Read the entry note first. Not a fable — an Anishinaabe ontology carried as story. Come in to wonder.
⚠️ Draft — under many eyes. Converted and readable; not yet finally vetted, and it will wear the word draft for a good while, on purpose. Living, not final.
2. THE THEFT OF FIRE.
Gii-gimoodid ishkode Nenabosho
The Theft of Fire
Narrated by Wâsagunäckạnk — Series 1 (Nos. 1–18), Bois Fort (per Michelson’s roster, Part I Preface p. XX; not credited on the story page itself).
from Ojibwa Texts collected by William Jones (1917).
(1) Ānīc mīsa iᵘ cīgwa kīni‘tawigi∙a∙t ‘aᵉa’ᵘ mindimōyä.
Aaniish mii sa iw zhigwa gii-nitaawigi’aad a’aw mindimooyenh.
So accordingly then did the old woman bring him up.
Aaniish mii sa iw zhigwa (well, and so by this time) gii-nitaawigi’aad (she had raised him) a’aw mindimooyenh (that old woman).
(2) Mīsa iᵘ cayīgwa ugī∙i∙nān ini’ᵘ ō‘kumisạn: “Kāwīnîna ningutci anicinābäg kiki‘känimāsīg tci∙ạ∙yāwāt?”
Mii sa iw zhayiigwa ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan: “Gaawiin ina ningoji anishinaabeg gi-kikenimaasiig ji-ayaawaad?”
And so by and by he said to his grandmother: “Don’t you know of a place where there are some people.”
Mii sa iw zhayiigwa (and so by and by) ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan (he said to his grandmother): “Gaawiin ina ningoji anishinaabeg (is there nowhere any people) gi-kikenimaasiig (that you know of) ji-ayaawaad? (who are about?)”
(3) “Äyeᵉ,” ugī∙i∙gōn īni ō‘kumisạn. “O∙o∙widi’ agāmiki‘tcigạmi ayāwag īgi’ᵘ anīcinābäg.”
“Eye,” ogii-igoon iniw ookomisan. “O’owidi agaami-kichigami ayaawag igiw anishinaabeg.”
“Yes,” he was told by his grandmother. “In yonder direction on the farther shore of the sea are some people.”
“Eye,” (“yes,”) ogii-igoon iniw ookomisan (he was told by his grandmother). “O’owidi agaami-kichigami (over yonder, on the far shore of the great sea) ayaawag igiw anishinaabeg (there are people).”
(4) “Kunagä‘kā udayāsīnawātug ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ickudä?”
“Gonage gaa odayaasiinaawaadog i’iw ishkode?”
“I am curious to know if they do not possess fire.”
“Gonage (I wonder whether) gaa odayaasiinaawaadog i’iw ishkode? (they might not have any fire?)”
(5) “Äyeᵉ,” ugī∙i∙gōn īniᵘ ō‘kumisạn; “Kägä‘t utāiyānāwa ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ickudä.”
“Eye,” ogii-igoon iniw ookomisan; “Geget odayaanaawaa i’iw ishkode.”
“Yes,” he was told by his grandmother; “truly, they do possess some fire.”
“Eye,” (“yes,”) ogii-igoon iniw ookomisan (he was told by his grandmother); “Geget odayaanaawaa i’iw ishkode (truly they do have fire).”
(6) O∙o∙widac ugī∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ ō‘kumisạn: “Ạmbäsanō, ninganāsi‘kān ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ickudä,” ugi∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ
O’ow idash ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan: “Ambe sa noo, ninga-naazikaan i’iw ishkode,” ogii-inaan ookomisan.
Now, this was what he said to his grandmother: “Please let me go fetch the fire,” he said to his grandmother.
O’ow idash ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan (and this he said to his grandmother): “Ambe sa noo (please now), ninga-naazikaan i’iw ishkode (let me go to that fire),” ogii-inaan ookomisan (he said to his grandmother).
(7) ō‘kumisạn. O∙ō∙widạc ugī∙i∙gōn īni’ᵘ ō‘kumisạn: “Kāwīn kidākạckitōsīn.
O’ow idash ogii-igoon iniw ookomisan: “Gaawiin gidaa-kashkitoosiin.
And this was what he was told by his grandmother: “Not will you be able to succeed.
O’ow idash ogii-igoon iniw ookomisan (and this he was told by his grandmother): “Gaawiin gidaa-kashkitoosiin (you will not be able to do it).
(8) Kägä‘t ā‘pidci ogạnawändānāwā i∙i∙wisa ändāwāt.
Geget aapiji oganawendaanaawaa i’iw isa endaawaad.
