removal, many cried tears of sadness over the loss
of homes and personal belongings. Most were only
allowed to take what they could carry. As the people
were taken from their homes they would cry out
asking the Creator to send a miracle.

As they walked along the trail, tears fell to the
ground. At the place where the tears of our people
fell, up sprang a shoot that looked like a cornstalk.
As the plant bloomed and opened up, tears of gray
fell to the ground. Creator said, “This will be a sign
unto all who pass that my children will always be a
part of this land. The cornstalk represents life for
my children and the tears are gray for the suffering
and sorrow.”

Today these small plants can be found where the
Cherokee once walked in times of sadness. From
the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina to the
Green County of Oklahoma, to remind us that our
people are strong and will survive just as this plant
has. It also reminds us of the love our Creator has
for his children.

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
Psalm 120

Legend of the Corn Bead
In 1838 Cherokee people were
forcibly removed from their home
land and their homes. As the
soldiers came to each house hold to
gather the Cherokee people for the