Eskimo children cannot read or write. They do not go to school, for
the Eskimos have no schools. They are very fond of stories, but they
cannot read them in books. So their mothers tell them stories. The
mothers cannot read, either. The stories they tell are what they
heard from their mothers. Are you not happy that you can read stories
for yourself?
Perhaps you think the Eskimo children are unhappy? Oh, no! Though
they cannot read books, they play all kinds of games. There is a funny
game they play in the house. All the children get on their knees in a
ring. Then they hold their toes with their hands and move along by
jumps. The one who goes the fastest wins.
The Eskimo boys play a game like the game of "cup and ball." They have
two pieces of bone. One is flat, with holes in it. The other is long
and sharp like a pin. Both are joined by a string about a foot long.
The flat piece is tied to one end of the string, and the pin to the
other end. The pin is held in the hand, and the flat piece is thrown
into the air. The game is to catch the flat piece upon the point of
the pin, by one of the holes.
[Illustration: Eskimo Children.]
Eskimo boys play another game with a ball and a stick made of bone.
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