Long ago, one very cold winter, in a land of sparse timber and scattered boulders, two brothers were hungry. The older brother went to his mother and asked to be fed. Instead of preparing a meal, she told them to go hunting. "Try your bow and arrow," she said. "Perhaps they will feed you."

So the brothers gathered their bows and quivers and set out. Four days they hunted, following scattered animal tracks. From time to time they would catch a glimpse of an animal in the bushes. But then it would vanish and they ran after it until they were out of breath. Finally exhausted and very hungry they wanted to return home, but they were too embarrassed. They decided to go to their grandfather's lodge, half-a-day's distance away. Perhaps he would care for them.

Grandfather welcomed them, sat them by the fire and gave them food to eat. And as they ate they told grandfather of their misfortunes. He listened patiently to each outburst of self-pity. "Hmmm," he said. Finally the boys were full and fell asleep close to the warmth of the fire.

In the morning the brothers felt much better and decided to return home. They thanked their grandfather and gathering their things, prepared to leave. At the lodge door he stopped them. "You catch nothing because you know nothing," Grandfather said. "If you had knowledge you would succeed."