The Singing Scoutmaster: Origin of the Pleiades and the Pine

Long ago, in the ancient forests of the Cherokee homeland, there lived a beautiful maiden named Tsistu. Tsistu was beloved by all who knew her, for she possessed a gentle heart and a spirit as bright as the stars.

One day, as Tsistu wandered through the forest, she came upon a mighty pine tree standing tall and proud among the trees. The pine tree was unlike any other, with branches that reached up to the sky and a trunk as thick as a warrior's arm.

As Tsistu gazed up at the pine tree in awe, she heard a soft voice speaking to her from its branches. The voice belonged to the spirit of the pine tree, who had been watching over Tsistu since the day she was born.

The spirit of the pine tree told Tsistu that he had fallen in love with her from the moment he laid eyes on her. He promised to protect her and watch over her for all eternity, if only she would stay by his side and never leave the forest.

Tsistu was touched by the pine tree's words, but she knew that her destiny lay beyond the forest. She longed to explore the world beyond the trees and experience all the wonders it had to offer.

With a heavy heart, Tsistu told the spirit of the pine tree that she could not stay. She thanked him for his love and his protection, but she knew that she must follow her own path.

The spirit of the pine tree was heartbroken, but he understood Tsistu's decision. With a wave of his branches, he transformed Tsistu into a beautiful bird, with feathers as black as the night sky and eyes as bright as the stars.

Tsistu soared into the sky, leaving behind the forest and the spirit of the pine tree. As she flew higher and higher, she felt the warmth of the sun on her wings and the wind in her feathers.

And so, Tsistu became known as the Pleiades, a cluster of seven stars that shine brightly in the night sky. And the spirit of the pine tree remained in the forest, watching over Tsistu and the world below with love and longing in his heart.