Can you believe it? 1, Unit 1 Reaction question

Think about the problems in your community, native country, or in the world.
Which ones are getting worse and worse? What can you do about them?

Write your comments below.  

Lesson notes #1

Hello,

https://youtu.be/PCyNniwBR7c

Please leave comments below.

The wasteful Otter

The wasteful otter

 “Otter Head”

 The Ainu frequently used the phrase “otter head” to refer to a person who can’t remember things.  There are reasons for this. 

An Ainu said: “The otter is a wasteful creature, and can’t remember anything at all. As soon as he has caught a salmon he drags it to shore, and takes one mouthful out of the back, near the head, and then leaves the fish. He then sets out to catch another meal, rarely returning to eat the salmon left behind.

For this reason a person with a bad memory is called "otter head."  As such, the Ainu believed that the otter had the power to possess people.  Such possession explained forgetfulness. 

When the Ainu find fish, which has been killed by otters, they carry them home and use them for food. But when they eat the fish, special prayers are said to the goddess of fire, asking her to protect them from the evil-disposed otters. 

Reference:  Bachelor J. The Ainu and Their Folklore p. 511

Questions

Why did the Ainu think the otter forgetful?

Why are forgetful people called “otter head”?

According to the Ainu, what powers did the otter have?

What do they ask for when they pray to the goddess of the hearth?

***

Source

John Bachelor, The Ainu and Their Folklore (1889)

Tim Blankley

総合教養学科

Kokugakuin University Hokkaido Junior College

Discussion

What native animals do you like?

To build a fire by Jack London

To build a fire by Jack London

Respond to these questions

1.  Which 10 words are the most important for this story?  Make a list.

2.  Write about 150 words.

Why is the old man in Fairbanks important to the story? The young man got the idea to save himself by killing the dog to warm his hands so that he might light a new fire.  Would you have thought of the same idea under these circumstances?   What happened in this story that is typical of young men?

3.  Do you ever walk home late alone in the winter?  Is it a safe thing to sit down and rest if you have been drinking or feel tired?