The Inupiat in Alaska, like many different communities at the time, had to hunt for survival, but they believed that the spirits of animals they killed had the chance to roam in another life. When the Aurora lit up the sky, they believed the spirits of these animals came out one more time. Beluga whales, seals, salmon, elk, and deer could roam freely once again, except that their new realm was the sky this time.

This was it. The sun had yet to show her face, and the land was still, quiet, peaceful. In the main tent in the center of the village, sat a young warrior, his body nearly vibrating from excitement. This is what all the lessons and training had led up to. Cheshmu sat patiently as the elders of the tribe were seated before him. He was more than ready to complete his first solo hunt. The images danced in his head for many nights. He would take down the animal with speed and precision, and his kill would feed the tribe for months to come. As he found himself lost in his daydream. The elders were quick to snap him out of it. Hitting a large stick on the ground near him.

“Stay focused, young warrior.” The raspy voice of Elder Kaga filled the room. He was one of the oldest members of the tribe and renowned for his strength and wisdom. Cheshmu sat up straight and tried to mind the elders as they continued.

“Today, as the sun graces us yet again with her warmth, you will track and take down for us our most sacred of prey—the beluga whale. We have chosen you to hunt the whale alone as your test. You must find the whale, track it down and respectfully end it. The whale is one of our most honored animals. You must remember your oaths and our customs and honor our ancestors' spirits that reside within the whale.” Elder Kaga let out a deep exhale. He was worried for this young warrior, his heart was burning hot with the haste of the hunt, and he feared for him; of all the young ones he had presided over, Cheshmu was definitely the most passionate. It made him a bit nervous, letting him go off on a hunt in this state. But he knew to trust the ancestors and their guidance.

Cheshmu nodded in agreement. “I am more than ready to honor our ancestors, Elder. I will hunt with strength and listen to the land. I will bring strength to our tribe and honor the spirits.” Cheshmu was eager; in fact, he was antsy. He had been waiting for this moment, nearly the moment he could hold a spear. He had fantasized many times about his first hunt. As a boy, it wasn't uncommon to find him sitting and waiting as the hunters arrived with a kill. He would watch closely as the butchers cut and began preserving the meat and hide. He longed for his chance to be seen as a strong, noble warrior.

“A warning young warrior.” This time Elder Nakoma spoke. She was a great healer in her time and was in line to be the head shaman, but instead, she decided to remain a herbalist. Nonetheless, she was well respected. She spoke softly, yet her voice had a certain power to it no one could explain. It was as if she spoke with the earth mother's voice.

“I can see you are eager to earn your place in the tribe, but don't let your passion cloud your judgment. The slightest mistake could mean your downfall.” She then took a small bag full of herbs and placed them in Cheshmu’s hand. He took a moment to feel the bag in his hands; the smell from the herbs was strong but not overbearing. The smell lingered in his nose for a bit, and he let out a soft exhale.

“Keep these with you; it will hide your smell from any animal you may encounter.” Elder Nakoma then said a few words in a hushed tone, praying over the young warrior. This prayer was one used for generations. Asking for protection and wisdom for the journey ahead.

Cheshmu let her words pour over him, accepting her blessing. He took a deep breath and exhaled, his breath leaving a visible vapor. He then looked to the next elder. Elder Inazin looked Cheshmu over before reaching behind him and grabbing a necklace.

“This necklace holds the tooth of the great bear. It will guide you on your hunt and keep the ice from cracking beneath your feet.” Elder Inazin was rumored to have spoken with the great bear in his youth; the bear had given the tooth to him as a gift for honoring the bear's brethren and respecting their territories. Cheshmu bowed his head as Elder Inazin placed the necklace on him, placing his hand on Cheshmu’s head and sitting in silence for a moment.

