How Turtle Cracked His Shell

A traditional Native American (Cherokee) folktale originally collected by Joseph Bruchac and beautifully retold for early readers by Rosie McCormick. This classic "pourquoi" tale explains the legendary origin of why a turtle's shell is cracked and patterned. The story follows a boastful turtle whose pride and desire to fly with the birds leads to a great fall, offering young readers a gentle, humorous, and timeless lesson about humility, friendship, and the consequences of vanity.