Question

the story involves creation from nothing. the story depicts a small amount of earth expanding, resulting in the origin of earth. the story tells how natural forces interact to begin creation. when there was no earth, a gigantic cormorant dived into the water in search of food. when it returned to the surface, a small lump of mud sticking to its beak fell on the water. the lump grew until it brought up some mud that later became an island. the island grew into earth. once upon a time, the sky and his younger brother, the sea, got into a sword fight. the sparks from their swords formed the planets. in the beginning there were no animals or humans, plants or trees. god uttered a command and the world began.

Explanation:

• For the first story: A small lump of mud (a small amount of earth) expands (the lump grew until it became an island which grew into Earth), so it matches "The story depicts a small amount of earth expanding, resulting in the origin of Earth."
• For the second story: Sky and Sea (natural forces as they can be seen as personified natural elements) have a sword - fight and sparks form planets (natural forces interact to begin creation), so it matches "The story tells how natural forces interact to begin creation."
• For the third story: There was nothing (no animals, humans, plants, trees) and God's command (creation from nothing as it starts from a void and a divine command), so it matches "The story involves creation from nothing."

Answer:

• First story: The story depicts a small amount of earth expanding, resulting in the origin of Earth.
• Second story: The story tells how natural forces interact to begin creation.
• Third story: The story involves creation from nothing.