One day a beaver said, "I am going to dam that stream so we will all have a safe supply of water".
The mountain goat said, "This is a fine idea. Now I will not have to leave my mountain to get a drink".
The deer, however was afraid. "If the beaver dams the stream the valley will flood and I will drown".
The beaver said, "Do not be afraid, I will only dam the stream enough to slow the stream down, making it weak".
"Okay" said the deer, "You know what is best when it comes to damming. I will trust your judgment".
The beaver began to dam the stream. At first he chose small saplings and after a couple of days he had slowed the stream so that all could drink from it. The lake grew but this did not concern the animals much because now they had an easy source of water.
The mountain goat complained, "I still must come down from my mountain to drink. I thought you were a great engineer beaver! You must do a better job of taming the stream so I can drink without needing to travel so far"!
The beaver said, "Mountain goat, if I do as you ask the deer and other animals will drown for they can not swim or climb into the high mountain to escape".
The mountain goat said, "Friend beaver I am only asking you to do what is in your nature. Please continue your dam. When you are done you will be at peace because I will be the only animal disturbing your home for a drink".
"What you say makes sense mountain goat, I will do as you suggest", said the beaver.
The beaver cut down massive trees all through the night, selecting only the finest birch. He chopped and toiled and built the greatest beaver dam ever built. The lake grew and grew until the entire valley was flooded. The water continued to rise as the winter ice melted from the mountains.
The mountain goat was very pleased. "Thank you friend beaver! Now I can get a drink from my high perch and I no longer have to travel a great distance to enjoy it". He drank and drank and then looked around from his barren mountain home.
"Oh friend beaver, I think you made a mistake estimating how big to make your dam. I have easy access to water, but there is no food on my mountain. I will starve! Please break your dam so the valley is no longer flooded"!
The beaver smiled his toothsome smile and replied, "Mountain goat, I was only following your instructions to do what is in my nature. I have constructed a mighty dam that meets all my needs and soon I will no longer need to share it with you".