02-11-2006, 04:19 AM
Back when the world was young, the humans and the animal people could speak to each other. At first they lived in peace. The humans hunted the animals only when they needed food and clothing. Then the humans discovered the bow and arrow. With this new weapon , they could kill many animals quickly and with great ease. They began to kill animals when they did not need food or clothing. It seemed as if all the animals in the world would soon be exterminated.<br> <br> The animals met in council. The bears decided that they would fight back. " How can we do that?" said one of the bear warriors."The humans will shoot us with their arrows before we come close to them." Old Bear their chief agreed. "That is true," he said. "We must learn how to use the same weapons they use." The bears made a very strong bow and fashioned arrows for it.But whenever they tried to shoot the bow their long claws got in the way."I'll cut off my claws," said one of the bears.He did so, and was able to use the bow and arrow. His aim was good and he hit his mark everytime.<br> <br> "That is good," said Old Bear. "Now go climb that tree." The bear tried to climb the tree, but he failed. Old Bear shook his head."This will not do. Without our claws , we cannot climb trees or hunt or dig for food. We must give up this idea of using the same weapons the humans use."<br> <br> One by one, each animal groups met. One by one, they came to no conclusion . It seemed there was no way to fight back. But the last group to meet was the deer.Awi Usdi, Little Deer, was their leader. " I see what we must do, we cannot stop the humans from hunting the animals. THAT IS THE WAY IT WAS MEANT TO BE. However, the humans are not doing things in the right way. If they do not RESPECT us and hunt us when there is no real need, they may kill us all. I shall go now and tell the hunters what they must do. Whenever they wish to kill a deer, they must prepare a ceremony. They must ask me for permission to kill one of us.After they kill a deer, they must show RESPECT to its SPIRIT and ask pardon. If they do not do this, I shall track them down, and with my magic I will make their limbs cripple. Then they will no longer be able to walk or shoot their bow and arrow."<br> <br> Awi Usdi, Little Deer, did as he said. At night, he whispered into the ears of the hunters, telling them what they must do. When they awoke, some of the hunters thought they had been dreaming and they were not sure that the dream was a true one. Others, though, realized that Awi Usdi, Little Deer, had spoken to them. They hunted for the deer and other animals when they needed food or clothing. They remembered to prepare in a ceremonial way, to ask permission before killing an animal, and to ask pardon when the animal was killed.<br> <br> The others continued to kill animals for no reason. Awi Usdi, Little Deer, came to them and , using his magic, crippled them with rheumatism. Before long, all the hunters began to treat the animals with RESPECT and followed Awi Usdi, Little Deer's teachings.<br> <br> So it is that the animals have survived to this day. Because of Awi Usdi, Little Deer, the Indian people show RESPECT. To this day, even though the animals and people no longer speak to each other as in the old days, the people still show RESPECT and give thanks to the animals they must hunt..<br> <br> I was compelled to write this Cherokee short story because of the way hunting is looked upon today. I feel that hunting is not a sport, it is a way of life. It sustains me and enriches my spirit. This is the way I live and the way of my people, it is the right trail...I hope this doesn't offend it is not meant to instill my beliefs or ways upon anyone..It is the trail I have choosen, I believe to be the right trail..I hope to see you on this trail with me...gut<br> <br>