Long ago, when the trees whispered old secrets and rivers ran wild and clean, the animals, like the Beaver, lived much as people do now, with their own squabbles, friendships, and flaws.
In those days, Beaver’s Tail was not the stubby, paddle-bottomed tail you know today. No, back then, his tail was long and thick with silky fur, so grand that he thought it was the finest thing in the forest. He liked to strut along the riverbanks where the animals came to drink, always making sure to drag his tail just so, to show off its fluff and luster.
He would pause dramatically and say things like, “A strong tail makes a strong builder,” or “Not all creatures can balance beauty and brains like I do.”
Other animals began to get tired of Beaver’s boasting. Otter rolled his eyes every time Beaver passed. Turtle muttered to herself, “Too much pride will drag a creature down.” Even Fox, usually amused by everyone’s folly, grew quiet when he was near. Beaver’s Tail was the envy of all.
Beaver and the Creator
Now, in those days, the Creator often walked through the forests in different forms, sometimes as a breeze, other times as a shadow across the moon. One evening, Creator came in the shape of an old woman with moss for hair and bark for skin. She sat beside the river and watched Beaver piling logs for a new dam.
“You have strong paws,” said the old woman.
Beaver puffed up his chest. “Yes, and a tail finer than any fur in these woods.”
The woman nodded. “But do you build from your tail or your heart?”
He blinked, confused. “I build with skills, what does the heart have to do with it?”
The old woman smiled and faded like morning mist.
Soon after, a terrible storm swept through the land. Winds howled and rains lashed the earth. The river swelled, tearing apart homes and dams. Beaver, ever proud, tried to rebuild his dam larger and stronger than before, but instead of asking for help, he tried to do it alone.
For three days and nights, he dragged logs, patted down mud, and wore himself out. He would not rest, even as the river grew angrier. “They’ll see,” he grunted, “when I rebuild the biggest dam the forest has ever seen.”
Beaver Looses his Tail
On the fourth day, he slipped while balancing a log. His long, furry tail got caught between two heavy stones. He tugged and twisted, but the more he pulled, the more the tail tore. At last, with one mighty yank, he freed himself, but his tail was no longer the glorious plume it had been.
Instead, it had been flattened and squashed, like a paddle slapped on the riverbank. The fur was gone, the bones crushed. He stared at it in horror.
When the storm cleared, the animals gathered. Beaver stood before them, trembling, not from pain, but shame. “I thought my tail made me great,” he said. “But it was only ever a tool. It’s what I build for others that matters.”
From that day on, he stopped boasting. He worked alongside the others, showing younger animals how to build safe homes near the water. Though his tail never grew back, it became a strong, useful thing, perfect for smoothing mud and swimming deep.
And so, Beaver’s flat tail remains to this day, a reminder not of what he lost, but of what he learned.
Moral of the Tale
True strength is not in what we show, but in what we share. Pride may shine for a season, but humility builds what lasts. Beaver’s tale teaches us that when we put others before our vanity, even our wounds can become our greatest tools.
Knowledge Check
1. What is the moral of the folktale “How the Beaver Got His Tail”?
The story teaches a lesson about humility, showing how pride can lead to loss, but humility and service to others can bring lasting value.
2. What cultural group does the tale “How the Beaver Got His Tail” come from?
This folktale originates from the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) tradition in the United States.
3. Why did Beaver lose his tail?
In the tale, he lost his tail out of pride, which sets the plot in motion and leads to his transformation.
4. How does the folktale “How the Beaver Got His Tail” explain a natural feature or animal trait?
The story offers a traditional explanation for why the beaver has a flat, hairless tail, it became that way after his tail was crushed during a storm caused by his own stubbornness.
5. Is “How the Beaver Got His Tail” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“How the Beaver Got His Tail” is a moral fable that reflects the values and lessons of the Ojibwe culture.
6. How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The message of “How the Beaver Got His Tail” remains relevant as it teaches timeless truths about humility, community, and personal responsibility.
Cultural Origin: The tale is a traditional Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) tale.