Truly, a very careful watch do they keep over it there where they dwell.
Geget aapiji oganawendaanaawaa (truly very closely they guard it) i’iw isa endaawaad (there where they live).
(9) A‘kiwäⁿzī i∙i∙mā ayā.
Akiwenzii i’imaa ayaa.
An old man at the place abides.
Akiwenzii i’imaa ayaa (an old man stays there).
(10) Mīgu a‘pạnä tạsing kījigạtinig asạbin uji∙a∙t.
Mii go apane dasing giizhigadinig asabiin ozhi’aad.
And all the while, as often as the day comes round, upon a net he works.
Mii go apane dasing giizhigadinig (and all the time, every day that comes) asabiin ozhi’aad (he works at a net).
(11) Kāwīn wī‘ka ningutci∙i∙jāsī, mīgu a‘pạnä imā pīndik ayāt.
Gaawiin wiikaa ningoji izhaasii, mii go apane imaa biindig ayaad.
Never anywhere does he go, but always there indoors he remains.
Gaawiin wiikaa ningoji izhaasii (never does he go anywhere), mii go apane imaa biindig ayaad (but always he stays there inside).
(12) Nīⁿjiwaᵉidạc ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ōtānisaᵉ, mīyä‘ta iᵘ mōjạg ạgwạtcing äyānit.”
Niizhiwag idash i’iw odaanisan, mii eta moozhag agwajing eyaanid.”
Now, two are those daughters of his, and only they are continually out of doors.”
Niizhiwag idash i’iw odaanisan (and two are his daughters), mii eta moozhag agwajing eyaanid (and only they are always out of doors).”
(13) O∙o∙widạc ugī∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ ō‘kumisan: “Mā’nū ninga∙i∙jā,” ogī∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ ō‘kumisạn.
O’ow idash ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan: “Maanoo ninga-izhaa,” ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan.
And this he said to his grandmother: “Nevertheless I will go,” he said to his grandmother.
O’ow idash ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan (and this he said to his grandmother): “Maanoo ninga-izhaa (never mind, I will go),” ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan (he said to his grandmother).
(14) “Awawa,” ugī∙i∙gōn īni’ᵘ ō‘kumisạn.
“Awawa,” ogii-igoon iniw ookomisan.
“Very well,” he was told by his grandmother.
“Awawa,” (“Awawa,”) ogii-igoon iniw ookomisan (he was told by his grandmother).
(15) Ānīc mīsa a‘pī cigwa kā∙i∙‘kidut: “Ạmbäsạnō tạgackatin ‘oᵉō ki‘tcigạmi, wīgwāsabakwāng tawīapī‘tadin o∙o∙ ki‘tcigạmi.”
Aaniish mii sa apii zhigwa gaa-ikidod: “Ambe sa noo da-gashkadin o’ow gichigami, wiigwaasabakwaang da-wii-apiitadin o’ow gichigami.”
Now, this was what he then said afterwards: “I will that the sea shall freeze, as thick as the birch-bark covering of the lodge so let this sea freeze.”
Aaniish mii sa apii zhigwa gaa-ikidod (well, and so then this is what he said): “Ambe sa noo da-gashkadin o’ow gichigami (let this sea now freeze over), wiigwaasabakwaang da-wii-apiitadin o’ow gichigami (as thick as a birch-bark lodge-covering let this sea freeze).”
(16) Mīsa gägät kā∙i∙jiwäbạtinig iwisa kā∙i∙‘kidut.
Mii sa geget gaa-izhiwebadinig iw isa gaa-ikidod.
It was true that it happened according as he had said.
Mii sa geget gaa-izhiwebadinig (and so truly it happened) iw isa gaa-ikidod (just as he had said).
(17) “O∙o∙widạc ninga∙i∙jinägus,” ki∙i∙‘kido; “Nîndawā ningawâbōsōⁿsiᵘ.”
“O’ow idash ninga-izhinaagos,” gii-ikido; “nindawaa ninga-waaboosoonsiw.”
“Now, this is the way I shall look,” he said. “I will that I become a hare.”
“O’ow idash ninga-izhinaagos (and this is how I will look),” gii-ikido (he said); “nindawaa ninga-waaboosoonsiw (I will turn into a little hare instead).”
(18) Ānīc mīsa kägä‘t kā∙i∙jinägusit.
Aaniish mii sa geget gaa-izhinaagozid.
So accordingly that truly was the way he looked.
Aaniish mii sa geget gaa-izhinaagozid (well, and so truly that was how he looked).
