Storytelling in the Yup'ik Immersion Classroom

Yup'ik Raven Storytelling in the Yup’ik Immersion Classroom

Sample Mini-Stories

3. Kuskaq Avelngaq-llu Cat and Mouse

In this story adapted from Anderson & Marsh (1998), the cat is hungry to eat the mouse. Mouse has an unexpected surprise for cat. Occasionally on Fridays we play Picture Bingo. One of the pictures is qerruqacunguaq ‘balloon’. The students had difficulty with pronunciation. This was a good story to hear repetitions of the word in a fun way.

Una qanemciuguq: Kuskaq Avelngaq-llu.

This is a story: Cat and Mouse.

Ellami, kuskartangqertuq.

Outside, there is a cat.

Ellami, avelngartangqertuq-llu.

Outside, there is also a mouse.

Kuskam tangrraa avelngaq.

The cat sees mouse.

Kuskam neryugaa avelngaq!

Cat wants to eat the mouse!

Avelngaq qanertuq, “Atam tangvakaqernga...”

Mouse says, “Okay, take a look at me...”

Avelngaq qerrurtuq qerruqacunguarmek.

Mouse blows a balloon.

Avelngam pegtuqaraa qerruqacunguaq!

Mouse releases the balloon accidentally!

Kuskaq alingqerrluni ayakartuq aarpagluni, “Ii-la-i!”

Cat runs away startled and screaming “Yikes!”

Kuskartangqertuq.
There is a cat.

Avelngartangqertuq-llu.
There is also a mouse.

Kuskartangqertuq.

There is a cat.

Avelngartangqertuq-llu.

There is also a mouse.

Hold three middle fingers outward near your face.

Cup your fingers near your mouth.

Kuskam tangrraa avelngaq.

Cat sees mouse.

Kuskam neryugaa avelngaq!

Cat wants to eat mouse!

After making cat gesture, using pointer and middle finger, point away from your eyes then make the mouse gesture.

After making cat gesture using both hands, I make an eating motion then the mouse gesture.

Avelngaq qerrurtuq qerruqacunguarmek.

Mouse blows a balloon.

Atam tangvakaqernga.

Look at me.

While making a blowing motion with lips, hold out hands to the shape of the balloon.

Using pointer and middle finger, point away from your eyes and then at yourself.

Kuskaq alingqerrluni ayakartuq!

Cat runs away startled!

After making cat gesture, with a scared facial expression, run in place as if escaping.

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Last modified April 7, 2011