THE LITTLE PEOPLE

THE LITTLE PEOPLE

NOTES TAKEN FROM FAMILY ELDERS ON FEBRUARY 2,1981

The village was dark except for the story fires burning in the center of the village. I am Running Fox, chief of this village, at the head waters of Shooting Creek. I tell you my brothers; this story was passed down to me by my father and from his father and from his forefathers, of the war with the little people. They lived way south of the Cherokees and were great warriors. They were shorter than most Indians and that's why they were called the little people. My great-grandfather, chief of this village, many seasons of mother earth ago, without people making war against all that came and we were feared by all, took our warriors south to do battle against the little people. The battle went on and on for many moons, many young braves had fallen but the battle went on. One morning they rushed into battle against the little people, when my forefather was hit by an arrow and fell. The other warriors, thinking he was dead, took off back to the home lands of the Cherokees, leaving the body of their beloved chief behind.

They reached home and told the village elders that the chief was dead and they had made the great circle to send his spirit to the rim. The village cried and the women made loud sounds with their tears. This went on for many moons but then the village was beginning to return to peace and the crying had stopped.

Way to the south where this great battle had taken place, the chief was found by the little people and he was not dead. They used their great medicines to make him well. The chief said, "Why did you not finish me off, for I and my warriors have killed many of your little people". The chief of the little people said, "We do not hurt the fallen or kill grandfather people when they are hurt and down. My warriors will come to save me". "No, my great chief, your warriors ran away many moons ago and did not come back. My little warriors followed your warriors for a long way and they are still running the last time we saw them".

After many moons, the Cherokee chief was well again and said to the chief of the little people, "There will be peace between the Cherokees and the little people. We will make war no more with our brothers, the lower Creek Indians, this is agreed. I need to ask for some of your warriors to go with me to the lands and my home at Shooting Creek". The chief of the little people said, "I will send my best warriors with you but I am glad that I am not in your place and have to do what you have to do". So the Cherokee chief and the warriors went on their way to the lands of the Cherokee.

When the chief and the warriors of the little people reached the village at Shooting Creek, the people in the village ran out to meet him saying, "We were told you were dead, how can this be that you are alive and well. Why are you with these little people? Go and call the elders of the village and the mother of the longhouse. Find all the warriors that had gone to do battle with me against the little people and bring them to the center of the village", and this was done. next

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