Story of the Dwarf beards

The beards on dwarfs have been growing for most of there lives and can get really fancy. But over the centuries and even millenniums people have asked why do dwarfs have beards and where do they come from. This is especially true among elf's and halflings. Over the centuries many stories and theories have come out into the world and almost considered truth. One story is they are used as a way for fellow dwarves to save dwarves in the mines, this rumor is that fellow miners used them as a way to catch them if they fall. This is considered un true by some as anyone who has tried it says it hurts like hell. But people say it is a way to get them to stay clung to the rocks. Further to this some say they dwarf tie the beards to the stones or ropes and originally Tree vines. In addition the colour of the dwarfs beards If the beard is red it is sign that the beard has been to close to the candle when in the caves and mines mining. If it's black it means they either don't use a candle or have it nearby.
It is also tales from many years ago that Dwarfs are believed that if dwarfs can't grow a beard or hasn't grown a beard by the time of there coming of age that they are in fact a halfling and many a wife has been accused of cheating because they believe the child is from a halfling farther. This could be true or at least have truth as there is several historical romances between halflings and and dwarfs and at least one where the Queen, Nessy Hunterbow cheated on her husband King Domfoo Bluefingers with a Halfling Bard who seduced the Queen with his various stringed instruments and beutiful singing voice and amazing dancing skills.