“Remember young one. Complete this task, and you will earn your tunniit and will be added to our ranks as a hunter-warrior.” This time it was Elder Nodin; his entire family were well versed in giving the tribespeople their tunniit, tattoo markings on the hands and face. Cheshmu grinned at the thought of receiving his marks. It was another thing he longed for greatly.

As the sun peaked her way into the tent and gently placed herself on Cheshmu’s back. The elders spoke another prayer on him, handed him his spear, club, and a small bit of food for the journey, and sent him off on his quest.

Elder Nodin turned to his fellow elders, a concerned look on his face.

“Let us ask the great spirit to guide Cheshmu on his journey and to keep his mind free of distractions.”

“It’s not the distractions I worry about, Nodin.” Elder Kaga stood up and stretched his back

“Let us hope he remembers our traditions and honors them. That boy always was one to nod off during the telling of legends.” They all nodded in agreement. Nearly holding their breath.

Cheshmu, on the other hand, was practically sprinting as he made his way across the ice. The cold crisp air hit his face as the sun continued to rise. He waited until he was far enough from the tribe to let out a hearty battle cry. He was ready to make his tribe proud.

He made his way west, where the ice is kissed by rock and land, just near the ocean; Beluga usually uses seal holes to surface and breathe, so he knew what he needed to find. He walked along the shore far enough to not be spotted by a seal and close enough to see where they rested. He was scouting around for a good while before stumbling across a lone seal resting outside its hole. The plump seal paid no mind to anything, just simply resting and soaking up the sun. He sat and watched the seal for a moment, seeing if it was alone, which it was.

However, Cheshmu saw a large splash of water from the seal hole after a few moments. After a few splashes, the seal awoke and poked its head in the hole, then he lifted his head up, and right below him, he could see the smooth white head of a Beluga. The seal didn't pay it no mind; the whale had taken this opportunity to breathe and get ready to travel. Cheshmu had to act quickly. He made his way, making sure not to startle the seal or the whale. He crept along the ice until he was close enough to the hole. The seal spotted him and dove into the hole; the whale let out another blast of water. Cheshmu took a deep breath before grabbing his spear. He plunged it into the water; he had struck the whale, but not enough to kill it. It let out a pained cry and darted off into the water.

Cheshmu groaned; he was sure he had hit it hard enough. He followed the trail of blood that the whale had been leaving. He followed the whale for a few miles, taking breaks to eat and rest. He left a good enough wound on the whale that he could easily follow it. It was now late in the afternoon, and Cheshmu had finally made it to where the blood was strongest. This time it was at another seal hole. The whale floated there, trying to breathe. Cheshmu took another deep breath and plunged his spear into the water once more, blood and water splashing about. The spear stuck in this time, and he was able to drag the whale onto the surface. He took his club out, and just like that, the whale was dead.

He let out another battle cry, proud of himself for making this kill. He reached into his bag and grabbed some rope to tie the whale carcass up, leaving some rope so he could drag it along the ice. The whale was more than likely an adolescent, not adult-sized, but just enough for the tribe to eat for months to come. He laughed and cheered as he tied up the whale, dragging it to an area with more land. He set up a small fire and tent and watched as the sun set and the stars came out. He was astounded by how smooth the whale was; even in the light of the fire, its striking white color was evident.

“You gave me quite a hassle running off like that. Good thing I found you before another predator did. Then I’d have nothing to bring to the tribe.” He chuckled once more and settled in for some sleep. He’d travel back to the tribe in the morning, and when he’d come back, he’d finally be honored in the tribe.

Or so he led himself to believe.

Cheshmu awoke just as the sun hit his face. He wasted no time packing his tent up and grabbed hold of the rope that held the whale's body. He made his way back to the village, holding tight onto the rope; he was still filled with pride as he knew that he had brought a good-sized meal for the tribe. He had stopped for a break, sitting down for a moment. The whale may be on the smaller side, but it was incredibly heavy. He wasn't sure if it was because of the whale's size or if his arms were simply tired from dragging the whale most of the day. He took a deep breath and drank some water from his pouch; the wind was soft and gentle, and the sun brought a comforting warmth despite sitting on the ice.

