What a Northern Elder Taught a Proud Young Hunter
A Northern fable of a Proud Hunter & a Steady Elder (READING TIME: 2 MINUTES)
This Northern fable was first written in 2021, inspired by my time with the Indigenous people of Łutselkʼe, Northwest Territories, Canada. I had the privilege of teaching in this beautiful, remote community near the Arctic, where people still live closely with the land and carry a deep love for nature. It’s a tale for all ages—meant to be enjoyed in just about two minutes.
There, on the edge of the Arctic, the land stretched wide with frozen lakes, whispering spruce, and snow that glittered like glass. The people lived closely with the seasons, carrying traditions of patience, respect, and deep love for the land.
On one such morning, sharp with cold, snowflakes drifted from tall pines, and the forest trails glowed silver beneath the rising sun.
In that frozen wilderness lived a young hunter. He was quick, strong, and—most of all—proud.
I’m the fastest runner on snowshoes in the whole North!” he boasted, whenever anyone was close enough to hear. His words rang out across the frozen tundra, sharp and proud, echoing like a raven’s cry against the endless white.
One day, racing down the trail with snow crunching under his feet, he spotted a bent old man trudging across the path. The old man’s snowshoes creaked, each step slow and steady.
The hunter burst out laughing.
“Hey, old man!” he called. “Do you ever get anywhere moving like that? I could run ten laps before you take ten steps!”
The old man stopped, resting his hands on his spruce cane. His breath made soft clouds in the icy air. He smiled—not angry, not offended.
“I may be slow,” he said gently, “but I believe I can still beat you in a snowshoe race.”
The hunter threw back his head and laughed so hard his snowshoes nearly slipped.
“You? Beat me? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day. Fine! Let’s race. Everyone will see how fast I am.”
Word spread quickly. Soon, the villagers gathered at the starting line, their fur hoods pulled tight against the wind. Children’s eyes sparkled. The young hunter stretched and grinned, eager to show off. The old man stood calm, quiet as the snow.
A voice rang out: “On your marks... get set... go!”
The hunter leapt forward like a caribou, snow spraying behind him. In moments, he vanished into the trees.
“Still back there, turtle-legs?” he shouted, his laughter echoing through the forest.
The old man said nothing. Step by step, shuffle by shuffle, he moved steadily onward.
After a while, the young hunter grew bored. No one was near. No challenge. He yawned.
“This is too easy. I’ll just take a short nap.”
He spotted a bed of spruce boughs and sank into it. The forest was hushed, the snow soft, and soon his eyes closed. His proud smile faded into snores.
But the old man kept walking. His snowshoes whispered across the trail. Quiet as falling flakes, steady as the turning of the seasons.
Time passed. The crowd at the finish line began to murmur, then cheer—first softly, then louder.
“The old man!” they cried. “He’s almost here!”
Their voices carried through the woods and woke the hunter. He blinked, sat up, and gasped.
“The old man—he’s at the finish!”
Panicked, the hunter leapt to his feet and ran harder than ever before, snow flying under his shoes. But it was too late.
The old man crossed the finish line first.
The villagers erupted in cheers—not for the strongest, but for the wisest and most determined.
The young hunter skidded to a halt, chest heaving. His head sank in shame.
The old man placed a gentle hand on the young hunter’s shoulder. His eyes were calm, full of quiet strength.
“Speed is good,” he said, “but steady wins the race. Don’t waste time. And never look down on someone who moves at their own pace.”
Moral of the Story
Don’t boast—let your actions speak.
Never underestimate someone older or slower.
Small steps, taken steadily, go far.
Procrastination loses the race.
Respect others—and always keep going.
Let’s Reflect
Why do you think the young hunter felt so confident? Was it about the race—or just showing off?
What helped the old man win—speed, strength, or something else?
Have you ever put something off, like homework or chores, because you thought you had time? How did it turn out?
Want to Learn More?
The story you just read was inspired by my time in Łutselkʼe, a remote and beautiful community in the Northwest Territories of Canada. If you’d like to explore more about the people, land, and ways to visit, here are some resources:
