Near a quiet forest river lived a young beaver who wanted to move a large fallen log to build his dam.
He pushed with all his strength.
The log barely moved.
He tried again the next day, digging his paws into the mud and straining with all his weight. The log shifted slightly, then rolled back into place.
Frustrated, the young beaver sat beside the river.
An older beaver swimming nearby noticed his struggle.
"Why are you trying to move it alone?" the elder asked.
"I thought I was supposed to be strong enough," the young beaver replied.
The older beaver called two other beavers from the riverbank.
Together they pushed.
The log slowly rolled across the mud and slid into the water where it belonged.
The young beaver stared in amazement.
The log had not become lighter.
But the strength had been shared.
From that day on, whenever the beavers built their dam, they worked side by side-each one carrying part of the weight.