He stood up and stretched, readying himself. He gave the rope a large tug and continued on his way to the tribe. The wind seemed to have increased in intensity as he made his way closer and closer to the village. Something felt off to Cheshmu; the wind had a strange smell to it. It smelled of ash and of dirt and clay. The smell lingered in the air and nearly made Cheshmu cough. He pressed on, however, keeping his guard up. The uneasy feeling clung to him. It was as if a weight was being added to his shoulders.

As he pressed on, a sense of dread began to form in his stomach. It was as if someone or something were following him, watching him. Cheshmu took a deep breath and kept his focus on the village, which was now in view. He let out a soft sigh of relief as the familiarity of home calmed his nerves. He hurried his steps and sighed as he finally entered the village.

That sense of calmness would not last as Cheshmu entered the village and brought the kill to the butchers. A strange smell hit everyone's noses—that of soot and death. The elders circled Cheshmu and the whale carcass, demanding he unwraps it. Once he did, he was in shock. The whale carcass had appeared as if it were rotten and burned. On its underside, a large cut, as if a knife had run through it.

"I don't understand. The whale was fine just yesterday when I took it down." Cheshmu's heart raced. He did not understand what caused this?

"Stand back! Everyone, away from the carcass!" A deep voice pierced through the crowd that had gathered near Cheshmu and the whale. It was that of the head shaman Nanouk. Everyone did as he commanded and stepped back; however, as Cheshmu began to step away, Nanouk gave him a stern look. Nanouk was a no-nonsense sort of man. Having been the shaman for some time, he was rumoured to have been to the underworld and back. Everyone respected him greatly.

He stood over the whale carcass, carefully inspecting each oddity on its body. He observed as the steam that had been rising from the carcass slowly turned to smoke. He paid close attention to the various shapes and symbols the smoke had revealed to him. Nanouk then let out a great sigh.

"Young warrior, tell me." He looked over to Cheshmu, who was standing still. "When you took down this whale, did anything happen?"

Cheshmu cleared his throat before speaking, "No sir, I let out a battle cry and wrapped the whale up before making camp for the evening. Then I made my way here." He wasn't sure what was happening, his hands began to shake, and he began to feel a great sense of fear rise within him. Nanouk, however, knew exactly what was going on. He looked Cheshmu deep in his eyes.

"You did not give thanks to our ancestors for your bounty, not only that. You did not honor this poor whale. Its spirit is unable to find its way to the spirit world. It is lost, frightened. As a punishment for your pride, this carcass has been destroyed." He let out a deep sigh and held his hand out to Cheshmu.

"Give me the items our elders bestowed upon you. They are of no use to you anymore and need cleansing."

Cheshmu was in shock. How could he forget to honor his ancestors? His kill was useless now, and his honor smeared. How could this happen? How could he let his pride get the better of him? His legs began to shake with fear as the tribe began murmuring to one another and surely talking about what they had just witnessed. Cheshmu handed Nanouk the items the elders had given him and kept his head low.

Nanouk placed the items in a pouch before speaking once more.

"You must communicate with the whale spirit, find out what you must do to appease it. If not, I fear for the future of our tribe. Come, I will provide you with herbs to communicate with the spirit." As the two exited the area and made their way to Nanouk's hut. The elders instructed everyone to drag the whale carcass to the edge of the village entrance. Once that was done, they gathered wood and started a fire. Praying to the earth spirits and the ancestors to look upon them with forgiveness.

As Cheshmu entered the hut, his heart weighed heavy on him. He had let his tribe down. His pride and arrogance got the better of him, and he was filled with shame. He wasn't sure how he could fix this. But he was willing to do anything he could to right his wrong. Nanouk began grabbing and mixing various herbs inside a bowl made from stone and stained with paints. He then lit a small fire in the center of the hut.

