Bald Eagle sends Mud-Turtle to the Edge of the World

A bald-headed elder known as Bald Eagle lived on a mountain’s peak, while his wife and three children resided by a lake halfway up the same mountain. Each day, Bald Eagle would descend to fish in the lake, sharing his catch with his family on his way home. This routine brought them contentment for many years. Eventually, Bald Eagle grew curious about the size of the world. As the chief of his people, he convened a council and expressed his desire to know the extent of the world, asking for a volunteer to embark on this journey.

A young man named Deer stepped forward, accepting the task. When asked how long he would be gone, he replied that he could not say, as he did not know the distance he would need to travel. Deer set off and, after two moons, reached a land where everything was white—the forests, the water, the grass. The white ground hurt his feet, prompting him to return. Upon his return, Bald Eagle called a council to hear Deer’s account. Although Deer admitted he did not reach the world’s end, he described the White Country. Unconvinced, Bald Eagle sent another man, who traveled for four moons before returning with a similar report.

Determined, Bald Eagle dispatched more men, each journeying further and bringing back new tales. One man crossed white rivers and lakes, returning after eight moons, while another trekked through rocky places for ten moons. Despite their efforts, none satisfied Bald Eagle’s curiosity until a particularly strong, albeit homely, man volunteered, promising to reach the end of the world. Bald Eagle believed in him, and the man set off along with others from the tribe. After forty moons, the travelers returned, and the homely man, Mud-Turtle, revealed he had indeed reached the world’s end, encountering diverse peoples, wildlife, forests, and rivers. Satisfied, Bald Eagle made Mud-Turtle second chief, honoring his perseverance and discovery.

This retelling respects and honors the living tradition of the Seneca people.

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