What follows is a letter I wrote for the children at a local elementary school. I had visited several of their classes in November, teaching them about Cherokee traditions, culture, and history. They seemed to enjoy my visit, and listened well.
I remember how the first signs of spring effected me when I was that age (and still does). I thought I might draw some capital on my association with them, and encourage them to keep hands to the plow, until school was officially out for summer. This letter is my attempt, which I sent to a local newspaper for publishing.
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| Ribbon Shirt & Medicine Wheel for Story Telling |
O-see-yoh (Cherokee greeting) to the 3rd Graders of our Elementary School,
I am Ray Long. Last November, Mrs. King asked me to visit and tell you about the stories, history, and everyday life of my Cherokee ancestors – a Woodlands Nation.
We talked about many things, but I only told you a little about something that is very important to you right now. I want to tell you more about your “power.”
You see the Cherokee were proud of their power to be a great hunter, a fast runner, a strong warrior – but that was not all. The Cherokee were equally proud of their power to be a great speaker, a brave peacemaker, and a wise person. All these things are kinds of “power.” These days can be difficult for your powers.
Each day in school, you make your powers grow stronger. Working at school grows your power to do math, power to speak and write well, and power to help others learn. Right now, the days are growing longer. The sun is beginning to warm the earth. Soon we will see the return of migratory birds, and buds will appear on the trees. This is a happy time, but can be a difficult time for you.
You have gone through many months of school work, which has made your power, stronger. But, the weather has been cold, and dark. You know that summer is near, and you are looking forward to your summer vacation.
It is during times like this, that the trickster will whisper in your ear, “Take it easy. Don’t work so hard. You deserve to just have fun.”
People with weak power, will decide to stop working at school and act like summer is already here. They will decide to stop doing all their studies and homework. They will decide to stop listening to their teacher. By doing this, they decide to let the trickster win, and they will loose their power.
If you want your power to grow stronger, you must decide right now, to fight the trickster until the end of school. You must decide to work hard at your studies and homework. You must decide to listen closely to your teacher. This is the way to fight the trickster, and make your power stronger.
The choice is yours. You must decide. Use your power and choose wisely.
Next November, if I am still Mrs. King’s pastor, and she wants me to visit her new class, maybe we will see each other in the halls. Good trails to you.
I am Ray Long. Last November, Mrs. King asked me to visit and tell you about the stories, history, and everyday life of my Cherokee ancestors – a Woodlands Nation.
We talked about many things, but I only told you a little about something that is very important to you right now. I want to tell you more about your “power.”
You see the Cherokee were proud of their power to be a great hunter, a fast runner, a strong warrior – but that was not all. The Cherokee were equally proud of their power to be a great speaker, a brave peacemaker, and a wise person. All these things are kinds of “power.” These days can be difficult for your powers.
Each day in school, you make your powers grow stronger. Working at school grows your power to do math, power to speak and write well, and power to help others learn. Right now, the days are growing longer. The sun is beginning to warm the earth. Soon we will see the return of migratory birds, and buds will appear on the trees. This is a happy time, but can be a difficult time for you.
You have gone through many months of school work, which has made your power, stronger. But, the weather has been cold, and dark. You know that summer is near, and you are looking forward to your summer vacation.
It is during times like this, that the trickster will whisper in your ear, “Take it easy. Don’t work so hard. You deserve to just have fun.”
People with weak power, will decide to stop working at school and act like summer is already here. They will decide to stop doing all their studies and homework. They will decide to stop listening to their teacher. By doing this, they decide to let the trickster win, and they will loose their power.
If you want your power to grow stronger, you must decide right now, to fight the trickster until the end of school. You must decide to work hard at your studies and homework. You must decide to listen closely to your teacher. This is the way to fight the trickster, and make your power stronger.
The choice is yours. You must decide. Use your power and choose wisely.
Next November, if I am still Mrs. King’s pastor, and she wants me to visit her new class, maybe we will see each other in the halls. Good trails to you.
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