Wohali,
the Cherokee Boy
By Winona Rasheed
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Fiction, children's - See
notes on language at end
"Tsu-li-s-da-na!"
shouted Wohali as he responded to the big, fat catfish that was attached to the
end of his fishing pole. He leaped from the plastic, white pail he was sitting
on and began to struggle with the long, bamboo stick. "Dakwa!" he screeched when
he saw the size of his enormous catch. He waded barefoot out into the murky
lake, water rising higher and higher, his feet treading deeper and deeper into
the rippling cool water. The Catfish was still attempting his escape as it
flipped, flopped and wiggled, trying to free itself of the nylon string hooked
into his mouth.
Wohali
yanked on the wooden fishing pole, using all the strength he had in his tall,
lanky, eleven-year-old body. His reddish-brown skin glistened in the sunshine as
he moved with skill through the waist high water. The muscles in his arms bulged
(w.c.) as he yanked and reared back, causing the fishing pole to arch like a
bow.
Moments
later, Wohali stood by the side of the lake grinningas he stared at his catch.
He had been trying for the last month to hook the catfish as a surprise for his
grandfather, who had taught him the skills of hunting and fishing.
"This is o-sa-da,"
he said with glee as he dropped the fish into the pail he had been sitting on.
"E-du-di will be proud," he said as he gathered up his moccasins and ran like an
eagle in flight, sopping wet through the woods,
When the
one-room wooden cabin was in sight, Wohali began to shout at the top of his
lungs.
"E-du-di!
E-du-di! E-he-na, e-he-na!" he said with excitement as he approached the house.
Grey Wolf
appeared in the doorway of the old rustic log cabin. His grey hair was parted
down the center of his head, with two long braids hanging over his shoulders.
Even though he was old, he stood tall and strong, a brave, proud man. A smile
appeared on his broad face as he greeted his grandson.
"Wohali,
what is all the commotion?" Grey Wolf asked.
"Tsu-li-s-da-na!
Dak-wa! I finally caught him!" said Wohali.
Grey Wolf
peered into the bucket, his dark eyes glowed with happiness.
"O-s-da-du."
said his grandfather, "you have done well."
"I am a
great a-su-his-ki," said the young Cherokee.
"A great
ka-na-ti too," replied his grandfather.
"A-su-hus-ki
is fun," said Wohali as he stared wide eyed at the catfish.
"You clean.
I cook," said Grey Wolf. "Tonight we will eat good, du-ya and a-tsa-di."
When Wohali
was finished scaling and cleaning his grandfather placed the fish on the open
pit. The scent of fish and beans cooking sent a delightful aroma to the young
boy's nose and his stomach gurgled.
When the
food was finished Wohali sat with his grandfather on the ground and ate the
evening meal around the fire.
"I like
this," said Wohali as he ate a piece of the fish with his fingers.
"You like
the fish, or you like living like a Cherokee?" his grandfather asked
"I like
both!" replied Wohali, a big smile was planted on his face.
"You know,
tomorrow is the start of school," said Grey Wolf. "You must go."
"I don't
want to go! You can teach me like you have been."
"I teach
you the way of the Cherokee, you must learn other things too."
"You can
teach me what I need to know, better than anyone. You are a o-sa-da teacher,"
said Wohali.
"Wa-do, but
you not going to school is ha-o-s-da. It will be u-yo-i for you. You need to be
with other di-ni-yo-tli, make new tsu-na-li," answered Grey Wolf.
Wohali
stopped eating and glared into the burning embers.
"What’s
wrong?" asked his grandfather.
"What if
they don't like me?" asked Wohali
"What is
not to like? You will make many tsi-na-li," his grandfather assured him.
" They
won't let me dress the way I want, the way I am used to," he complained, "And
what about my Cherokee Indian head band that you gave me, will I be able to wear
that?" asked Wohali.
"You will
be the new at-su-tsa at school. You do not want to bring attention to yourself.
You want to fit in. You do not want to stand out above the others," said Grey
Wolf. " This is why I bought you some new clothes to wear."
Wohali
frowned.
"Can I
bring my ga-li-tsa-di?"
"I doubt if
you will have need of it, I don't think your class will be hunting. Save that
for the week-end."
Wohali gave
a heavy sigh. "You're going to make me go aren't you?"
"V-v, you
are a-da-hi and still have a lot to ga-do-le-qua. You have done well learning
Cherokee, and your heritage. You make me proud, but now it is time to learn and
experience new things. It is time for you to prepare for your su-na-le-i. Do you
understand?"
