Little Wild Indians

Many cultures throughout the world have stories about mischievous little people. Sometimes they are called Leprechauns, pixies, or imps. The Catawba have a similar story about such creatures.

Old Catawba legends mention a creature called the Yehasuri or "little wild Indians." These creatures were believed to inhabit the spirit world of the Catawbas. The Yehasuri were often found living in the woods, creek banks, and hollow trees throughout the reservation.

It is thought that their diet consisted of acorns, tree roots, fungi, stink turtles, and tadpoles.

The Yehasuri were known to be tricksters. Their favorite pastime was to taunt children. Parents would always be careful not to leave their children's clothes out overnight. Any clothes that were left out, the Yehasuri would steal making the children cry all night. Wise parents would make sure that there were no footprints left in the yard before nightfall. Any children's footprints left after dark became a playground for the Yehasuri, causing the children to be restless and awake all night.

These two foot tall creatures could also become dangerous. They were known to shoot invisible arrows at adults who were unkind. Those who were shot would die the next day.

Even today, if you know where to look, you can see the Yeasuri. There is a trail behind the CCPP that leads to the river. Many people claim to see small shadowy creatures high in the trees jumping from limb to limb.