In Iceland we hunt the Arctic Ptarmigan
also known a Grouse in the British Isles.
It is a beautiful bird on the larger side
known as a “poor mans food” in the past.
Peasants used to shoot it for food often
to prevent their families from starving.
Over the centuries many did starve
and many children never did grow up.
Today we need not hunt this bird
just to survive the winter and cold.
We hunt it because of our tradition
by eating them on Christmas eve.
The meal bonds us with our past,
with our ancestors and their lives.
A.G. Munson
