The Cherokee Banana

Now, long, long before the foot of any white man touched the soil of the new world, the
Cherokees were here. They were then a wandering people, living off the land and having no
permanent place they could call home.

One year, little rain fell; the next year, little or no rain fell. And so on for several
years. So at last the time came when the streams were mostly dry beds, and all the fish
were gone. Then all the birds and animals were gone. Soon all the edible plants,  roots
and seeds were gone too.

The Cherokees had finally reached the point when they could find no more food, not even an
acorn! They called on the Great Spirit with much prayer and supplication.

As they moved about the forest, they continued to call on the Great Spirit for help with
every step they took. Suddenly they came upon a thicket whose bushes were hanging full of
pale green fruit just tinged with yellow. The whole band just stood there in awe, staring
at the bushes loaded with food. Their nostrils soon picked up the sweet smell of the ripe
fruit.

The Old Chief held up his hand for his people to hear him.Then he thanked the Great Spirit
eloquently for this gift of life. After this ceremony, he motioned his people to take and
eat.

The Indians called this fruit the Pawpaw. And from that day  forward, the Pawpaw was very
special to the Cherokees in the Upper Cumberland. In fact, their love for this fruit led
the pioneers to call it 'The Cherokee Banana.'

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