(19) Mīsa cigwa kīmādciyātạgā‘kwạt.
Mii sa zhigwa gii-maajiiyaadagaakwad.
Thereupon he then started on his way over the ice.
Mii sa zhigwa gii-maajiiyaadagaakwad (and so then he set out across the ice).
(20) Mīsa kägä‘t kāwīn kī‘twājinsī.
Mii sa geget gaawiin gii-dwaashizii.
It was true that he did not break through (the ice).
Mii sa geget gaawiin gii-dwaashizii (and truly he did not break through the ice).
(21) Ānīc mīsa ugiki‘känimān ‘i∙i∙mā ayānit ‘iᵉi’ᵘ anicinābäᵉ.
Aaniish mii sa ogii-kikenimaan i’imaa ayaanid i’iw anishinaaben.
Of course it was so that he knew that at yonder place the people were abiding.
Aaniish mii sa ogii-kikenimaan (well, and so he knew) i’imaa ayaanid i’iw anishinaaben (that the people were there).
(22) Mīdạc imā kā∙i∙jitạgwicing i∙i∙mā wända∙i∙bīnit, o∙o∙widạc kī∙i∙nändạm: “Ạmbägicsa pinibinātit a∙a∙wi‘kwä,” kī∙i∙nändạm.
Mii dash gaa-izhi-dagwishing i’imaa wenda’ibiinid, o’ow idash gii-inendam: “Ambegish sa bi-nibi-naadid a’aw ikwe,” gii-inendam.
And so after he was come at the place where they drew water, this then he thought: “I wish that for water some woman would come,” he thought.
Mii dash gaa-izhi-dagwishing i’imaa wenda’ibiinid (and so when he arrived there at the watering place), o’ow idash gii-inendam (this then he thought): “Ambegish sa bi-nibi-naadid a’aw ikwe (would that a woman come to fetch water),” gii-inendam (he thought).
(23) O∙o∙widạc ki∙i∙jitcigä iimā wā∙u∙gwābạiminit ‘iᵉi’ᵘ nibi,
O’ow idash gii-izhichige i’imaa waa-ogwaaba’iminid i’iw nibi,
And this he did there where she intended to dip up water:
O’ow idash gii-izhichige i’imaa waa-ogwaaba’iminid i’iw nibi (and this he did there where she meant to dip up the water),
(24) mīdạc kā∙i∙ji∙a∙gwāwäba∙u∙gut ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ki‘tcigạmi mī∙i∙māⁿ kīti‘tipā∙u∙gut mī∙i∙mā īni ‘kwäwạn kä∙u∙ndcigwāba∙i∙bīnit.
mii dash gaa-izhi-agwaaweba’ogod i’iw gichigami mii imaa gii-titiba’ogod mii imaa iniw kwewan ge-onji-gwaaba’ibiinid.
that after he was washed up by the waves of the sea, then he was tossed rolling to the place from which the woman was to draw water.
mii dash gaa-izhi-agwaaweba’ogod i’iw gichigami (so that he was washed ashore by the sea) mii imaa gii-titiba’ogod (there he was rolled along by the waves) mii imaa iniw kwewan ge-onji-gwaaba’ibiinid (there where that woman would draw water).
(25) O∙o∙widạc kīi‘kido: “Ạmbäsạnō ningawawīyatänimik.”
O’ow idash gii-ikido: “Ambe sa noo ninga-waawiiyadenimik.”
And this he said: “I wish that she would take me for a plaything.”
O’ow idash gii-ikido (and this he said): “Ambe sa noo ninga-waawiiyadenimik (would that she take me for a pretty plaything).”
(26) Ānīc mīsa a‘kawâbamāt tcibināsibīnit.
Aaniish mii sa akawaabamaad ji-bi-naasibiinid.
So thereupon he lay in wait for her to come for water.
Aaniish mii sa akawaabamaad (well, and so he lay in wait for her) ji-bi-naasibiinid (to come down for water).
(27) Kunīginīn, kägä‘t ugīwâbạmān pīdāsạmusänit.
Goniiginiin. Geget ogii-waabamaan biidaasamosenid.
Lo, truly he beheld her walking hitherward.
Goniiginiin (lo!). Geget ogii-waabamaan biidaasamosenid (truly he saw her walking toward him).
(28) Mīdạc cigwa imāⁿ tạgwicinōn imāsa ayāt, cayīgwa ugīgwāba∙a∙mini.
Mii dash zhigwa imaa dagwishinoon imaa sa ayaad, zhayiigwa ogii-gwaaba’aminid.
Thereupon soon was she come at the place where he was, at once she dipped out the water.
