Legend and folklore of the Great Lakes region tell us that long ago, there was a large great turtle who floated quietly and gently upon a world made only of water—his name was Makinauk.

In this retelling of the legend about the creation of Mackinac Island, the wise and kind painted turtle Makinauk tells his friends Loon, Beaver, and Otter that now was the time to build a beautiful piece of land for all of the animals to rest upon, but that one of them must dive through the depths of the water and bring back a handful of soil to place upon his back. This, said Makinauk, would be the beginning of a brand new world.

First Loon, then Beaver, then Otter make the attempt to bring back the handful of soil to start this new land, but they fail to do so one after another and rest upon Makinauk’s back in weary sorrow. When Muskrat swims along and hears of their plight, he too offers to attempt to retrieve the soil. The other animals laugh at small, weak Muskrat, but not wise Makinauk. And as Muskrat takes one long, deep breath, closes his eyes and dives into the water, the rest of the animals wait in anxious doubt to find out whether he succeeds.

A beautiful story of devoted friendship and perseverance.