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.
16. NÄNABUSHU AND THE BUZZARD.
Nanabush and the Buzzards
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 äcimādcāt, kipạbāmusät.
Mii dash ezhi-maajaad, gii-babaamosed.
And so he started away, round about he travelled.
Mii dash (and so) ezhi-maajaad (when he started off), gii-babaamosed (he travelled about on foot).
(2) Ningutingigu pạbāmusät inābit icpîmīng awīya ugīwâbạmān nạmadabinit āna‘kwạtunk.
Ningoding igo babaamosed inaabid ishpiming awiya ogii-waabamaan namadabinid aanakwadong.
Now, once while journeying about, he looked above (and) saw some one seated upon a cloud.
Ningoding igo (once, just) babaamosed (as he walked about) inaabid (looking up) ishpiming (above) awiya (someone) ogii-waabamaan (he saw him) namadabinid (sitting) aanakwadong (on a cloud).
(3) Kägä‘t umisawīnawān. “Ạmbädạc¹ kayä nīn,” kī∙i∙nändạm kā∙i∙cakạnōnāt: “Kāwīnîna kitābīcāsī, nicīmisa?” ugī∙i∙nān.
Geget omisawinawaan. “Ambe dash gaye niin,” Gii-inendam gaa-izhi-ganoonaad: “Gaawiin ina gidaa-bi-izhaasii, nishiimisa?” ogii-inaan.
Truly envious was he of him. “Would that I (could) too,” he thought, after which he addressed him, saying: “Would you not come down, my little brother?” he said to him.
Geget (truly) omisawinawaan (he envies him). “Ambe dash gaye niin (oh, that I too),” gii-inendam (he thought) gaa-izhi-ganoonaad (then, having spoken to him): “Gaawiin ina (not, is it) gidaa-bi-izhaasii (you could not come here), nishiimisa (my little brother)?” ogii-inaan (he said to him).
Jones’s footnote ¹, printed at the foot of p. 132: “Ạmbädạc, ‘would that;’ it is less frequently used than ạmbägic and a‘pägic; the last is the best of the three forms.” — carried from the document into the record 2026-09-02 (register §5 law 7).
(4) Mīdạc kā∙i∙gut: “Kāwīn,” ugī∙i∙gōn.
Mii dash gaa-igod: “Gaawiin,” ogii-igoon.
Upon which he was told: “No,” he was told.
Mii dash (and then) gaa-igod (what he was told): “Gaawiin (no),” ogii-igoon (he was told by him).
(5) “Ānīn kägī∙i∙cināgwa‘k² mini‘k awiya pāwâbạmag kīnidạc ‘iᵉi’ᵘ tcipisindawisīwambạnän?”
“Aaniin gegii-izhinaagwag minik awiya gaa-waabamag giin idash i’iw ji-bizindawisiiwaambanen?”
“How would it look, (in view of) as many as I have seen, for you not to heed me?”
“Aaniin (how) gegii-izhinaagwag (would it appear) minik awiya (as many as) gaa-waabamag (I have seen) giin idash (and you) i’iw (that) ji-bizindawisiiwaambanen (you would not listen to me)?”
Jones’s footnote ², printed at the foot of p. 132: “Kägī∙i∙cināgwa‘k, ‘would it look;’ that is the literal meaning; but the sense is, ‘can it be possible.’” — carried from the document into the record 2026-09-02 (register §5 law 7).
(6) “Nänabucu, kīgusîn.”
“Nenaboozhoo, Gi-gosin.”
“Nanabushu, I am afraid of you.”
“Nenaboozhoo (Nanabushu), gi-gosin (I am afraid of you).”
(7) “Kāwīn kitāgwacisī,” udinān.
“Gaawiin gidaagwashisii,” odinaan.
“You have no cause to fear me.” he said to him.
“Gaawiin (not) gidaagwashisii (you have no reason to fear me),” odinaan (he says to him).
(8) Mīdạc kā∙i∙ciwayäcimāt, ānic mīsa’ kạgạnōnigut: “Ạmbäsạnō, kägä‘tsa kimisawinawin. Kunigänā wâsa kīta‘kwābimitug,” udinān.
Mii dash gaa-izhi-wayeshimaad, aanish mii sa gaa-ganoonigod: “Ambe sa noo, geget sa gi-misawinawin. Gonige naa waasa gidakwaabimidog,” odinaan.
And so after (Nanabushu) had deceived him, then was he brought into conversation with him. “Oh, really, I am so envious of you! I fancy that afar must you be able to see,” he said to him.
Mii dash (and so) gaa-izhi-wayeshimaad (after he had deceived him), aanish (well) mii sa (so then) gaa-ganoonigod (he was brought into talk by him): “Ambe sa noo (oh, really now), geget sa (truly indeed) gi-misawinawin (I envy you). Gonige naa (I suppose) waasa (far) gidakwaabimidog (you must be able to see),” odinaan (he says to him).