Mii dash zhigwa imaa dagwishinoon imaa sa ayaad (and so then she arrived there where he was), zhayiigwa ogii-gwaaba’aminid (and at once she dipped up the water).
(29) Kā∙i∙jimī‘kawâbamigut mīsa kā‘pī∙i∙zitäpipinigut.
Gaa-izhi-miikwaawaabamigod mii sa gaa-pi-izhi-debibinigod.
As soon as he was discovered, forthwith was he seized upon.
Gaa-izhi-miikwaawaabamigod (as soon as she caught sight of him) mii sa gaa-pi-izhi-debibinigod (then he was seized).
(30) Mīdạc ‘iᵉi’ᵘ kā∙i∙jisī‘kōpīginigut kā∙i∙jikīwäwinigut o∙o∙widi kā∙i∙jipīndōmowint ¹ iᵘ wīya’ᵘ.
Mii dash i’iw gaa-izhi-siikoobiiginigod gaa-izhi-kiiwewinigod o’owidi gaa-izhi-piindoomowind iw wiiyaw.
And after the water had been rubbed from him, then was he taken over there to her home; in the bosom of her garment she put the creature.
Mii dash i’iw gaa-izhi-siikoobiiginigod (and so then the water was wrung out of him) gaa-izhi-kiiwewinigod (then he was carried home) o’owidi gaa-izhi-piindoomowind iw wiiyaw (over there his body was tucked into the bosom of her garment).
(31) Mīsa’, kā∙i∙jipīndigạnigut kägä‘t ogīwâbạmān a‘kiwäⁿziyạn nạmadạbinit.
Mii sa gaa-izhi-piindiganigod geget ogii-waabamaan akiwenziiyan namadabinid.
And after he had been carried inside, truly he saw an old man that was seated (there).
Mii sa gaa-izhi-piindiganigod (and so when he had been carried inside) geget ogii-waabamaan akiwenziiyan namadabinid (truly he saw an old man sitting there).
(32) Kägä‘t asạbi‘käwạn.
Geget asabikewan.
Sure enough, he was at work making a net.
Geget asabikewan (sure enough, he was making a net).
(33) O∙o∙widạc ogī∙i∙nān ‘aᵉawi‘kwä īni’ᵘ ōmisäyạn: “Nackäginīn,” ugī∙i∙nān kīmōdc īni’ᵘ omisäyạn.
O’ow idash ogii-inaan a’aw ikwe iniw omisenyan: “Nashke giniin,” ogii-inaan giimooj iniw omisenyan.
And this said the woman to her elder sister: “I say,” said she in secret to her elder sister,
O’ow idash ogii-inaan a’aw ikwe iniw omisenyan (and this the woman said to her elder sister): “Nashke giniin (look here),” ogii-inaan giimooj iniw omisenyan (she said quietly to her elder sister).
(34) “Nạckäginīn wāᵉ∙a∙ᵘ kāmi‘kawạg, wâbōzōns.
“Nashke giniin wa’aw gaa-mikawag, waaboozoons.
“see this creature that I have found, a little bunny!
“Nashke giniin wa’aw gaa-mikawag (look at this one I found), waaboozoons (a little hare).
(35) Ạmbä∙ä∙tạtạ; wawiya tätāgusi waᵉaᵘ wâbōzōns!
Ambe eta waawiiyadetaagozi wa’aw waaboozoons!
Oh, such a cunning thing is this dear little bunny!
Ambe eta waawiiyadetaagozi wa’aw waaboozoons! (oh how cunning this little hare looks!)
(36) Ạmbäsạnō käyä gīn wawiyatänim nimisäⁿ wa∙a∙wisa wâbōzōns.”
Ambe sa noo geyegiin waawiiyadenim ni-misenh wa’aw isa waaboozoons.”
I wish you would also think it cunning, elder sister, this little bunny.”
Ambe sa noo geyegiin waawiiyadenim ni-misenh (you too think it cute, my elder sister) wa’aw isa waaboozoons (this little hare).”
