Sanaaq Read Online Free Page A

whispered the father. “A ptarmigan is calling from up there!”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œUp there!”
    â€œI’ll go look… Listen to it calling! There it is, up there! I’m going to shoot... Missed! It flew off.”
    â€œLet’s go! Time to get on our way again.”
    They came to the river and set their net. One of them waded across and the other stayed on the bank. They stretched the net from one bank to the other but there was not the slightest sign of any Arctic char.
    â€œLooks like there aren’t any,” said Irsutualuk. “Let’s make sure by throwing some blubber into the water upstream. The wind is making the surface quite dark.”
    â€œDon’t seem to be any around!” concluded Angutikallaaluk. “Just to be sure, ai! ,I’ll pitch some stones into the water and see if I can flush any of them out... Now I’m sure! None at all... I really feel like heading back. So what if we go home the same day... They probably haven’t got this far upstream.”
    His father agreed. “Let’s head off! Time to go home! But first let’s make a cache and stash away our provisions. We’ll be coming by here later.”
    They both headed back to their camp. As they walked, the father began thinking, “I’d really like to have Sanaaq as a wife, even though I’m a bit old…”
    They soon arrived back at the camp. There were others: Sanaaq’s family, Irsutualuk’s family, and the family of Ningiukuluk, who was Sanaaq’s relative.

3
A DAY IN THE TENT
    We are now back with Qumaq and her mother. Their sleep had again been disturbed, this time by several visitors. Sanaaq lived with Arnatuinnaq, her younger sister. All three had been outside for some time when they saw the men come back from fishing for iqaluppik. Sanaaq shouted, “Look, they’re back from fishing for iqaluppik. They probably caught some!”
    Hearing this, Qumaq asked, “Mother, those men out there, what have they been doing?”
    â€œThey’ve been fishing for Arctic char!”
    Qumaqwent back to her games, saying, “I’ll draw something! I’ll draw little dog teams, Mommy!”
    â€œDaughter,” said her mother, “come and I’ll wash your dress, because the water I put in to heat is almost boiling. I’ll give it a good wash... Sister, get busy. Tomorrow you’ll be sewing some sulluniit. So start cutting some seal skin to make them!”
    She poured the water she had been heating and began her wash.
    â€œ Aa! Aaah! I scalded myself! Aa! Aatataa! I must have a burn. My hand’s throbbing with pain. Qumaq!Daughter! Cool this water down a bit, so I can wash your filthy dress... Now I’ve got it clean. But where’s my shirt? I’d like to wash it too while I’m at it.”
    â€œIt’s up there,” replied Arnatuinnaq, “in the kilu. ”
    â€œGo get it if you see it! I really feel like some tea but it takes too long to prepare. I’ll make some when I’m done washing this. Here we go, time to wring it dry... Uuppaa! ” She was squeezing hard. “It’s probably not as dry as I’d like.”
    â€œMother,” said Qumaq. “I’m hungry! Apaapa! ”
    â€œI hear you. Fetch my ulu! It’s in the aki. .. You’re going to eat some nikku. ”
    She cut off a chunk of nikku.
    â€œThere you are! Dip it in the misiraq. .. Be careful not to spill any down the front of your shirt.”
    â€œI won’t!” replied Qumaq.
    â€œAnd sit down!” added her mother.
    Just then Ningiukuluk walked in.
    â€œ Ai! Ningiukuluk ai! ” exclaimed Sanaaq.
    Her daughter cried out, “ Anaanatsiaq ai! Look! I’m eating some apaapait. ”
    â€œ Iii! There’s oil running down all over her hands,” said Ningiukuluk indignantly. “Sanaaq! Lick them clean and give her only solid food to eat! I’ll get you