Nanouk and Cheshmu sat in silence the entire time up until Nanouk took a burning coal from the fire and placed it in the stone bowl. The herbs started crackling and soon produced a thick smoke. Nanouk took the bowl and placed it in Cheshmu's hands.

"Breathe the smoke in and focus your intention. Ask the whale spirit to appear before you. When it does. Apologize for your ignorance, and ask its forgiveness. It will show you what you need to do. Be caring and respectful. The spirit may be upset with you." His voice was deep and brooding, though Cheshmu found some comfort in it. He nodded his head and began to inhale the smoke. The smell was sweet and inviting yet pungent. Before long, Cheshmu felt as if he were drifting away.

"How will I know when to call for the whale?" Cheshmu looked up from the bowl to find that Nanouk and the hut had disappeared. He was alone in a vast, empty space, the floor seemingly covered in water. There seemed to be no noise aside from a low hum that permeated through the whole space. He stood up and began to look around. It was completely empty. He figured now was as good a time as any to call to the whale spirit. He cleared his throat and stood strong. Looking around, this place seemed to go on forever.

"Whale spirit. It's I Cheshmu, the one who took your life. I am so sorry. I should have honored and respected you for giving me your life. Please. I ask for your forgiveness." He fell on his knees. The water on the ground rippled as he landed. He sighed and looked around for any sign. It was dead quiet at first. But after a few moments, he heard a faint clicking noise. Followed by a large splash. Before him, a translucent glowing whale burst from the floor and began to swim in the air. Twirling and making various clicks, whistles and low bellows.

Cheshmu couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was the whale he killed. Seemingly alive as a spirit. His mouth did not move, but he did speak.

"I am lost, Cheshmu. If you want my forgiveness, I need your help." The whale came close to Cheshmu and let out a blast of dust from his blowhole. The dust swirled in the air and formed an image.

"I need to get to my home in the spirit realm. My brethren await me there. I need you to guide me to the great lights. I called to your ancestors, but they did not hear my plea." The whale lowered its head as the great lights' image faded. Cheshmu had heard stories of the lights being where the spirits lived. But he didn't think they were true.

"Things are not always as they seem, Cheshmu. Please help me." The whale floated in the air a bit. Swimming around in wondrous patterns and shapes. He then flipped his whole body around and dove headfirst into Cheshmu.

He awoke in a cold sweat. Seemingly back in Nanouk's hut. Nanouk was sitting over him, fanning him with a large feather.

"What did you see, young warrior?" He asked in haste. The young man was out for quite some time. Everyone had their visions, and it was his duty to interpret each. This one was especially important.

"I. I saw a vast empty space. Only water covered the floor." Cheshmu sat up, and Nanouk gave him a pillow to rest his back on. He handed Chesmu a small sack of water and allowed him a moment to gather his thoughts.

"What else did you see?"

"I saw the spirit of the whale. He told me he was lost and needed to get home to the great lights." Cheshmu caught his breath and continued

"He said he called out to our ancestors, and they did not answer him. He asked me to help him get to the spirit world."

Nanouk listened carefully to what Cheshmu was saying. He knew that the great lights come when a person or animal dies; he also knew they only stay for a short while so the spirits could find their way. If the whale were to remain lost. It could mean the end of the village.

"I see. We have to act fast, young one. I will prepare a few things for your journey." Nanouk then began gathering up some more herbs and a stone jar covered in writing.

"But I still don't understand. Why the lights? How come the whale couldn't find them himself?" Cheshmu was beginning to feel a bit better and sat further up. He was curious about the significance of the lights. He had heard countless stories about them as a child. He thought they were just that. Stories. He would have never imagined that the stories were in any way real.

