The Origin of Disease and Medicine (Cherokee)
Long ago, all plants, animals, and humans lived together in harmony, and animals were larger and stronger. As the human population grew, they began killing animals without respect. The animals held councils to decide how to protect themselves. The Deer council decreed that any hunter who killed a deer without asking forgiveness would develop rheumatism. The Birds, Insects, and smaller animals created diseases to afflict humans. But the Plants heard of the animals' plans. Since plants had always been friends with humans, they vowed that for every disease the animals created, they would provide