The Legacy of Language: Indigenous Language in Children’s Fiction

by Christine Hartman Derr

Introduction

A long time ago, all animals looked the same. The Creator of everything saw how they were all kind to one another and came to reward them, offering each animal a present. Group by group, animals entered the council house to receive their gift. The first group was afraid of everything and asked Creator to make them unafraid. Unelanvhi granted their wish: they grew large, with sharp teeth and claws. Now, bear was the scariest creature around. Yona was not afraid of anything, not anymore. Next was eagle. Eagle missed seeing Creator, and so Unelanvhi gave wohali wings to visit Creator in the skies. Rabbit wanted long ears to hear everything, big feet to jump, and longer front legs to be the fastest. Creator lengthened their ears, gave them mighty hind legs, but the front legs required something special, something secret. Creator asked all the animals to close their eyes. All the animals turned away, closing their eyes.

Except one group. They peeked.

Creator saw this, and gave them big eyes, a head that could spin around, and silent, stealthy feathers. Owl flew away. By the time Creator was done, there wasn’t time for Rabbit’s fast front legs. Creator promised to return when all were kind to one another again so that Rabbit could have his wish. That’s why Tsisdu stands up and watches the world. He is waiting for us to all be kind so he can be the fastest animal.

This is a story that has been shared across generations throughout Cherokee history. Stories have always connected us and continue to connect us in all their different forms, from oral stories to dances and written works.