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The Iroquois Tell of a time when no man existed. The earth was covered with water,and, in these waters great monsters lived. Birds flew and sometimes landed on the water. One day as they flew they saw something fall from the sky. It was a beautiful woman. The birds held a quick council and it was agreed that they should try to save her. So the ducks flew up to where she was falling and spread their wings, making a soft place for her to land.



But they Could not carry her forever, and as they flew, the monsters under the water (who ,also, had seen her fall) held a council of their own. they had decided to save the celestial woman, but they would need someone strong to carry her. It was then that giant Tortoise (or turtle in some myths) was sent to the surface of the water and here, the ducks placed her.



From This woman all manner of people came. In one legend it is said she first gave birth to a daughter, who was mother to twin boys. In another, she gave birth to twin boys: One the Good spirit (who gives such things as corn and tobacco) and the the Evil spirit (who is in charge of things like worms, weeds, and harmful things) Later, more people were born and that is how the world of men began.



The true hero is the Tortoise, on whose back we still live. He stretched and stretched himself to make land. Other animals are heroes too, like Beaver and Duck, who placed Earth upon him so food may grow. Sometimes when Tortoise is annoyed, he shakes himself. That is where Earthquakes come from.





Magical almanac for 2008 article by Nancy Bennett