Young David has accompanied his father on a long sea voyage from England to the northern lands to study the plants and animals that live there. While exploring with his father, David learns about the "Inukshuks", stone markers created by the Northern people to help anyone lost find their way home.

Before their ship can depart for England again, a storm traps them in the ice and they are forced to remain there for the long, dark winter. One night, David leaves the ship to follow some foxes he has seen outside and becomes lost. Is the mysterious figure who rescues him really a man or just the spirit of the Inukshuk? Can he really bring the sun back to the sky?