126 THE DRAMA OF THE FORESTS 



duct, The Master of Life condemned to get down and grovel 

 upon the ground as four-footed animals for the rest of their 

 days. 



"Yes, my son," replied Oo-koo-hoo, when we were discussing 

 beavers, "they are a very clever and a very wise people, and it 

 would be better for us if we emulated them more than we do, 

 for as you know, they believe in not talking but in working and 

 making good use of the brains The Master of Life has given 

 them, and that is the only way to be really happy in this world. 

 Besides, he is always true to his wife — a fine example to men — 

 furthermore, he is a good provider who looks after his children, 

 and is a decent, clean-living fellow who never goes out of his 

 way to quarrel with any one, but just minds his own business 

 and cuts wood." 



Could any nation choose a creature more fit for a national 

 emblem? I believe not. For would any wise man compare 

 a useless, screeching eagle, or a useless, roaring lion — each a 

 creature of prey — to a silent, hard-working, and useful beaver 

 who remains true to his wife all his life, who builds a comfortable 

 home for his children, provides them well with food and teaches 

 them . . . not how to kill other creatures . . . but 

 how to work, . . . how to construct strong, comfortable 

 houses, how to build dams to protect, not only their children, 

 but their homes, too, how to chop down trees for food, how to dig 

 canals to float the food home, how to store it for the winter, how 

 to keep the home clean and in good order, how to mind their 

 own business and never seek a quarrel, and, at the same time, 

 how to defend themselves desperately if an enemy attacks 

 them. 



For his size, the beaver is powerful, so powerful, indeed, that 

 Oo-koo-hoo said: "Remember, my son, the beaver is a very 

 strong animal, he can drag a man after him, and the only way 

 for a hunter to hold him — if he is caught in a trap — is to lift 

 him off his feet." 



