Soapstone Porcupine

Soapstone Porcupine — page 3 — Until we do we’ve been calling her Atim That is the Cree word for dog When we leave for school she dances us good morning When we get home in the afternoon she’s waiting for us with tail wagging When my brother shoots pucks she chases them and sometimes brings them back When I take a walk along the river she is right there alongside That’s the first I’ve known a stray to wander this far down the tracks from town Mom says We asked around to see if anyone was missing a dog Mom and Dad took her to the veterinarian got her shots and bought her a collar Does that mean we can keep her my brother and I ask 2

Soapstone Porcupine — page 4 — I think the question is Mom says will she keep us

Soapstone Porcupine — page 5 — Atim and I are out on the front porch thinking things over It’s my birthday and I’m excited that Stan is on his way for a visit Stan is my mom’s cousin They grew up together like brother and sister Stan and my dad are buddies too They like to do all kinds of things especially fish and hunt But for me there is a nervous feeling mixed in with all this springtime excitement excitement Last fall I went hunting for the first time with a real shotgun I wasn’t sure if Stan and Dad noticed that I missed a snow goose on purpose The snow goose was in my sights I’m a really good shot but something inside me made me move the barrel and miss Hunting is such a big part of my family’s life I am feeling scared about going hunting again It is 4

Soapstone Porcupine — page 6

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