A TEEASUEY OP ESKIMO TALES 



" I don't want to, but I will be your wife if you 

 will bring back my boots," she called. 



He came back and gave her the boots, and 

 when she put them on she was changed into a 

 woman. 



They walked away together, and wandered 

 down to the seaside and, as she liked to live near 

 the water, they settled in a large village by the 

 sea. Here they lived for several years and had a 

 son. Itajung became a highly respected man, 

 for he was by far the best whaler in all the Inuit 

 tribe. 



One day they killed a whale and were busy cut- 

 ting it up and carrying the meat and blubber to 

 their homes. Many of the women were helping, 

 but though Itajung was working very hard, his 

 wife stood lazily looking on. 



" Come and help us," he called to her. 



" My food is not from the sea," she replied. 

 " My food is from the land. I will not eat the 

 meat of a whale; neither will I help." 



" You must eat it; it will fill your stomach," 

 said he. 



She began to cry, and said, " I will not eat it. 

 I will not soil my nice white clothing." 



She went to the beach and searched for feath- 

 ers. When she found some, she put them be- 



24 



