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.
6. NÄNABUSHU AND THE DANCING BULLRUSHES.¹
Nänabushu and the Dancing Bullrushes (1)
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) Ninguting pạpîmusät, “Ānīn?” kī∙i∙nändạm.
Ningoding babimosed, “Aaniin?” Gii-inendam.
While he was once walking along, “What (is it)?” he thought.
Ningoding babimosed (once while he was walking along), “Aaniin?” gii-inendam (“What (is it)?” he thought).
Jones’s footnote ¹ (printed p.45, marker on the title): “For another version see No. 22.” — carried from the document into the record 2026-09-02 (the record had never held it; register §5 law 7).
(2) “Kunigä?”
“Gonige?”
“Wonder (what it can be)?”
“Gonige?” (“Wonder (what it can be)?”)
(3) O∙ō∙widạc kī∙i∙nändạm: “Kunigä kāwīn ningakạckitōsīn.”
O’ow idash gii-inendam: “Gonige gaawiin ninga-gashkitoosiin!”
Now, this he thought: “I wonder if I am unable to do it!”
O’ow idash gii-inendam (and this he thought): “Gonige gaawiin ninga-gashkitoosiin!” (“I wonder if I am unable to do it!”)
(4) Ningutingigu papîmusät, ugīwâbạmā ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ininiwaᵉ kiˢtci∙o∙sāmīninit wīnīmi∙i∙tiwaᵉ.
Ningoding igo babimosed, ogii-waabamaa i’iw ininiwan gichi-osaamiininid wii-niimi’idiwan
And as he was once walking along, he saw some men gathered in a throng to dance together.
Ningoding igo babimosed (and once as he was walking along), ogii-waabamaa i’iw ininiwan (he saw those men) gichi-osaamiininid (gathered in a throng) wii-niimi’idiwan (who were going to dance together).
(5) O∙ō∙widạc ogī∙i∙gōn īni’ᵘ päcig: “Ānīn kayä kīnina, Nänabucu, kīgạnīm?” ugīgōn.
O’ow idash ogii-igoon iniw bezhig: “Aaniin gaye giin ina, Nenaboozhoo, Giga-niim?” ogii-goon.
And this he was asked by one of them: “You too, Nänabushu, are you going to dance?” he was asked.
O’ow idash ogii-igoon iniw bezhig (and this he was asked by one of them): “Aaniin gaye giin ina, Nenaboozhoo (“What about you too, Nanabushu), giga-niim?” (are you going to dance?”) ogii-goon (he was asked).
(6) “Äyeᵉ, nisīmsā nīnganīm kayänīn,” ugī∙i∙nān.
“Eye’, nishiime sa ninga-niim gaye niin,” ogii-inaan.
“Yes, my little brother, I too am going to dance,” he said to him.
“Eye’, nishiime sa ninga-niim gaye niin (“Yes, my little brother, I too am going to dance),” ogii-inaan (he said to him).
(7) Ka‘kina pingwācāgitiwaᵉ, mīdạc ka‘kina äci∙u∙nit i∙‘i∙ᵘ pạpikwāngäna pạta‘kibinwä∙u∙nit.
Gakina bingwaashaagidiwan, mii dash gakina ezhi’onid i’iw babikwaangenaa batakibine’onid.
They were all naked; and the only dress they all had was a feather, with all but the top stripped from the shaft, standing perched upon their heads.
Gakina bingwaashaagidiwan (they were all naked), mii dash gakina ezhi’onid i’iw (and the only dress they all wore was) babikwaangenaa batakibine’onid (a feather stripped to the top, standing perched upon their heads).
(8) “Kayä kīnina kīwīnīm?” kī∙i∙nā ‘aᵉa’ᵘ Nänabucu.
“Gaye giin ina giwii-niim?” Gii-inaa a’aw Nenaboozhoo.
“And do you also wish to dance?” they said to Nänabushu.
“Gaye giin ina giwii-niim?” (“And do you also wish to dance?”) Gii-inaa a’aw Nenaboozhoo (Nanabushu was told).
