The Raccoon and the Beaver

There was a valley in the mountains that furnished a

home for many animals. The river that cut through the

clearing provided sustenance for all the inhabitants in

an almost over plentiful way.

There was a raccoon that found peaceful sanctuary

there, after it engaged many night-raids in the region

looking for food. One day, just when he was retiring,

he was disturbed by a loud sound. The raccoon left his

cozy tree-guarded grotto to find the culprit. The

clamoring was consistent so it did not take long for

him to uncover the mystery. There he was, face to face

with his new neighbor, a beaver.

"Top of the day to you!" said the beaver,

enthusiastically.

The cranky raccoon replied, "I'm trying to get to

sleep. Will you stop that obnoxious noise?"

"Oh, I can't do that. I must keep working. I

must finish this wonderful house. Would you like to

help?"

"No, thank you!" remarked the terrifically irked

raccoon. "I lived in peace until you came. Maybe you

should move."

"Oh, no way." said the beaver. "This is a

perfect location!"

Then the beaver went right on gnawing as if the raccoon

wasn't even there.

The frustrated raccoon then returned to his cozy

grotto trying to get sleep. Yet after being

unsuccessful, that next night he fell asleep on the

job. He was so hungry, he spent the entire next day

and night in the hills scavenging for food, and

sleeping, of course!

That following morning, the raccoon finally

returned to his valley; he aimed to chase the little

pesky runt out of the neighborhood for good! But by

the time he had reached home, all he could think of

was taking a nap.

He sighed just as he got to his familiar trees.

Then he collapsed into a pool of water where his grotto

used to be... Infuriated, he jumped out wanting to

strangle the beaver. As the sun rose, his temper

blazed, as he saw a huge lake with a beaver

lodge safely in the center.