North AmericaAges 6–106 minOriginal folktale-style story
How the Turtle Found the Stars
Move at your own pace.
A note about this story: Many Indigenous traditions include sacred stories connected to animals, land, and sky. Because specific tribal stories belong to their communities, this is an original folktale-style story written with respect.
Long ago, Turtle wanted to see the stars up close. “You are too slow,” said Coyote. “You will never reach them,” said Hawk.
Turtle looked at the night sky. “I can begin,” she said.
She climbed one hill. Then another. Then another. Each night, she rested and watched the stars.
At the top of the tallest hill, Turtle still could not touch them. But she noticed something. The stars were reflected in a quiet lake below.
Turtle climbed down and slipped into the water. All around her, stars shimmered.
Hawk flew overhead. “Did you reach the stars?” he asked. Turtle smiled. “I found the way that was meant for me.”