(37) O∙o∙widạc ugī∙i∙gōn īni’ᵘ umisäyạn: “Kīga∙a∙yāwigunān kōsinān kīga∙u∙nsumigunān,” ugī∙i∙gōn īnōmisäyạn;
O’ow idash ogii-igoon iniw omisenyan: “Giga-ayaawigonaan koosinaan giga-onsomigonaan,” ogii-igoon iniw omisenyan;
Now, this was she told by her elder sister: “We shall be scolded by our father, on account of it shall we be taken to task,” she was told by her elder sister;
O’ow idash ogii-igoon iniw omisenyan (and this she was told by her elder sister): “Giga-ayaawigonaan koosinaan (our father will scold us for it) giga-onsomigonaan (we will be taken to task over it),” ogii-igoon iniw omisenyan (she was told by her elder sister);
(38) kīmōdcidạc ugī∙i∙gōn īni’ᵘ omisäyạn.
giimooj idash ogii-igoon iniw omisenyan.
and in secret she was told by her elder sister.
giimooj idash ogii-igoon iniw omisenyan (and in secret she was told by her elder sister).
(39) Mīdạc ‘iᵉi’ᵘ kā∙i∙jinạndōbạgwid kā∙i∙jipạgitinigut ī∙i∙mā tcīgickudä wī‘pängwāwäsạgut.
Mii dash i’iw gaa-izhi-nandobagwid gaa-izhi-pagidinigod i’imaa jiigi-ishkode wii-pengwaawesagod.
Accordingly, after she had searched in the bosom of her garment, then was he placed there beside the fire, that from the heat his hair might become dry.
Mii dash i’iw gaa-izhi-nandobagwid (and so then she searched in the bosom of her garment) gaa-izhi-pagidinigod i’imaa jiigi-ishkode (and set him down there beside the fire) wii-pengwaawesagod (so that he might dry from the heat).
(40) Mīdạc ‘iᵉ∙i’∙ᵘ pā‘piwād īgi’ᵘ i‘kwäwạg wawīyạdänimāwāt īni’ᵘ wâbōzōnsạn.
Mii dash i’iw baapi’aad igiw ikwewag wawiiyadenimaawaad iniw waabozoonsan.
Thereupon laughed the women as they made a pet of the little bunny.
Mii dash i’iw baapi’aad igiw ikwewag (and so the women laughed at him) wawiiyadenimaawaad iniw waabozoonsan (as they made a pet of the little hare).
(41) Äjiki‘känimiguwāt īni’ᵘ ōsiwān. “Kitōmbīgisim,” ugī∙i∙guwān īni’ᵘ ōsiwān.
Ezhi-kikenimigowaad iniw oosiwaan. “Gidoombiigizim,” ogii-igoowaan iniw oosiwaan.
Then they were found out by their father. “You are noisy,” they were told by their father.
Ezhi-kikenimigowaad iniw oosiwaan (then they were found out by their father). “Gidoombiigizim,” (“you are noisy,”) ogii-igoowaan iniw oosiwaan (they were told by their father).
(42) ‘Oᵉōwidạc ogi∙i∙nāwān īni’ᵘ ōsiwān: “Nạckäginīn,” ogīināwān.
O’ow idash ogii-inaawaan iniw oosiwaan: “Nashke giniin,” ogii-inaawaan.
And this they said to their father: “See this,” they said to him,
O’ow idash ogii-inaawaan iniw oosiwaan (and this they said to their father): “Nashke giniin (look here),” ogii-inaawaan (they said to him).
(43) “Nạckäkinīn waᵉaᵘ wâbōzōns.”
“Nashke giniin wa’aw waaboozoons.”
“see this little bunny!”
“Nashke giniin wa’aw waaboozoons (look at this little hare).”
(44) “Cä!” ugīiguwān īni’ᵘ ōsiwān.
“she!” ogii-igowaan iniw oosiwaan.
“Beware!” they were told by their father.
“she!” (“she!”) ogii-igowaan iniw oosiwaan (they were told by their father).
(45) “Kāwīnina kigīnōntaⁿzīm īgi’ᵘ mạnitōg ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ginīgiwād?
“Gaawiin ina gigii-noondanziim igiw manidoog i’iw gii-niigiwaad?
“Have you not heard of the manitous how they were born?
“Gaawiin ina gigii-noondanziim (have you not heard) igiw manidoog i’iw gii-niigiwaad? (of the manidoog, how they were born?)
(46) kānamī aᵘ pä‘jik āwizītug. Awī∙a∙sik,” ugī∙i∙guwān īni’ᵘ ōsiwān.
Gaa na mii aw bezhig aawisiidog. Awi-asig,” ogii-igowaan iniw oosiwaan.
Perhaps this might be one of them. Go put it where you got it,” they were told by their father.
Gaa na mii aw bezhig aawisiidog (perhaps this might be one of them). Awi-asig,” (go put it back,”) ogii-igowaan iniw oosiwaan (they were told by their father).
(47) “Kägätsa kīgạgībātisîm ‘iᵉi’wisa kī∙o∙tā‘pinäg.”