(9) “Äyeᵉ, kägä‘t.”
“Eye’, Geget.”
“Yes, (that is) true.”
“Eye’ (yes), geget (true).”
(10) “‘Aᵘ,” udinān. Mēdạc kā∙i∙ci∙i∙nāt: “Ạmbäsạnō, kīgawītcīwin.”
“Aw,” odinaan. Mii dash gaa-izhi-inaad: “Ambe sa noo, giga-wiijiiwin.”
“Good,” he said to him. Upon which he then said to him: “Pray, let me bear you company.”
“Aw (good),” odinaan (he says to him). Mii dash (and then) gaa-izhi-inaad (what he said to him): “Ambe sa noo (come now), giga-wiijiiwin (I will go along with you).”
(11) “Awạwạ,” ugī∙i∙gōn. Mīdạc kā∙i∙ci∙u∙mbīwāt i∙i∙mā āna‘kwạtunk.
“Awawa,” ogii-igoon. Mii dash gaa-izhi-ombiiwaad i’imaa aanakwadong.
“Certainly,” he was told. Whereupon up they went to yonder cloud.
“Awawa (certainly),” ogii-igoon (he was told). Mii dash (and then) gaa-izhi-ombiiwaad (they went up) i’imaa (over there) aanakwadong (to the cloud).
(12) Mīdạc äcimādcāwāt, mādciyāsinik i∙i∙ᵘ āna‘kwạt.
Mii dash ezhi-maajaawaad, maajiiyaasinig i’iw aanakwad.
And so when they started away, with the wind went wafting the cloud.
Mii dash (and so) ezhi-maajaawaad (when they set off), maajiiyaasinig (it began to be borne by the wind) i’iw aanakwad (that cloud).
(13) Ninguting agāwā täbināgwạtini ‘iᵉi’ᵘ a‘ki tcigwa udinänimigōn. “Indạcītug wāwiyạc nändagini‘tātōtawāt. Ạmbäsạnō, wawiyạc ningatōtawā,” kī∙i∙nändạm.
Ningoding agaawaa debinaagwadini i’iw aki zhigwa odinenimigoon. “indashiidog waawiyazh nendaginitaadoodawaad. Ambe sa noo, wawiyazh ninga-doodawaa,” Gii-inendam.
By and by hardly was the earth to be seen. Then thoughts concerning him did the other entertain. “Apparently he is ever playing a trick on some one. Now, I will play a trick on him,” (thus) he thought.
Ningoding (by and by) agaawaa (hardly) debinaagwadini (it could be seen) i’iw aki (the earth) zhigwa (now) odinenimigoon (he is thought of by the other). “Indashiidog (apparently he) waawiyazh (in tricky fashion) nendaginitaadoodawaad (keeps tricking people), ambe sa noo (now then), wawiyazh (a trick) ninga-doodawaa (I will play on him),” gii-inendam (he thought).
(14) Mīdạc kā∙i∙cipa‘kwäyāsininik ‘iᵉi’ᵘ āna‘kwạt.
Mii dash gaa-izhi-bakweyaasininig i’iw aanakwad.
Thereupon apart then broke the cloud by reason of the wind.
Mii dash (thereupon) gaa-izhi-bakweyaasininig (when it broke apart by the wind) i’iw aanakwad (that cloud).
(15) Mīnawā äcipa‘kwäyāsininik; äckạmigu ạgāsāni inā ayāwāt.
Miinawaa ezhi-bakweyaasininig; eshkam igo agaasaani inaa ayaawaad.
Again it broke apart on account of the wind; gradually smaller grew the space where they were.
Miinawaa (again) ezhi-bakweyaasininig (when it broke apart by the wind); eshkam igo (gradually) agaasaani (it grew small) inaa (the space) ayaawaad (where they were).
(16) Käga‘pī kägāgu änigu‘kwạbiwāt īnigu‘kwāni.
Gegapii gegaa go enigokwabiwaad inigokwaani.
At last almost space enough for them to sit on was how much that yet remained.
Gegapii (at last) gegaa go (almost) enigokwabiwaad (as much as they could sit on) inigokwaani (that much was the size).
(17) Ningutingigu kā∙i∙citācki‘kānik päpa‘kānkinamadạpiwạg.
Ningoding igo gaa-izhi-daashkikaanig bebakaan gii-namadabiwag.
And anon when it was rent asunder, then in different places they sat.
Ningoding igo (and just then) gaa-izhi-daashkikaanig (when it split apart) bebakaan (separately) gii-namadabiwag (they sat).
