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.
10. THE DEATH OF NÄNABUSHU’S NEPHEW, THE WOLF.
The Death of Nanabushu’s Nephew, the Wolf (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) Mīdạc kā∙i∙jipa‘käguzītā‘tiwāt. Mīdạc kā∙i∙jikạbäciwāt, mīsa’ kägä‘t unisäni īni’ᵘ awäsīyạn. Ānīc kāwīnigu päcigwạnunk ayāsīwạg. Pạnägu pạpāmigusiwạg. Mīdạc kägä‘t ugitcimāmī‘kawi∙ā∙nini īni’ᵘ awäsīyạn. Kägä‘t mīno∙ā∙yā.
*Mii dash gaa-izhi-bakagozitaadiwaad. Mii dash gaa-izhi-gabeshiwaad, mii sa geget onisaanii iniw awesiyan. Aaniish gaawiinigo bezhigwanong ayaasiwag. Apane go babaamigoziwag. Mii dash geget ogichi-maamiikawaanini iniw awesiyan. Geget minwaayaa.**
Thereupon they separated from one another. And when (he and the Wolf) went into camp, it was truly (the Wolf) that killed the game. Naturally not in one spot they remained, always from one place to another they went. And so truly was (the Wolf) ever killing the pick of game. Truly was he living well.
Mii dash gaa-izhi-bakagozitaadiwaad (and so then they parted from each other) ∙ gaa-izhi-gabeshiwaad (when they made camp) ∙ mii sa geget onisaanii iniw awesiyan (truly it was he that killed those game-animals) ∙ Aaniish gaawiinigo bezhigwanong ayaasiwag (naturally not in one place did they stay) ∙ Apane go babaamigoziwag (always they kept moving camp about) ∙ Mii dash geget ogichi-maamiikawaanini* iniw awesiyan (and so truly he kept coming easily upon those game-animals — stem flagged) ∙ Geget minwaayaa (truly he was living well).
Jones’s English footnote ¹ at the title (p.89): “¹ For other versions see Nos. 31, 45.” — B18 re-read (2026-08-19): Layer 1 re-typed from the page (the record’s was an OCR lift, finding 10-R1): Ānīc kāwīnigu päcigwạnunk (20×; the vowels are ä, witnessed) where the lift read Änte kāwinigu pä∙i∙gwạnunk. The printed heading carries the diaeresis: NÄNABUSHU’S (p.88 l.12, 12×) — title corrected.
(2) Ningutingigu pạpāmigusiwāt, äcimawīngwāminit īni’ᵘ umicōmäyạn. ‘Aᵉa’ᵘ ma∙ī∙ngạn äcinimîskạmāt, “Intạckā nīnītug mānāpạmigwän,” udinān ‘iᵉi’ᵘ kīcigīnipānit.
Ningodingigo babaamigoziwaad, ezhi-mawiingwaaminid iniw omishoomeyan. A’aw ma’iingan ezhi-nimiskamaad, “Indashkaa niin idog maanaabamigwen,” odinaan iw giizhi-gii-nibaanid*.**
Now, once while they were moving about, in his sleep was (the Wolf’s) uncle weeping. The Wolf indifferently signed to him with the hand. “I fancy that probably he may be having a bad dream about me,” he said of him who then was taking his nap.
Ningodingigo babaamigoziwaad (now once while they were moving camp about) ∙ ezhi-mawiingwaaminid iniw omishoomeyan* (his uncle was weeping in his sleep — kin term flagged) ∙ A’aw ma’iingan ezhi-nimiskamaad* (that wolf signed to him with his hand — stem flagged) ∙ “Indashkaa niin idog maanaabamigwen” (“Behold, I suppose he must be dreaming badly of me”) ∙ odinaan iw giizhi-gii-nibaanid* (he said of the one who had gone to sleep — stem flagged).
(3) Mīdạc kā∙i∙cikuskusinit, cīgwa kägä‘t uwīndạmāgōn: “Kägätsa, nintōjîm, kigic‘tcimanābạmin. Ạmbäsạnō, mānū pîsindawicîn kä∙i∙ninān; mānū icictcigän ‘iᵉi’ᵘ käininān. Kīcpîn wīnōntawisiwạn ᵉii’wisa käininān, kägä‘t kīga∙i∙nigā‘tōn ‘iᵉi’ᵘ kīya’ᵘ. Ạmbäsạnō, mîsawā‘ku ạni∙ạ∙timạt waᵉa’ᵘ awäsīⁿ, mānū mi‘tigōns kīgạnabō‘kubitōn mîsawā pạngiⁿs sībīnsiwa‘kamigāk, mīdạc ‘iᵉi’māⁿ käni∙a∙pạgitōyan ‘iᵉi’ᵘ mi‘tigōns. Mīsạgu ‘pạnä kätōtạmạn.”
Mii dash gaa-izhi-goshkozinid, zhigwa geget owiindamaagoon: “Geget sa, nindoozhim, gigichi-jimanaabamin. Ambesano, manoo bizindawishin gaa-izhi-ininaan; manoo izhichigen iw ge-ininaan. Giishpin wii-noondawisiwan iwsa ge-ininaan, geget giga-inigaaton iw giiyaw. Ambesano, mizhishewi-go ani-adimad a’aw awesiinh, manoo mitigoons giga-naboohkobiton mizhishewe bangiinh ziibiinsiwakamigaag, mii dash imaa ge-ni-abagidooyan iw mitigoons. Mii sa go apane ge-doodaman.”
Thereupon when (Nänabushu) woke, then truly was (the Wolf) informed by him, saying: “Verily, my nephew, have I had an exceedingly bad dream about you. I beg of you, please listen to what I shall say to you; please do what I tell you. If you have no desire to listen to what I have to tell you, truly then will you do yourself an injury. So please, even if it be when you are overtaking game, as you go along break off a little stick, no matter how small the dry bed of a brook may be, and there shall you fling the little stick. That is what you should always do.”
Mii dash gaa-izhi-goshkozinid (and so then when he woke) ∙ zhigwa geget owiindamaagoon (now truly he was told by him) ∙ “Geget sa, nindoozhim, gigichi-jimanaabamin” (“Verily, my nephew, I have had a hard dream about you”) ∙ Ambesano, manoo bizindawishin gaa-izhi-ininaan (“please, do listen to what I tell you”) ∙ manoo izhichigen iw ge-ininaan (“do that which I shall tell you”) ∙ Giishpin wii-noondawisiwan iwsa ge-ininaan (“if you will not listen to what I tell you”) ∙ geget giga-inigaaton iw giiyaw (“truly you will harm your own body”) ∙ Ambesano, mizhishewi-go ani-adimad a’aw awesiinh (“so please, even when you are overtaking that game”) ∙ manoo mitigoons giga-naboohkobiton mizhishewe bangiinh ziibiinsiwakamigaag (“do break off a little stick, no matter how small the dry brook-bed”) ∙ mii dash imaa ge-ni-abagidooyan iw mitigoons (“and there is where you throw the little stick”) ∙ Mii sa go apane ge-doodaman (“that is just what you should always do”).
(4) Ānīc mīsa gägä‘t äcictcigät mîsawāgu cigwa adimāt. Ānīc ningutingigu piminicawāt īni’ᵘ awäsīⁿyạn — ānīc mīgu ‘panä ‘iᵉi’ᵘ äcictcigät — kägätsa cīgạtci. Ningutingigu kāni∙u∙ndciidạcpiminicawāt īni’ᵘ mōⁿsōn — ānīc mīcigwa ānawi sīgwạninig — mīdạc änäntank ᵉa∙a∙ᵘ ma∙ī∙ngạn piminijawāt īni’ᵘ mōⁿzon, kägä‘t ki‘tciunītcāniwạn īni’ᵘ päminicawāt. Mīdạc cigwa täbābạmāt, mīgu ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ā‘pitci cigwa täbipināt, ugīwâbạndān pạngīⁿs sībīnsiwā‘kamigānig.
