from her fur in climbing, had made the earth 
so wet and slippery that Ela came down much 
faster than she had intended doing, and landed 
in the water with a great splash. 
Surprised but pleased, Ela again climbed 
the bank, and repeated that slide. This was 
fun indeed, and Ela made the trip time after 
time. Even lazy Ilg saw that this was rare 
entertainment, and soon he was taking as many 
slides as was Ela. Ilg could hurry as fast as 
any other little beaver, when the object to be 
gained by that hurrying was either food or fun. 
82 