(18) Ānīc mīnawā äcitāckāsininik äcipạsigwa∙u∙nit, äcipōnīnit i∙i∙wäti änimi‘tcānik¹ i∙i∙ᵘ āna‘kwạt.
Aanish miinawaa ezhi-daashkaasininig ezhi-bazigwa’onid, ezhi-booniinid i’iwedi eni-michaanig i’iw aanakwad.
So when again it blew apart, then away flew the other, alighting upon yonder place where there was a bigger cloud.
Aanish (so) miinawaa (again) ezhi-daashkaasininig (when it blew apart) ezhi-bazigwa’onid (the other rose up and flew), ezhi-booniinid (alighting) i’iwedi (over yonder) eni-michaanig (where it was larger) i’iw aanakwad (that cloud).
Jones’s footnote ¹, printed at the foot of p. 134: “Änimi‘tcānik, ‘where there was a bigger;’ the comparative element is in the initial stem äni-.” — carried from the document into the record 2026-09-02 (register §5 law 7).
(19) Mīdạc utānukanōnān: “Ānīn kätiyān, nicīmisa?” ugī∙i∙nān.
Mii dash odaano-ganoonaan: “Aaniin gediyaan, nishiimisa” ogii-inaan.
Whereupon in vain he tried to speak to him, saying: “What will become of me, my little brother?” he said to him.
Mii dash (whereupon) odaano-ganoonaan (he tries in vain to speak to him): “Aaniin gediyaan (what will become of me), nishiimisa (my little brother)?” ogii-inaan (he said to him).
(20) Mīcigwa kīwâbạndạnk tcīpạngicink. Cīgwa mīnawā pa‘kwäyāsinini mī∙i∙mā ayāt; käga‘pī∙i∙gu pīguckāni.
Mii zhigwa gii-waabandang ji-bangishing. Zhigwa miinawaa bakweyaasinini mii imaa ayaad; gegapii igo bigoshkaani.
So then he knew that he was going to fall. Then again apart flew the place where he was; and in the end it broke completely.
Mii zhigwa (so then) gii-waabandang (he saw it) ji-bangishing (that he would fall). Zhigwa miinawaa (now again) bakweyaasinini (it broke apart by the wind) mii imaa ayaad (right where he was); gegapii igo (in the end) bigoshkaani (it broke to pieces).
(21) Agāwā udäbābạndān ucāwacka‘kạmigānig.
Agaawaa odebaabandaan ozhaawashkwaakamigaanig.
Faintly could he see the green of the landscape.
Agaawaa (faintly) odebaabandaan (he can make it out in sight) ozhaawashkwaakamigaanig (where the land is green).
(22) Äcipạngicink a‘pạnä∙ī∙bạn pabimipisut.
Ezhi-bangishing apane ii ban babimibizod.
When he fell, a long while was he falling through the air.
Ezhi-bangishing (when he fell) apane (a long while) ii ban (he kept) babimibizod (flying/falling through the air).
(23) Cigwa äjidäbâbạndạnk ätata ki‘tcimi‘tikukāni kä∙i∙cipạngicink.
Zhigwa e-zhi-debaabandang edaadaa gichi-mitigokaani ge-izhi-bangishing.
Now, when he came in full sight (of the earth, he saw) how so dreadfully wooded was the place into which he was to fall.
Zhigwa (now) e-zhi-debaabandang (when he came in full sight) edaadaa (how dreadfully) gichi-mitigokaani (it was thick with great trees) ge-izhi-bangishing (where he was to fall).
(24) Cayīgwa kā∙i∙cipīndcisät kitcimi‘tigōn wimbisinit.
Zhayiigwa gaa-izhi-biinjised gichi-mitigoon wiimbizinid.
Then down he fell into a great tree that was hollow.
Zhayiigwa (then) gaa-izhi-biinjised (when he fell inside) gichi-mitigoon (a great tree) wiimbizinid (that was hollow).
(25) Mīsa’ kā∙i∙cipīndcini‘kisät, mīsa’ äcibwābwānawi∙u∙t.
Mii sa gaa-izhi-biinjinikised, mii sa ezhi-bwaabwaanawi’od.
Thereupon when he had dropped into the hollow, then was he unable (to get out).
Mii sa (thereupon) gaa-izhi-biinjinikised (when he dropped down inside), mii sa (so then) ezhi-bwaabwaanawi’od (he could not help himself out).
(26) Ānuwī‘kwạtci∙u∙t awīya ugīnōntawā, pipāpinit i‘kwäwaᵉ, mīdạc kā∙i∙‘kitunit: “Mīsa’ ō∙o∙māⁿ ningutci ändāt kā∙i∙‘kitung wâbigāk,” i‘kitōwaᵉ i∙i∙ᵘ i‘kwäwaᵉ.
