The Man Who Became A Star

: Eskimo Folktales

There was once an old man who stood out on the ice waiting for the

seal to come up to their breathing holes to breathe. But on the shore,

just opposite where he was, a crowd of children were playing in a

ravine, and time after time they frightened away a seal just as he

was about to harpoon it.



At last the old man grew angry with them for thus spoiling his catch,

and cried out:



Close up, Ravine, over those who are spoiling my hunting."



And at once the hillside closed over those children at play. One of

them, who was carrying a little brother, had her fur coat torn.



Then they all fell to screaming inside the hill, for they could not

come out. And none could bring them food, only water that they were

able to pour down a crack, and this they licked up from the sides.



At last they all died of hunger.



And now the neighbours fell upon that old man who had shut up the

children by magic in the hill. He took to flight, and the others ran

after him.



But all at once he became bright, and rose up to heaven as a great

star. We can see it now, in the west, when the lights begin to return

after the great darkness. But it is low down, and never climbs high

in the sky. And we call it Nalaussartoq: he who stands and listens. [9]