The Legend of Falling Rock

When I was a kid we used to drive through the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina and my parents would keep us busy by having us look up into the mountains and down in the valleys to see if we could see Falling Rock as we went from place to place.  They said that the legend is that Falling Rock was a great Cherokee warrior and hunter that lived in the area before the settlers came across the mountains into Tennessee.  They say he lived in the great city of Chota near what is now the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.  Since he was a great hunter, he was chosen by the Chief to lead a hunting party to get meat for the village.  Game had been scarce and the village needed meat.  They had not had a successful hunt for many many days.  The hunting party soon discovered why game was scarce. It was a giant bear.  It was scaring all of the other game away.  When the warriors saw how huge the bear was, how sharp his teeth were, and how big his claws were they all returned to their village except for Falling Rock and his brother Sitting Rock.

Falling Rock and his Sitting Rock were not afraid and were determined to get meat for the village.  They decided that since the bear was scaring away the game they would kill it and feed the whole village.  They began stalking the giant bear, but each time Falling Rock would get close enough to toss his spear into the bear, it would move just out of his throwing range.   After stalking he bear for several days Sitting Rock became worried since he didn't recognize the land any more.  They had moved past their usual hunting lands and were into territory that they did not know.  He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to find his way back to their village.  He told Falling Rock that they should quit the hunt and return home.  Falling Rock didn't listen.  Sitting Rock gave up and returned to the village alone after a long and difficult journey though unknown lands.

Meanwhile, Falling Rock was determined to kill the bear.  He continued the hunt alone, but each time he almost got in range for his spear the bear would move.   This continued for days and days, but Falling Rock still refused to give up.  He kept stalking the bear, but as he did he moved further and further away from his village.  Falling Rock was never seen again by anyone in his village or any Cherokee.  Since Falling Rock was such a great hunter and warrior his loss was a huge blow to the village so it became custom that each time someone left their village they were asked to watch for Falling Rock and to guide him home if they should see him during their travels.
 
Legend has it that Falling Rock is still out there stalking that bear through the Tennessee and North Carolina mountains.  Since he is still out there we are carrying on the tradition of looking for him when we go out if we Watch for Falling Rock when we are going somewhere  Watch for him.  They even made signs to remind you that he is out there.