This painting is based on a Native American creation story. 
There are many different versions of it, but I will tell it as I know it. 
It is said that after the Great Flood all of the creatures that had survived were floating on logs. 
Creator came and told them that new land could be made if one of them could swim 
down to the bottom and gather some mud. All of the best swimmers tried first--Otter, 
Beaver, Turtle, and many others, but none could make it to the bottom. 
Next, the strong animals--Bear, Elk, Moose, and many others--but they had no better luck. 
Finally, one of the smallest and weakest, Muskrat, said 'Let me try'. Some of the animals laughed. 
Why could Muskrat do what they could not? Others said to let him try, it was only fair. 
So Muskrat swam down. Deeper and deeper he went, and, just before he could hold his breath 
no longer, he touched the bottom and got a paw full of mud. With the very last of his 
strength, he pushed himself upwards. When his body came to the top, the mud was found in his paw. 
Creator then asked who would carry the land that Muskrat had given his life for. 
Turtle (who had laughed loudest) said 'I will'. So then Creator spread the mud on 
Turtle's back, and he grew and grew into an island--which we can still see today, 
whenever we look beneath our feet.