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Seasonal change is Earth Science.
Legends provided lessons.
In changing climate, each season is respected.
They have purpose and a reason.
In life,
the Summer and Fall were used to collect stock.
During Winter, people kept inside. A perfect time for storytelling.
Spring was a time of birth and renewal.
The land was free from Winter. Communities were able to hunt and gather.
Spring provided a huge sigh of relief
that all those empty cupboards would soon be filled.
Weesakayjak and Spring.
It had been a long winter. The people kept warm in their tipis.
They had eaten well over the cold months.
Now it was time for fresh supplys and warmer weather.
The people were ready for summer.
They waited but still the snow fell. Still the cold winds blew.
The people waited in their tipis for a long time. Until it seemed like something was wrong.
It was time for the sun to melt away all the snow.
The world was ready to wake up but the cold kept everything stopped.
The people called Weesakayjak to tell him about their worrys.
Weesakayjak decided to take a trip to the north
and see what was happening.
Weesakayjak walked for a long time. As he walked the path became more difficult.
The winds blew strong and the snow flew til it was blinding. The cold whipped through clothing. Ice hung everywhere.
Weesakayjak found himself in the land of the north where Winter lived.
Weesakayjak saw a huge being of ice and snow. There was no way Weesakayjak could beat him.
Weesakayjak said to Winter,
"My people have enjoyed your slumber. But it is time for you to go and rest."
"Spring has to come to the world so my people can get out of their tipis."
Winter laughed and said "I have lived over the world for many days and I find that I like it."
"I want to stay covered in the world forever."
Weesakayjak didn't know what to do. Weesakayjak sat down with Winter.
Winter said, "The world gets covered in a beautiful blanket of snow. It is a time for rest."
Weesakayjak said, "People cannot rest forever."
Winter blew a mighty wind. "YES THEY WILL!"
Weesakayjak said, "If it is going to be Winter forever, then I might as well build a fire."
He took a fire out of his bag and set it down.
Winter had never seen these things so he watched with interest.
Weesakayjak said, "I might as well warm a pot."
He took a pot out of his bag and set it on the fire.
Weesakayjak said, "I might as well melt some water."
And he cupped some snow from the ground and put it in the pot to melt and warm.
Then Weesakayjak said, "I might as well make a soup."
He took pemmican out of his bag and poured it into the soup.
Then Weesakayjak and Winter both sat as the soup boiled.
Weesakayjak stirred the broth. Winter said, "I only eat ice and icicles and snow."
"Your soup looks very tasty. May I please try some?"
"I don't think so." Said Weesakayjak.
He stirred the broth and took a tiny taste. "Mmm" said Weesakayjak, "This soup is so tasty."
Winter said, "If there's too much I'll finish the rest."
"That's alright," said Weesakayjak, "I can eat it all."
Winter watched as Weesakayjak took a spoonful and slurped it down. "This soup is so good!", he said.
Winter demanded, "I say you give me the soup! Or I will freeze you here forever!"
Weesakayjak said, "It's ok. I like it here."
Winter could not take it a second longer. He spoke,
"I treat you as a guest in my home. Not sharing a meal, is rude."
Weesakayjak said, "You are right. Please have some soup."
Winter grabbed the bowl and took a huge gulp. The soup warmed his belly and his body.
Winter started to melt.
Winter took another huge gulp. He became half his size.
Another tasty gulp and Winter was smaller then Weesakayjak.
The last big gulp and Winter was almost a puddle.
Winter realized what had happened and said,
"I will travel far north and get strong again. Then I'll be back."
And he blew out of the ice cave.
They say every year Weesakayjak makes the same trip. And every year Winter falls for the same trick.
But some think that Winter enjoys the visit and that he likes the soup.