Aanish mii sa geget ezhichiged mizhishewe-go zhigwa adimad. Aanish ningodingigo bimini-zhaawaad iniw awesiinhyan — aaniish mii go apane iw ezhichiged — geget sa zhiigaji. Ningodingigo gaa-onji-daazhi-bimini-zhaawaad iniw moonzoon — aaniish mii zhigwa aanawi ziigwaninig — mii dash enendang a’aw ma’iingan bimini-zhaawaad iniw moonzoon, geget gichi-oniijaaniwan iniw bemini-zhaawaad. Mii dash zhigwa debaabamaad, mii go iw ezhi-apiichi zhigwa debibinaad, ogii-waabandaan bangiinh ziibiinsiwaakamigaanig.
Accordingly that truly was what he did whenever he was about to overtake (the game). Now, once while he was in pursuit of some game, — for that was what he always was doing, — truly, he grew tired (of throwing a stick into the dry bed of brooks). For when once away from a certain place he was in pursuit of a moose, — since it was now getting well on towards the spring, — this was the feeling of the Wolf when in pursuit of the moose, truly a big cow was he following after. And then presently, when he came in sight of her, — indeed, when he was on the very point of seizing her, — he saw the dry bed of a small brook.
Aanish mii sa geget ezhichiged (so truly that is what he did) ∙ mizhishewe-go zhigwa adimad (whenever he was overtaking it) ∙ ningodingigo bimini-zhaawaad iniw awesiinhyan (once while chasing those game-animals) ∙ aaniish mii go apane iw ezhichiged (for that is what he always did) ∙ geget sa zhiigaji (truly he grew tired) ∙ gaa-onji-daazhi-bimini-zhaawaad iniw moonzoon (when off chasing a moose) ∙ mii zhigwa aanawi ziigwaninig (it being now nearly spring) ∙ mii dash enendang a’aw ma’iingan (and so this is what that wolf was thinking) ∙ geget gichi-oniijaaniwan iniw bemini-zhaawaad (truly a big cow was the one he was following) ∙ zhigwa debaabamaad (now he caught sight of her) ∙ ezhi-apiichi zhigwa debibinaad (just when he was about to catch her) ∙ ogii-waabandaan bangiinh ziibiinsiwaakamigaanig (he saw a little dry brook-bed).
(5) Kīⁿwäⁿ kī∙i∙nändạm: “Ạmbäsạnō, mīgu iᵘ känī∙i∙ji∙ā∙cạwigwāckwạniyān ‘iᵉi’māⁿ sībīnsiwa‘kạmigānig.” Pạnägu nāwạgām kāpạngicink ᵉi∙i∙māⁿ ki‘tcisibīnk, panägu kāsāswänik u‘tawạgạn.
Giiwenh gaa-inendang: “Ambesano, mii go iw ge-ni-izhi-aazhawi-gwaashkwaniyaan imaa ziibiinsiwakamigaanig.” Apane go naawagaam gaa-bangishing imaa gichi-zibing, apane go gaa-zeeswenik odawagan.
They say (that thus) he thought: “Well, now, (without throwing the stick ahead of me,) I will leap right on across the dry bed of this brook.” Then straightway down into the middle of a great stream he fell, and all the while was there a ringing in his ears.
Giiwenh gaa-inendang (so they say, this is what he thought) ∙ “Ambesano, mii go iw ge-ni-izhi-aazhawi-gwaashkwaniyaan imaa ziibiinsiwakamigaanig” (“Well, this is where I shall leap across the dry brook-bed”) ∙ Apane go naawagaam gaa-bangishing imaa gichi-zibing (instead, into the middle he fell, there in the great river) ∙ apane go gaa-zeeswenik odawagan (instead, his ears were set ringing).
(6) Mīsa’ pạpimusät Nänabucu äcinīca∙i∙kä‘kawänit īni’ᵘ utōcimạn, cigwa unisitō‘kawä∙ā∙n kā‘ki∙ā∙nigubạnän ningutingigu ạnī∙i∙nābit, pạnägu ki‘tcisībi kābimi‘tigwäyānig. Mīdạc äcimawit Nänabucu. Mīnawā‘ku ningutci ānuwī∙i∙cā, a‘panägu pạbāmạtämut. Kägätsa umindcinawäsinạn īni’ᵘ utōcimạn.
Mii sa baa-bimosed Naanabozho ezhi-niizhaigekawenid iniw odoozhiman, zhigwa onisidoohkawaan gaa-gii-aanigobanen ningodingigo ani-inaabid, apane go gichi-zibi gaa-bimitigweyaanig. Mii dash ezhi-mawid Naanabozho. Minawaa-go ningoji aano-wii-izhaa, apane go babaamademo. Geget sa ominjinawezaan iniw odoozhiman.**
And now, while along was walking Nänabushu as he followed the trail of his nephew, he presently noticed by the sign of the tracks that (his nephew) was pressing close (upon the moose); and once as he looked while going along, there, to his surprise, was a great river flowing across his path. Thereupon wept Nänabushu. Then repeatedly from place to place in vain he went (to get across), and all the while he wept as he wandered about. Truly sad he felt for his nephew.
Mii sa baa-bimosed Naanabozho (and so while Naanabozho was walking about) ∙ ezhi-niizhaigekawenid* iniw odoozhiman (following the trail of his nephew — stem flagged) ∙ zhigwa onisidoohkawaan gaa-gii-aanigobanen (now he read in the tracks that he had been gaining on it) ∙ ningodingigo ani-inaabid (once as he looked along) ∙ apane go gichi-zibi gaa-bimitigweyaanig (there, a great river flowing across) ∙ Mii dash ezhi-mawid Naanabozho (and so Naanabozho wept) ∙ Minawaa-go ningoji aano-wii-izhaa (again here and there he tried in vain) ∙ apane go babaamademo (continually he wept as he wandered) ∙ Geget sa ominjinawezaan* iniw odoozhiman (truly he loved his nephew dearly — stem flagged)
(7) Ānīc ugi‘käntān awīya tōtāgut. Kā∙i∙jimādcāt nīsātciwạn ‘iᵉi’ᵘ sībi. Ānīc ạnibimạtämu. Mīdạc kā∙i∙jisāgitawācạgāmät ‘iᵉi’ᵘ sībi, mīdạc i∙i∙māⁿ owâbạmān īni’ᵘ ugīckimạnisīn inābiwạn i∙i∙māⁿ nibī‘kāng. Äcinawạtinät, mīdạc kā∙i∙cipicigunāt uctigwānining ānugīna∙u∙tînāt. Mīdạc kā∙i∙gut: “Micạnîm Nänabucu! Niwīwīndạmawābạn wīn aᵘ,” ugī∙i∙gōn. “Tạga, wīndamawicîn,” ugī∙i∙nān. Mīdạc kägä‘t kā‘pī∙i∙ji∙i∙cānit. “Tạgackumā, wīndạmawicîn, nîcimîsa,” ugī∙i nān īni’ᵘ ugīckimạnisīn. O∙ō∙widạc ugī i∙gōn: “Äyeᵉ, kīgawīndamōn. Kīn māwīn Nänabucu,” ugī∙i∙gōn. “Kāwīn,” ugī∙i∙nān.