Aano-wiikwaji’od awiiya ogii-noondawaa, bibaapinid ikwewan, mii dash gaa-ikidonid: “Mii sa o’omaa ningoji endaad gaa-ikidong waabigaag,” ikidowan i’iw ikwewan.
While vainly trying (to get out), he heard some one, those were women² coming laughing; and this was what they were saying: “Now, somewhere hereabouts lives a Gray Porcupine, so they say,” said the women.
Aano-wiikwaji’od (vainly struggling) awiiya (someone) ogii-noondawaa (he heard), bibaapinid (laughing) ikwewan (women), mii dash (and) gaa-ikidonid (what they said): “Mii sa o’omaa (here it is) ningoji (somewhere) endaad (he lives) gaa-ikidong (so they say) waabigaag (the Gray Porcupine),” ikidowan (they said) i’iw ikwewan (those women).
Jones’s footnote ², printed at the foot of the English page 135: “The Foolish Maiden and her younger sister, sisters of Nänabushu.” Marker and note recovered at the page, 2026-08-19 (B5 page sweep); both were absent from this record. — carried from the document into the record 2026-09-02 (register §5 law 7).
(27) Äcikīgitut: “Wâbigāgōwiyān ändāyān.”
Ezhi-giigidod: “Waabigaagoowiyaan endaayaan.”
Then up he spoke, saying: “I am the Gray Porcupine that dwells here.”
Ezhi-giigidod (when he spoke up): “Waabigaagoowiyaan (I am the Gray Porcupine) endaayaan (who dwells here).”
(28) O∙o∙dac i‘kitōwaᵉ: “Kunugäna mi‘kawang ‘aᵉa’ᵘ wâbigāg, nicīm,” ugī∙i∙nān mī∙a∙ᵘ mạtciki‘kwäwis.
O’ow dash ikidowan: “Gonogena mikawang a’aw waabigaag, nishiim,” ogii-inaan mii aw majiikwewis.
And this they said: “Suppose we should find the Gray Porcupine, my little sister,” to the other said she that was older.³
O’ow dash (and this) ikidowan (they said): “Gonogena (suppose) mikawang (we find him) a’aw waabigaag (that Gray Porcupine), nishiim (my little sister),” ogii-inaan (she said to her) mii aw majiikwewis (she, the elder one).
Jones’s footnote ³, printed at the foot of the English page 135: “The confusion of the subject of a question, as here, is common.” Marker and note recovered at the page, 2026-08-19 (B5 page sweep). — carried from the document into the record 2026-09-02 (register §5 law 7).
(29) “Kāna gīn kīnōntawāsī?” udigōn īni’ᵘ ucīmäyạn. “Kīmi‘kawānān, māwīn.”
“Gaa na giin gi-noondawaasii?” odigoon iniw oshiimeyan. “Gi-mikawaanaan, maawiin.”
“And did you not hear him?” she was asked by her little sister. “We have found him, maybe.”
“Gaa na giin (and did you not) gi-noondawaasii (hear him)?” odigoon (she is told) iniw oshiimeyan (by her little sister). “Gi-mikawaanaan (we have found him), maawiin (maybe).”
(30) Mīdạc mī∙i∙māⁿ mīnawā kā∙i∙cikanōnāt: “Wâbigāgōwiyān ändāyān,” ugī∙i∙nan. Mīdạc kā∙i∙cimādcīkawa∙u∙gut.
Mii dash mii imaa miinawaa gaa-izhi-ganoonaad: “Waabigaagoowiyaan endaayaan,” ogii-inaan. Mii dash gaa-izhi-maajikawa’ogod.
And so what he said before, he said to them again: “ I am the Gray Porcupine that dwells (here),” he said to them. Whereupon they began felling the tree he was in.
Mii dash (and so) mii imaa miinawaa (there again) gaa-izhi-ganoonaad (when he spoke to them): “Waabigaagoowiyaan (I am the Gray Porcupine) endaayaan (who dwells here),” ogii-inaan (he said to them). Mii dash (whereupon) gaa-izhi-maajikawa’ogod (they began chopping the tree down upon him).
(31) “Nîcīm, kī‘kawawạnk, awägwänina käayānigwän kämi‘kawāgwän, mī∙a∙ᵘ kä∙u∙nābämit,” ugī∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ ucīmäyạn. Mīsa’ cigwa kägä‘t udānukīckika∙u∙gun.
“Nishiim, gii-kawawang, awegwenina ge-ayaanigwen ge-mikawaagwen, mii aw ge-onaabemid,” ogii-inaan iniw oshiimeyan. Mii sa zhigwa geget odaano-giishkikaa’ogon.
