Short+Story+-+Tsali+-+A+Cherokee+Legend

=Tsali - a Cherokee Legend =

Summary
Tsali was an old Cherokee who lived on a farm in the hills with his wife, sons and their wives and children. He refused to leave his land even though it now belonged to the white men. One day a missionary came to him and told him that soldiers would be coming that way and that he should leave. He was told they all came for the gold. Tsali, not knowing the value of gold, took up a pouch of gold dust. The missionary suddenly changed sides and wanted to become partner with Tsali. First he begged Tsali, then he threatened him, but Tsali would not change his mind. Some days later a trader came with the same proposal to Tsali, but he was also denied. After a few more days the soldiers arrived and forced Tsali and his family to cross the river. Tsali refused this and told everyone else to leave him. He died shortly after in a hail of bullets.

Historical Values
When president A. Lincoln signed the homestead act during the 1800s, Native Americans through whole America were forced out of their homeland. The land they had lived on for centuries was now cheaply sold to immigrants willing to use the land. This was a huge conflict and resulted into many Native Americans dying of either starvation or fighting.

Theme
This short story tells the story of one Cherokee who refused to let his land go. The way this Cherokee died is more or less how most Native Americans died too; Resisting the Homestead Act. The story also includes a lot of greed. When the trader and missionary found out about the gold Tsali possessed, they first begged to be partners with him, followed by threatening him. This is how a man can change from one personality to another because of some gold.