A long time ago when the Cherokee people were new upon the
earth, they thought that life would be much better if there was
never any night. They beseeched the Ouga (Creator) that it
might be day all the time and that there would be no darkness.
The Creator heard their voices and made the night cease and it
was day all the time. Soon, the forest was thick with heavy
growth. It became difficult to walk and to find the path. The
people toiled in the gardens many long hours trying to keep the
weeds pulled from among the corn and other food plants. It got
hot, very hot, and continued that way day after long day. The
people began to find it difficult to sleep and became short
tempered and argued among themselves.
Not many days had passed before the people realized they had
made a mistake and, once again, they beseeched the Creator.
"Please," they said, "we have made a mistake in asking that it
be day all the time. Now we think that it should be night all the
time." The Creator paused at this new request and thought that
perhaps the people may be right even though all things were
created in twos... representing to us day and night, life and
death, good and evil, times of plenty and those times of famine.
The Creator loved the people and decided to make it night all
the time as they had asked.
The day ceased and night fell upon the earth. Soon, the crops
stopped growing and it became very cold. The people spent
much of their time gathering wood for the fires. They could not
see to hunt meat and with no crops growing it was not long
before the people were cold, weak, and very hungry. Many of
the people died.
Those that remained still living gathered once again to beseech
the Creator. "Help us Creator," they cried! "We have made a
terrible mistake. You had made the day and the night perfect,
and as it should be, from the beginning. We ask that you forgive
us and make the day and night as it was before."
Once again the Creator listened to the request of the people.
The day and the night became, as the people had asked, as it
had been in the beginning. Each day was divided between light
and darkness. The weather became more pleasant, and the
crops began to grow again. Game was plentiful and the hunting
was good. The people had plenty to eat and there was not much
sickness. The people treated each other with compassion and
respect. It was good to be alive. The people thanked the Creator
for their life and for the food they had to eat.
The Creator accepted the gratitude of the people and was glad
to see them smiling again. However, during the time of the long
days of night, many of the people had died, and the Creator was
sorry that they had perished because of the night. The Creator
placed their spirits in a newly created tree. This tree was named
a-tsi-na tlu-gv {ah-see-na loo-guh} cedar tree.
When you smell the aroma of the cedar tree or gaze upon it
standing in the forest, remember that if you are Tsalagi
{Cherokee}, you are looking upon your ancestor.
Tradition holds that the wood of the cedar tree holds powerful
protective spirits for the Cherokee. Many carry a small piece of
cedar wood in their medicine bags worn around the neck. It is
also placed above the entrances to the house to protect against
the entry of evil spirits. A traditional drum would be made from
cedar wood.
Does the author believe this? Well, lets just say that there is a
piece of cedar in my medicine pouch and I wear it always. The
Creator did not make the people because of loneliness, but
because the Creator wanted to show generosity and love to the
people. Accept the blessings and the gifts given and always give
thanks for them
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