“My little sister, when we have felled the tree, then whosoever is there, (and) whichever the one that finds him, she will be the one to have him for a husband,” she said to her little sister. And so they truly chopped away unavailingly.
“Nishiim (my little sister), gii-kawawang (when we have felled it), awegwenina (whoever) ge-ayaanigwen (may be there) ge-mikawaagwen (whoever finds him), mii aw (that one) ge-onaabemid (will have him for a husband),” ogii-inaan (she said to her) iniw oshiimeyan (her little sister). Mii sa zhigwa (and so now) geget (truly) odaano-giishkikaa’ogon (they chop away at it in vain).
(32) “Wī‘kāgäsa i∙i∙māⁿ tayāwi ‘aᵉa’ᵘ wäcīmä‘i∙māwit,” kī∙i∙nändạm ‘aᵘ Nänabuco.
“Wiikaage sa i’imaa dayaawi a’aw weshiime’imaawid,” gii-inendam aw Nenaboozhoo.
“I wish the younger one would be there,” thought Nanabushu.
“Wiikaage sa (would that) i’imaa dayaawi (he were there) a’aw weshiime’imaawid (the younger one),” gii-inendam aw Nenaboozhoo (thought Nenaboozhoo).
(33) Cigwasa utāckika∙u∙gōn i∙i∙ᵘ nạntugā∙u∙gut, pīnic mạtciki‘kwäwis ka‘kina kā‘pīguga∙ạ∙nk; mi’sa kā∙i∙cigwīnawâbạmāt.
Zhigwa sa odaashkika’ogoon i’iw nandogaa’ogod, biinish majiikwewis gakina gaa-piigoga’ang; mii sa gaa-izhi-gwiinawaabamaad.
Now, (the women) began splitting a tree in an effort to find him,¹ (keeping it up) till the elder sister had it all in pieces; but she had failed to find him.
Zhigwa sa (now then) odaashkika’ogoon (they split the tree on him) i’iw nandogaa’ogod (seeking him by chopping), biinish (until) majiikwewis (the elder one) gakina gaa-piigoga’ang (had chopped it all to pieces); mii sa (and so) gaa-izhi-gwiinawaabamaad (she failed to see him).
Jones’s footnote ¹, printed at the foot of the English page 137: “This passage is in the passive, with ‘Nänabushu’ as subject; but in the translation it is turned about, with ‘him’ as object, and ‘the women’ as subject.” Marker and note recovered at the page, 2026-08-19 (B5 page sweep). — carried from the document into the record 2026-09-02 (register §5 law 7).
(34) Mīsa aᵘ i‘kwä wäcīmämāwit iimāⁿ äyāt käga‘pī kā∙i∙cipō‘kwisitōt ī∙i∙ᵘ uwâgā‘kwạt.
Mii sa aw ikwe weshiimemaawid i’imaa eyaad gegapii gaa-izhi-bookwisidood i’iw owaagaakwad.
And then the younger woman yonder, where she was, finally broke her axe.
Mii sa aw ikwe (and then that woman) weshiimemaawid (the younger one) i’imaa eyaad (where she was) gegapii (at last) gaa-izhi-bookwisidood (when she broke) i’iw owaagaakwad (her axe).
(35) “Nicīm,” udinān a‘pī kāpō‘kwisitōnit ‘iᵉi’ᵘ uwâgā‘kwatōni; “Mīsa nīn tci∙u∙nābämiyān,” ugī∙i∙nān īni’ᵘ ucīmäyạn.
“Nishiim,” odinaan apii gaa-bookwisidoonid i’iw owaagaakwadooni; “Mii sa niin ji-onaabemiyaan,” ogii-inaan iniw oshiimeyan.
“My little sister,” (the elder sister) said to her after she had broken her axe, “so it will be I who will have a husband,” she said to her little sister.
“Nishiim (my little sister),” odinaan (she says to her) apii gaa-bookwisidoonid (when she had broken) i’iw owaagaakwadooni (her axe); “Mii sa niin (so it is I) ji-onaabemiyaan (who will have a husband),” ogii-inaan (she said to her) iniw oshiimeyan (her little sister).
(36) “Wä‘kāgäsa kayä wīn.” Ō∙o∙dạc kī∙i∙nändạm: “Ạmbäsạnō, mīyätạgu ābiding tcibiyāpạgitōt ‘iᵉi’ᵘ uwâgā‘kwạt,” udinänimān.
“Wekaage sa gaye wiin.” O’ow dash gii-inendam: “Ambe sa noo, mii eta go aabiding ji-biyaabaagidood i’iw owaagaakwad,” odinenimaan.
“Would the same happen to her too!” And this he thought: “Now, would that only once she might strike (the tree) with her axe,” was the thought he had of her.
