The help from Ingnersuit

Source: 
Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo 
by Henry Rink 
[William Blackwood and Sons] 
Edinburgh and London, 1875

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► Themes of the story

Supernatural Beings: The ingnersuak is a supernatural entity that directly influences the man’s life by providing sustenance, highlighting interactions between humans and otherworldly beings.

Cunning and Deception: The man’s decision to reveal the secret of his fortune, despite the implicit need for discretion, reflects themes of cunning and the consequences of deceit or indiscretion.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts a lesson about the importance of keeping one’s promises and the repercussions of betraying confidences, emphasizing the value of discretion and trustworthiness.

► From the same Region or People

• North America
  • Arctic Region
    • Inuit/Eskimo Lore

Learn more about the Inuit peoples

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Abridged version of the story.

An old man once met with an ingnersuak, who invited him to his house, and told him that he had watched in order to have some talk with him that no one else might hear. He wanted to let him know that, if ever he was in want, he only had to apply to him for help — the ingnersuak would at any time provide him with food.

The old man from this time had a comfortable life, always supplied with what he required. But at last he began to hint at the source of his riches to other people, and henceforth the ingnersuak declined to assist him further.