The Dam by David Cory (1962)
The narrative follows a community of creatures living near a brook that is drying up due to Busy Beaver's construction of a dam. As the water recedes, the inhabitants, particularly the aquatic ones, grow increasingly anxious about their diminishing habitat. Busy Beaver, aware of the impending winter, is determined to create a pond that will prevent the water from freezing completely, ensuring a livable environment for himself and others. He meticulously gathers materials, including logs, stones, and mud, to build a sturdy dam. Despite facing challenges, such as logs drifting away, he perseveres and successfully constructs the dam. Little Jack Rabbit encounters Busy Beaver and learns about the purpose of the dam, which is to maintain sufficient water depth for his home during winter. Busy Beaver explains that he has designed the dam with an opening to manage water levels. The story highlights themes of determination, environmental adaptation, and community concern, as Busy Beaver's actions ultimately aim to benefit not just himself but also the other creatures in the Sunny Meadow. The narrative concludes with a sense of hope, as Little Jack Rabbit eagerly shares the news of the dam's completion with his friends, suggesting a positive outcome for the community.
By David Cory · First published 1962 · Genre: Children's Literature, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 519 words
First lines
THE Bubbling Brook was slowly drying up. Everyone on the Sunny Meadow was worried, and the little people who lived in the water were even more worried.
It was just like having one's house pulled down while living in it. You see, as the water became more shallow there were places in the little brook that were hardly covered with water, and it was only in the deep holes that the fish and crabs could swim at all.
What this Textopian page supports
The Dam is listed on Textopian as a short story by David Cory, dated 1962 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: David Cory
- Date: 1962 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Adventure, Historical Fiction
- Length: 519 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Dam by David Cory
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Dam?
- How does this short story by David Cory fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Building Ships by Frank R. Stockton
- Trehill Well by Charles Kingsley
- The Railroad by David Cory
- Friendly Brook March 1914 by Rudyard Kipling
- Winter In The Woods by Frank R. Stockton
- The Tides Of Barnegat by Francis Hopkinson Smith
Genres
- Children's Literature — The Dam by David Cory is mainly targeted at kids, with a simple and engaging narrative ideal for young readers.
- Adventure — The book entails various adventures centered around the building of the dam.
- Historical Fiction — Although not strictly based on factual events, the book explores a historical period and fictionalizes the building of the dam.
Tags
adventure · nature · engineering · water · construction · environment · community · innovation · technology · rural · conflict · teamwork
More by David Cory
- The Adventures Of Puss In Boots (1900)
- The Iceberg Express (1987)
- The Cruise of the Noah's Ark (1894)
- Little Jack Rabbit and the Squirrel Brothers (1940)
- The Magic Soap Bubble (1978)
- Puss Junior and Robinson Crusoe (1792)
- Puss in Boots, Jr., and the Good Gray Horse (1987)
- Hawk Eye (1970)
- All works by David Cory