Snowforest Taiga [feast] ukilak ⌆

aw but esp to attending kids! figured we could do a story post and then reactions to follow, with another round if anyone is interested <3 no posting order!

@Wayfarer @Veteran @Ensio @Arius @Kausiut @Samani @Muttn

"this is a story of grandfather white bear."

"far away in the place of the long dark, there is a great hunter with a pale parka. he is tall. he hunts upon the sea ice. but he did not always live there."

"before he was grandfather white bear, he was a tall hunter who lived in an ulaq much like this one." kukutux indicated the dome of hard-packed snow behind her, greenstone eyes glimmering with a smile. "he was alone. but he created his own joy. he saw the good plants and the rich meat. he saw the full moon and the brightness of the sun. he found delight in the sound of water and learned to speak with others who were not wolf."

the duck sighed, sweeping them all with a sweet look that slowly sharpened as she went on. "one day, he went out to hunt. while he traveled, he saw a beautiful woman. she was grey as the spring rain. her eyes were like blades of new grass. she smiled at him. the hunter felt his heart captured. he must know who she was. but she would not give her name."

kukutux closed her eyes for a moment, breathing with the intensity of the story.

"but she would not speak it to him. he asked again. she would not say." the duck searched each young gaze watchful toward her own. "finally, in the last time, he said 'tell me your name!'" he was full of desperation. he did not know what had come over him."

she clucked her tongue.

"the woman grew angry. 'you did not listen when i said no. now you will listen another way.' she showed him her true face. she was sedna in another skin, the mother who gives meat to the teeth of hunters and who guides the dead. 'i have made you be alone to see the good in the world. but you see only your own want.'"

"she cursed the hunter to be grandfather white bear, to wear a snowy parka, to walk as they do and speak with their voice. now, during the long dark, he shouts into the night, for he sees everything and cannot close his eyes."

the story was meant to hang in the air, to be considered. kukutux was quiet, wondering if these children would have questions for her.