"When any being loses their life. Their spirit roams our land for a short while. They call to our ancestors to help guide them to the spirit realm. At the same time, we also call them honoring the spirits of those who have fallen to make their way to their world. Since you did not honor the whale or our ancestors, the whale is doomed to roam the earth until it is given the respect it deserves. And our ancestors know not of this great travesty that befell this beast. The great lights come to welcome those spirits. It's one of the few times we can observe the spirit realm in our world. Their power is so great, and their light is said to heal man and spirit alike." As Nanouk finished preparing the supplies, he placed them in a leather sack and handed them to Cheshmu. He then handed him a whistle carved from wood. The whistle was meant as a whale call long ago. Nanouk knew Cheshmu would need it.

"The lights will only be here for a short while. You must head north towards the mountains and use this whistle to call to the whale. He will hear your call and follow you to the lights. Once you are there, light the herbs and call to our ancestors to take the whale to their realm. Make haste, the spirits are ever-lasting, but their time in this world is not. If you fail, I fear for our future." Nanouk placed his hand on Cheshmu's shoulder. He worried for the young man, but he was confident in his ability to get to the lights in time.

Cheshmu gripped the whistle tightly in his hands as he stood up and placed the leather sack over his shoulder. He knew he had to make this right. He made his way out of the hut and headed north. The village elders stopped him shortly before leaving to provide him with some supplies. They wished him well, and he continued heading north. As he exited the village, he blew the whistle to let the whale know to follow him.

Cheshmu was still a bit in shock at what had just happened. He felt deep shame within him that he had caused this travesty to befall his people. He felt even more sorry for the whale. He just wanted to go to the spirit realm and be free. But thanks to Cheshmu. He might not get that chance. His heart was heavy, and he felt incredible guilt. He let out another whistle to let the whale know he was there. With each call of the whistle, Cheshmu could hear a faint echo, as if it were calling back to him.

He kept pressing forward. Keeping his pace steady and strong. As the sun began to set, he could feel the chill of the night creep further and further. Cheshmu knew he had to rest for the night or he would freeze; reluctantly, he found a large boulder and rested his back against it. Using the supplies the elders had given him. He made a small fire to keep warm. He let another call out to the whale. It seemed to have heard him. He couldn't see the whale as he could when he was in Nanouk's hut. But he could feel their presence. The same feeling came over him that was there when they first met eye to eye. He let his eyes shut as he felt the warmth of the fire.

"Brother whale. I will get you home." He spoke in a soft voice, promising the whale that he would bring it justice. As he kept his eyes closed and his breathing became steady, he drifted into a dreamlike state. He dreamt that he was in a wondrous world filled with laughter and happiness; vibrant colors bounced along everywhere as man and beast alike spent time with one another in peace and harmony. The same low hum permeated the entire area.

Cheshmu was startled as he heard what sounded like a loud cry. He turned a corner and noticed a strange hole in the colorful barrier that surrounded the space. As he looked down into it, he saw himself. Jabbing at the whale, its cries echoing. He tried to scream and tell himself to stop. But it was drowned out by the sound of his own battle cry. He awoke in a rush. His heart was racing, and he was having trouble catching his breath as the cold air pierced through his lungs.

He could hardly sleep the rest of the night. Choosing to keep the fire lit and sitting in deep thought, Cheshmu reflected on himself and his actions and was ashamed of himself. He didn't take the elders and their warnings seriously, and now the whole village will have to pay for his ignorance. His mind raced on and on. Before he knew it, the sun peeked over and greeted him once more. He rubbed his eyes and put out the fire. He stood tall and with a deep breath. He blew the whistle; then, he was off again. Heading as far north as he could go.

Cheshmu hadn't walked so much in his life. However, he enjoyed the sights of the wide mountain ranges and all the flatlands before him covered in a blanket of thick snow and hard ice. He took his time to really appreciate his surroundings and continued calling to the whale. He could feel the whale's presence as he made his way closer to where the great lights would be seen. Cheshmu had seen the lights a few times in his life. He always enjoyed how they seemed to dance across the sky.

