength and passion
always teaching his family to do the same


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