*Aanish ogikendaan awiya doodaagod. Gaa-izhi-maajaad niisaajiwan i’iw ziibi. Aanish ani-bimademo. Mii dash gaa-izhi-zaagidawaazhagaamed i’iw ziibi, mii dash imaa owaabamaan iniw ozhishkimaniisin inaabiwan imaa nibiikaang. Ezhi-nawadinad, mii dash gaa-izhi-bizhigonad oshtigwaanining aano-ginaawa’odinad. Mii dash gaa-ig: “Mizhanim Naanabozho! Niwii-wiindamawaaban win a’aw,” ogii-igoon. “Daga, wiindamawishin,” ogii-inaan. Mii dash geget gaa-bizhi-izhaanid. “Daga shkomaa, wiindamawishin, nishiimisa,” ogii-inaan iniw ozhishkimaniisin. O’o-widash ogii-igoon: “Eye’, giga-wiindamoon. Giin maawiin Naanabozho,” ogii-igoon. “Gaawiin,” ogii-inaan.**
Now, (Nänabushu) knew that by somebody was he (thus) treated. Afterwards he started down the course of the river. Now, he wept as he went. And now, when he had followed the course of the river to where it opened out (into another body of water), then there he beheld the kingfisher looking down into the water. He made a grab for him, but he slipped hold of him at the head when he tried to seize him. And this was what he was told: “Confound Nänabushu! I meant to tell him something,” he was told. “Pray, do tell me,” he said to him. Thereupon truly hither came (the Kingfisher). “Do please tell me, my little brother,” he said to the Kingfisher. So this he was told: “Yes, I will tell you. But you must be Nänabushu,” he was told. “No,” he said to him.
Aanish ogikendaan awiya doodaagod (now he knew that someone had done this to him) ∙ Gaa-izhi-maajaad niisaajiwan i’iw ziibi (he started off down the course of that river) ∙ Aanish ani-bimademo (and he wept as he went) ∙ Mii dash gaa-izhi-zaagidawaazhagaamed i’iw ziibi (and then, where that river opened out at its mouth) ∙ mii dash imaa owaabamaan iniw ozhishkimaniisin inaabiwan imaa nibiikaang (and there he saw the kingfisher looking into the water) ∙ Ezhi-nawadinad* (so he grabbed at it — sort flagged) ∙ mii dash gaa-izhi-bizhigonad oshtigwaanining (and it slipped from him by the head) ∙ aano-ginaawa’odinad (as he tried in vain to hold it) ∙ Mii dash gaa-ig: “Mizhanim Naanabozho! Niwii-wiindamawaaban win a’aw” (“and it said: Confound it, Naanabozho! I would have told him”) ∙ “Daga, wiindamawishin,” ogii-inaan (“Come, tell me,” he said to it) ∙ gaa-bizhi-izhaanid (and truly hither it came) ∙ “Daga shkomaa, wiindamawishin, nishiimisa” (“Do tell me, my little brother”) ∙ “Eye’, giga-wiindamoon. Giin maawiin Naanabozho” (“Yes, I will tell you. You must be Naanabozho”) ∙ “Gaawiin,” ogii-inaan (“No,” he said to it).
(8) Wo∙ō∙ idạc ugī∙i∙gōn: “Kā, ạnicā Nänabucu udōciman kīma‘kạmā. Mī∙a’∙ᵘ ugimāmîcīpicī, mī∙a’∙ᵘ kāma‘kạmāt īni’ᵘ Nänabucōwạn udōcimini. O∙ō∙widạc nintinändạm, māgicā kayä nīn unạgic sāgitciwäpinigātänig. Kayä nīn nintinäntạm i∙i∙māⁿ kī∙ạ∙gōsiyān, mīgu∙i∙ᵘ kạnawâbiyān i∙i∙māⁿ kī∙ạ∙gōsiyān.”
O’o-widash ogii-igoon: “Gaa, aanisha Naanabozho odoozhiman gii-makamaa. Mii a’aw ogimaa-mishibizhii, mii a’aw gaa-makamaad iniw Naanabozhowan odoozhimini. O’o-widash nindinendam, maagizhaa gaye niin onagizh zaagidiziwebinigaadenig. Gaye niin nindinendam imaa gii-agooziyaan, mii go iw ganawaabiyaan imaa gii-agooziyaan.”
So this he was told: “Ay, without reason was Nänabushu’s nephew taken away from him. It was the chief of the great lynxes,¹ it was he who took away Nänabushu’s nephew. Now, this was I thinking: ‘Perhaps I too (shall have a share of) his gut when it is thrown out (from where he has been taken down). I too wanted it, (that) was why I was perched up there, and watched for it while perched up there.’”
O’o-widash ogii-igoon (and so this is what it told him) ∙ “Gaa, aanisha Naanabozho odoozhiman gii-makamaa” (“Ay, for nothing Naanabozho’s nephew was taken from him”) ∙ Mii a’aw ogimaa-mishibizhii (it was the chief lynx) ∙ mii a’aw gaa-makamaad iniw Naanabozhowan odoozhimini (it was he that took away Naanabozho’s nephew) ∙ O’o-widash nindinendam, maagizhaa gaye niin onagizh zaagidiziwebinigaadenig (“and this I think: perhaps I too will get a share of his entrails when they are thrown out”) ∙ Gaye niin nindinendam imaa gii-agooziyaan (“and I too thought, while I was perched up there”) ∙ mii go iw ganawaabiyaan imaa gii-agooziyaan (“that is why I was watching while perched up there”).
Jones’s English footnote ¹ (p.93): “¹ Chief of the great lynxes, the great water-monster of the sea, lakes, and rivers.”
(9) “Kägätsa awawa, ạmbäsạnō, wâwīndamawicîn,” ugī∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ ugīckimạnisīn. “Mäckut tci∙u∙niciciyạn kiga∙i∙ci∙i∙n.” Mēdạc kägä‘t kā∙i∙cina‘kumigut. Mīdạc kā∙i∙ciwawäci∙ā∙t īni’ᵘ ugīckimạnisīn, īni’ᵘ udōnạmạnạn kīwawäcitcigāgät. Mīdạc kīwawäci∙ā∙t īni’ᵘ ugīckimạnisīn. O∙ō∙widạc ugī∙i∙gōn: “Ạmbäsạnō, ayāngwāmisîn, Nänabucu. Kīgawītō‘kawîn ᵉi∙i∙ᵘ kädicictcigäyạn,” ugī∙i∙nān ‘aᵉa’ᵘ ugīckimạnisī. “Awawa,” ugī∙i∙nān waᵉa’ᵘ Nänabucu.
“Geget sa awawa, ambesano, waawiindamawishin,” ogii-inaan iniw ozhishkimaniisin. “Meshkwad ji-onizhishiyan giga-izhi’in.” Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-naakomigod. Mii dash gaa-izhi-wawezhi’aad iniw ozhishkimaniisin, iniw odoonamanan gii-wawezhichigaaged. Mii dash giwawezhi’aad iniw ozhishkimaniisin. O’o-widash ogii-igoon: “Ambesano, ayaangwaamizin, Naanabozho. Giga-wiidookawin iw ge-izhichigeyan,” ogii-inaan a’aw ozhishkimaniisi. “Awawa,” ogii-inaan a’aw Naanabozho.
“Truly, then, all right! Pray, go ahead and tell me about it,” he said to the Kingfisher. “In return I will make you so that you will be beautiful.” Thereupon he truly was willing to do what he was asked. Thereupon, when he painted the Kingfisher, it was his paint that he had used. And so he painted the Kingfisher. Now, this he was told: “Pray, take pains, Nänabushu; for I will help you in what you do,” (thus) to him said the Kingfisher. “All right,” to him said Nänabushu.
