f
antiquity to woman and--chewing gum. Yet as we pause to consider the
subject, from the Polar man's point of view, it is but natural that
woman should be first, for without her aid there certainly would be no
men.

My log-book says that at a very early time of the world's history, long
before day and night had been created, or the first man had made his
appearance, there lived an old woman, indeed very old, for the
tradition of her having had a beginning, if there ever was such a one,
had been lost. We must bear in mind that during the first stage of the
world everything remained young and fresh; nothing grew old. It was not
until a much later date that the indiscretion of a boy brought those
physiological changes known as growing old into the world and placed a
limitation to the period of youth. The old woman was like a young girl
in her appearance and feelings, and being the only inhabitant of the
earth, naturally felt very lonesome and wished for a companion. She was
one time chewing "pooy[=a]" (chewing gum) when the thought arose in her
mind that it would be pleasant to have an image to play with, so taking
her "pooy[=a]" she fashioned a man, then by way of ornamentation placed
a raven's beak on his forehead.

She was delighted with her success in making such a lovely image and on
lying down to sleep placed it near her side. On awakening her joy was
great, for the image had come to life and there before her was the
first man.

V

WHAT BROUGHT AGE INTO THE WORLD

At a time long ago, before old age had been introduced and while our
early ancestors were still enjoying a state of perpetual youth, a boy
was living with his grandmother. One day she remarked that they were
out of provisions, to which he replied: "Never mind, grandma, I will
set a snare and we will quickly have an owl to feast on." He skipped
merrily off and soon had ensnared a large white owl. On approaching the
bird, the following conversation took place:

Owl--"What are you going to do with me?"

Boy--"I am going to kill and eat you."

Owl--"Don't you do it."

Boy--"Why not?"

Owl--"If you kill me, I will make you an old man."

Boy--"Grandma and I are hungry, and we are going to eat you."

Owl--"Again I warn you, if you kill me I will make an old man of you."

Notwithstanding the warning, the boy killed the owl and started to
carry it home.

Household duties did not hang heavily on the ladies of that day, so
grandma was killi