Tsola, Waleli, ale Agayulage (Tobacco, Hummingbird, and the Old Woman)
It has been said that tsola (tobacco), along with atsila (fire) and our language, are direct gifts from Unetlvnv. The following story is adapted from Christopher Teuton’s book, Cherokee Earth Dwellers (pp. 109-110). In the book, Dr. Teuton considers whether the old woman, agayulage, in this story is actually fire itself, as these gifts come together in ceremony, carrying our words and thoughts up to Unetlvnv through smoke.
“Ilvhiyu tsigesv nigada inage anehi tsalagi itsaniwonisgv (in the great forever that was, all the forest dwellers spoke Cherokee).”
At that time, there was only one tsola (tobacco) plant and we all shared it, humans and animals. However, one day, the animals and human beings found the tsola missing. The aniganuga (white-fronted geese), had taken it for themselves, flying uganawu (south). All the beings relied on tsola and were suffering without it. Worst off, there was one agayulage (old woman) who became so weak and thin that the people said she would die without tsola to keep her alive.
Decisions were made as a council, so the inage anehi (forest dwellers), aniyvwiya (human beings), and anitsisqua (birds) all got together for a big council to decide what to do. Many creatures volunteered to go and take back tsola. The larger creatures went first, but the aniganuga guarded the plant and killed each rescuer before it could reach the tsola. The smaller creatures had all tried to retrieve tsola but were defeated. Tinequa (Mole) attempted to outwit the aniganuga by digging underground to reach tsola, but the aniganuga noticed his tracks and caught him as he emerged.
Waleli (Hummingbird), who was busy feeding on nectar and tiny insects as usual, saw the opportunity to help. “Let me try!” she declared. “I can take tsola from the aniganuga.”
The other creatures were skeptical about the tiny Waleli and turned away. Someone murmured worriedly from the back, “You’re too small. It’s better to let someone else try.”
“I can do it,” Waleli insisted confidently. “Give me a test and I’ll prove it.”
Everyone exchanged glances and agreed. One of them pointed to a plant in the tloges (field) and said, “Show us how you’d get that.”
In the blink of an eye, Waleli was perched right on top of the plant. “That was quick,” one of the creatures muttered in amazement. In another instant, Waleli was back, a green blur flashing through the air.
“I’ll retrieve tsola just as fast,” Waleli promised.
“Hawa,” the creatures said. “Okay, we’ll be here waiting.”
Without hesitation, Waleli darted east. When she spotted the tsola plant from a distance, she saw that the aniganuga were on guard, looking tough and watching for anyone attempting to take it. But Waleli was so swift and small that the aniganuga didn’t notice her approach. In a flash, she flew down, snipped off the top of the tsola plant with its leaves and seeds, and was gone before the aniganuga even realized what had happened.
When Waleli returned, the old woman, Agayulage, had fainted and some feared she might have died. They quickly lit a spark from the tsola and gently blew the smoke into her nostrils. Agayulage revived, opened her eyes, and said, “Tsola!” She was alive once more.
I find that the waleli in my yard love the tsola I grow. They spend a lot of time visiting and drinking from the flowers daily while it is blooming. Waleli is so fast though, just like Waleli in this story, that I remain unable to snap a good picture to share.
— Sabrina McKinney