(9) “Mīnagu iᵘ ītug cigwa wīwītō‘kāsoyạn?
“Mii na go iw iidog zhigwa wii-wiidookaazoyan?
“Without doubt it must be your wish to participate?
“Mii na go iw iidog zhigwa wii-wiidookaazoyan? (“Without doubt it must be your wish now to take part?)
(10) Kinōndạmina mini‘k ‘iᵉi’wisa mini‘k wanīmi∙i∙tink?
Gi-noondam ina minik i’iw isa minik waa-niimi’iding?
Have you heard how many days they will be dancing?
Gi-noondam ina minik i’iw isa minik waa-niimi’iding? (Have you heard how many days they will be dancing?)
(11) Nicwāsugin wīnīmi∙i∙tim.”
Nishwaasogon wii-niimi’idim.”
Eight days will they be dancing.”
Nishwaasogon wii-niimi’idim.” (Eight days they will be dancing.”)
(12) Mīdạc kayä wīn kā∙i∙ci∙u∙t, kīpạta‘kibinwä∙u∙t.
Mii dash gaye wiin gaa-izhi’od, gii-batakibinwe’od.
Thereupon he himself dressed in the same costume, he had a feather standing upon his head.
Mii dash gaye wiin gaa-izhi’od (thereupon he himself dressed the same way), gii-batakibinwe’od (he had a feather standing upon his head).
(13) Mīdạc a‘pī mādci‘tānit, nāwayaī kā∙i∙jōcigābawit kayäwīn kīnīmit.
Mii dash apii maajitaanid, naawaya’ii gaa-izhooshigaabawid gaye wiin gii-niimid.
Now, when they began, in their midst was where he stood and also danced.
Mii dash apii maajitaanid (and now, when they began), naawaya’ii gaa-izhooshigaabawid (in their midst was where he stood) gaye wiin gii-niimid (and he too danced).
(14) Mīdạc a‘pī kīmādci‘tānit, ānīc mīsa gayä wīn i∙i∙māⁿ kā∙i∙ndacīwäcimut; babänạginạngä ina‘kạmigisiwaᵉ.
Mii dash apii gii-maajitaanid, aaniish mii sa gaye wiin i’imaa gaa-indazhiiweshimod; babenaginange inakamigiziwan.
Now, when the others began (dancing), thereupon then and there did he dance; a rousing time did they have.
Mii dash apii gii-maajitaanid (now, when they began), aaniish mii sa gaye wiin i’imaa gaa-indazhiiweshimod (thereupon then and there did he dance); babenaginange inakamigiziwan (a rousing time did they have).
(15) Kägätsa kiˢtcinīmiitīwa i∙i∙māⁿ.
Geget sa gichi-niimi’idiwag i’imaa.
Of a truth, a great dance they had together there.
Geget sa gichi-niimi’idiwag i’imaa (of a truth, a great dance they had together there).
(16) Mīdạc i∙i∙māⁿ ändạciwäcimut, nīyōgun kānīmit.
Mii dash i’imaa endazhiweshimod, niiyogon gaa-niimid.
And now, there where he was dancing, four days did he dance.
Mii dash i’imaa endazhiweshimod (and now, there where he was dancing), niiyogon gaa-niimid (four days he danced).
(17) Ānīc i∙i∙māⁿ wīdci∙ā∙t i∙i’∙wisa kānī∙o∙gunạgatnik.
Aaniish i’imaa wiijiiwaad i’iw isa gaa-niiyogonagadinig.
So there he helped them for a space of four days.
Aaniish i’imaa wiijiiwaad (so there he accompanied them) i’iw isa gaa-niiyogonagadinig (for a space of four days).
(18) Mīdạc a‘pī kī∙i∙nint: “Ambäsạno ayāngwāmisin,” kī∙i∙nā aᵘ Nänabucu.
Mii dash apii gii-inind: “Ambe sa noo ayaagwaamizin,” gii-inaa aw Nenaboozhoo.
