So it happened in the long ago That beaver was very very great Beaver stood upright walked on its hind legs and The beaver was as tall as any man Furthermore beavers were highly intelligent and very very deeply spiritual you see beaver had the capability to improve its environment and Make it hospitable not just for beaver,
But for other animals as well Beaver had Families that would work together to build Lodges and the lodges that beaver Constructed were so well done That beaver did not have to hunt for wood and make fire in the winter months Because it was always comfortable Beaver never had to make any clothes or robes at all Because beaver was blessed with beautiful thick fur Beaver had large sharp teeth too with which it could fell many many Big trees which were used by the people beaver would cut the trees because beaver felt pity for the two-legged and all beaver would ask in exchange for cutting down the trees was just some of the tender bark and the twigs that beaver would store for winter and in summer During the warmer months beaver would always be at the bottom of the lake or the stream digging for roots and other greens that beaver would eat and Beaver made many different roads and canals which were extremely well done and made transport and travel so much easier and beaver shared those paths with their neighbors and The human beings learned many good things just by observing beaver Beaver bathed several times a day and soon People started adapting these habits of cleanliness and good grooming Beaver were excellent parents and raised industrious and respectful children so people started imitating the parenting ways of beaver But beaver worked hard to accomplish many good deeds that would benefit the entire community and they did not fight or quarrel among themselves or ever make enemies of their neighbors they experienced no jealousy when others excelled and So it came to pass that beaver grew more prosperous than the human beings and so the Anishinaabe sent a delegation to speak to creator to Remind him that the human beings were supposed to be the greatest of all created things And they pointed out that beaver had surpassed them in many things and the people demanded that creator do something to return everything to the original roles and reduce the power and stature of beaver Creator said If the human beings need an advantage Over beaver in order to surpass him I Will limit the stature of beaver and I Will cause him only to live in and among the water The delegates were well satisfied With that answer and they returned to their lodges happy But beaver Beaver did not diminish all at once But each generation Got smaller than the last Until they became the beaver of the size that we know today But Creator allowed beaver to retain all of its previous skills Beavers are still Intelligent Industrious and generous They still work together to modify their habitat and build secure lodges which they share with with extended families They are still affectionate considerate and kind They do not fight and quarrel among themselves and have only a few enemies Beavers greatest enemy is man Man Who learned so many things from our little brother?
But failed to learn the most important lesson of all Which is in building inclusive communities?
