Topic Research: Why Animals are the Way They Are

So, one of my ideas was to a project about creation stories, but then I realized that the ones about animals are even more interesting. I think it would be cool to look into Native-Amerian stories about how animals came to be with their distinctive features and characteristics. Here are a few that I would like to build upon. Sacred Texts is a great site to find some of these stories.
1. How the Redbird Got His Color. This story says the redbird became red because of a deal he made with a brown bird who wanted to change his color. It would be cool to expand upon the story and add more details, like why the brown bird was so unhappy with his color or why he would trust an animal who could eat him.

 How did this bird come upon the color red? Image: Flickr

2. Why the Bear Has a Short Tail. I like this story for the wittiness of the fox. He tricks the bear into freezing his tail off (literally) and because of that, all future bears were doomed to have a short tail. Unlike the first story, this one has more dialogue and is longer. I would want to develop the characters more, maybe give the fox and bear a backstory so his trickery has more meaning.
3.Why the Mole Lives Underground. In this story, the mole lives underground because he was hiding from people who were angry with him. He helps a man who is in love with a woman who does not return his feelings. The man had tried several ways to win her love but was unsuccessful. I would make the mole friends with either the man or woman so he has a personal connection to both of them. Either he works for the woman and wants her to find someone so she'll be happier or he's friends with the man and wishes to fulfill his wishes.