The dance was written by Carolyn Engel-Wilson of Phoenix Branch, Arizona three years ago based on an idea from her non-dancer husband Ron, who also came up with the name. The dance tells a story about beavers. When the story begins, the beavers are cutting down a very large tree (petronella setting and turning). When the tree finally falls, two beavers are so startled by the crash that they slap their flat tails on the water in alarm (the clap) and swim around in panic. Hearing the tails slap and seeing the frantic activity alarms the other beavers in the pond. They all slap their tails on the water (all clap) and swim around seeking a safe place (reels of three).