“Geget sa gii-gagiibaadizim i’iw isa gii-odaapineg.”
“Truly, indeed, were you foolish to take it.”
“Geget sa gii-gagiibaadizim (truly you were foolish) i’iw isa gii-odaapineg (to pick it up).”
(48) O∙o∙widạc kī∙i∙‘kito awi‘kwä: “Ätạtạkuca nīwawiyatänimā ‘aᵉa’wisa wâbōsōns.”
O’ow idash gii-ikido aw ikwe: “Etata gosha ni-wawiyadenimaa a’aw isa waaboozoons.”
And this said the woman: “Such a precious pet do I think this little bunny!”
O’ow idash gii-ikido aw ikwe (and this the woman said): “Etata gosha ni-wawiyadenimaa a’aw isa waaboozoons (oh how I treasure this little hare as a pet).”
(49) O∙o∙widạc ogī∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ ōsạn: “Ānīn kägī∙i∙jināgwa‘k ² ‘iᵉi’wisa käwâbōsōnsiwit ‘aᵉa’ᵘ mạnitō?” ogī∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ ōsạn.
O’ow idash ogii-inaan iniw oosan: “Aaniin gegii-izhinaagwak i’iw isa ge-waaboozoonsiwid a’aw manidoo?” ogii-inaan iniw oosan.
And this she said to her father: “How is it possible for a manitou to be a little bunny?” she said to her father.
O’ow idash ogii-inaan iniw oosan (and this she said to her father): “Aaniin gegii-izhinaagwak (how could it be possible) i’iw isa ge-waaboozoonsiwid a’aw manidoo? (that a manidoo would be a little hare?)” ogii-inaan iniw oosan (she said to her father).
(50) Oᵉowidạc kī∙i∙‘kidō: “Kägätsa kāwīn kini‘tānōndạzī.
O’ow idash gii-ikido: “Geget sa gaawiin gi-nitaa-noondazii.
And this he said: “Truly, indeed, you are not heedful of what is told you.
O’ow idash gii-ikido (and this he said): “Geget sa gaawiin gi-nitaa-noondazii (truly you do not heed what you are told).
(51) Kāwīnina kiwâbamisī ä‘pitcinägusiyān?”
Gaawiin ina gi-waabamisii epiichinaagoziyaan?”
Do you not behold me, how far in years I am?”
Gaawiin ina gi-waabamisii epiichinaagoziyaan? (do you not see me, how aged I appear?)”
(52) Oᵉowidạc kīicitcigä ‘aᵉa’ᵘ i‘kwä, nawandicigu ogī∙a∙biswān īni’ᵘ wâbōzōnsạn;
O’ow idash gii-izhichige a’aw ikwe nawanj igo ogii-abizwaan iniw waaboozoonsan;
Now, this the woman did: in spite of what she was told, she exposed the little bunny to the heat of the fire;
O’ow idash gii-izhichige a’aw ikwe (and this the woman did) nawanj igo ogii-abizwaan iniw waaboozoonsan (all the more she warmed the little hare at the fire);
(53) ‘iᵉi’wisa wī‘pängwawäswāt kā∙i∙jikwä‘kwäkicimāt imā tcīgickutä.
i’iw isa wii-pengwaaweswaad gaa-izhi-kwekwekishimaad imaa jiigishkode.
that she might dry its hair, she turned it over with its other side near the fire.
i’iw isa wii-pengwaaweswaad (so as to dry its hair by the heat) gaa-izhi-kwekwekishimaad imaa jiigishkode (she turned it over and over there beside the fire).
(54) O∙o∙widạc kī∙i∙nändam ‘aᵉa’ᵘ Nänabucu: “Mīmāwīni∙i∙ᵘ cigwa pängwāwäsowānän.”
O’ow idash gii-inendam a’aw Nenabosho: “Mii maawiin iw zhigwa bengwaawesowaanen.”
And this thought Nänabushu: “By this time surely must I be dry from the heat.”
O’ow idash gii-inendam a’aw Nenabosho (and this Nenabosho thought): “Mii maawiin iw zhigwa bengwaawesowaanen (by now surely I must be dry from the heat).”
(55) Ānīc ōpā‘pi∙ā∙wān īgi’ᵘ i‘kwäwạg.
Aaniish obaapi’aawaan igiw ikwewag.
Yet at him laughed the women.
Aaniish obaapi’aawaan igiw ikwewag (still the women laughed at him).
(56) O∙o∙widạc kī∙i∙nändạm: “Ạmbäsạnō ningapa‘kinäs.”
