Flaptekst

Native Americans use storytelling to get to know one another, as well as, passing history and messages on to newer generations. These stories are a heritage, but they will be known only as long as they are told. When someone ceases to tell a story, part of our cultural knowledge is gone. The stories of Native American Indians have always possessed some greater meaning. They are often based in nature or about animals. And even though the tribes may vary in location or beliefs, deep within you will find a common thread. Respect for nature can be heard in stories from tribes from Canada to Florida.
The stories included in this book show Native American storytelling at its best. These stories have been passed from generation to generation as with tradition, and have been left as much intact as possible. I was born Cherokee, and I learned many of these stories from my grandfather as a child, just as other Cherokee children did. As with tradition, these stories are now shared with you, to go forward and share with a future generation.
By exploring these stories you will get a glimpse into an often forgotten past. Among the stories included in this book are: The Beaver and the Old Man, The Old Beggar, How the Rabbit Stole the Otter's Coat, Origin of the Pleiades and the Pine, What Became of the Rabbit, Origin of Light, The Spirit Land, The Fable of the Animals, The Theft of Fire, The Creation, The Empounded Water, The Deceived Blind Men, Manabozho's Wolf Brother, The Boy Who Became a God, Song of the Ghost Dance, A Raccoon Story, and many, many more.