Reading Notes B: The Man in the Moon

• Eskimo goes to the moon - faces away from lamps he turned on to let guardian spirit take him
• Moon's house:
• All white - bc of white deerskin drying
• upper body of walrus on both sides of entrance - dangerous bc long teeth to bite
• has only 1 dog - Red/white dapple living in the passage
• Moon lives in outer room
• Inside room lives Sun, Moon's wife
• She lit up & hid behind her fire so Eskimo couldn't see her
• Mood had piles of deer meat - didn't offer to Eskimo until a strange dance he & Sun did.
• On Moon Land:
• many herds of deer
• anything can fall through the hole to Earth 
• Moon let Eskimo choose 1 animal to drop to Earth
• house with many seals swimming
• Eskimo chose a seal & it dropped to the ocean - therefore Eskimos have deer and seal.

(Eskimo dolls with Seals.  Flickr.)

Another version of the Man in the Moon, except different concept.

Maybe combine the Raven's feast with this story?  Rather than Raven scavenging for food at a local farmer's market, he can travel to the Moon with the Eskimo.  The Eskimo and Raven run into each other and become friends.  They go on a journey to find 'food' to feed their family and friend. 

They both come across the 'Moon' - which can be a local market/shop/farm that has many things.  

There can be someone that works in the 'Moon'.  Possibly with powers that can provide the Eskimo with seals and deer as well as the Raven with enough food to feed plenty people.  Before giving them food and items to survive, they must give up one important thing - what is the important thing?

Much like making a deal/sacrifice for something more.  Will it be worth it?  Will both give in or just one?  This can cause the reason for why the Eskimos have what they have and why there are feasts during times of mourning.

They're both going through times of hardship - so food feeds the soul. BAHA! 

These are what bring people together.  Eskimo and Raven invite each other to their events before parting ways.  Or maybe one will die along the way?

Bibliography:  Myths and Legends of British North America:  The Man in the Moon by Katharine Berry Judson.