OLD WISDOM

The old Cherokee chief sat in his reservation hut, smoking the
ceremonial pipe, eyeing the two US government officials sent to
interview him.  "Chief Two Eagles," one official began, "you have
observed the white man  for many generations, you have seen his wars
and his products, you have seen all his progress, and all his
problems."   

The chief nodded. The official continued, "Considering recent events,
in your opinion, where has the white man gone wrong?"  The chief
stared at the government officials for over a minute, and then calmly
replied.  

"When white man found the land, Indians were running it.  We had no
taxes, no  debt, plenty buffalo, plenty beaver, women did the work,
medicine man free, Indian men hunted and fished all the time..."  

The chief smiled, and added quietly, "White man dumb enough to think
he could improve system like that."