The Woods

Atohi looked down, through the branches of a tree, at the rushing water below. It was flowing fresh from the waterfall. In the language of the Cherokee, his name means the woods. He is aptly named, as he loves the solitude of the forest.

The youngster is proud of his heritage. Although it was many years since the Trail Of Tears, he remembers the stories of his ancestors as related by his grandfather. The story narrated as to how the Cherokee tribe of Native American Indians became famous as one of the "Five Civilized Tribes," because they had assimilated cultural affairs and customs of white settlers and colonists. The "Five Advanced Tribes" were Cherokees, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. The Cherokees refer to themselves as "Principal People." In 1831, the Five Civilized Tribes were forced to travel from their homelands in the Deep South to reservations in present day Oklahoma. The journey was over 1000 miles and became known as the Trail of Tears. (ref. Wikipedia)

As time went by, the people began to leave the land of Oklahoma to return to their homeland of what is now known as the Southeast. Although Athohi was born on this land, the story was seared into his mind and memory. He would never forget.

As the young man sat there, his thoughts turned to the hunt. He learned to track animals with only the slightest indications of their presence. He hunted with a bow passed down to him from his father and arrows fashioned after the designs of his ancestors. On his hip was a large hunting knife that once belonged to his grandfather. In his spirit, he had visions of venison to present to his mother.

However, if this hunt is not successful, perhaps the flowing water will offer fish or maybe one of the snares will catch a big old rabbit.


By William C. Highsmith - October 21, 2017
© 2017 - William C. Highsmith