Once upon a time there was a
river in west Tennessee called the Wolf.
Cool artesian water welled up from the sand
to flow quietly under the giant arching trees
that lined the riverbank. Deep swamps and
forests stretched as far as the eye could
see. It was a beautiful place.
Because it was a beautiful place, people and
other animals liked to make their homes
there. Soon the riverbank became crowded.
People multiplied, driving away the other
animals. Every day the sound of falling trees
echoed through the forest. Houses and roads
were built. Bridges spanned the river.
Within a hundred years, the great forests
were nearly gone. In their place rose the
city of Memphis.
But some people loved the trees, and decided
to protect a thousand acres of the forest.
"We will save this forest for our children,"
the people said. "It will be a sanctuary."