“Geget sa awawa, ambesano, waawiindamawishin” (“Truly now, please tell me about it”) ∙ ogii-inaan iniw ozhishkimaniisin (he said to the kingfisher) ∙ “Meshkwad ji-onizhishiyan giga-izhi’in” (“In return I will make you look fine”) ∙ Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-naakomigod (and so truly it agreed with him) ∙ Mii dash gaa-izhi-wawezhi’aad iniw ozhishkimaniisin (and so he adorned the kingfisher) ∙ iniw odoonamanan gii-wawezhichigaaged (using his paints to decorate) ∙ Mii dash giwawezhi’aad iniw ozhishkimaniisin (and so he made the kingfisher beautiful) ∙ “Ambesano, ayaangwaamizin, Naanabozho” (“Please, be careful, Naanabozho”) ∙ “Giga-wiidookawin iw ge-izhichigeyan” (“I will help you with what you are to do”) ∙ “Awawa,” ogii-inaan a’aw Naanabozho (“All right,” said Naanabozho).
(10) “Nackä, kīgawāwīntạmōn,” ugī∙i∙gōn īni’ᵘ ugīckimanisīn. “Äyeᵉ, kägä‘t mīgu∙i∙māⁿ tci∙a∙yāyān päcu∙u∙māⁿ sāga∙i∙gạn sāgitawā,” ugī∙i∙gōn; “mēdạc i∙i∙māⁿ nāwagām minisinạtawāngāk. Mīdạc imāⁿ ändạcī‘käwāt kīcigạtînik kīcpîn mica‘kwạtinik; mīgu∙i∙ᵘ äcinibāwāt ka‘kina. Mīgu ‘iᵘ kabägījik äcigīciginibāwāt.
“Nashke, giga-waawiindamoon,” ogii-igoon iniw ozhishkimaniisin. “Eye’, geget mii go imaa ji-ayaayan beshoo omaa zaaga’igan zaagidawaa,” ogii-igoon; “mii dash imaa naawagaam minisinaadawangaag. Mii dash imaa endazhi-gabeshiwaad giishpin mishaakwadinig; mii go iw ezhi-nibaawaad gakina. Mii go iw gabe-giizhig ezhi-giizhiginibaawaad*.
“Listen! I will now tell you,” he was told by the Kingfisher. “Yea, truly, there at the place where I stay, close to where (the river) flows out upon this lake,” he was told; “and so out there upon the water is an island of sand. It is there they amuse themselves by day when the sky is clear; and there they all sleep. And so all day long they nap.
“Nashke, giga-waawiindamoon” (“Listen, I will tell you all of it”) ∙ ogii-igoon iniw ozhishkimaniisin (he was told by the kingfisher) ∙ “Eye’, geget mii go imaa ji-ayaayan beshoo omaa zaaga’igan zaagidawaa” (“Yes, truly, you are to be there close to where the lake flows out”) ∙ “mii dash imaa naawagaam minisinaadawangaag” (“and there in the middle is a sandy island”) ∙ Mii dash imaa endazhi-gabeshiwaad giishpin mishaakwadinig (“and there is where they camp when the weather is clear”) ∙ mii go iw ezhi-nibaawaad gakina (“and there they all sleep”) ∙ Mii go iw gabe-giizhig ezhi-giizhiginibaawaad* (“and so all day long they sleep the day through” — stem flagged)
(11) Mēdạc iimāⁿ tciwâbạmạt ‘aᵉa’ᵘ kā∙u∙dā‘pināt īni’ᵘ kitōcimạn. Pāmā ickwātc ạgwā‘tā mī∙i∙māⁿ ga‘kina ạgwā‘tāwāt īgi’ᵘ mạnitōg. Mīdạc ‘iᵉi’māⁿ ā‘pitcīnāwaya∙ī∙ cingicing ‘aᵉaᵘ kā∙u∙tā‘pināt īni’ᵘ kitōcimạn. Wâbickisi minạngwana aᵘ kīga∙i∙nändạm a‘pī mōckạmut. Mīdạc i∙i∙māⁿ nāwaya∙ī∙ tcinibāt. Na’, mīsa äciwīntamōnān. Ānīc mīgu∙i∙māⁿ kätạnisiyān i∙i∙māⁿ tciayāyạn. Usām kägä‘t kigī‘täbi kā∙i∙ci∙i∙yạn. ‘Iᵉi’ᵘ kī∙i∙ci∙i∙yạn idạc kä∙u∙ndciagāwātạnsiwān ‘iᵘ kämīdciyān.” Kägä‘t ugawänipạci∙ā∙n īni’ᵘ kīgōcänsạn ‘aᵉa’ᵘ ugīckimạnisī; ānīc ạni‘tīnsạn kīmīnā ‘aᵉa’ᵘ ukīckimạnisī. Mīdạc ā‘pidci kīwawīcäntạm. Cigwasa kägä‘t Nänabucu kisägitawācigāmä ‘iᵉi’ᵘ sāgạ∙i∙gạn. Mīdạc kā∙i∙nändạnk tcimîca‘kwạtînik. Mīdạc kägä‘t kā∙i∙cimîca‘kwạtînik. Kā∙i∙ji∙u∙jigābawit tcigigicäp tcibwāmō‘ka∙ạ∙minit kīzisōn, ānīc mānisisạg kī∙ā∙wi; i∙i∙māⁿ tcīgibīg kīpạda‘kisut. Mīdạc ‘iᵉi’ᵘ wīnạg kāwīn kī∙i∙cināgusinini, mīsa’ äcigwīnawicictcigät, ānīc ināsạmigābawi iwiti nibī‘kāng. “Anīn kä∙i∙cictcigäyān?” kī∙i∙nändam ‘iᵉi’ᵘ wīnạg tcī∙i∙cināgusininig. “Ānīc, ningawati‘kwạniᵘ.” Mēdạc kā∙i∙cibwānawi‘tōt mīdạc kā∙i∙ci∙ạ∙nōnāt īni’ᵘ ugīckimạnesīn tcimīdcitạminit. Mīdạc kägä‘t kā∙i∙cimīdcitạminit, mīgu a‘pạnä pōnīnit i∙i∙māⁿ wīnạgānk. Mīdạc kägä‘t kā∙i∙cinisi‘tawināgusininik i∙i∙ᵘ kā∙i∙nackitcitạminit. Cigwa kägä‘t owâbạndān māmātcītciwạninig. Cigwa owâbạmā mōckạmunit awīya anōtc awīya mōckamōᵉ; mīgu pimī∙ạ∙gwā‘tānit imāⁿ minisinatāwạngānik. Migu a‘panä ạgwā‘tänit i∙i∙ᵘ mạnitōᵉ, anōtc äcināgusinit. “Mīdạc awänibạn,” inändạm. Ānīc mīgu∙i∙māⁿ ạgōsinit īni’ᵘ ugīckimạnisīn. “Mī cigwa kägā,” udigōn; “tcimōckạmut,” udigōn. “Māmawi ickwātc tạmōckạmu,” udigōn. Mīdạc kägä‘t äcinawāt ‘i’∙i∙ᵘ mạnitōᵉ. Mīgu ạninibānit imāⁿ minisinatawangānk. Wī‘kāgu awänibạn awīya kämōckạmunit. “Mīsa’ cä‘ta∙a∙ᵘ, Nänabucu, kämōckạmut waᵉa’ᵘ wâwâbạmạt.” Ningutinigu ca∙ī∙gwa ki‘tcimādcitciwạnini i∙i∙ᵘ sāga∙i∙gạn. “Mīcigwa!” udigōn īni’ᵘ ugīckimanisīn. Cayīgwa kägä‘t inābit i∙i∙witi nāwạgām untcimōckạmowạn, kägä‘tsa uniciciwạn. Cigwa mạdwägīgitōwan: “Nänabucu awäti kānībawit,” mạdwä∙i∙‘kitōwạn. O∙ō∙widạc mạdwä∙i∙‘kitōwan ini’ᵘ päjig: “Ānīn kägīcināgwa‘k käyāwit ‘aᵉa’ᵘ Nänabucu?” mạdwä∙i∙‘kitōwạn īni’ᵘ päjik. Mīdạc kā∙i∙‘kitut mīnawā päjik: “Mādcīnatā∙i∙jimạnitōwi.” O∙ō∙widạc kī∙i∙‘kitō awäti ägumut: “Kāwīn wīgwī∙a∙pātāsī. Tạga, kinäbi‘k, awītitibanā‘kwaᵉ.” Kägä‘t kīpītōtäwạn kā∙i∙cititbanā‘kwa∙u∙gut. Kwätcigu‘ku “Yō!” tcī∙i∙kitut kā∙i∙ci∙ā∙bisku‘tānit. “Ānīn kägīcināgwa‘k Nänabucu käyāwit?” kī∙i∙‘kitowạn. Mīdạc mīnawā kā∙i∙‘kitut awäti: “Ạmbäsạnō, kīn ki‘tcima‘kwa, awibā‘pāsagobic,” ugī∙i∙nān. Mīdạc kägä‘t kā‘pīci∙ạ∙gwā‘tānit īni’ᵘ ki‘tcima‘kwạn kā∙i∙cipā‘pāsagubinigut. Kwätcigu‘ku’ “Yō!” tcī∙i∙‘kitut äcipōnī∙i∙gut. “Ānīn kägīcināgwa‘k Nänabucu käyāwit?” kī∙i∙‘kitowạn. “Kāwīn, mīsạgu ‘iᵉi’ᵘ Nänabucu kā∙i∙cināgu∙u∙t.” Mīdạc sībiskātc kā‘pīcinātagumunit, ā‘pidcināwaya∙ī∙ icigawicimōwạn. “Wī‘kāgäsa ā‘pidci tạbōsāngwạci,” kī∙i∙nändạm wᵉa’aᵘ Nänabucu. Mīsa wī‘kawa∙ā∙t tcinibānit, mīsa kāwīn nibāsīwạn pīnic ka‘kina näbānit. O∙ō∙widac ogī∙i∙gōn īni’ᵘ ugīckimạnisīn: “Kīgawīntamōn a‘pī nibat,” udigōn īni’ᵘ ugīckimạnisīn. “Mīmāwīn cigwa kīnibāt. ‘Ā‘a’ᵘ, Nänabucu, ạmbä, awipimu’! Nänabucu, kägu wīn wīyawing pimwā‘kän. Kāwīn pōtc kitānisāsī i∙i∙māⁿ wīyawink ānupimwạt. Mīyä‘ta iimāⁿ mạzinātäcink mī∙i∙māⁿ tcimisạt ijipimwạt,” utigōn īni’ᵘ ugīckimạnisīn.