“Wekaage sa (would the same be) gaye wiin (to her too)!” O’ow dash (and this) gii-inendam (he thought): “Ambe sa noo (now then), mii eta go aabiding (just once only) ji-biyaabaagidood (that she might strike a ringing blow) i’iw owaagaakwad (with that axe),” odinenimaan (such was his thought of her).
(37) Äci∙ạ∙cōwinät; cigwa gägä‘t udāckika∙u∙gōn; äcipạsiguntcisät.
Ezhi-aazhoowinaad; zhigwa geget odaashkika’ogoon; ezhi-bazigonjised.
Then he watched for her; presently was the tree really split up by her; then up he leaped.
Ezhi-aazhoowinaad (when he watched for her across); zhigwa geget (now truly) odaashkika’ogoon (the tree was split open by her); ezhi-bazigonjised (then up he sprang).
(38) Nänabucōwạn īni’ᵘ undcipạsiguntcisäwạn, ạnigagawā‘piwạn. “Kägä‘tigu wâpigāk ändāt inäntạmōg!”
Nenaboozhoowan iniw onji-bazigonjisewan, ani-gagawaabiwan. “Gegeti go waabigaag endaad inendamoog!”
And there was Nanabushu leaping away, falling headlong with laughter as he went. “That it actually was the home of a Gray Porcupine they thought!”
Nenaboozhoowan iniw (it was Nanabushu, that one) onji-bazigonjisewan (who sprang up from there), ani-gagawaabiwan (going off tumbling/rolling). “Gegeti go (that it actually) waabigaag endaad (was a Gray Porcupine’s home) inendamoog (they thought)!”
(39) Mīsa kānīcimāmādcāt Nänabucu. “Ạmạntcigic kä∙i∙cictcigäwānän,” kī∙i∙nändam; “wawiyạc tcitōtawạk kayä wīn?” udinänimān īni’ᵘ pinäsiwạn.
Mii sa gaa-ani-izhi-mamaajaad Nenaboozhoo. “Amanjigizh ge-izhichigewaanen,” Gii-inendam; “wawiyazh ji-doodawag gaye wiin?” odinenimaan iniw binesiwan.
And so upon his way continued Nanabushu. “I wonder what I shall do,” he thought, “in order that I may play a trick on him too!” such was his thought of the bird.
Mii sa (and so) gaa-ani-izhi-mamaajaad (when he went on his way) Nenaboozhoo (Nanabushu). “Amanjigizh (I wonder) ge-izhichigewaanen (what I shall do),” gii-inendam (he thought); “wawiyazh (a trick) ji-doodawag (that I might play on him) gaye wiin (too)?” odinenimaan (such was his thought) iniw binesiwan (of the bird).
(40) Äcimạdābīt sāga∙i∙gạn, mīdac ᵉi∙i∙māⁿ micawi‘kwạm kā∙i∙ci∙u∙cicink. “Ạmbäsạnō, ninga∙ạ∙mugōk ạnōtc, pinäsiwạg,” kī∙i∙nändạm.
Ezhi-madaabiid zaaga’igan, mii dash i’imaa mishawikwam gaa-izhi-ozhishing. “Ambe sa noo, ninga-amogoog anooj, binesiwag,” Gii-inendam.
When he came out upon a lake, then far out there on the ice he went and lay down, “Now, I shall be eaten by all kinds of birds,” he willed.
Ezhi-madaabiid (when he came out to the shore of) zaaga’igan (a lake), mii dash i’imaa (then over there) mishawikwam (out on the ice) gaa-izhi-ozhishing (he went and lay down). “Ambe sa noo (now then), ninga-amogoog (I shall be eaten) anooj (by all kinds of) binesiwag (birds),” gii-inendam (he willed/thought).
(41) Uwī‘kwatänimān īni’ᵘ wawiyạc kā‘tōtāgut.
Owiikwadenimaan iniw wawiyazh gaa-doodaagod.
He formed a scheme to get the one that had done him a trick.
Owiikwadenimaan (he scheines for him in his mind) iniw wawiyazh (that one tricky) gaa-doodaagod (who had done it to him).
(42) Cigwa kägä‘t udạmugōᵉ āntēgwaᵉ änōtcisagu pinäsiwaᵉ.
Zhigwa geget odamogoon andegwan enooji sa go binesiwan.
Then truly was he eaten by crows and by various kinds of birds.
Zhigwa geget (then truly) odamogoon (he is eaten by them) andegwan (the crows) enooji sa go (and all sorts of) binesiwan (birds).
(43) Mīdạc kā∙i∙nāt: “Kägu’ wīn i∙i∙witi nintcīting untạmici‘kägun,” ugī∙i∙nāᵉ.
Mii dash gaa-inaad: “Gego wiin i’iwidi ninjiiding ondamishikegon,” ogii-inaan.
