A collection of stories from China, Australia, Africa, Sri Lanka, and the Arctic, from Jewish, Greek, Native American, and Norse cultures that seek to answer the mysteries of the earth.

The creation of the world --How the world came from an egg (a story from China) -- How the world was made in seven days (a story from the Bible) -- How a turtle carried the world (from the Seneca tribe of North America) -- How everything came from fire and ice (a Norse myth) -- How a lonely goddess filled the world with people (a story from China). Warmth and light -- How the world was lit up by a bonfire (an Australian Aboriginal story) -- How the sun became brighter than the moon (a story from the Cameroons) -- How a girl brought about the seasons (a Greek myth) -- How summer was brought into winter's home (from the Algonquian tribe of North America) -- How a crow brought daylight into a dark land (a story from the Inuit people) -- How a broomstick brightened the world (a story from Sri Lanka). Creatures great and small -- Why rabbit is shy (from the Hopi tribe of North America) -- Why snake has no legs (an Ashanti story from Ghana) -- Whe the bear has a stumpy tail (a story from Norway) -- Why elephants live in the jungle (from the Kamba people of Kenya) -- Why there are butterflies (an Australian Aboriginal story).