O’ow idash gii-inendam: “Ambe sa noo ninga-pakines.”
And this he thought: “I wish a spark would fall upon me.”
O’ow idash gii-inendam (and this he thought): “Ambe sa noo ninga-pakines (would that a spark fall on me).”
(57) Käᵉgä‘t äjipa‘kinäzut.
Geget ezhi-pakinezod.
Sure enough, a spark fell upon him.
Geget ezhi-pakinezod (sure enough, a spark fell on him).
(58) Kā∙i∙jinawatisut kāijisāgitcikwāskwạnit.
Gaa-izhinawadizod gaa-izhi-gichikwaashkwaanid.
After he was set on fire, then out of doors he leaped.
Gaa-izhinawadizod (after he caught fire) gaa-izhi-gichikwaashkwaanid (then he leaped out of doors with a great bound).
(59) Ō∙o∙widac kī∙i∙‘kitōwạg īgi’ᵘ i‘kwäwạg. “Nạckäginīn, osāgitcipạtwātān ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ickutä!” utināwān īni’ᵘ ōsiwān.
O’ow idash gii-ikidowag igiw ikwewag, “Nashke giniin, ozaagijibadwaadaan i’iw ishkode!” odinaawaan iniw oosiwaan.
And this said the women: “Look at him, out of doors is he running with the fire!” they said to their father.
O’ow idash gii-ikidowag igiw ikwewag (and this the women said), “Nashke giniin (look at him), ozaagijibadwaadaan i’iw ishkode! (he is running outside with the fire!)” odinaawaan iniw oosiwaan (they said to their father).
(60) “A∙ī∙!” kī∙i∙‘kito ‘aᵉa’ᵘ a‘kiwäⁿzī;
“Ayii!” gii-ikido a’aw akiwenzii;
“Too bad!” said the old man.
“Ayii!” (“Ayii!”) gii-ikido a’aw akiwenzii (said the old man);
(61) “kägä‘tsa kāwīn kini‘tānōntaⁿzīm kägō ānu∙i∙guyägin.
“geget sa gaawiin gi-nitaa-noondanziim gegoo aano-igoyegin.
“Truly, indeed, are you unheedful of what is told you.
“geget sa gaawiin gi-nitaa-noondanziim (truly you do not heed) gegoo aano-igoyegin (anything you are told).
(62) Kāna mīyaᵉaᵘ (‘a∙a∙ᵘ) päᵉjik mạnitō ¹ pạma‘kạminạnk iᵘ kitickutäminān.”
Kaa na mii a’aw bezhig manidoo bamakaminang iw gidishkodeminaan.”
Doubtless it is one of the manitous that has come to take away this fire of ours.”
Kaa na mii a’aw bezhig manidoo (is this not one manidoo) bamakaminang iw gidishkodeminaan? (that has come carrying off this fire of ours?)”
(63) Kā∙i∙jipạsiguntcisät ‘aᵉa’ᵘ a‘kiwäⁿzī ānugī mawinạtạng ‘iᵉi’ᵘ utcīmān.
Gaa-izhi-pazigonjised a’aw akiwenzii aanoo-giimawinadang i’iw ojiimaan.
Then, leaping to his feet, the old man ran to his canoe; but it was of no avail.
Gaa-izhi-pazigonjised a’aw akiwenzii (then the old man sprang to his feet) aanoo-giimawinadang i’iw ojiimaan (and rushed in vain for his canoe).
(64) Ānugī∙i∙jimatābīwäpinạng, mīdạc kā∙i∙jimi‘kwạmī‘kānig.
Aano-gii-izhi-madabiiwebinang, mii dash gaa-izhi-mikwamiikaanig.
He flung his canoe into the water; but it was of no use, for it was frozen with ice.
Aano-gii-izhi-madabiiwebinang (he flung it down toward the water in vain), mii dash gaa-izhi-mikwamiikaanig (for it was locked in ice).
(65) Mīdạc anicāgu kā∙i∙cigạnawâbamāwāt micạwiki‘tcigạmi ani∙o∙cāwackwa‘kunänit,
Mii dash anishaa go gaa-izhi-ganawaabamaawaad mishawi-gichigami ani-ozhaawashkwaakonenid,
And all they could do was to watch (the hare) far out on the great expanse burning with a blue flame,
Mii dash anishaa go gaa-izhi-ganawaabamaawaad (and so all they could do was watch him) mishawi-gichigami ani-ozhaawashkwaakonenid (far out on the great sea, glowing with a blue flame),
(66) mīdạc pīnic kā∙i∙jipickwâpạmāwāt.
mii dash biinish gaa-izhi-pishkwaabamaawaad.
