People of the Whale

A narrator describes a coastal community deeply connected with the ocean and its history. The community perceives the ocean as a great being, inspiring songs and reverence among the tribe. The setting is marked by its natural beauty, including black rocks, tree-covered islands, and remnants of past inhabitants, the Mysterious Ones, who left behind shell houses, now only visible in memory. The narrative mentions a tragic event in 1910 when influenza arrived with white whalers, coinciding with a mudslide that buried the shell houses.

The land and sea hold various significant sites: caves revealed at low tide; a pile of treasures where Witka, a revered elder, communicated with whales; and remnants of old boats and whalebones repurposed for practical uses. There’s a special beach where whales used to rub off barnacles.

The community lives in harmony with nature, fishing in calm waters. However, there’s a sense of secrecy and protection; the place is in Washington, but its location beyond that description stays vague. The narrative ends on a contemplative note. A man turns his back to the sea, his emotions unclear—he is perhaps feeling hate, remorse, or grief.