Sanaaq by Salomé Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk Read Free Book Online Page B

Let’s shake hands!”
    â€œ Ai! You’ve just got here? Let’s shake hands! Qumaq! And your mother?”
    â€œShe’s at home!”
    All three of her daughters were eager to play with Qumaq. There was Akutsiaq, the oldest, Aanikallak, the younger one, and Tajarak,the youngest.
    â€œLet’s play, Qumaq!” exclaimed Aanikallak .
    But no sooner had her daughter spoken than Ningiukuluk broke in, “First have something to eat!”
    â€œHave some of this ai! Qumaq!” said Aanikallak. “Over there, eat some mattaq. Use the knife!”
    â€œSure!”
    Aqiarulaaq spoke again. “Ningiukuluk! I wish to talk to you. I’ve come on this visit to adopt one of your daughters, Aanikallak, because I really want to have her... I don’t have a daughter of my own.”
    â€œ Ai! On the one hand, I’d rather not give her away. On the other, I’m not so fond of her because she often wets her bed and I’m ashamed of her.”
    â€œI truly wish to have her. Some time ago you sort of promised her to me. So now I’m insisting. I want her to help me out, Ningiukuluk!”
    â€œI no longer really care for her, but the other ones, her two sisters, I certainly can’t give them away... Go ahead! Take her!”
    Aqiarulaaq started recounting the latest news. “We saw some Big Eyebrows arrive. They’ve even begun to build a home for themselves on our land... That’s all I have to say for now. We’re going back this very day... Aanikallak! I’ve adopted you, so you’ll be following us!”
    â€œNo! No! Aaa! ” The poor little girl began to cry.
    Qumaq looked her straight in the eyes and even tried to offer her some mattaq, hoping to console her. She kissed her again and again.
    â€œDon’t cry, little girl!” She added, “Look! There’s a little willow ptarmigan on the ground... Let’s play, just the two of us. Let’s have fun looking around outside!”
    â€œNo! No!” Aanikallak was still weeping.
    Her new mother nonetheless prepared for the trip home.
    â€œQumaq, come here!” said Arnatuinnaq. “I’ll carry you on my back. Iirq! My skirt has been ripped apart on this side... I’ll have to sew it together first. Hand me a needle and some sinew. There we are, all done! Here’s your needle.”
    â€œThanks!” said Ningiukuluk.
    They were now ready to leave. Aqiarulaaq took her new daughter by the hand but could not make her budge. The little girl stood her ground and stamped her feet while weeping and wailing. Her new family finally set off on the walk home, yet she still resisted despite efforts to console her. At long last, after many efforts, she calmed down.
    They all arrived at their destination and Aqiarulaaq was questioned by Taqriasuk.
    â€œDid you get a new daughter? She’ll try to go to sleep. Get her undressed for bed... She can have a place under my bedspread... And give her some tea.”
    â€œHere you are. Aanikallak, drink some tea. Put a shirt on and try to sleep.”
    She undressed her and slipped another shirt on.
    â€œ Ii! Autualu! It’s infested with fleas! Oh, it’s just crawling with those dirty fleas... Just look! Ii! This filthy shirt should be thrown away!”
    It was tossed outside. The dogs came running and even started to fight over it. Kajualuk sank its teeth into the old shirt, making a popping sound as it crunched one flea after another.
    Aqiarulaaq was now outside the tent.
    â€œ Uai! Dirty no-good mutt! It’ll probably have blocked intestines after eating that old rag.”
    Everyone now tried to fall asleep. It was late autumn. A frosty slush was spreading over the shoreline and the calm ocean surface had a thin layer of frazil.

11
AN UNSUCCESSFUL HUNT IN THE QAJAQ
    When they awoke early the next morning, it seemed impossible to go out in the qajaq because a thin layer of ice covered the sea near the shore.