Cherokee Little People

The Cherokee used to greet the morning sun in prayer each day. They had gathering places near their villages along the winding courses of the rivers and streams or by the waterfalls. They would go into the water, immersing themselves to cleanse their bodies, minds, and spirit. This ritual was done daily, in all seasons to keep them in touch with truth and purpose.

One of their gathering places was the area now covered by the water of Fontana Lake in North Carolina, not far from Cherokee Qualla Boundaries. It was then known as Judson. From this area comes the Oldest Story Ever Told.

It is reported that the native people of Turtle Island (North America) knew what was happening all over the world. They talked about small people-like creatures covered with hair who traveled through the trees (monkeys), horses with necks longer than their bodies (giraffe), or the ones that were striped black and white (zebras) and many more animals that did not inhabit the land of Turtle Island.

They knew about other lands and other peoples. Some even sent friendly messages back and forth. They shared ideas with these people from the other side of the ocean.

There seems to be evidence that many people all over the planet knew that the earth was round before science and adventurers proved it. Some Native Americans were skilled as astronomers, medalists, chemists, architects and other trades. They knew of other mountain ranges, of the pyramids, of markings on giant cliffs, of other seas, places of power, and many wonders of the world. For the Native Americans, this knowledge was because of the Little-People-Who-Wore-White.

According to Cherokee tradition these special Little People travelled all over the world and brought back news to Turtle Island.

THE OLDEST STORY EVER TOLD

The eastern sky brightened, turning pink with morning. The prayers were completed and everyone was in greetings. Someone called attention to beautiful lights coming toward them in a distance. A gust of wind swept through the forest preceding the hoot of an owl over the river. They stood awestruck as the Little-People-Who-Wore-White took form from the lights.

When the Little-People-Who-Wore-White arrived, sadness surrounded them in such a way that they did not talk. They kept their heads down in sorrow and stayed to themselves. Soon the gathering could feel all of nature being affected by this sadness. The Cherokees did not have much to say to one another.

There was an old Cherokee man who had been meeting the Little-People-Who-Wore-White longer than anyone else present. He made his way where they were and waited to be noticed. One of the Little-People-Who-Wore-White left the others and took the old man into the woods. They were gone for some time.

When they returned, the old man began speaking to the crowd. He reminded them of a time about 33 years before. It was the same time the new star came in the east, and a special child was born across the ocean. He reviewed all the news they had heard of him, from time to time, while he was growing up. How this special boy had become a man and had taught a better way to live. He reminded the gathering of this man's visits, through spirit, to tribes of this land.

The old man had returned the smiles to the Cherokees by talking about this man they had grown to love but had not seen.

The Little-People-Who-Wore-White joined the old man and spoke, "This man who brought you the knowledge of the way of peace and harmony among yourselves and all things, this man whom everyone loves if they are willing to hear him, has enemies. The enemies refuse to hear his message. They refuse to see when he works the miracles before their own eyes. These enemies who love only their positions and pursuit of material wealth have conspired against him. Today, when the sky darkens they will have killed him in a strange and most horrible way."

The Cherokees began to sing to this special man of peace as they watched the skies. They sang until the day became as dark as ngiht. The nearby creatures of the woods came among them and shared the sorrow. All of nature grieved.

The next day the Little-People-Who-Wore-White were still among those gathered. When the Cherokees were leaving to go bck to their own villages they were told, "No one, if not the Great Spirit, could stop this tragic thing that has happened. Take what new teachings you have learned from Him and live them in His honor."

The Cherokees managed to make their way home but could not manage their tears. Through the blur a woman saw tiny crystal-like sparkles on the trail.

She reached down and picked on up. She showed it to her friend. Soon everyone had picked one up.

The people observed that wherever a tear fell on these little stones it formed a tiny cross. It was a gift and a sign from the Great Spirit who heard their compassion and showed his love for them. These crosses of stone were kept and cherished by the Cherokees, and until this day are found and treasured by many.

About 2000 years have passed since then, but that day is still remembered among the Cherokees through these tiny crosses of stone.

However, for the last two centuries destruction of beautiful land areas has been rampant. What was sacred to the Cherokee has now been desecrated. The tiny stone crosses have been covered with dammed up water, plowed over, bulldozed and covered with concrete. Many of the Cherokees still know the power of these stones, but they are harder to find now. Others do not understand, and apparently, the stones are only a novelty to them.

Anyone finding one of thee stone crosses should cherish it . . . and remember Him.

Today these stones are sparsely found in other Cherokee meeting places, what are now commonly called Fairyland Park in Virginia and Tallulah Falls in Georgia.

When the sacred significance of the tiny stone crosses was diminished, the Little-People-Who-Wore-White no longer came and the Cherokee no longer gathered.