There
was another world before this one. But the people of that world did not behave
themselves. Displeased, the Creating Power set out to make a new world. He sang
several songs to bring rain, which poured stronger with each song. As he sang
the fourth song, the earth split apart and water gushed up through the many
cracks, causing a flood. By the time the rain stopped, all of the people and
nearly all of the animals had drowned. Only Kangi the crow
survived.
Kangi
pleaded with the Creating Power to make him a new place to rest. So the Creating
Power decided the time had come to make his new world. From his huge pipe bag,
which contained all types of animals and birds, the Creating Power selected four
animals known for their ability to remain under water for a long time. He sent
each in turn to retrieve a lump of mud from beneath the floodwaters. First the
loon dove deep into the dark waters, but it was unable to reach the bottom. The
otter, even with its strong webbed feet, also failed. Next, the beaver used its
large flat tail to propel itself deep under the water, but it too brought
nothing back. Finally, the Creating Power took the turtle from his pipe bag and
urged it to bring back some mud.
Turtle
stayed under the water for so long that everyone was sure it had drowned. Then,
with a splash, the turtle broke the water's surface! Mud filled its feet and
claws and the cracks between its upper and lower shells. Singing, the Creating
Power shaped the mud in his hands and spread it on the water, where it was just
big enough for himself and the crow. He then shook two long eagle wing feathers
over the mud until earth spread wide and varied, overcoming the waters. Feeling
sadness for the dry land, the Creating Power cried tears that became oceans,
streams, and lakes. He named the new land Turtle Continent in honor of the
turtle who provided the mud from which it was
formed.
The
Creating Power then took many animals and birds from his great pipe bag and
spread them across the earth. From red, white, black, and yellow earth, he made
men and women. The Creating Power gave the people his sacred pipe and told them
to live by it. He warned them about the fate of the people who came before them.
He promised all would be well if all living things learned to live in harmony.
But the world would be destroyed again if they made it bad and ugly.