“Origin of Disease and Medicine” (Cherokee)

This myth also shows the way man uses animals and plants, to the detriment of the animals. They hold a council when man has become too greedy and numerous. The bears decide to try and make bows and arrows, but are unable to shoot the bow without cutting off their claws. They disband, making no solution. The deer vow that any man who takes a deer’s life without asking for forgiveness will suffer rheumatism. The reptiles and snakes and fish make man dream of them, causing them to be sick. The other animals all get together and come up with lists of diseases to cause to man, but the plants hearing this vow to help man. Every plant is supposed to have a cure for some ill if only man will find it.