(watching him) till they beheld him pass out of sight.
mii dash biinish gaa-izhi-pishkwaabamaawaad (until at last they lost sight of him).
(67) Ānīc kīgwīnawiijitcigäwạg.
Aaniish gii-gwiinawi-izhichigewag.
Of course they were helpless to do anything.
Aaniish gii-gwiinawi-izhichigewag (well, they were helpless to do anything).
(68) Mīdạc cīgwa otäbâbạndān ändāwāt ² wuᵉ∙ō∙widạc ogī∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ ō‘kumisạn tcibwāmādcāt:
Mii dash zhigwa odebaabandaan endaawaad wo’ow idash ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan jibwaa-maajaad:
And then presently he was coming in sight of his home. Now, this he had said to his grandmother before he started away:
Mii dash zhigwa odebaabandaan endaawaad (and so then he came in sight of their home) wo’ow idash ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan jibwaa-maajaad (and this he had said to his grandmother before he set out):
(69) “Ạcwīn, māgicā käᵉgä‘t pītōyān ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ickutä,” ogī∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ ō‘kumisạn.
“ashwiin, maagizhaa geget biidooyaan i’iw ishkode,” ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan.
“Be prepared if perchance I truly happen to fetch the fire,” he (thus) had said to his grandmother.
“ashwiin (be ready), maagizhaa geget biidooyaan i’iw ishkode (in case I truly bring the fire),” ogii-inaan iniw ookomisan (he said to his grandmother).
(70) Kā∙i∙jikạnōnāt a‘pītäbābạndạnk ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ändāwāt, oᵉ∙ō∙ ogī∙i∙nān a‘pi pāndigäsät īni’ᵘ ō‘kumisạn:
Gaa-izhi-kanoonaad apii debaabandang i’iw endaawaad, o’ow ogii-inaan apii baandigesed iniw ookomisan:
Afterwards he addressed her when he was coming in sight of their home, and this he said to his grandmother when he came flying in:
Gaa-izhi-kanoonaad apii debaabandang i’iw endaawaad (then he called to her as he came in sight of their home), o’ow ogii-inaan apii baandigesed iniw ookomisan (and this he said to his grandmother as he came flying in):
(71) “Ā‘tawäpicin nintcāgis, nō‘kō!”
“aatawebishin ninjaagis, nookoo!”
“Rub the fire off from me, I am burning up, my grandmother!”
“aatawebishin ninjaagis, nookoo! (rub the fire off me, I am burning up, my grandmother!)”
(72) Mīdạc käᵉgä‘t kā∙i∙ji∙ā∙‘tawäpināt ‘aᵉa’ᵘ mindimoyä.
Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-aatawebinaad a’aw mindimoyenh.
Whereupon truly off from him did the old woman rub the fire.
Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-aatawebinaad a’aw mindimoyenh (and so truly the old woman rubbed the fire off him).
(73) Mīdạc ‘iᵉi’ᵘ imā kāuntinamowāt ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ickutä.
Mii dash i’iw imaa gaa-ondinamowaad i’iw ishkode.
Therefore such was how they there came into possession of fire.
Mii dash i’iw imaa gaa-ondinamowaad i’iw ishkode (and so that is how they came by the fire there).
(74) O∙o∙widac kī∙i∙‘kitō ‘aᵉa’ᵘ Nänabucu: “Mīsa iᵘ kä∙i∙jināgusit ‘aᵉa’ᵘ wâbōs ‘iᵉi’ᵘ tcinībink.” ¹
O’ow idash gii-ikido a’aw Nenabosho: “Mii sa iw gaa-izhinaagozid a’aw waabooz i’iw ji-niibing.”
And this said Nänabushu: “Therefore such shall be the look of the hare in the summer-time.”
O’ow idash gii-ikido a’aw Nenabosho (and this Nenabosho said): “Mii sa iw gaa-izhinaagozid a’aw waabooz i’iw ji-niibing (such shall be the look of the hare in the summer time).”
(2) Gii-gimoodid ishkode Nenabosho
2 Kāijipīndōmowint iw wīyau, “in the bosom of her garment she put the creature;” literally, “in the bosom of her garment was put its body.” [Jones p. 10]
3 Ānīn kägīijināgwak, “how is it possible for…” more literally, “how would it look or seem for…” [Jones p. 11]
4 Mīya’a päjik manitō, “it is one of the manitous,” more literally, “it is a certain Manitou.” [Jones p. 12]
5 That is, as if he had been scorched by fire. [Jones p. 14]