The day was growing on, and Cheshmu made sure to sound his whistle so the whale spirit could find him. He stopped to rest and have some food. His legs were growing tired, but the fire in his belly kept him warm. He took a look at the jar of herbs Nanouk had given him. He ran his hand along all the paintings and felt their texture. He let a soft exhale out of his nose and placed the jar back into the bag. He continued after his meal. Leaving a small bit of writing on a rock that was nearby. It read:

'Forgive me, mother earth and grandmother moon.'

Cheshmu had been on his journey for a few days now, each night filled with the same dreams. He longed to reach the lights and free the young whale spirit. Their calls danced along the winds, and Cheshmu stayed true to his word and continuously called to the whale. The whale remained close to him and answered his calls often. Cheshmu could feel the weight in his heart lift slightly as he continued. His dreams soon ended, and he was able to get some good rest. Cheshmu spoke to the whale often. Though he never got an answer like he did in Nanouk's hut. He would tell him how he hoped that they would be friends in the next life and to wait for him when they make it to the spirit realm.

Each time he spoke with the whale, he would sound the whistle. Its music giving Cheshmu a sense of comfort and peace. He knew he was close when he could finally see the lights in the distance; far north stood a wide span of flat land and the edge of a mountain range. That's where he needed to be. He faced the cold with caution and with respect. He knew that he had to keep a calm mind, a strong heart, and a patient soul to make it to the base of the mountain. He made camp for the night and drifted peacefully into sleep.

Cheshmu rose early that morning. Giving thanks to his ancestors and the whale for bringing him safely to the lights. He sounded the whistle once more and made his way to the base of the mountain. The journey took most of the day, and he made it to the halfway point late into the afternoon. His heart, once filled with dread, was now soaring.

As he forced his tired legs to move forward, he whistled a happy tune to the whale. Letting him know they had finally arrived. All that was left to do was make camp and wait. The sun was low in the sky as he reached the base of the mountain. The sky was a beautiful deep purple and pink. The stars began slowly appearing one by one, and Cheshmu set up his fire. He placed the jar of herbs near the fire and whistled once more. Letting his whale friend know that he was ready to bring him to the lights. Nightfall came fast, and for the first time in quite a while, Cheshmu welcomed it. He sat facing the open space and watched the sky. Placing his hands on his knees, he let out another call with the whistle before speaking.

"Great ancestors, hear me tonight. My dear friend has left the living world and seeks refuge amongst you. Hear our call." Cheshmu then let out another whistle, letting the note hold for some time. He knew in his heart that his whale friend was with him, calling to the stars with him.

"We call to you now, ask you for guidance, great ones. I offer these herbs to you, blessed by the great shaman Nanouk." He then grabbed the jar and opened it. He took in a deep breath and let the strong aromas hit his nose. He then threw the herbs into the fire. It crackled and burned. The smoke billowed up into the heavens. Cheshmu took in the smell of the herbs and again blew the whistle.

As the herbs burned and continued to smoke, Cheshmu turned to look at the sky once more. He waited patiently, and before long, he could see a faint glimmer of blue light in the sky. It was faint at first, but soon it grew. It then began to stretch across the sky, the blues cascading into greens, yellows, oranges, reds, pinks, purples, nearly every color imaginable. As he continued to watch the colors pierce through the black abyss of the night sky, he couldn't help but take in their glory, watching as what seemed like shadows dancing with the various colors and hues of light.

As he watched the shadows move, they began to take various shapes, that of various animals. He could see Caribou running, leaving their hoofprints as gleams of light blue and green light; behind them, otters twisted and swirled happily in play, and he could see birds of all varieties soaring in the hazy glow of the lights. He watched in awe as he could see people running and playing as well. He was so close to the lights; he could see the spirit realm before him. It didn't take long for the other whales to appear; he knew what he had to do.

