There lived a swan couple near a lake. They had a nest near the water's edge with warm grass, sticks, branches to protect their eggs.
They had a beaver family as neighbour. The dad beaver would leave the den to go for a daily stroll to find juicy grass or plants to eat.

The swan couple were happy as the water was clear with their favorite plants, insects and mollusks were in plenty. It was really peaceful too without any predators.

" Greetings Mrs. Swan, how is your day going?"
Mrs. Beaver asked with a smile.
" It's going great. The weather is pleasant, a perfect day to warm the eggs. " Mrs. Swan answered as she comfortably sits over her egg.

Mrs. Beaver went to her day of daily cleaning of her home while Mrs. Swan waited for her partner to come from his outing. It's been a month since she started incubating the eggs along with his partner. They took turns to guard nest and bring food. Things had been going so good that she sometimes forget that there are many dangers they could encounter.

It was one such day for the Swan couple and they were having some happy moments and cuddling, when they hear a loud noise. Mr. Swan went outside to check and found the Mrs.beaver was swimming towards them in panic.

" What happened Mrs. Beaver, why are you in a hurry?" Mr. Swan enquiried.
" We have to leave our precious home, those evil human are breaking our den. " Mrs. Beaver was crying as she was followed by her kids.
" Where is Mr. Beaver? Is he okay?" Mrs. Swan asked as she too was concerned.
" He is alright, ' Mrs. Beaver continues, ' He is bringing some of our stored food and rest of kids."
" It was really sad, where will you go now." Mr. Swan asked.
" Their a small path that goes beyond human road that reaches the opposite side where the grass is green and very few human enter that place. You too be ready as these human may come here too." Mrs. Beaver replied as she left.

Days passed and the Swan couple continue incubating the eggs while missing their lovely neighbors.  But the water was not the same. It was more muddy, and slowly receding from their nest. Fortunately their eggs hatched with 6 beautiful Cygnet (youngling).
They were overjoyed and for many days forget about the problems thy faced. The mom proudly took them for a ride in her back with her wings covering them. As the months passed, rainy season gave them some respite. The kids were growing and demand for their food increased.
But to their dismay, the plants were slowly dying and insects were leaving the place. Now the lake was much smaller and even their nest was too dry being too far away from water edge.
" Mom, we are hungry," their baby cried, " Please give us food."
" Where could we find the food, it's getting difficult to find." Mrs. Swan lamented.
" I will go and find something for you." Mr. Swan went towards their neighbors broken den in a hope to find food.

" Where are you honey, " Mr. Swan cam in the evening while Mrs. Swan was helping kids forage some morsels for them.
" What happend?" Mrs. Swan asked.
" We are leaving this place tomorrow," Mr. Swan said in a worried voice.
" Why," Mrs. Swan was shocked.
"It's the human,' Mr. Swan continued, ' They have brought big metal structures full of sand and are filling the lake.
" What!! We have to leave this place, where would we go?" Mrs. Swan questioned.
" Where our neighbors have gone." Mr. Swan answered.

The Swan family finally made up their mind, but wouldn't it be really sad for them to let go this paradise?

© Dr. Manish Rout