Wohali
nodded his head yes, but a sad look was still on his face.
"I do not
have to cut my hair, I can keep it, right?" he asked, "I do not have to give
that up?" he said as he ran his fingers through his shiny shoulder-length hair.
His
grandfather smiled, "You can wear it, but remember, your appearance does not
make you Cherokee. What makes you Tsa-lagi, is what is in here and here," he
said as he pointed to the boy's(boys are young) heart and head. "Remember the
right way of living and always obey the laws of the creator. Let your Tsa-lagi
heritage shine from the inside out, remembering all that I have taught you, then
you will soar high like the wohali my a-tsu-tsa. I promise, you will be a-li-he-li-s-di."
Wohali
grinned and took another hand full of the fish and crammed it into his mouth.
"Ha-wa," he said after swallowing the food. " I will remember."
Grey Wolf
nodded his approval. They finished the meal in silence, with only Wohali's mind
asking a lot of what ifs.
That night
as Wohali lay on his cot, thoughts of the new school danced in his head. He
imagined the worse. He felt more secure with his grandfather than going to the
Community School. His grandfather had taught him everything he knew; reading,
writing, the English language as well as the Cherokee language. His grandfather
was a good teacher, a good role model, so why did it have to change now?
Wohali
tossed and turned all night. Visions of an old school master with whip in hand
entered his dreams, turning his first day at school into a nightmare, as the
whip came cracking down around his ears. No Cherokees allowed in here! The
schoolmaster shouted. You will have to change! I will make you change! He
continued to say, his voice rising, and getting louder and louder.
Wohali woke up, breathing fast and hard. His heart pounding as he sat up on his
bed, he began to pray.
"Please
make a-ya tsi-li-tsu-ya-s-di," he said softly, as he stared at his sleeping
grandfather on the other side of the room.
The morning
came to quickly when Wohali was awakened by the sound of his grandfather stiring
around in the room.
"O-s-da-su-na-le-I,"
Grey Wolf said with a big smile.
Wohali
stared at the article of clothing that his grandfather held in his hand. A pair
of blue jeans. A light blue shirt and a pair of tennis shoes.
"This is
what you will wear today," said his grandfather, sounding very pleased.
"Wa-do,"
said Wohali as he took the clothing and flopped them on the bed.
"You get
dressed, and I will fix you something to eat, " said his grandfather.
Wohali
dressed slowly as he anticipated his first day at the Community School. The
aroma of bacon cooking outside filled the room. If it were any other day, he
would have been ready for the first meal of the day. But, the thought of food
made his stomach churn.
"You look
nice," said Grey Eagle, as he looked at his grandson standing in the open
doorway of the cabin.
"My feet
would feel better in my moccasins," said Wohali, staring down at his clad tennis
shoe feet. "These are not comfortable."
"You will
get used to them," his grandfather replied, as he handed him a piece of the
bacon that was done.
"I can't
eat," said Wohali. " I just want to leave so I can get this day over with."
His
grandfather nodded his approval and took a bite of the meat. "I will see you
later, when you come home. Perhaps we can go fishing before it gets dark."
Wohali
walked slowly away from his grandfather, leaving his world and the scent of
breakfast behind. Traveling through the dense wooded area of tall, over grown
oak trees, Sycamores, and wild Mulberry bushes (incomplete sentence). He caught
glimpse of a small, grey jackrabbit and was almost tempted to follow after it.
Sparrows, cardinals and hummingbirds chirped as they sat on the out stretched
branches above his head. He walked spiritlessly towards the school, taking his
time and mumbling in Cherokee to himself.
It wasn't
long after his leaving the wooded area; he saw the large white stone building
with its double wooden doors. Two large windows on each side of the entrance let
the morning light enter the large one room schoolhouse. He read the sign slowly,
that stood in the white picket fenced yard. Community school (a place to
grow, learn and prepare for your future.) We want you!
Wohali took
a deep breath and climbed the three large steps, hesitating with each move he
made. His mind replaying the dream he had the night before. He wondered if the
man behind the doors was going to be mean and burly looking, if he even carried
a whip in his hand.
"Please
make a-ya- tsi-li-tsu-ya-s-di," he whispered as he opened the double doors and
stood in the entrance, feeling alone and afraid.
The second
the door was opened, all the children's heads turned, their eyes staring at the
newcomer who had just arrived late.
Wohali
looked around the quiet room, searching for the big, burly teacher.
"Welcome,"
said the woman standing in front of the classroom. "Please come in," she said
with a broad smile.
