as he could, straining with all his might to
escape the wolf that was chasing him. The wolf
could run fast too and no matter how fast
Stumpy ran the wolf was right behind him.
Right when he thought that he couldn't run any
longer he heard someone cry out, "cross the
stream!" Stumpy took the advice and jumped
into the stream right as the wolf snapped his
jaws and barely missed grabbing his tail.
Stumpy swam with what little energy he had
left, crossing the stream to where the voice had
come from. He was met by an older beaver that
took him into a hiding place in an old, rotted out
tree stump just off the edge of the stream. He
was exhausted. But he was safe.
Chapter 3: The Value of an Ecosystem
"That was a close one!" exclaimed the old
beaver, gazing intently at young Stumpy.
7