Chapter 1

Hunger and cold take their toll

It was cold. The land was covered with snow. In the distance, people were dressed in furs and animal skins.

They huddled close to the campfire. Their faces look sad. They were starving.

The People were nomads. They traveled from place to place following the caribou, their source of food.

In this group of The People there were two old women who had been taken care of for many years. One woman’s name was Chi. The other was Sa.

The younger women’s job was to move their things and give them wood and water. In return the old women gave them animal skins used for clothes.

The two old women complained of aches and pains and were very slow. The rest of the tribe did not complain about giving them help.

Ow! My leg hurts. My arm hurts. I’m tired

One day from the folds of his parka ruff the chief announced that the old ones had to be left behind. The People did not protest. Chi had a daughter and grandson who did not speak up. Chi was hurt.

The grandson was very upset about leaving his grandmother behind. He hid a hatchet bound with babiche in a tree. The People left.

The two women sat in shock. As the fire went out Sa became determined to survive. She retrieved the hatchet and went to Chi. Sa told Chi they had to fight to survive.