The Life of Wunipaq

Wunipaq was born in the spring, one of many, many generations of the Anibish tribe. As an infant, he marveled at the colorful birds that visited his tribe and sang songs for them. Sometimes, creatures from the forest would enter his village to the delight of all the Anibish children. At night, he could see shiny specs in the sky above him. Some winked at him and some moved quickly across the heavens. He wondered if they were distant Anibish tribes, close enough to see him and wink at him, but so far away that their voices could not be heard.

In his youth, Wunipaq learned that all the creatures of the forest looked up to his tribe. The Anibish were well respected across the region for providing food and shelter for homeless travelers in the forest. Nothing was ever asked of these travelers, even when his tribe suffered from thirst or hunger themselves.

Wunipaq also learned to speak in his youth. His voice, like those of the others in his tribe, was carried in the wind. At times, their voices merged with those from other tribes and the whole forest was awash with the voices of the Anibish.

In his adolescence, Wunipaq learned how to make food along with the other Anibish children. They made their food from nutrients provided by the forest and it was this food called sugar, so freely shared by his tribe, which was food for so many travelers. He was proud of his place in the universe.

As an adult, Wunipaq wore the scars of time. He was not as supple as in his youth and he was unable to produce as much food as he had when he was young. His body seemed stiffer and he noticed some changes in his color.

In the final stage of his life, Wunipaq’s body turned yellow. Not the yellow of illness, but the brilliant hue of life celebrated. He and his tribe lit up the forest as they aged. Wunipaq was sure those distant tribes he saw in the sky as an infant could now see his tribe as they twinkled into the heavens.

One day, Wunipaq learned the true value of his place in the universe. One-by-one, then many-by-many, his tribesmen gave up their positions so younger generations could grow. They gently swooped to the forest floor. His tribe gathered there to wait for the winter. When the snow came, his tribe was covered and sheltered from the winter sun. The Anibish of Wunipaq’s generation slowly released their remains to the soil until they were no more.

In the spring, the snows melted and the water carried the sugars and nutrients down into the soil where his tribe could gather them together. In a few weeks, a new generation of Anibish would be born.

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