Benny The Beaver Finds A New HomeA Story by Cherrie PalmerLike all good ranchers sometimes we fight with the wildlife
Grandpa marched up the lane to the house. His arms were swinging fast keeping perfect time with his feet. Nana and I were certain from his walk, there was trouble. “Well, my green-eyed beauties that old beaver is at it again.” Grandpa spouted. “Oh no,” I said. “So, what has he done this time?" Nana gazed over her glasses to emphasize her words. "I’ll tell you he dammed up the hay meadow. That’s what!” He thundered, but his eyes twinkled from the challenge. “Now dear you know you shouldn’t fight with the wildlife,” Nana smiled and winked my way. “He started it.” Before we could say another word, Grandpa was off to the tool shed.
Now Benny was no stranger to trouble. It seemed folks were always running him off. He could see the two dogs running from the house on the hill straight-down to his little corner. Immediately, he started cutting down a big cedar tree hoping it would hide the entrance to his den. That silly beaver was chewing up and spitting out tree bark as fast as he could. I quickly hopped to the picture window to see the big to-do happening in my own backyard. As the dogs moved out of sight, I jolted over to the southwest corner window and leaned on my crutches.
“Nana, I’m afraid he means business. He is grumbling to himself,” I giggled as I watched. Nana seemed too busy frying up supper to care about the hullabaloo outside, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the window. Grandpa had all his tools on the four-wheeler, and the dogs were rounding the corner of the barn. They were halfway there, and that silly old beaver stood up on his back feet and leaned against that old tree with all his might. Cowboy and Ruby were close enough now to see Benny, and they began barking up a storm. I could hear Grandpa yelling at the dogs, “Look! Look!” and the dogs just keep barking louder and louder. At the very same time, both dogs shimmied under the fence. The beaver planted his tail on the ground and gave a mighty push and down came the tree. Grandpa swung open the gate and jumped back on the four-wheeler. That old beaver slapped his tail on the ground four or five times as if he was chuckling at all of them, and then he leaped into the air with a somersault and landed in the water without even a splash. I was so excited I couldn’t decide who to cheer for. Ruby sprang into the air and landed on the red cedar tree but not Cowboy he dove in after Benny. Benny wiggled and twisted in the water coming up in this underwater den. Snickering just a little thinking, he was very clever. However, before he could take one-step Cowboy, sprang up out of the water, and the fight was on. Ruby was digging her way into the den while Benny and Cowboy were wrestling from corner to corner. Grandpa joined in the ruckus wielding his axe, so the water could flow into the gully. He could hear Cowboy snarling, as Benny hissed and barked. The two brawlers were thrashing about, their fight alone would surely break the dam apart. Finally, there were enough limbs and branches pulled free that the dam gave way and as the water rushed by so did Cowboy and Benny. The flow of the water sent them straight into the gully. Grandpa cheered. “What a good boy,” and with those very words, Cowboy lost interest in fighting. He returned to Grandpa waging his tale as Grandpa patted his head. Benny looked around at the gully he landed in and wondered how he had missed such a good spot for a den. Nana yelled that supper was ready, so I rang the dinner bell. Everyone was happy with the day’s outcome; I couldn’t wait to get to school to tell my big tale. © 2019 Cherrie PalmerAuthor's Note
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5 Reviews Added on March 1, 2012 Last Updated on March 28, 2019 Tags: fiction Previous Versions AuthorCherrie PalmerSpringfield , MOAboutI am a published poet and love poetry. After a lifetime of country living, I'm making a move back to town. I find my surroundings a great inspiration to me. I also have two books on Amazon Kindle: .. more..Writing
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