Ani
~ Dawn Karima

Heart Berries. Strawberry Moon.

The First Strawberries. My Uncle Jay

Red Eagle told me this story, when I

asked him for wisdom about how

to ensure my happy marriage. 

"Creator brought together a beyond beautiful man and woman. The couple married one another and spent their days happily in love. They loved the Creator and they loved each other. Creator blessed the pair with good land near Kituwah, good minds, a delightful house on a hill and a bountiful garden, beside the Oconaluftee river where they could drink pure water. As long as they prayed and put Creator first and focused on each other, their marriage was joyful.

One day they let something distract them. They failed to pray and seek the Creator. Then, the couple argued.  They fought about such a small, insignificant matter that they could not even remember what the fight was about, but division entered their hearts for the first time ever in their marriage.

Hurt and sorrowful, the woman ran away from her husband, who had never been unkind to her before.  The confused husband was shocked that his usually peaceful bride had argued with him and run away. He was surprised by how rapidly she could run!

Creator loved the pair and had good plans for their lives. Bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness could delay their blessings, unless the couple could forgive one another.

Creator quickly placed a plant in the runaway bride's path to slow her down. When the woman saw a unfamiliar leaves bearing heart-shaped, red berries, she stopped running so that she could investigate it. As she took a bite of the juicy fruit, her husband caught up to her. He asked for her forgiveness and apologized for arguing.  The wife offered him a tasty berry, as she apologized for her part in the disagreement.

Creator was pleased and made these "heart berries" grow every year as a sign of love.  As part of the English language, this word is "Strawberry". In the Cherokee language, these are called "ani." Their sweetness is a reminder to walk in love and forbearance with one another at all times."