Cherokee Myths

A woman ahead of her time, Mary Breydon knew how to get things done. Raised on a Virginia plantation, she learned how to care for livestock, respect her workers, and keep good books. But after her husband is killed, Mary must provide for her young daughter by running a stage coach station on the...

In Cherokee myth - as in other indigenous American traditions - the whole of creation is alive and able to communicate like humans and with the human beings who share their environment. Cherokee myths explain how the world came to be the way it is and imparts important lessons about Cherokee cultural values.

Why are ravens black? Why do screech owl eyes look red in light? How did we get fire? You'll find the answers to those questions in this retelling of a Cherokee pourquoi folktale. The earth was cold and dark, but the animals could see fire coming from the tree on the island. They tried to fly or swim to the island to bring back the fire's heat and light. What happened to some of the animals? Which animal brought it back and how?

Un recuento de la leyenda Chéroqui que explica cómo conseguimos el fuego y por qué ciertos animales son como son.