NORTHERN CHEROKEE NATION
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How the Partridge got his Whistle

In the old days the Terrapin had a fine whistle, but the Partridge had none. 
The Terrapin was constantly going about whistling and showing his
whistle to the other animals until the Partridge became jealous, so
one day when they met the Partridge asked leave to try it.  The
Terrapin was afraid to risk it at first, suspecting some trick, but
the Partridge said, “I’ll give it back right away, and if you are afraid
you can stay with me while I practice.”  So the Terrapin let him
have the whistle and the Partridge walked around blowing on
it in fine fashion.  “How does it sound with me?” asked the Partridge.
“O, you do very well,” said the Terrapin, walking alongside. 
“Now, how do you like it,” said the Partridge, running ahead
and whistling a little faster.  “That’s fine,” answered the Terrapin,
hurrying to keep up, “but don’t run so fast.”  “And now, how do you like this?”
  called the Partridge, and with that he spread his wings, gave
one long whistle, and flew to the top of a tree, leaving the
poor Terrapin to look after him from the ground,  the Terrapin
never recovered his whistle, and from that, and the loss of his
scalp, which the Turkey stole from him, he grew ashamed to be
​ seen, and ever since he shuts himself up in his box when anyone comes near him.

Excerpt from “History, Myths, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees” by James Mooney
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  • Home
  • Contact
  • Council Members
  • Events
  • PowWow
    • Vendor Information
    • Booklet Memorials & Ads
  • Photos
    • PowWows Past
    • Warsaw Heritage Days
    • Old Glory Days Parade
    • Fourth of July Weekend
    • Tribal Headquarters Improvements
    • Council Meetings
    • Darkening of the Sun
  • History
    • Children Massacre at Ywahoo Falls
    • Wampum Belt
    • Leaving our homeland
    • Spanish Treaty
    • Natural Disasters
    • Forced Removal
    • States against Indians
    • New Hope
    • Legal Genocide
    • Federal Recognition
    • Bringing the Children Home
    • Historical Cherokee marriage
    • In Ancient Times I
    • The Early Times II
    • The Colonial Period III
    • Sequoyah IV
    • The Cherokee Removal V
    • The Cherokee Today VI
  • Stories
    • How the Deer Got His Horns
    • WHY THE DEER’S TEETH ARE BLUNT
    • What Became Of The Rabbit
    • The Legend of the Cherokee Rose
    • Origin of the Bear
    • Why The Mink Smells
    • Life Lesson for All Cherokee
    • How the Partridge Got His Whistle
    • How The Redbird Got His Color
    • The First Fire
    • The Cherokee Legend of the First Strawberry
    • The Sixth Sun Has Risen
    • Young Harold Mayo and the Witch Woman
    • ORIGIN OF DISEASE AND MEDICINE
    • THE LEGEND OF THE FIRST WOMEN
    • How the Rabbit stole the Otter's coat
    • How the Honey Bee got their Stinger
    • BOY AND THE RATTLESNAKE STORY
    • LEGEND OF THE TLANUHWA AND THE UHKTENA
    • Yahula
    • Bears Race with Turtle
    • Why the Owl has a Spotted Coat
    • Why the Trees Lose Their Leaves
    • Why Rabbit Has A Short Tail
    • Why the Opossum’s Tail is Bare
  • Culture
    • Cherokee Adoption, past and present
    • Roles of extended family
    • Cherokee Clan System
    • Sacred Colors
    • Entering the Circle
    • Fall Cultivation
    • Dances
    • Straight Dancing
    • The Stomp Dance
  • Artist Showcase
  • Council Minutes