Mii dash imaa ji-waabamad a’aw gaa-odaapinaad iniw gidoozhiman. Baamaa ishkwaaj agwaataa mii imaa gakina agwaataawaad igiw manidoog. Mii dash i’iw imaa aapiji-naawaya’ii zhingishing a’aw gaa-odaapinaad iniw gidoozhiman. Waabishkizi minangwana aw giga-inendam api mooshkamod. Mii dash imaa naawaya’ii ji-nibaad. Na, mii sa ezhi-wiindamoonaan. Aanish mii go imaa ge-daniziyaan imaa ji-ayaayan. Onzaam geget gigiitebi gaa-izhi-iyan. I’iw gii-izhi-iyan idash ge-onji-agaawaadanziwaan iw ge-miijiyaan. Geget oga-wenibazhi’aan iniw giigoozhensan* a’aw ozhishkimaniisi; aanish anitiinsan* gii-miinaa a’aw ozhishkimaniisi. Mii dash aapiji gii-waawiizhendam. Zhigwasa geget Naanabozho gii-zaagidawaazhagaamed i’iw zaaga’igan. Mii dash gaa-inendang ji-mizhaakwadinig. Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-mizhaakwadinig. Gaa-izhi-o-jigaabawid ji-gigizheb ji-bwaa-mookaaminid giizisoon, aanish maanizizag* gii-aawi; imaa jiigibiig gii-badakizod. Mii dash i’iw wiinag gaawiin gii-izhinaagozisinini, mii sa ezhi-gwiinawi-izhichiged, aanish inaasamigaabawi iwidi nibiikaang. “Aaniin ge-izhichigeyaan?” gii-inendam i’iw wiinag ji-izhinaagozininig. “Aanish, ninga-wadikwaniw.” Mii dash gaa-izhi-bwaanawitood mii dash gaa-izhi-anoonaad iniw ozhishkimaniisin ji-miijidaminid. Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-miijidaminid, mii go apane booniinid imaa wiinagaang. Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-nisidawinaagozininig i’iw gaa-inashkijidaminid*. Zhigwa geget owaabandaan maamaajiijiwaninig. Zhigwa owaabamaa mooshkamonid awiya anooj awiya mooshkamoon; mii go bimi-agwaataanid imaa minisinaadawangaanig. Mii go apane agwaatenid i’iw manidoon, anooj ezhinaagozinid. “Mii dash aweniban,” inendam. Aanish mii go imaa agoozinid iniw ozhishkimaniisin. “Mii zhigwa gegaa,” odigoon; “ji-mooshkamod,” odigoon. “Maamawi ishkwaaj da-mooshkamo,” odigoon. Mii dash geget ezhinawaad i’iw manidoon. Mii go ani-nibaanid imaa minisinaadawangaang. Wiikaago aweniban awiya ge-mooshkamonid. “Mii sa eta a’aw, Naanabozho, ge-mooshkamod waa-waabamad.” Ningoding igo zhaayigwa gichi-maajiijiwanini i’iw zaaga’igan. “Mii zhigwa!” odigoon iniw ozhishkimaniisin. Zhaayigwa geget inaabid iwidi naawagaam onji-mooshkamowan, geget sa onizhishiwan. Zhigwa madwe-giigidowan: “Naanabozho awedi gaa-niibawid,” madwe-ikidowan. O’owidash madwe-ikidowan iniw bezhig: “Aaniin gegizhinaagwak ge-ayaawid a’aw Naanabozho?” madwe-ikidowan iniw bezhig. Mii dash gaa-ikidod minawaa bezhig: “Maajiinadaa-izhi-manidoowi*.” O’owidash gii-ikido awedi egomod: “Gaawiin wiigwii-aabaadaasii*. Daga, ginebig, awii-didibanaakwa’.” Geget gii-biidoodewan gaa-izhi-didibanaakwa’ogod*. Gwejikoko “Yoo!” ji-ikidod gaa-izhi-aabiskwatanid*. “Aaniin gegizhinaagwak Naanabozho ge-ayaawid?” gii-ikidowan. Mii dash minawaa gaa-ikidod awedi: “Ambesano, giin gichi-makwa, awi-baabaazagobizh,” ogii-inaan. Mii dash geget gaa-bizhi-agwaataanid iniw gichi-makwan gaa-izhi-baabaazagobinigod. Gwejikoko “Yoo!” ji-ikidod ezhi-boonii’igod. “Aaniin gegizhinaagwak Naanabozho ge-ayaawid?” gii-ikidowan. “Gaawiin, mii sa go iw Naanabozho gaa-izhinaagozid.” Mii dash ziibiskaaj gaa-bizhi-naadagomonid, apiichi-naawaya’ii izhigawizhimowan. “Wiikaagesa apiichi daboozaangwazhi,” gii-inendam a’aw Naanabozho. Mii sa wiikaawaad ji-nibaanid, mii sa gaawiin nibaasiiwan biinish gakina nebaanid. O’o-widash ogii-igoon iniw ozhishkimaniisin: “Giga-wiindamoon api nibaad,” odigoon iniw ozhishkimaniisin. “Mii maawiin zhigwa gii-nibaad. A’aw, Naanabozho, ambe, awi-bimo! Naanabozho, gego-win wiyawing bimwaaken. Gaawiin booch gidaa-nisaasii imaa wiyawing aano-bimwad. Mii yeta imaa mazinaadeshing mii imaa ji-misad izhi-bimwad,” odigoon iniw ozhishkimaniisin.**
And so there will you see the one that seized your nephew. Not till the last does he come forth out of the water to where have come all the manitous. And then there in the very centre lies the one that seized your nephew. He is white, and therefore by that sign will you know when he comes up to the surface. And there in the middle will he sleep. There, that is all I have to tell you. Now, therefore, there will I be present where you are. Ever so proud, truly, am I of what you have done for me. That you did so to me is why I shall not lack for what I shall eat.” Truly, always with ease will the Kingfisher obtain the little fishes; for with tiny spears was the Kingfisher provided. Accordingly very pleased was he with the gift. Then truly Nänabushu followed the stream to where it opened out on the lake. Thereupon he willed that there should be a clear day. Whereupon truly there was a clear day. After he had found a place to stand very early in the morning before the sun was yet up, then into a dead pine stump he changed; there by the edge of the water he stood. But yet his penis did not change its form, whereupon he was at a loss to know what to do, for as he stood he faced the water. “What shall I do?” He desired that his penis should not look that way. “Well, I will have a branch (there).” And when he was unable to produce it, he then had the Kingfisher mute upon it. And then, truly, after he had muted upon it, then continually lit he there upon the penis. Whereupon it truly could not be recognized from its appearance, by reason of (the Kingfisher) having muted upon it. In time he truly beheld the water setting up a ripple. Presently he saw a creature come to the surface, then all kinds of beings began to rise upon the water; and then hither came they forth from out of the water upon the sandy island. Then in