And that was when they said to him: “We beg of you, display your zeal,” they said to Nänabushu.
Mii dash apii gii-inind (and that was when he was told): “Ambe sa noo ayaagwaamizin (“Come now, display your zeal),” gii-inaa aw Nenaboozhoo (Nanabushu was told).
(19) “Kägu´ nōndä∙ā∙nicī‘tạngän.”
“Gego noonde-aanishiidangen.”
“Don’t let up before the affair is over.”
“Gego noonde-aanishiidangen.” (“Don’t let up before the affair is over.”)
(20) Mīdạc a‘pī cigwā kī∙u∙ji∙u∙nit; kā∙i∙jimîskwā‘kwiyuwänit, ānīc mīgu gayä wīn kā∙i∙ji∙u∙t ‘aᵉa’ᵘ Nänabucu.
Mii dash apii zhigwa gii-ozhi’onid; gaa-izhi-miskwaakwiyowenid, aaniish mii go gaye wiin gaa-izhi’od a’aw Nenaboozhoo.
Now, that was when they began to paint themselves; after they were painted red, then the same to himself did Nänabushu.
Mii dash apii zhigwa gii-ozhi’onid (now, that was when they began to dress/paint themselves); gaa-izhi-miskwaakwiyowenid (after they had painted themselves red), aaniish mii go gaye wiin gaa-izhi’od a’aw Nenaboozhoo (then the same did Nanabushu to himself).
(21) Kīnānīmit mī∙i∙mā, ānīc kāwīn ānawi mạci ayä‘kusisī.
Gii-naaniimid mii imaa, aanish gaawiin aanawi mashi ayekozisii.
He kept right on dancing there at the place, for not even yet was he weary.
Gii-naaniimid mii imaa (he kept right on dancing there at the place), aanish gaawiin aanawi mashi ayekozisii (for not even yet was he weary).
(22) Mīdạc kägä‘t änigu‘k nīminit.
Mii dash geget enigok niiminid.
And so truly with much fervor he danced.
Mii dash geget enigok niiminid (and so truly with much fervor he danced).
(23) Abā‘pic käningutwāsugunạgạtînik, mīdạc a‘pī äniwâbạninig, cigwa ki‘kändạnk ayä‘kusit.
Abaapish ge-ningodwaasogonagadinig, mii dash apii e-ni-waabaninig zhigwa gikendang ayekozid.
By the time the sixth day was up, and when the light of morning was coming on, he began to realize that he was growing tired.
Abaapish ge-ningodwaasogonagadinig (by the time the sixth day was up), mii dash apii e-ni-waabaninig (and when the morning light was coming on) zhigwa gikendang ayekozid (he began to realize that he was growing tired).
(24) Mīgu iᵘ äjisīgisänig uckīncigūn.
Mii go iw ezhi-ziigisenig oshkiinzhigoon.
Thereupon the tears streamed from his eyes.
Mii go iw ezhi-ziigisenig oshkiinzhigoon (thereupon the tears streamed from his eyes).
(25) Kägätsa nānōntäntạm tcibwāwābininig.
Geget sa nanoondendam jibwaa-waabininig.
In good earnest was he anxious for the morning to come.
Geget sa nanoondendam jibwaa-waabininig (in good earnest was he anxious for the morning to come).
(26) Käga‘pī∙i∙gu ki‘tcimawi ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ä‘pī‘tcitibi‘katinig.
Gegapii igo gichi-mawi i’iw epiichi-dibikadinig.
Then at last he wept aloud for that the night was yet far from spent.
Gegapii igo gichi-mawi (then at last he wept aloud) i’iw epiichi-dibikadinig (for that the night was yet far from spent).
(27) Mīdạc ‘iᵉi’ᵘ tcī∙i∙ckwānīmi∙i∙tīng ạniwâbạninig.
Mii dash i’iw ji-ishkwaa-niimi’iding ani-waabaninig.
