Raven & the Whale

An Inuit tale retold by

Raven liked to paddle his kayak out into the sea. One day he saw a large whale.

In the center of the whale’s belly, Raven saw a beautiful girl dancing.

Raven grabbed the girl. He heard the strings snap as he flew with her out of the whale up into the sky.

The whale was dead and the girl in his arms grew smaller and smaller and disappeared.

Raven was overcome with sorrow. He was so sad that he landed on the sand beside the whale's body.

Then Raven began to dance. He danced for weeks.

Then Raven began to sing. He sang for weeks and weeks until his heart was soothed.

Raven understood that everything lives and dies, and every human and animal has a heart and soul.