This is the Choctaw story of how human beings emerged from a mountain especially built for nurturing the two legged ones. I like this story because it isn't just about one community of people, but includes other Nations that the Choctaw knew about. Notice the little slap at the Creeks. (Muskogee)
Many years ago, my son, there were no men. HUSH-TALI was alone with our animal brothers.They gave him no comfort as they were busy playing Toli amongst themselves. HUSH-TALI asked Mother Moon why she shone so bright in her happiness at night. "I have my children, they play and hunt in the woods at night." HUSH-TALI asked Father Sun why he gave his warmth to the Earth each day. "To warm my children and give them light to play Toli." HUSH-TALI sat alone and thought about this for many, many years. Then HUSH-TALI decided that he must have his own children, too.
First he built a great mountain, the one we call NANIH WAIYA, to hold his children until they were born. You see, my son, there were yet no women on the Earth to a mother to men. Then, he placed the seeds of man deep within the bowels of the mountain. Knowing that they would be small and weak when they were born, HUSH-TALI dug a great cave in the side of NANIH WAIYA. Then HUSH-TALI waited patiently, as any expectant father must do.
First born were the Creeks. When they came out of the cave, they climbed the side of NINAH WAIYA and lay down in the light of Father Sun to dry themselves. "What is this place of light," they said amognst themselves as they lay drying. When they were dry, the Creeks walked round and round NANIH WAIYAH to see where they were. When they were tired, is was night and cold, so they built a the first council fire to give themselves warmth, and smoked many pipes of tobacco as they sat talking. In the morning, Father Sun came again, and they said to themselves, "Let us go to the land where Father Sun lives at night and it will not be cold." So they went to the East and there they gave birth to a Great People.
Then were born the Cherokees. When they came out into the Sun to dry themselves, the woods all around had burned, because the Creeks had been careless with their fires and their smoking. They lay on the side of the Mother Hill, NANIH WAIYA, and when they were dry, they could not find the trail of their Creek brothers as the fires had burned away the trail. They walked round and round NANIH WAIYAH, then the wisest among them said, "Let us go this way and find a home." They went to the North and there they found a home for their Nation.
Chickasaw emerged from the Mother Hill next. As they lay, drying in Father Sun's warmth, they saw their Brothers walking to the North. They followed the Cherokee to the North land. They settled nearby, and their many children built the Nation of the Chickasaw close to their Brother Cherokees. There they stayed.
Our Choctaw people came last from the Mother Hill's belly and NANIH WAIYA rejoiced that all of her children were at last born. The Choctaw walked round and round their Mother, finally lying down to dry in the Sun. When they were dry, they held the first council of the Tribe. There were many words, many voices. When it was done they decided they could not leave their Mother alone, they would stay within her sight where she could watch them and not worry. Around NANIH WAIYA they stayed, they found no need to leave her.
HUSH-TALI smiled upon his children and it was good in his heart. This my son, is how man was born from Mother Earth.
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