Bania - Kumaks house: a tale of the far north

At the edge of a great frozen river, Kumak and his family lived in their house by the willows.

Though their house was warm and cozy, Kumak was not happy.

His wife was not happy.

His wifes mother was not happy.

His sons and daughters were not happy.

Too small, this house, said Kumak.
I will go see Aana Lulu. She will know what to do.

Aana Lulu was the oldest and wisest elder in the village. Kumak had great respect for her. She had once made a wart on Kumaks hand shrivel and die.

At her house Kumak asked, Aana Lulu, what can I do? My house is too small. My wife is unhappy. My wifes mother is unhappy. My sons and daughters are unhappy.

Ahhh, Kumak, said Aana Lulu, sewing fine stitches around the top of a sealskin mukluk. Unhappy is the mukluk on too big a foot. Go to the trees and find Rabbit. Invite Rabbit to live with you.

And Kumak did.

He hitched up his dog team
and mushed over the icy tundra to the trees.
He brought Rabbit and her family
back to share his house.

Just right,said Rabbit.

Still too small, this house, sighed Kumak. I will go see Aana Lulu again.

Aana, begged Kumak. Nothing has changed. My wife is unhappy. My wifes mother is unhappy. My sons and daughters are unhappy. On the other hand, Rabbit is perfectly happy.

Ahhh, Kumak, said Aana Lulu, scraping a muskrat skin for the sleeve of a parka. Unhappy is the parka on too big a body. Go to the lake and find Fox in the willows. Invite Fox to live with you.

And Kumak did.

Just right,said Fox.

This house, grumbled Kumak, still too small. I will go see Aana Lulu at the first light of day.

Aana Lulu, begged Kumak. My house is getting smaller. My wife is unhappy. My wifes mother is unhappy. My sons and daughters are unhappy. On the other hand, Rabbit and Fox are perfectly happy.

Ahhh, Kumak, said Aana Lulu, kneading enough dough for one hundred doughnuts. Unhappy is the bowl with too much dough. Go to the mountains and find Caribou. Invite Caribou to live with you.

And Kumak did.

Just right,said Caribou.

This house is getting smaller instead of bigger, groaned Kumak. I will go to Aana Lulus one more time.

Aana Lulu, begged Kumak. My house is smaller still. My wife is unhappy. My wifes mother is unhappy. My sons and daughters are unhappy. On the other hand, Rabbit, Fox, and Caribou are perfectly happy.

Ahhh, Kumak, said Aana Lulu, picking leaves and twigs from a pail of frozen salmonberries. Unhappy is the bush with too many berries. Go past Fish River and find Porcupine. Invite Porcupine to live with you.

And Kumak did.
Porcupine was so pleased that
he invited his friend Otter and Otters family
to live at Kumaks house too.

Just right,they said.

Still too small, Kumak said to himself. I will go back to Aana Lulus tomorrow.

Aana Lulu, begged Kumak the next day. What is happening to my house? My wife is unhappy. My wifes mother is unhappy. My sons and daughters are unhappy. On the other hand, Rabbit, Fox, Caribou, Porcupine, and Otter are perfectly happy.

Ahhh, Kumak, said Aana Lulu, slicing blubber into small chunks for boiling. Unhappy is the pot with too much soup. Go to the fork in the river and find Bear sleeping in her winter den. Invite Bear to live with you.