The light glimmered and danced across the sky, their light bouncing off the snow in a beautiful display. Cheshmu was still in awe at the sheer size of the lights; their bright glory was a lot for him to handle, and he could do nothing but let their light shine across his entire being. He called out to the whale. But instead of using his whistle. He used his voice. Singing out to the whale. He could hear an echo bounce back to him.

He continued to sing out, and as he did, the echo grew. In the distance, he could see a faint mist. This mist began to glow brilliantly and raced toward Cheshmu with great speed. It was the whale spirit swimming in the mist. He circled and danced around Cheshmu, who sang to his whale brother once more. He stood tall and raised his arms to the lights. The various animals and people did not care to look at Cheshmu, for they were caught in their own happiness and play. Their light just seemed to grow brighter and brighter as he stood there calling to them. Cheshmu couldn't help but cry at the sight of the spirit realm. He tried with all his might to speak.

"Great ancestors and spirits old and new, accept my friend the whale into your world. He is kind, noble, and worthy; he has given his life to me. He has forgiven me after I betrayed him. His soul is pure, and he should roam free." He kept his arms up to the sky as the many colors continued to bounce across the land. Cheshmu could hear the faint humming sound once more and looked to his whale friend, who swam in circles near the lights as if finding the optimal spot to swim into the light. Soon the low hum grew loud, and a bright white light pierced Cheshmu's eyes; he sang once more to his whale friend, and the ground shook from beneath his feet, knocking him over. He paused for a moment to gather himself.

When he got himself back up, he looked to the sky; he couldn't see his whale friend and began frantically searching for him. He watched the lights bounce, glide and dance across the sky, seeing the many shapes of various animals and people. In a desperate attempt, he sang once again, praying for an answer. Finally, he heard a loud bellowing sound come from the lights, and as he focused his gaze once more, he could see the whale swimming blissfully with the other beluga, they seemed to greet the young whale in a playful manner, and he joined his brethren in their play. Cheshmu let out a cheer and jumped with a great sense of joy. His friend had been accepted into the spirit realm and was finally happy, finally free. No longer would he roam the land of the living in search of peace.

Cheshmu then lay on the icy ground. Watching the spirits dance across the sky, this was the closest he had ever been to the lights, and he was soaking up every moment he could. Tears streaming down his face, he felt the weight of guilt leave his body; he had proven to himself that he could get it done. And he knew just how important honoring those that pass on really was. Never again would he take life for granted. He got himself back up and sat near the fire. Watching as the lights began to flow elsewhere, he knew they had to move on to guide others to them. It was a bittersweet moment. But Cheshmu took great pride in knowing the whale was now where he needed to be.

Cheshmu slept the rest of the night. Dreaming of running and dancing with his whale friend. The next morning he would make his way back to the village to tell the story of his journey for years to come. His heart beaming with excitement as he made the long journey home. He knew that his friend was now watching over him and thanked him each day of his journey for his forgiveness and for guiding him this whole time. He had a new understanding and appreciation for the world around him.

When Cheshmu reached the village, he told his tale. The elders congratulated him and circled around him to embrace him warmly. Nanouk approached him and gave him a strong pat on the back. They were all proud of him. Cheshmu would go on to become a wise man and tell many tales to everyone in the tribe. But time and time again, people would ask him to tell the tale of his journey to the spirit realm. And time and time again, he would oblige. Warning others to always honor the earth and the ancestors. And to never take life for granted. He encouraged everyone to go out at night and call out to his friend, the whale.

He could hear anyone who calls, and on rare occasions, you could hear him call back in the deep silence of the night. And he reminded everyone that when the great lights show themselves to us. It means a spirit is making their way home, and you should take great care to ensure that no spirit is lost. And if by chance a spirit is lost, it’s up to us to help our brother spirits make their way home safely and with great haste. Cheshmu's tale would live on for generations. Reminding those old and young never to stop cherishing life.