The Story of Keesh

• Keesh lived long ago on the rim of the polar sea and became the head man of his village.
• The story of Keesh is passed down through generations.
• The telling of Keesh's tale occurs during winter darkness when venturing out is impossible.
• Keesh was a bright and healthy boy who had seen thirteen suns.
• Keesh's father, Bok, died during a famine while trying to kill a polar bear to save his people.
• After his father's death, Keesh and his mother were forgotten and lived in the meanest igloo.
• At a council in the igloo of chief Klosh-Kwan, Keesh spoke out about the poor quality and unfair distribution of meat.

Keesh's Speech

• Keesh reminded the council that his father, Bok, was a great hunter who ensured fair shares for everyone.
• The men reacted with outrage, demanding Keesh be silenced and sent away.
• Keesh asserted that his mother deserves better treatment and declared he would hunt and provide meat.
• He vowed fairness in meat distribution, ensuring no one would suffer from hunger due to the overindulgence of others.
• Keesh left the council amidst jeers, determined to prove his worth.

Keesh's Hunt

• Keesh set out to hunt alone, carrying his bow, arrows, and his father's hunting spear.
• The villagers mocked his endeavor, considering it unprecedented for a boy his age.
• After days without his return, Ikeega mourned, and the men prepared to search for his body.
• Keesh returned with fresh-killed meat, asserting his success in hunting a she-bear and two cubs.
• He instructed the men to follow his trail to retrieve the meat, then entered his igloo to eat and sleep.
• The villagers doubted Keesh's accomplishment due to the danger of hunting polar bears, especially a mother with cubs.
• They found that Keesh had not only killed the bears but also properly quartered them, addressing their concern about frozen carcasses.
• Keesh consistently hunted alone, raising questions about his methods due to his young age and success without dogs.

Suspicions

• When questioned by Klosh-Kwan, Keesh stated bears have more meat, which is why he hunts them.
• Some villagers suspected witchcraft due to his extraordinary hunting success, while others thought he may have had help from his father's spirit.

Rise to Power

• Keesh's success continued, providing meat for the village and ensuring fair distribution.
• The villagers began to respect and admire Keesh, considering him as a potential future chief after Klosh-Kwan.
• Keesh announced his intention to build a large igloo, requesting the villagers' help as compensation for the meat he provided.
• Ikeega's status rose, and she became a respected figure in the village.
• Ugh-Gluk accused Keesh of using witchcraft, but Keesh dismissed the accusation, questioning the evidence and motives.
• The council sent Bim and Bawn to spy on Keesh during his next hunt.
• Bim and Bawn reported seeing Keesh kill a large bear by dropping little round balls.

Keesh's Explanation

• The council went to Keesh's igloo, where he explained his hunting method was headcraft, not witchcraft.
• Keesh revealed he used sharpened whalebone coiled inside blubber balls, which freeze, get swallowed by the bear, and cause internal injury.
• Once the bear is weak, Keesh approaches and spears it to death.
• Keesh's method was understood and accepted.
• Keesh rose from poverty to become the head man of his village, ensuring prosperity and well-being for his tribe by utilizing headcraft rather than witchcraft.

Keesh, a young boy, rises to become the head man of his village. He bravely speaks out against the unfair distribution of meat after his father's death. Keesh vows to hunt and provide for his people, ensuring fairness for all.