The Little People of the Bluegrass: Part 2

Acording to Cherokee Indian tribal legends, their is a race of fairy like beings that are said to dwell within the southern parts of the Appalachian Mountians. They are called the Nunne'hi, or the people who live forever.  Hunters would often hear the Nunnehi in the mountains, singing and dancing and beating drums, but when they would go toward the sound, it would shift about and suddenly seem to be coming from behind them or from some other direction, so that the person hearing the sound would never be able to find where it was coming from.

The Nunnehi were very friendly to the Cherokee and often helped lost wanderers, especially during the winter. The Nunnehi would take the person into their warm townhouses until the person was rested and ready to return home. The Nunnehi often warned the Cherokee of impending danger and protected them in times of need.

One Algonquian legend tells the story of the hero Glooskap and his encounters with the forces of nature. The story goes, while Glooskap was wondering in the North he came across the giant Winter. Witer was hospitabile to our hero and entertained him stories. This eventualy casued Glooskap to become covered in snow and ice, he remained frozen for six months. He ploted his revenge aginst winter.

  

While traveling southwards, he came across a grove where a troupe of little people or elves of light were dancing with their queen, Summer. Glooskap quikley snatched Summer from his hands and headed twords the north, he hid Summer within. Once inside Winter's home, he began to tell his stories. Which caused the heat of Summer to melt Winter and life returns.

  

In Henderson County, their are local legends of a mischievous spirit called the Joui-stee. They are discribed wearing pointed hats, and moccasin shoes. Their favorite pastimes are playing music and dancing. They are like the American Indian version of the Irish Leprechaun.   

But not all of the little people are freindly like the Nunnehi. Some of them are down right dangerous, like the Puckwudgies. These goblin like beings enjoy making mischief.