Inuksuk gazed across the snowy, treeless landscape. The sun, shrouded by flat, gray clouds, hung low in the horizon and a few dry flakes spun in the gathering wind. Inuksuk smiled. It was the perfect day to build an igloo.
Inuksuk, whose name means “he who is spontaneous and versatile”, and his faithful companion, Izzy, strode to the dip between two snow mounds to watch for the arrival of the young apprentices. Always wary of rogue polar bears, leopard seals, and the occasional Toyota, Inuksuk wielded the whale-bone spear left to him by his father, Ikiaq.
Across the tundra sped a great, black shape, growing larger by the second. Inuksuk’s proteges had arrived, and not a moment too soon. Falling faster now, frozen sky water had piled into wind-packed drifts, temperatures continued to plummet, and Oma Inuksuk was demanding her hunter get on with it. Today was “Letter I” day.
Mr. Momaglak, Miss Nomikilik, and Miss Emilinaraquk eagerly gathered before Inuksuk as he taught them the techniques of igloo construction.
“A child’s first igloo is never easy,” began the innovative engineer. “You must choose the right kind of snow, cut it into rectangles with your trusty snow knife, and stack the blocks atop each other in just the right way. You will learn by watching your Opa-Inuksuk, and then you will be able to build your very own igloo for hunting seals on the frozen tundra.”
“Is it cold?” queried Miss Nomikilik.
“Yes,” answered Inuksuk wisely. “Frozen sky water is very cold. However, the inside of our igloo will be warm and toasty. With a saucer for cooking, we will burn seal blubber. With layers of caribou furs on our sleeping platform, we will be cozy. You shall see.”
As the apprentices painted iguanas with Oma-Inuksuk, their spontaneous and versatile Opa-Inuksuk carved huge rectangles of couch cushions snow blocks and piled them around in an oval pattern. He continued building the walls upward and inward, finally packing the crevices with white throws soft snow to keep the howling wind at bay. Finally, he was finished.
Miss Nominuk, Miss Emanuksuk, and Mr. Moianuk inspected Inuksuk’s handiwork and declared this igloo to be perfect not only for a hunting base, but for a banqueting hall. Taking their whale meat sandwiches and grapes inside, the three feasted heartily and told tales of their wise patron.
Later, as the autumn sun dipped below the distant mounds, disappearing for its long, winter solstice, the apprentices paid homage to Inuksuk.
“Bye, Opa! Bye, bye!” chanted the little ladies. Mr. Momaglak waved.
“Don’t forget!” shouted Inuksuk as their sleds sped away. “When spring arrives, igloos turn to slush! Never snooze in a defrosting igloo!”