The Cherokee Myth

Once when the Cherokee nation was on the verge of destruction, with only the great Chief Windwalker left to led them. The Cherokee god of nature saw the suffering that his people endured from the heat and wind, but knew not how to help them. He searched the land for a solution to this problem so that his people could survive. The Cherokee god could not find the answer, instead he found a young woman. She was kneeling beside a dried up pond silently praying to anyone who would listen. The young woman was the only child of the Chief Windwalker, and a rare beauty to behold. Suddenly, she began to cry great sobs and the Cherokee god went to her to comfort her. The young woman crie for a few more moments before she noticed that she was not as alone as she had thought she was. The woman looked upon the Cherokee god with mixed emotions of shock and fear. “Do not fear me,” said the Cherokee god, “I promise that I shall do anything to help the daughter of Windwalker. Tell me your name, child.” “It is Rainwater,” she said quietly. “Rainwater, why are you crying?” he asked. “Because the sun is so hot that there is no shade nor water,” replied Rainwater, “Please is there anything you can do?” The Cherokee god thought for a long moment, and an idea came to his mind. An idea that would not only save his people, but would also help him. “Tell me,” said the Cherokee god, “what would you do for my help? Because what you ask has a great price for the magic required.” After a few seconds, Rainwater whispered one word, “anything.” And so the Cherokee god took from Rainwater a single tear and mixed it with sand. After a few moments a single sprout came forth, and then more began to grow. Soon there were trees growing tall with thin needles providing shade, and this was the beginning of the pine tree. What is the price for such a creation? Rainwater became the Cherokee god’s bride and the spent the rest of eternity watching over the Cherokee people as they ran