Numerous folk tales report on how the rabbit, the bear, the koala, and more lost their tails. A search on various terms related to tail loss also brings up legends concerning tortoises and muskrats. There are also scientific investigations into how the scorpion, and sperm, lost theirs. My favorite doesn't deal with losing, but with finding a tail - Eeyore's. It's a story that often reminds me that sometimes not paying attention can be productive.