Then this he said to them: “Don’t you eat upon me yonder at my buttocks,” he said to them.
Mii dash (then) gaa-inaad (what he said to them): “Gego wiin (don’t you) i’iwidi (over there) ninjiiding (at my rear) ondamishikegon (eat upon me),” ogii-inaan (he said to them).
(44) Mīdạc kägä‘t kā∙i∙cictcigänit, ānīc pạnägu gātanwäwä‘tōnit.
Mii dash geget gaa-izhichigenid, aaniish bane go gaa-danwewetoonid.
Whereupon truly such was what they did, and a continuous din did they keep up.
Mii dash geget (whereupon truly) gaa-izhichigenid (such was what they did), aaniish (and) bane go (continually) gaa-danwewetoonid (they kept up a din there).
(45) Cigwasa uwâbạmān upabāmāsimōnunit īni’ᵘ pinäsiwạn. “‘Aⁱᵉ, mīsa kāwīn pī∙i∙cāsiwạn!” ānīc uwī‘kwạtänimān tcipīcānit.
Zhigwa sa owaabamaan obabaamaasimoononid iniw binesiwan. “Aa, mii sa gaawiin bi-izhaasiiwan!” aanish owiikwadenimaan ji-bi-izhaanid.
At last he then saw the bird sailing about through the air. “Alas, he is not coming!” for he longed in his mind for him to come.
Zhigwa sa (at last) owaabamaan (he saw him) obabaamaasimoononid (sailing about on the wind) iniw binesiwan (that bird). “Aa (alas), mii sa gaawiin (so he does not) bi-izhaasiiwan (come here)!” aanish (for) owiikwadenimaan (he longed for him in his mind) ji-bi-izhaanid (that he would come).
(46) Äckạmigu tạsing kācigạtinigin päconāgusiwạn, käga‘pī äcipōnīnit; nāgäwāsạgu ‘i∙i∙witi pạngicink utōnsābạmigōn.
Eshkam igo dasing gaazhigadinigin beshonaagoziwan, gegapii ezhi-booniinid; naagewaasa go i’iwidi bangishing odoonzaabamigoon.
Gradually as the days came and went, nearer it could be seen, till at last it then alighted; and a good way off from yonder place where it came down was (Nanabushu) observed.
Eshkam igo (gradually) dasing (as often as) gaazhigadinigin (the days passed) beshonaagoziwan (it could be seen nearer), gegapii (at last) ezhi-booniinid (when it alighted); naagewaasa go (a good way off) i’iwidi (over there) bangishing (where it came down) odoonzaabamigoon (he was observed by it).
(47) Mīdạc kägä‘t ā‘pidci ugusigōn. Tcigwasa wī‘kā upināsi‘kāgōn.
Mii dash geget aapiji ogosigoon. Zhigwa sa wiikaa obi-naazikaagoon.
And it was true that much was he feared (by the bird). Then after a while to where he was came (the bird).
Mii dash geget (and it was true) aapiji (much) ogosigoon (he was feared by it). Zhigwa sa wiikaa (then after a while) obi-naazikaagoon (it came up to him).
(48) Äcipa‘kīwạgīt, äcikwāckwāckwaninit.
E-zhi-bakiiwagiid, e-zhi-gwaashkwaashkwaninid.
As he raised the muscle on his calf, away went the other hopping.
E-zhi-bakiiwagiid (as he raised the flesh of his leg), e-zhi-gwaashkwaashkwaninid (the other went off hopping).
(49) Mīdạc tcigwa äckạmigu kāwīn tōⁿtansīwạn¹ käga‘pī∙i∙gu uwawāngawänimigōn.
Mii dash zhigwa eshkam igo gaawiin doondansiiwan gegapii igo owawangawenimigoon.
And then presently it gradually became less afraid, till at last (Nanabushu) was made free and easy with.
Mii dash zhigwa (and then now) eshkam igo (gradually) gaawiin doondansiiwan (it was no longer afraid), gegapii igo (till at last) owawangawenimigoon (he was treated freely and easily by it).
Jones’s footnote ¹, printed at the foot of p. 138: “Äckamigu kāwin tōⁿtansīwạn, ‘it gradually became less afraid;’ literally, ‘it gradually did it less,’ that is keeping up its fear.” — carried from the document into the record 2026-09-02 (register §5 law 7).
(50) Käga‘pī∙i∙gu ōwi‘kitōwạn: “Ānīnta gīnawā untamāsiwäg o∙ō∙witi wīninwā‘kucīgạnät?” Mīsa gägä‘t ‘i∙i∙witi wäntạmigut.
Gegapii igo o’ow ikidowan: “Aaniinda giinawaa ondamaasiweg o’owidi wiininwaakoshiiganed?” Mii sa geget i’iwidi wendamigod.
