Fairy-Tale Beavers

Once upon a time, not so very far away, there was a fragrant and magical land called “Napatopia”. On its green shores grew berries and it was said that when pressed into elixir it was fine enough for the gods and guaranteed to enchant every spirit or soothe any uneasy soul who drank its nectar.

The berries of Napatopia were fed by a long and shining river that wound its way through the city.The river shifted in color from green, to blue to pale gray. Many years ago the river had been injured during the terrible Progress Wars, and the people of the land went to great lengths to repair it. Now the river itself was guarded by magical stewards of the Royal Channel Division who made certain that no foulness entered its crystal waters  and that every hoof, wheel and bridge that passed it did so gracefully.

One day, some roaming beavers swam into the city. They had journeyed far and were weary of the bitter reception they had received on other shores. Napatopia seemed idyllic to them. They set about improving the crystal stream with three woven locks of their own creation, shaping gnarled branches into a rounded sturdy home where their children would be safe.  They were ready to build a family and resigned themselves to being pushed along when their presence was discovered.

They were spotted initially  by the First Channel Defenders who mentioned them to RCD and dutifully reported their presence to the wizards on the hill. After the destruction of the Progress Wars, Napatopia was attentive to the waters and wanted to make sure no harm would come to them.

But here’s where the story gets really magical. So lean in closer my child and prepare to wonder.

It seems Napatopia knew well the benefits of beavers to creeks and actually rejoiced to find the engineers had settled in their golden waters. A crier ran from one end of the town to the other proclaiming their joyful presence, and the river was strewn with roses to welcome their arrival. A great festival was planned in the land and for seven days and seven nights the fragrant air echoed with  rejoicing.

Not everyone was thrilled with the beaver presence, however. Some worried that their locks would flood the town or block the roads. One  nearby innkeeper worried they would eat his trees and wanted them dispatched. But a wise woman at the Calming Department of Furry Wonders suggested better a solution. The wizards waived their magic wands and protected the trees with shielding wire. The beavers ate his trees no more and he was happy. Besides, the creek was rich with other things to harvest, and FCD pledged to plant more trees that the beavers could soon enjoy.

And so it came to pass that the luckiest beavers in all the kingdom settled in Napatopia. And for many years and many nights they gave them richer soil, greater insects, more plentiful fish, and a river teaming with heron, merganser, mink and otter. Their offspring brightened other creeks and brought similar gifts around the city. Until the final traces of the Progress Wars were erased completely, and the stream became a living thing from mouth to tail.

You see, Napatopia always understood that beaver magic was the most potent gift of all.

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Meanwhile, in the nearby city of Marmeanest, the replenishing trees that watchers planted were uprooted, the beaver’s lush banks lined with cold steel and their presence on the town mural painted over.

Because, as you know,  not every beaver story is a fairytale.