Dear Book-of-Words:

This is Aama. I am sorry for not writing; please do forgive me. I have been ill; have been sneezing, coughing something terrible. I am to stay in bed until I recover; Mother is getting worried.

She may send for the shaman; maybe the shaman can do something to get rid of this sickness that's invaded my body.

I'm thirteen winters now, but didn't do anything special for my birth day. I did get some extra elk meat and whale blubber for my meal, it was very good; I also got lots of hugs and kisses from my family, they wished me a happy day, but no fancy presents, no parties, not like what I have read about in word-books.

The Night Rainbow is starting her visits here, days getting colder (temps in the 30s now as I write), and days getting shorter, too. I am home from school, I am in bed, typing on this computer. (It's a laptop. I usually type on the regular computer, but since I'm sick, I use the laptop. It's easier.)

I like school, but the Dog Children (non-Native) kids make fun of me. My English still not good, I read/write English better than speaking it. I don't like it when the Dog Children kids make fun of me; it makes me want to cry. I can't help it if I'm Native Alaskan, an Inuk. It's what I am.

I am a lot smaller than a lot of the Dog Children kids; they make fun of my size, my manner of speaking, my writing/reading skills. I am not good at school; I feel embarrassed, feel stupid.

Well, I am getting sleepy again, so I am going to burrow underneath my covers and go to sleep. I really must rest, especially if I am ill...

~Aama.