A Cherokee Legend:
Grandmother Spider Steals the Sun

Cherokee Legends from the Mountain Living TeamIn the beginning there was only blackness, and nobody could see anything. People kept bumping into each other and groping blindly. They said: "What this world needs is light." Fox said he knew some people on the other side of the world who had plenty of light, but they were too greedy to share it with others. Possum said he would be glad to steal a little of it. "I have a bushy tail," he said. "I can hide the light inside all that fur." Then he set out for the other side of the world.

There he found the sun hanging in a tree and lighting everything up. He sneaked over to the sun, picked out a tiny piece of light, and stuffed it into his tail. But theCherokee Legends from the Mountain Living Team light was hot and burned all the fur off. The people discovered his theft and took back the light, and ever since, Possum's tail has been bald.

"Let me try," said Buzzard. "I know better than to hide a piece of stolen light in my tail. "I'll put it on my head." He flew to the other side of the world and, diving straight into the sun, seized it in his claws. He put it on his head, but it burned his head feathers off. The people grabbed the sun away from him, and ever since that time Buzzard's head has remained bald.

Then Grandmother Spider said, "Let me try!" First she made a thick-walled pot out of clay. Next she spun a web reaching all the way to the other side of the world. She was so small that none of the people there noticed her coming. Quickly Grandmother Spider snatched up the sun, put it in the bowl of clay, and scrambled back home along one of the strands of her web. Now her side of the world had light, and everyone rejoiced. Spider Woman brought not only the sun to the Cherokee, but fire with it. And besides that, she taught the Cherokee people the art of pottery making.
From a tale reported by James Mooney in the 1890s




Lee & Carol Barbour
"The Mountain Living Team"
info@mountainlivingteam.com


             

 
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9 Comments on Another Cherokee Legend from the Mountain Living Team in Murphy, NC

AUG
14
294,966 Points

I recall this tale from when I went to school, we learned all sorts of things from those tales. Thank you for bringing back the memories!
1:15pm • #1
507,520 Points 1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

We love the heritage and tales of the Cherokee too, Bud & Beth. We are so fortunate to live in these western NC mountains!
1:34pm • #2
1,120,483 Points 102 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

what a cute story.  I had never heard it before.  Will have to share... since I live on Possum Point with the bald tail Possums.
1:47pm • #3
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Tammy, that's one of my favorite parts about the Cherokee Legends...they always explain how the experience changed the animals.
2:02pm • #4
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The Cherokees must have had a pretty vivid imagination!
2:47pm • #5
534,754 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Carol,  thanks for another Cherokee legend. It has been quite awhile since I visited your site when you posted a Cherokee story.  Didn't you write a whole series?
7:20pm • #6
395,299 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Lee & Carol, I really enjoyed your Cherokee legend -- especially since I have some Cherokee ancestors.  I also wanted to mention that the artwork you used is perfect.
9:33pm • #7
1,100,230 Points 25 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Carol, what a nice story and one I've never heard and I am part Cherokee :)
9:36pm • #8
AUG
15
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They do John, and they've passed those stories down for us to enjoy too!

Yes, I've tried to share some of them along the way, Mary.

Thanks so much Gary!

Us too, Rebecca. I have Cherokee from my family and Lee has Powhatan from his side of the family in Virginia.
8:06am • #9

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Lee & Carol Barbour, Realtors® Murphy, NC and North GA Homes For Sale

Murphy, NC

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Mountain Living Team - Coldwell Banker High Country

Address: 4290 US Hwy 64 West, Murphy, NC, 28906

Office Phone: (866) 835-8500 x 108

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Author Bio: Lee and Carol Barbour - The Mountain Living Team are Realtors in the Murphy, NC mountains and live, play and sell real estate in Murphy and Hayesville NC and Hiawassee, Blairsville and Blue Ridge GA and Copperhill TN. Follow our blog to see the scenery, outdoor activities, homes, land and mountain lifestyle we love.

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