a multitude out of the water came the manitous, of every kind that were, and the way they looked. “But he is not there,” he thought. Now, up yonder was perched the Kingfisher. “It is nearly time,” (Nänabushu) was told, “for him to come to the surface,” he was told. “Of them all, he will be the last to appear,” he was told. And so they truly seemed to him like the manitous. And as they came, they went to sleep there upon the sandy island. It was a long while before the absent one came up to the surface. “Now, that is the only one, Nänabushu, yet to appear, (the one) that you have been wanting to see.” Now, at times the water moved in great ripples about over the lake. “Now, then!” he was told by the Kingfisher. Now, truly, as he looked out there upon the water from which the creature was coming forth, truly beautiful was the being. Presently the voice of him was heard saying: “It is Nänabushu that stands yonder,” the voice of him was heard saying. And this one of them was heard saying: “How could Nänabushu be changed to look like that?” one of them was heard saying. And this was what another said: “He is without the power of being a manitou to that extent.” And this said the one yonder, who was yet in the water: “He does not want to come. Go, Snake, (and) coil around him.” Truly (by the Snake) that came crawling was (Nänabushu) then coiled round about. Just as he was on the point of saying “Yō!” then (the Snake) uncoiled. “How is it possible for Nänabushu to take on such a form?” said (the Snake). And this again was what the one yonder said: “I beg of you, Great Bear, do go (and) claw him,” he said to him. Whereupon truly out of the water came the Great Bear by whom (Nänabushu) was clawed. Just as he was about to say “Yō!” he was let alone by it. “How is it possible for Nänabushu to be changed to such a form?” said (the Bear). “Nay, but into such a form has Nänabushu changed himself.” Then cautiously over the water to where the others were, came the being; in their very midst was where he lay down. “Would that he might go soundly to sleep!” thought Nänabushu. Whereupon he waited for him to go to sleep, but the other would not go to sleep till all (the rest) were asleep. Then this was he told by the Kingfisher: “I will tell you when he is asleep,” he was told by the Kingfisher. “No doubt he is now asleep. Now, then, Nänabushu, come, go shoot him! Nänabushu, don’t you shoot him in the body. It is impossible for you to kill him if you try to shoot him there in the body. Only there where he casts a shadow¹ is where you will kill him when you shoot him,” he was told by the Kingfisher.
Mii dash imaa ji-waabamad a’aw gaa-odaapinaad iniw gidoozhiman (and so there you will see the one who took your nephew) ∙ Baamaa ishkwaaj agwaataa mii imaa gakina agwaataawaad igiw manidoog (not until the last does he come out, there where all the manidoog have come out) ∙ Mii dash i’iw imaa aapiji-naawaya’ii zhingishing a’aw gaa-odaapinaad iniw gidoozhiman (and then, right in the very middle, lies the one who took your nephew) ∙ Waabishkizi minangwana aw giga-inendam api mooshkamod (he is white; by that sign you will know him when he comes to the surface) ∙ Mii dash imaa naawaya’ii ji-nibaad (and there, right in the middle, he will sleep) ∙ Na, mii sa ezhi-wiindamoonaan (there, that is all I tell you) ∙ Aanish mii go imaa ge-daniziyaan* imaa ji-ayaayan (now, therefore, there will I be, where you will be — stem flagged) ∙ Onzaam geget gigiitebi* gaa-izhi-iyan (too truly am I grateful for what you have done for me — stem flagged) ∙ I’iw gii-izhi-iyan idash ge-onji-agaawaadanziwaan iw ge-miijiyaan (and because you did so for me, I shall not for that reason lack for what I shall eat) ∙ Geget oga-wenibazhi’aan iniw giigoozhensan* a’aw ozhishkimaniisi; aanish anitiinsan* gii-miinaa a’aw ozhishkimaniisi (truly with ease will the Kingfisher get the little fish; for he was given tiny spears — stem flagged) ∙ Mii dash aapiji gii-waawiizhendam (accordingly he was very pleased) ∙ Zhigwasa geget Naanabozho gii-zaagidawaazhagaamed i’iw zaaga’igan (then truly Naanabozho came out at the edge of that lake) ∙ Mii dash gaa-inendang ji-mizhaakwadinig (thereupon he willed that it be a clear day) ∙ Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-mizhaakwadinig (and truly it became a clear day) ∙ Gaa-izhi-o-jigaabawid ji-gigizheb ji-bwaa-mookaaminid giizisoon, aanish maanizizag* gii-aawi; imaa jiigibiig gii-badakizod (after he came to stand there early in the morning before the sun rose, he became a dead pine stump; there at the water’s edge he stood fixed — stem flagged) ∙ Mii dash i’iw wiinag gaawiin gii-izhinaagozisinini, mii sa ezhi-gwiinawi-izhichiged, aanish inaasamigaabawi iwidi nibiikaang (but his penis did not change its look, so he was at a loss what to do, for he stood facing the water) ∙ “Aaniin ge-izhichigeyaan?” gii-inendam i’iw wiinag ji-izhinaagozininig (“What shall I do?” he thought, wanting his penis not to look that way) ∙ “Aanish, ninga-wadikwaniw.” (“Well, I will have a branch there”) ∙ Mii dash gaa-izhi-bwaanawitood mii dash gaa-izhi-anoonaad iniw ozhishkimaniisin ji-miijidaminid (and when he could not do it, he spoke to the Kingfisher to foul upon it) ∙ Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-miijidaminid, mii go apane booniinid imaa wiinagaang (and truly after it had done so, it kept perching there upon the penis) ∙ Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-nisidawinaagozininig i’iw gaa-inashkijidaminid* (whereupon it truly could not be recognized by its look, on account of what had been done to it — stem flagged) ∙ Zhigwa geget owaabandaan maamaajiijiwaninig (in