Wohali
looked at the red haired woman. She did not look intimidating, and she most
definitely did not resemble the man in his dream. Miss Walker came forward to
greet her new student, her hand stretched out for a handshake.
"My name is
Miss Walker. You must be Wohali," she said with a gentle, calming smile as she
walked him to the front of the room. "Your grandfather said you would be coming.
Why don't you introduce yourself to everyone."
Wohali
stared at the group of children, his eyes bouncing from one strange face to
another.
"I am
Wohali, my name means eagle. I am Cherokee." He uttered softly.
"O-si-yo,"
said Miss Walker, "I am glad you are here."
Wohali was
surprised to hear the greeting from his new teacher. "O-si-yo," he said, "wa-do."
"Are you a
real Indian?" one of the children asked.
Wohali
nodded his head, "I am." He replied.
"Everyone,
say hello to Wohali, our new friend and classmate," said the teacher.
At once,
all the children began to speak.
"Hello, my
name is Michael, I'm Irish," said one boy.
"Hi, my
name is Sanchez, I'm Mexican," said another.
"How! My
name is Frank,” one boy said with a grin. “I'm German.”
Wohali
laughed.
"Howdy,"
said another freckled face boy named Brian. "You can sit beside me if you want,"
he said, being polite.
"Wa-do,"
said Wohali as he took the empty seat next to Brian.
"Do you
think you can teach me to talk like an Indian?" asked Brian.
"I can
teach you to speak like a Tsa-la-gi," said Wohali
"What is
that?" asked Brian.
"It is what
I am. Cherokee. I can teach you what my grandfather taught me."
"I want to
learn too!" said another boy.
"Perhaps,
Wohali can teach all of us," interrupted Miss Walker, " after all, that is what
we are here for, to learn.”
Wohali sat
back in the wooden desk. A broad smile was on his face. I can do this he
thought as he stared at the teacher.
Miss Walker
smiled back. "All of us have a lot to learn, and the best part is, we can learn
from each other," she said. "Everyone has something they can contribute."
The class
listened intensively as the teacher spoke.
"I know
this is the first day of school, " she continued, "but, for homework, I want
everyone to bring in something that is a part of them. Something that shows who
you are, your deep roots. We will share, learn and get to know each other from
what you decide to bring in."
The
children became excited as they planned for their homework. Laughing, giggling,
whispering secrets amongst themselves.
Wohali knew
immediately what he was going to bring. He couldn't wait to race home at the end
of the day to inform his grandfather that he too, would be joining him at school
the next day, as part of his homework.
His first
day at school was great. He was who he was and no one tried to change him. When
it was time to leave, good byes were exchanged from his classmates. But, Miss
Walker really made his day when she told him,
"Do-na-da-go-hv-I,
Wohali, have a great evening."
Wohali knew
he was going to enjoy going to school as he took off running towards home,
feeling excited about his first day, and the days that were to come.
Some of the
Cherokee language used in this story are as follows:
-
A-su-his-ki ????.
fisherman
-
A-su-hus-ka????. Fishing
-
Ka-na-ti??????.hunter
-
E-he-na??????come
-
Tsu-li-da-na????..catfish
-
E-do-di??????.grandfather
-
A-tsa-di??????.fish
-
O-sa-da??????..good
-
O-sa-da-du?????.good for
you
-
Wa-do??????Thank you
-
Ha-o-d-da?????No Good
-
U-yo-I ??????..Bad
-
Di-ni-yo--hi???? children
-
Tsu-na-li??????Friends
-
At-su-tsa??????.Boy
-
Ga-li-tsa-di?????..Bow
-
V-V ????????..Yes
-
A-da-hi???????..Young
-
Ga-do-le-qua?????..learn
-
Su-na-le-i??????.Tomorrow
-
Tsa-lagi???????.Cherokee
More
definitions
-
A-li-he-li-s-di??????happy
-
A-ya??????????.me
-
Tsi-li-tsu-ya-s-di????
?.brave
-
O-s-da-su-na-le-i????Good
morning
-
O-si-yo???????.. hello
-
E-du-di????????..grandfather
-
Do-na-da-go-hv-i????..good
bye
Cherokee
language from:
Cherokee
language basics
http://www.geocities.com/theturtleband/page11.html
Cherokee
language
http://www.mypeoplepc.com/members/cherlyn/onefeather/id7.html
Cherokee
language
http://www.public-csum.edu/quest/raven/cherokee.dir/cherlixi.html
http://www.cohanna.com/f.htm
http://
www.angelfire.com/wv/redwolfcherokee/ippf.html
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