And now the dance would be over during the coming-on of the morning.
Mii dash i’iw ji-ishkwaa-niimi’iding (and now the dance would be over) ani-waabaninig (during the coming-on of the morning).
(28) Mīsa’ agāwā ugạcki‘tōn ānunīmit, ānīc ayä‘kuzi.
Mii sa agaawaa ogashkitoon aano-niimid, aaniish ayekozi.
And so hardly was he able to dance, for he was tired.
Mii sa agaawaa ogashkitoon aano-niimid (and so hardly was he able to dance), aaniish ayekozi (for he was tired).
(29) Cayīgwa ānawi pītābạnini, mīsa cayīgwa nạnāwạtcimunit. Mīdạc ānawi cigwa piwâbạninig,
Zhayiigwa aanawi biidaabanini, mii sa zhayiigwa nanaawajimonid. Mii dash aanawi zhigwa bi-waabaninig,
By and by, nevertheless, the dawn began to break, whereupon the others then began whooping. In spite of the breaking of the dawn,
Zhayiigwa aanawi biidaabanini (by and by, nevertheless, the dawn began to break), mii sa zhayiigwa nanaawajimonid (whereupon then they began whooping). Mii dash aanawi zhigwa bi-waabaninig (in spite of the breaking of the dawn),
(30) ānīc mīgu iᵘ äjinạsinä mawit, ä‘pītci ayä‘kusit.
aanish mii go iw ezhi-nasine mawid, epiichi-ayekozid.
he was nevertheless weeping all the while, so very tired was he.
aanish mii go iw ezhi-nasine mawid (he was nevertheless weeping all the while), epiichi-ayekozid (so very tired was he).
(31) Ningutingigu, äckwāwäbinigänit, kīnībawi mägwä cācāgạnạcku‘kā, ānīc kā∙i∙cināguskạnk īni’ᵘ cācāgạnạckān mīnangwuna īni’ᵘ kā∙i∙jinạnk.
Ningoding igo, e-shkwaa-webinigenid, gii-niibawi megwe-zhaashaaganashkokaa, aaniish gaa-izhinaagoskang iniw zhaashaaganashkaan miinangwona iniw gaa-izhinang.
Now presently, after the others had ceased with their music, there he was standing in amongst the bullrushes, for what he had met with was the bullrushes, which he had supposed (to be people dancing).
Ningoding igo, e-shkwaa-webinigenid (now presently, after the others had ceased with their music), gii-niibawi megwe-zhaashaaganashkokaa (there he stood in amongst the bulrushes), aaniish gaa-izhinaagoskang iniw zhaashaaganashkaan (for what he had met with was the bulrushes) miinangwona iniw gaa-izhinang (which he had supposed to be people dancing).
(32) Mīdạc kägä‘t nānōndäntạm tcibwāwābạninig, mīdạc äcimawit, ä‘pītci äya‘kusit.
Mii dash geget naanoondendam jibwaa-waabaninig, mii dash ezhi-mawid, epiichi-ayekozid.
It was true that he had grown restless before it was morning, and so he was weeping, he was so tired.
Mii dash geget naanoondendam jibwaa-waabaninig (it was true that he had grown restless before it was morning), mii dash ezhi-mawid (and so he was weeping), epiichi-ayekozid (he was so tired).
(33) Ningutingigu ‘iᵉi’ᵘ a‘kawābandạnk tcibiwâbạninig, cigwa kägä‘t owâbạndān piwâbạninig.
Ningoding igo i’iw akawaabandang ji-bi-waabaninig, zhigwa geget owaabandaan bi-waabaninig.
But of a sudden, while waiting for the morrow, he then truly saw the coming of the morning.
Ningoding igo i’iw akawaabandang ji-bi-waabaninig (but of a sudden, while watching for the morrow to come), zhigwa geget owaabandaan bi-waabaninig (he then truly saw the coming of the morning).
(34) Mīdạc kā∙i∙nändạnk: “Ambägic kä∙i∙citinä kipimipaga‘kābank.”