time he truly saw the water begin to ripple) ∙ Zhigwa owaabamaa mooshkamonid awiya anooj awiya mooshkamoon; mii go bimi-agwaataanid imaa minisinaadawangaanig (presently he saw a being come to the surface, all kinds of beings beginning to rise; and they came out of the water onto the sandy shoal) ∙ Mii go apane agwaatenid i’iw manidoon, anooj ezhinaagozinid (continually the manidoog came out of the water, of every kind and look) ∙ “Mii dash aweniban,” inendam (“But he is not there,” he thought) ∙ Aanish mii go imaa agoozinid iniw ozhishkimaniisin (now, up there was perched the Kingfisher) ∙ “Mii zhigwa gegaa,” odigoon; “ji-mooshkamod,” odigoon (“It is nearly time,” he was told; “for him to surface,” he was told) ∙ “Maamawi ishkwaaj da-mooshkamo,” odigoon (“Of them all, he will be the last to appear,” he was told) ∙ Mii dash geget ezhinawaad i’iw manidoon (and truly he took them for the manidoog) ∙ Mii go ani-nibaanid imaa minisinaadawangaang (and as they came, they went to sleep there upon the sandy shoal) ∙ Wiikaago aweniban awiya ge-mooshkamonid (it was a long while before the absent one would come to the surface) ∙ “Mii sa eta a’aw, Naanabozho, ge-mooshkamod waa-waabamad.” (“That is the only one left, Naanabozho, yet to appear, the one you have been wanting to see”) ∙ Ningoding igo zhaayigwa gichi-maajiijiwanini i’iw zaaga’igan (at times the lake would begin to move in great waves) ∙ “Mii zhigwa!” odigoon iniw ozhishkimaniisin (“Now, then!” he was told by the Kingfisher) ∙ Zhaayigwa geget inaabid iwidi naawagaam onji-mooshkamowan, geget sa onizhishiwan (now, truly, as he looked out where it was surfacing, truly beautiful was the being) ∙ Zhigwa madwe-giigidowan: “Naanabozho awedi gaa-niibawid,” madwe-ikidowan (presently a voice was heard: “It is Naanabozho standing yonder,” a voice was heard saying) ∙ O’owidash madwe-ikidowan iniw bezhig: “Aaniin gegizhinaagwak ge-ayaawid a’aw Naanabozho?” madwe-ikidowan iniw bezhig (and this one of them said: “How could Naanabozho look like this?” one of them said) ∙ Mii dash gaa-ikidod minawaa bezhig: “Maajiinadaa-izhi-manidoowi*.” (and this was what another said: “He is not enough of a manitou for that” — stem flagged) ∙ O’owidash gii-ikido awedi egomod: “Gaawiin wiigwii-aabaadaasii*. Daga, ginebig, awii-didibanaakwa’.” (and this said the one yonder in the water: “He does not want to come. Go, Snake, coil around him” — stem flagged) ∙ Geget gii-biidoodewan gaa-izhi-didibanaakwa’ogod* (truly it came crawling and coiled around him — spelling flagged) ∙ Gwejikoko “Yoo!” ji-ikidod gaa-izhi-aabiskwatanid* (just as he was about to say “Yoo!” it uncoiled — stem flagged) ∙ “Aaniin gegizhinaagwak Naanabozho ge-ayaawid?” gii-ikidowan (“How could Naanabozho look like this?” it was said) ∙ “Ambesano, giin gichi-makwa, awi-baabaazagobizh” (“Please, you Great Bear, go claw him”) ∙ gaa-bizhi-agwaataanid iniw gichi-makwan gaa-izhi-baabaazagobinigod (the Great Bear came out of the water and clawed at him) ∙ Gwejikoko “Yoo!” ji-ikidod ezhi-boonii’igod (just as he was about to cry “Yoo!” it left him be) ∙ “Aaniin gegizhinaagwak Naanabozho ge-ayaawid?” (“How could Naanabozho look like this?”) ∙ “Gaawiin, mii sa go iw Naanabozho gaa-izhinaagozid” (“No, that is just how Naanabozho looks”) ∙ Mii dash ziibiskaaj gaa-bizhi-naadagomonid (and cautiously it came swimming over) ∙ apiichi-naawaya’ii izhigawizhimowan (right into their midst it lay down) ∙ “Wiikaagesa apiichi daboozaangwazhi,” gii-inendam a’aw Naanabozho (“If only he would fall fast asleep,” thought Naanabozho) ∙ Mii sa wiikaawaad ji-nibaanid (so he waited for him to sleep) ∙ gaawiin nibaasiiwan biinish gakina nebaanid (but he would not sleep until all the rest slept) ∙ “Giga-wiindamoon api nibaad” (“I will tell you when he sleeps”) ∙ “Mii maawiin zhigwa gii-nibaad. A’aw, Naanabozho, ambe, awi-bimo!” (“No doubt he is asleep now. Come, Naanabozho, go shoot him!”) ∙ “Naanabozho, gego-win wiyawing bimwaaken” (“do not shoot him in the body”) ∙ Gaawiin booch gidaa-nisaasii imaa wiyawing aano-bimwad (“you could not kill him by shooting him in the body”) ∙ “Mii yeta imaa mazinaadeshing… ji-misad izhi-bimwad” (“only where his shadow falls is where you will hit him”).
Jones’s English footnote ¹ (p.99): “¹ Shadow and soul are closely connected. The soul of a person is his life: hence to kill the soul is to kill life.” [Layer-3 footnote carried verbatim; FIREWALL — not explained.] — B18 re-read (2026-08-19): the abridgement cut most of this section; restored to the print (pp.93–99): the white-sign speech, the Kingfisher’s tiny-spears gift, the pine-stump transformation, the beings rising, the Snake episode (Tạga, kinäbi‘k, awītitibanā‘kwaᵉ — p.96, English p.97), and the full Bear-and-shadow sequence; marker ¹ restored at “casts a shadow¹” (p.99 l.14). The Fiero lacks all of it — FLAG 10-G1; NEVER drafted. ạgwā‘tänit (p.96 l.1) second diacritic unsettled above 8× (10B-F2); ini’ᵘ (p.96 l.15) prints a bare dotless stem against ten īni’ᵘ (10B-F3, likely under-inked ī, carried).
(12) Mīdạc cigwa ạnimādcāt nāsi‘kawāt. Cigwasa utōtisān; änīcipā‘pācitawāt un∙ō∙ᵘ cänkicininit. Ānīc kī∙i∙näntạm tcapōsāngwāminit. Mīdạc cigwa kī∙u∙disāt, ānīc kägä‘t cigwa ugīkwatäckwāwān īni’ᵘ mi‘tigwābīn, mīdạc cigwa wī‘pimwāt. Ānīc wācä‘pīnit udicipimwān, kāgạtcīskatwäwäyānga∙ä∙t. Mīnawā pạngīgu pimäya∙i∙ ānu∙i∙na∙ä∙, mīsa’ mīnawā kāgạtcīckatwäwäyānga∙ä∙t ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ubigwa‘k. “Ictä, mī‘ta wīn kā∙i∙cit nicīmisa i∙i∙witi ạgawā‘täcink icipimu’ ningī∙i∙‘k.” Mīdạc kägä‘t iimaⁿ wāskäningwīcininit äcipimwāt. “Micạnīm Nänabucu! Na’, mī∙a∙ᵘ Nänabucu nindānu∙i∙‘kitunābạn. Mīgu iᵘ nicit kạnabạtc.”
