lake itself was an inexhaustible store-room containing an endless supply
of fresh fish.

These houses built on piles were much healthier than the old caves and
they gave the children a chance to grow up into strong men. The
population increased steadily and man began to occupy vast tracts of
wilderness which had been unoccupied since the beginning of time.

And all the time new inventions were made which made life more
comfortable and less dangerous.

Often enough these innovations were not due to the cleverness of man's
brain.

He simply copied the animals.

You know of course that there are a large number of beasties who prepare
for the long winter by burying nuts and acorns and other food which is
abundant during the summer. Just think of the squirrels who are for ever
filling their larder in gardens and parks with supplies for the winter
and the early spring.

Early man, less intelligent in many respects than the squirrels, had not
known how to preserve anything for the future.

He ate until his hunger was stilled, but what he did not need right away
he allowed to rot. As a result he often went without his meals during
the cold period and many of his children died from hunger and want.

Until he followed the example of the animals and prepared for the future