The Singing Scoutmaster: Cracking of the Great Shell, The

In the beginning, when the Creator, the Grandfather of all things, formed the Earth, he made all the animals and birds. He gathered each creature—big and small, feathered and furred—and placed them inside a large shell. This shell was special, resting along the backbone of the Earth, the great mountains that spanned from north to south.

"When the time is right," the Creator said to the animals inside, "the shell will open, and you will all crawl out. Someone or something will crack the shell, and you must all take your places upon the Earth." The Creator sealed the shell tightly and left, hoping that his favorite animal, the Panther, would be the first to emerge.

Time passed. The animals waited patiently in the darkness, curled up inside the shell. The Creator watched and waited as well, but the shell remained closed, unmoving. Beside the shell stood a great tree. As more time passed, the tree's roots grew larger and thicker, slowly creeping around the shell. The roots began to squeeze and press against it until, at last, one of the roots cracked the shell with a loud *snap* that echoed through the mountains.

With the shell cracked, the Wind rushed down, swirling and howling through the opening. It reached inside, wrapping itself around the Panther and guiding it out of the shell. The Panther, sleek and strong, took its place on the Earth, its paws pressing firmly into the ground. The Panther was the first to emerge, just as the Creator had hoped.

Next to crawl out was the Bird. It had been pecking and scratching around the hole made by the root, eager to see the world outside. When the Wind widened the crack, Bird stepped out and immediately took to the skies, its wings flapping joyfully as it soared above the land. The Bird's song filled the air, welcoming all the other creatures to join it.

One by one, the other animals emerged. The Bear lumbered out, powerful and calm, finding its place in the deep woods. The Deer followed, graceful and swift, bounding across the open meadows. The Snake slithered out next, winding its way through the grasses and rocks. The Frog hopped out and found its home by the waters, singing a song of welcome to the new world. The playful Otter splashed into the rivers, darting through the water with delight.

Thousands of creatures emerged from the shell, each seeking its own place on the Earth. There were so many that only the Creator could count them all. As each animal took its place, the world began to fill with life, sound, and movement. The shell that had once held them all was now empty, but the Earth was brimming with the Creator's creations.

The Panther prowled through the forests, Bird soared through the skies, and all the other animals found homes that suited them. The Creator looked down upon the world and smiled, for everything had found its place. The shell had cracked, and the animals had taken their places on the face of the Earth, just as he had intended.

To this day, the Seminole people remember the story of the Great Shell and the cracking that brought life to the world. It is a reminder of how every creature has a place and purpose on the Earth, guided by the hand of the Creator and the winds of fate.