A wealthy man named Anoogne, proud of his abundant stores of food, mocked a divine warning about his reliance on nature’s provisions. In response, relentless snow buried the land for two years, freezing his supplies and causing widespread starvation. Humbled and remorseful, Anoogne admitted his folly, learning the harsh cost of arrogance and ingratitude toward nature’s gifts.
Source
Two Aleut Tales
recorded by Rev. T. I. Lavrischeff
American Anthropologist
Vol. 30, Issue 1, January-March 1928
► Themes of the story
Divine Punishment: Anoogne’s arrogance and dismissal of the divine warning lead to a severe punishment from higher powers, resulting in a prolonged snowstorm that devastates his resources.
Conflict with Nature: The story highlights the struggle between Anoogne and the natural forces, emphasizing the consequences of underestimating and disrespecting nature’s power.
Moral Lessons: The narrative imparts a lesson on humility and the importance of respecting nature, illustrating the perils of pride and ingratitude.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Aleut people
Long, long ago rich Anoogne lived in the village on Hinchinbrook island, keeping rough storehouses with their stone shelves filled with valuable furs, many clothes and all kinds of native foods. He preserved many fish and eggs in the ground, for sour fish dug from the earth formed his favorite repast. All of the villages about worked for the Anoogne and often he gave feasts in his house and the guests praised him highly for his generous deeds. One evening, the Anoogne took a walk on the seashore. The sky was blue, the sea was calm and the old man enjoyed his slow promenade. Suddenly his foot slipped and he fell. He had stepped on a dead fish cast on the beach.
► Continue reading…
Anoogne started to complain bitterly, but a voice came from on high, saying: “Do not scold. Do not curse the old fish. If I did not give to you the same fish for your food you will starve.”
“If you did not send this fish, I will not starve,” the Anoogne replied.
“Why not?” the voice asked.
The old man told him, “I have all kinds of fish. I have all kinds of meat, enough to keep me forever. My stores are filled with halibut, seal, bear, salmon, codfish, and mountain goats. I shall not lose the food I have stored.”
But the voice continued, “Remember, Anoogne, very soon you shall be the most miserable man and thy riches shall not be of use to thyself.”
Never, never,” replied the excited Anoogne. “I am the wealthiest of the natives and I shall never grow poor.”
“What will you eat if your food freezes over?” he was asked.
“I have dried fish and meat and have buried fish eggs, a reserve that will last a long time.”
“I can send the deep snow to cover the earth,” he was told.
“Do not think you can even cover the koongat, the edible trees?’’ the haughty Anoogne responded.
No reply came, only repeated in gradually dying echoes, the sound of the word “ahtat.”
Then the big flakes of snow started to fall softly over the earth. When the Anoogne approached his house the snow was up to his knees. His food had frozen and become like paper. The old man and his helpers started to shovel the white blanket, but such great flakes fell this work soon appeared useless. The snow even passed through the roof and filled the barabaras.
Again came the voice from on high, “There you have it.”
All of the island was covered by deep snow for twenty-four months. All living creatures perished. There was no food on land, there were no fish in the sea.
Anoogne began to starve. Greatly did he regret his mistake and his conceit. He called his neighbors and confessed his sin.
Then the voice came again, saying, “Do not speak bad words. Do not curse the food I send you. Do not grumble against fate.”
So ended the story of the richest old man of the ancient village of Nutchek.
Running and expanding this site requires resources: from maintaining our digital platform to sourcing and curating new content. With your help, we can grow our collection, improve accessibility, and bring these incredible narratives to an even wider audience. Your sponsorship enables us to keep the world’s stories alive and thriving. ♦ Visit our Support page
Dreamtime Whispers 