Beaver's Determined Dam
By a babbling river, swift and so wide, Lived Busy the Beaver, with teeth sharp as pride. He dreamed of a dam, strong and tall as the trees, To make a safe pond, buzzing with bees. But the current was fierce, rocks jagged and mean, Friends shook their heads, "It's a silly old dream! You'll tire and fail— the water's too strong. Stick to small sticks— where you belong."
Busy slapped his tail, with a splash and a grin, "Determination's my tool— I'll begin! One log at a time, against the wild flow, I'll build till it's done— watch my dam grow!" He gnawed through the willows, dragged them with might, Placing them careful in the dead of night. The river tugged hard, washing some back with a whoosh, But Busy pressed on— no time for a hush.
A storm rolled in dark, with thunder's big boom, Rain poured like buckets, sealing his doom. The half-built dam cracked, logs floating away, Busy dove in, fighting the spray. "Why bother?" the waves seemed to roar in his ear, But he gathered the lost ones, without any fear. "Setbacks are lessons— rebuild even stronger, Determination lasts longer than any old longer!"
Then Otter slipped sly, with a whisker and wink, Nabbing Busy’s branches while he took a drink. "Hey, that's for my dam!" Busy called with a slap, Otter just laughed, "Finders keepers— that's that!" Busy chased through the mud, tail paddling fast, Retrieving his wood from the thief at last. "Thieves come and go, but my goal stays put— I'll guard it with grit, root and to boot!"
Nights blurred to days, his paws weary and sore, Muscles all aching, but he wanted more. Friends brought him fish, with a pat and a sigh, "You're determined, old pal— but why even try?" Busy chewed steady, eyes fixed on the stream, "Because dreams don't build on a half-hearted scheme. Each stick is a step, each fall a new start— Determination fuels the beat of my heart!"
The structure rose higher, mud packed tight and neat, The river slowed gentle, a watery retreat. One final branch, woven in with such care, Busy stepped back— oh, what glory to share! The pond formed around, lily pads starting to bloom, Fish darted happy, dispelling the gloom. No more wild rush— just a peaceful, calm flow, Busy's dream realized— oh, don't you know!
Friends gathered 'round, jaws dropped in awe, "We thought you'd quit— but look what we saw! A dam so grand, holding back all that might." Busy grinned wide, tail thumping with delight. "Determination's the secret— it never gives in, Through storms and through sneaks, till the very end. Build your own dreams, log by stubborn log, And watch them stand tall, like a victory fog!"
The garden now thrived, with otters at play, Safe in the waters Busy built that day. He taught the young ones, with a slap and a gnaw, "Face every challenge— with jaws open wide and raw. Your dam may wobble, your path may bend, But keep on determined— you'll win in the end!"
As stars lit the sky o'er the river so still, Busy nestled in lodge, with a heart full of thrill. More dams to dream, more floods to defy— A beaver determined, reaching for the sky!