Editing Choctaw mythology (section)

===Little people and other human-like creatures===
They believed in a little man, about two feet high, who dwelled alone in the thick, dark woods.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Little People - A Choctaw Legend |url=https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TheLittlePeople-Choctaw.html |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=www.firstpeople.us}}</ref> The little man was called {{lang|cho|Bohpoli}} or {{lang|cho|Kowi anukasha}}, both names being used alone or together. The translation of {{lang|cho|Bohpoli}} is the "Thrower". The translation of {{lang|cho|Kowi anukasha}} is "The one who stays in the woods", or to give a more concise translation, "Forest dweller". Little man can be compared to the European counterparts- [[Dwarf (folklore)|dwarfs]], [[Elf|elves]], [[gnome]]s, and [[leprechaun]]s.

The little wood sprite ({{lang|cho|ole}}) was known to be rather mischievous, but not malicious. The Choctaw believed that he often playfully threw sticks and stones at them. All unexplained sounds heard in the woods were attributed to Bohpoli. The Choctaw believed that he took a special pleasure in hitting the pine trees to create noise.

{{lang|cho|Bohpoli}} was never seen by the common Choctaw, only by the prophets and shaman. The Indian shamans or doctors would report that Bohpoli assisted them in creating their medicines. Some stories said that {{lang|cho|Bohpoli}} would "steal" little children and take them into the woods, to teach them about herbs and medicines. After returning the children to their homes, {{lang|cho|Bohpoli}} would leave them alone, letting them grow up to become doctors of the tribe.

Some of the history writings refer to {{lang|cho|Kashehotapalo}}, a combination of man and deer who delighted in frightening hunters. He was much admired for his speed and agility. If the Choctaw angered {{lang|cho|Kashehotapalo}}, he would race ahead of them and warn the enemy or animals being hunted.

{{lang|cho|Okwa Naholo}} or {{lang|cho|Oka Nahullo}} (white people of the water) dwelled in deep pools and had light skins like the skins of trout. They were believed to sometimes capture human beings, whom they converted into beings like themselves.

{{lang|cho|Hoklonote}} was a bad spirit who could assume any shape it desired; it was believed to read people's thoughts.