Mii dash gaa-inendang: “Ambegish ge-izhitine gibimi-baagaakaabang!”
And this is what he thought: “Would that at once the full light of day might appear!”
Mii dash gaa-inendang (and this is what he thought): “Ambegish ge-izhitine gibimi-baagaakaabang!” (“would that at once the full light of day might appear!”)
(35) Mī∙i∙dac kägä‘t cigwa tibickōtcaya∙ī∙ pimi∙a∙‘kwâbạnini.
Mii dash geget zhigwa dibishkoojaya’ii bimi-akwaabanini.
Whereupon truly now straight overhead had come the line of the morning light.
Mii dash geget zhigwa dibishkoojaya’ii bimi-akwaabanini (whereupon truly now straight overhead had come the line of the morning light).
(36) Ānīc mīgu iᵘ mō‘kwicimut.
Aaniish mii go iw mookwishimod.
Now, by that time he was tired out by reason of the dance.
Aaniish mii go iw mookwishimod (now, by that time he was tired out from the dance).
(37) Mīdạc inābit; kägä‘t i∙i∙mā nībawit, kuniginīn mägwä cācāgạnạgucku‘kā kīnībawi.
*Mii dash inaabid; geget i’imaa, niibawid, goniginiin megwe zhaashaaganagoshkokaa gii-niibawi.**
And so he looked; truly, there where he was standing, to his surprise, was in among the bullrushes.
Mii dash inaabid (and so he looked); geget i’imaa, niibawid (truly, there where he was standing), goniginiin megwe zhaashaaganagoshkokaa* gii-niibawi (to his surprise he was standing in among the bulrushes — stem flagged).
(38) Mīsạndawā äcinātagāmä∙a∙yāt.
Mii sa ndawaa ezhi-naadagaame ayaad.
On recognizing (what he had been dancing with), he made his way close to the shore.
Mii sa ndawaa ezhi-naadagaame ayaad (on recognizing what it was, he made his way close to the shore).
(39) Mīdạc nạngwạna īni’ᵘ kā∙i∙jinạnk cācāgạnackōn anicinābänk kā∙i∙jinạnk.
Mii dash nangwana i’iniw gaa-izhinang zhaashaaganashkoon anishinaabeng gaa-izhinang.
Thereupon it became a fact that he had taken the bullrushes for people.
Mii dash nangwana i’iniw gaa-izhinang zhaashaaganashkoon (thereupon it became a fact that the bulrushes were what he had seen) anishinaabeng gaa-izhinang (he had taken them for people).
(40) Minạngwạna iya‘pīku ‘iᵉi’ᵘ kī∙a∙nitagwāgik minangwana ‘iᵉi’ᵘ kīki‘tcinānōtink.
Mii nangwana iw apii ko i’iw gii-ani-dagwaagig mii nangwana i’iw gii-gichi-naanooding.
It happened to be in the autumn, during the season when there was always a strong wind blowing.
Mii nangwana iw apii ko i’iw gii-ani-dagwaagig (it had happened to be in the autumn) mii nangwana i’iw gii-gichi-naanooding (the season when there was always a strong wind blowing).
(41) Mīnangwana īni’ᵘ kākī∙i∙cinạnk īni’ᵘ cācāgạnạckōn.
Mii nangwana i’iniw gaa-gii-izhinang iniw zhaashaaganashkoon.
It was true that such was the way he had seen the bullrushes.
Mii nangwana i’iniw gaa-gii-izhinang iniw zhaashaaganashkoon (it was true that such was the way he had seen the bulrushes).
(42) Na, mīdạc inạngwạna i∙i∙mā wawiyạc kī∙i∙ciwäbisit.
Naa mii dash inangwana i’imaa wawiyazh gii-izhiwebizid.
Therefore that was a time when he had a joke played on him.
Naa mii dash inangwana i’imaa wawiyazh gii-izhiwebizid (therefore that was a time when a joke was played on him).