Reading Notes: Eskimo Folk Tales, Part B

For the second part of week nine's reading notes I chose to take a character and his hunting characteristic from the story, "Atdlarneq, The Great Glutton". Atdlarneq, who is a strong knowledgeable hunter with a keen eye would fit perfectly with the plot I am constructing. His use in my story would be him being a hunting companion of the bear whom has grown up and currently resides near the icy shore.

Atdlarneq would mentor the bear into becoming a responsible and correct hunter. Yes, a bear's hunting instinct would be automatically forth coming, however, having a hunter such as Atdlarneq help guide one's hunting skills is a privilege.

Once the threat of the giant dog formulates across town and the bear has to leave his home Atdlarneq promises the bear's mom his safety by keeping him out of town in his home near the shore. This is where Atdlarneq will maintiain the bear's health and prepare him for the fight against the giant dog. Atdlarneq doesn't want the bear to have to leave the mainland forever, he only wants the bear to have the freedom he deserves.

The fight comes around shortly after their preparation and is known to be a good fight that lasted hours. I haven’t really formulated the details of the fight yet, however, Atdlarneq might play a role in it or near the end.

The bear, who will most likely survive, will remain near the shore and possibly visit his home in the mainland here and there once the moon has risen. His town will slowly learn to accept his gentle presence and possibly create a life of mutual existence between humans and polar bears.

Happy polar bear

Link to picture 

Biblioogrpahy: This story is part of the Eskimo Folk Tales unit. Story source: Eskimo Folk-Tales by Knud Rasmussen with illustrations by native Eskimo artists (1921).