Then finally this it said: “Why do you not eat of him from the small of the back, where he is fat?” Thereupon truly from that place was he eaten.
Gegapii igo (then finally) o’ow ikidowan (this it said): “Aaniinda (why) giinawaa (you) ondamaasiweg (do not eat there of him) o’owidi (right here) wiininwaakoshiiganed (at the small of the back where he is fat)?” Mii sa geget (thereupon truly) i’iwidi (from that place) wendamigod (he was eaten by it).
(51) Cigwa äckạmigu wâsa icipīndi‘kwänuwạn ‘i∙i∙māⁿ utcītīng, käga‘pīgu kāwīn sāgiti‘kwänisīwạn.
Zhigwa eshkam igo waasa izhi-biindikwenowan i’imaa ojiiding, gegapii go gaawiin zaagidikwenisiiwan.
Presently farther into the anus yonder it put its neck, then at last it did not take its neck out from there.
Zhigwa eshkam igo (presently more and more) waasa (far) izhi-biindikwenowan (it put its neck inside) i’imaa ojiiding (yonder at the anus), gegapii go (till at last) gaawiin zaagidikwenisiiwan (it did not draw its neck out).
(52) Äcipạsiguntcisät kạckitiyāntạmawāt ‘iᵉi’ᵘ uctigwānini.
Ezhi-bazigonjised gashkidiyaandamawaad i’iw oshtigwaanini.
Then up he sprang closing his anus tight over the other’s hand.
Ezhi-bazigonjised (then up he sprang) gashkidiyaandamawaad (clamping his rear shut over) i’iw oshtigwaanini (its head).
(53) “Micạnîm Nänabucu, ningīgạgwānisạgi∙i∙k!”
“mishanim Nenaboozhoo, ningii-gagwaanisagi’ig!”
“Confound Nanabushu, by him am I frightfully treated!”
“Mishanim (confound) Nenaboozhoo (Nanabushu), ningii-gagwaanisagi’ig (I am dreadfully treated by him)!”
(54) Mādcīpa‘tōt ‘iᵉi’ᵘ sāga∙i∙gạn. Ānīc ānupimiwī‘kwạtci∙u∙nit.
Maajiibatood i’iw zaaga’igan. Aaniish aano-bimiwiikwaji’onid.
While (Nanabushu) went running along the lake,naturally the other tried in vain to get free.
Maajiibatood (when he set off running) i’iw zaaga’igan (along the lake). Aaniish (naturally) aano-bimiwiikwaji’onid (the other vainly struggled along to free itself).
(55) Misa’ cigwa päcwâbandạnk wä‘kwāgamīwạninik i∙i∙ᵘ sāgā∙i∙gạn äcipạgitcitiyāmāt, mīdạc kā∙i∙cipạngicininit imāⁿ mi‘tcaya∙ī∙.²
Mii sa zhigwa beshwaabandang wekwaagamiiwaninig i’iw zaaga’igan ezhi-bagijidiyaamaad, mii dash gaa-izhi-bangishininid imaa michaya’ii.
And then presently, when nearing the far end of the lake, (Nanabushu) freed (the bird) from his anus, whereupon down it fell on the ice.
Mii sa zhigwa (and then now) beshwaabandang (when he saw it near) wekwaagamiiwaninig (the far end of the water) i’iw zaaga’igan (the lake) ezhi-bagijidiyaamaad (when he released it from his rear), mii dash (whereupon) gaa-izhi-bangishininid (it fell) imaa michaya’ii (there on the ice).
Jones’s footnote ², printed at the foot of p. 138: “Mi‘tcaya∙ī∙, ‘on the ice;’ literally, ‘on the firm.’” — carried from the document into the record 2026-09-02 (register §5 law 7).
Mi‘tcaya∙ī∙, “on the ice;” literally, “on the firm.”
(56) Mīdạc kā∙i∙nāt: “Wīnängä kīga∙i∙gō tci∙ạ∙ni∙a∙‘kīwạng,” ugī∙i∙nān. “Kīgawīnänimik ‘aᵘ ạnicinâbä.”
Mii dash gaa-inaad: “Wiinenge giga-igoo ji-ani-akiiwang,” ogii-inaan. “Giga-wiinenimig aw anishinaabe.”
And this was what he said to it: “Buzzard shall you be called till the end of the world,” he said to it. “For your filth will you be loathed by the people.”
Mii dash (and then) gaa-inaad (what he said to it): “Wiinenge (Buzzard) giga-igoo (you shall be called) ji-ani-akiiwang (until the end of the world),” ogii-inaan (he said to it). “Giga-wiinenimig (you will be loathed for your filth) aw anishinaabe (by the people).”