In the traditional culture of the Ob Ugrians, water is considered one of the most revered elements. The Khanty people consider the river a symbol of life. That is why they usually build their homes near rivers and lakes. In dense taiga forests and off-road conditions, rivers were the only way to get somewhere quickly. The Khanty people can overcome huge distances on traditional wooden boats. Moreover, the river is one of the primary sources of food for the Khanty. They fish all the year round.

One day, Ingk-khon went to visit people. The pike hid under the small pier, where women went to fetch water. When a fisherman was passing by on a boat, the headless fish swallowed him. The pike used the boat to make strong jaws.

In the evening, an elk swam across the river. With its tail, the pike broke off the elk’s leg together with the hoof, and this bone also became part of its head.

Then the pike dragged a hunchbacked old woman who was walking past the shore, carrying a bundle of small twigs, and decided to go into the river to wash her feet.

Then the fish noticed a wooden shovel floating on the river and swallowed it as well. That is how the frontal part of its head appeared. A girl came to collect water and let her birch bark bucket go — the pike also found it handy.

The pike swallowed many other people and things that it used to make a huge head with sharp teeth. Thus, the pike became the most predatory and sharp-toothed fish. The Khanty people had a saying about the pike,