Mii dash zhigwa ani-maadzaad naazikawaad. Zhigwasa odoodisaan; eniizhi-baabaazhidawaad ono’ow zhaangizhininid. Aaniish gii-inendam ji-boozaangwaaminid. Mii dash zhigwa gii-odisaad, aaniish geget zhigwa ogiikwadeshkwaawaan iniw mitigwaabiin, mii dash zhigwa wii-bimwad. Aaniish waazhebiinid odizhi-bimwaan, gaagachiizgadwewe-yaangaad. Minawaa bangii go bimeya’ii aano-ina’e, mii sa minawaa gaagachiishkadwewe-yaangaad* iw obigwak. “Ishte, mii ta win gaa-izhid nishiimisa iwidi agawaateshing izhi-bimo ningii-ig.” Mii dash geget imaa waaskaaningwizhininid ezhi-bimwad. “Mizhanim Naanabozho! Naa, mii a’aw Naanabozho nindaano-ikidonaaban. Mii go iw nizhid ganabaj.”**
Thereupon now on his way he started to go to him. In a while (Nänabushu) came to where (the manitou) was; as he went, he stepped over them that were lying there. Now, he was sure that they were all sound asleep. And when he got to where (the being) was, then truly he strung his bow, whereupon he then aimed to shoot (the being). Now, in his side was where he shot him; he heard the sound of (his weapon) when it hit him. Another time in a slightly different place he tried to shoot with his arrow, and so again he heard the sound of his arrow when it struck. “Ah, this was the way my little brother told me: ‘There where he casts a shadow is where you shall shoot him,’ I was told.” And so truly there into the side of his shadow was where he shot him. “Confound Nänabushu! There, that it was Nänabushu I said, but to no purpose. And now perhaps he has slain me.”
Mii dash zhigwa ani-maadzaad naazikawaad (and so now he set out to approach him) ∙ Zhigwasa odoodisaan (presently he reached him) ∙ eniizhi-baabaazhidawaad* ono’ow zhaangizhininid (stepping over those lying there — stem flagged) ∙ Aaniish gii-inendam ji-boozaangwaaminid (he judged him to be fast asleep) ∙ Mii dash zhigwa gii-odisaad (and so when he got to him) ∙ geget zhigwa ogiikwadeshkwaawaan iniw mitigwaabiin (truly now he bent his bow) ∙ mii dash zhigwa wii-bimwad (and so now he made to shoot) ∙ Aaniish waazhebiinid odizhi-bimwaan (and in his side was where he shot him) ∙ gaagachiizgadwewe-yaangaad* (he heard the weapon sound as it struck — stem flagged) ∙ Minawaa bangii go bimeya’ii aano-ina’e (again a little to one side he tried in vain to shoot) ∙ mii sa minawaa gaagachiishkadwewe-yaangaad* iw obigwak (so again his arrow sounded as it struck — stem flagged) ∙ “Ishte, mii ta win gaa-izhid nishiimisa iwidi agawaateshing izhi-bimo ningii-ig” (“Ah, this is what my little brother told me — shoot him where his shadow falls”) ∙ Mii dash geget imaa waaskaaningwizhininid ezhi-bimwad (and so truly where his shadow lay was where he shot him) ∙ “Mizhanim Naanabozho!” (“Confound Naanabozho!”) ∙ “Naa, mii a’aw Naanabozho nindaano-ikidonaaban” (“There, I kept saying it was Naanabozho, in vain”) ∙ “Mii go iw nizhid ganabaj” (“Now perhaps he has killed me”).
(13) Mīsa’, äcimādcība∙i∙wät, mīsa’ nipi unō‘pinạnigun. Aninạntagänimusik nạntupạtwādạnk ningutci tciwạtcīwāninig; wī‘kāgu umi‘kān. Äckạmigu ä‘ku‘kitcipisut a‘kwa∙ạ∙m i∙i∙ᵘ nipi. “Mīmāwīn ni‘kibīg wo∙o∙ a‘ki,” kī∙i∙ändạm. Ānīc mīcigwa kīta‘kwāmatciwät i∙i∙ᵘ wạdci’ᵘ, mīgu käyābi kīmōcka∙a∙ninig. Kā∙i∙cia‘kwāntawät, kāgāgu ābi‘tawā‘tig ᵉi∙i∙ᵘ mi‘tigōᵉ mī∙i∙ᵘ kā∙a∙‘kumōcka∙ạ∙ninig; mēdạc kā∙i∙cinōgickānig. Mīdạc kā∙i∙ciskābīnig; mēdạc kā∙i∙ciskābig i∙i∙ᵘ nipi, mīdạckā∙i∙cinīsāntawät.
*Mii sa, ezhi-maajiiba’iwed, mii sa nibi onoopinaanigon. Ani-nandagenimosig nandobaadwaadang ningoji ji-wajiwaninig; wiikaa-go omikaan. Eshkamigo ekokijibizod akwa’am iw nibi. “Mii maawiin nigibig o’ow aki,” gii-inendam. Aaniish zhigwa gii-dakwaamajiwed iw wajiw, mii go geyaabi gii-mooshka’aninig. Gaa-izhi-akwaandawed, gaagaa go aabitawaatig iw mitigoog mii iw gaa-akomooshka’aninig; mii dash gaa-izhi-noogishkaanig. Mii dash gaa-izhi-iskaabiinig; mii dash gaa-izhi-iskaabig iw nibi, mii dash gaa-izhi-niisaandawed.**
And now, as (Nänabushu) started in flight, then by the water was he pursued. With all his might he ran, seeking for a place where there might be a mountain; he was a long while finding it. And above his girdle was he wading in the water. “No doubt but that this earth is wholly under water,” he thought. Now, while he was on his way up the mountain, still yet was it overflowing. When he had climbed (a tree), then nearly halfway up the trees was how far the water had risen; and then was when the water ceased rising. And then afterwards the water receded; and when the water receded, then down from the tree he descended.
Mii sa, ezhi-maajiiba’iwed (and so he started to flee) ∙ mii sa nibi onoopinaanigon (the water pursued him) ∙ Ani-nandagenimosig nandobaadwaadang ningoji ji-wajiwaninig (running on, seeking somewhere there might be a mountain) ∙ wiikaa-go omikaan (it was long before he found it) ∙ Eshkamigo ekokijibizod akwa’am iw nibi (more and more, above his middle he waded in the water) ∙ “Mii maawiin nigibig o’ow aki,” gii-inendam (“This earth must be wholly under water,” he thought) ∙ gii-dakwaamajiwed iw wajiw (climbing up the mountain) ∙ mii go geyaabi gii-mooshka’aninig (still it kept rising) ∙ Gaa-izhi-akwaandawed (so he climbed up) ∙ gaagaa* go aabitawaatig… gaa-akomooshka’aninig (nearly halfway up the trees the water rose — particle flagged) ∙ mii dash gaa-izhi-noogishkaanig (and then it stopped) ∙ Mii dash gaa-izhi-iskaabiinig (and then the water receded — stem flagged) ∙ mii dash gaa-izhi-niisaandawed (and so he climbed down).