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.
28. NÄNABUSHU SWALLOWED BY THE STURGEON.¹
28. NAANABUSHU GAA-GONID MICHI-NAMEGWAN.
Nänabushu Swallowed by the Sturgeon (1)
Narrated by probably Midāsugaⁿj (Michelson’s own hedge, carried) — Series 2 (Nos. 19–32), 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) Mīsa´ äjitibi‘kạtinik; weyābạninig ayạbi ändānsiwiwāt. Abā‘pic nāwa‘kwänig ugạnōnān ō‘kumisạn: “Nō‘ko, kanabạtc ningacacigạtạb. Kāwīninā wäwäbạnābān kitayāsīn?”
Mii sa ezhi-dibikadinig; weyaabaninig ayaabi endaansiwiwaad. Abaapizh naawakwenig oganoonaan ookomisan: “Nooko, ganabaj ningazhazhigatab. Gaawiin ina wewebanaabaan gidayaasiin?”
And then night came on; on the morrow he remained idle at their little home. And when it came noon, he spoke to his grandmother, saying: “My grandmother, perhaps I shall grow weary with being idle. Have you not a hook and line?”
Mii sa ezhi-dibikadinig (and so then night came on), weyaabaninig (when it was morning), ayaabi endaansiwiwaad (he stayed idle at their little dwelling), Abaapizh naawakwenig (and when it came noon), oganoonaan ookomisan (he spoke to his grandmother), “Nooko (my grandmother), ganabaj ningazhazhigatab (perhaps I will grow weary/idle), Gaawiin ina wewebanaabaan gidayaasiin? (have you not a hook-and-line?)”
(2) “Nōjis, kägä‘t nintaiyān.”
“Noozhis, geget nindayaan.”
“My grandchild, to be sure, I have one.”
“Noozhis (my grandchild), geget (truly), nindayaan (I have one).”
(3) Ā‘tayā, kägä‘t minwäntạm Nänabucu. “Nō‘kō, ạmbāsa niwīwäwäbạnābī. Intawā iᵘ kitcīmān ningayābạtci‘tōn.” Nänabucu äjipōsit micawạgām äji∙i∙cāt. Ā‘pidci micawạgām kā‘tạgwicing, ānīc kiˢ‘tcigạmi, “Mīsa´ omā kädạcigwāgwāckwäpitcigäyān,” i‘kido. Nänabucu ubōna‘kạtōn ‘iᵉi´ᵘ umīgiskạn; kāmica‘kīsänik mādcī∙ạ∙m:
Aatayaa, geget minwendam Naanabozho. “Nookoo, ambe sa niwii-wewebanaabii. Indawaa iw gijiimaan ningad-aabajitoon.” Naanabozho ezhi-boozid mishawagaam ezhi-izhaad. Aapiji mishawagaam gaa-dagwishing, aaniish gichigami, “Mii sa omaa gedazhi-gwaagwaashkwebijigeyaan,” ikido. Naanabozho oboonakadoon i’iw omiigiskan; gaa-mizhakiizenig maajii’am:
Oh, truly pleased was Nänabushu. “My grandmother, therefore do I wish to fish with hook and line. Accordingly your canoe will I use.” When Nänabushu got into (the canoe), then out to sea he put. When very far out on the water he was come, for it was the sea, “Here is where I will fish with my hook and line,” he said. Nänabushu cast his hook into the water; when it touched the floor (of the sea), he began singing:
Aatayaa, geget minwendam Naanabozho (oh, truly pleased was Naanabozho). “Nookoo (my grandmother), ambe sa niwii-wewebanaabii (come now, I wish to fish with hook-and-line). Indawaa iw gijiimaan ningad-aabajitoon (so then your canoe I will use).” Naanabozho ezhi-boozid (Naanabozho got aboard), mishawagaam ezhi-izhaad (out on the open water he went). Aapiji mishawagaam gaa-dagwishing (when he arrived very far out on the water), aaniish gichigami (for it was the sea/great-water), “Mii sa omaa gedazhi-gwaagwaashkwebijigeyaan (here is where I will bob my line),” ikido (he said). Naanabozho oboonakadoon i’iw omiigiskan (Naanabozho set down his hook), gaa-mizhakiizenig (when it touched the bottom), maajii’am (he began to sing):
(4) “Micīnạmägwä, pinawä‘kuntci∙ạ∙n i‘ku‘käyaᵘ.
Micīnạmägwä, pinawä‘kuntci∙ạ∙n i‘ku‘cäyaᵘ.”
“Michiinamegwe flagged, binawakojii’an flagged ikokayanh flagged. Michiinamegwe flagged, binawakojii’an flagged ikozhayanh flagged.”
“O big sturgeon! come swallow me, here is my decoy. O big sturgeon! come swallow me, here is my decoy.”
“Michiinamegwe (O big sturgeon), binawakojii’an flagged (come swallow me), ikokayanh flagged (here is my decoy). Michiinamegwe (O big sturgeon), binawakojii’an flagged (come swallow me), ikozhayanh flagged (here is my decoy).” [song-vocables carried verbatim; the two lines differ only in käyaⁿ/cäyaⁿ as printed]
(5) Mīdạc i∙i∙mā na∙i∙tāg ayāt aᵉa´ᵘ micīnạmägwä. Māmwä‘tcidạc imā unowängigạnig mīsa imā siniguskāgut. Käga‘pi ingutci ānu∙i∙cā, mīsa´ untcita ‘iᵉi´ᵘ siniguskāgut ‘iᵉi´ᵘ migiskạn. Käga‘pīsa ogạnōnān ạdi‘kamägwạn:² “Adi‘kạmäg, ạmbāsạnō, nawatantama´ᵘ Nänabucu iwä wäwäbanābān.”
Mii dash i’imaa na’itaag ayaad a’aw mishiinamegwe. Mamwezhi dash imaa onowengiganig mii sa imaa zinigoshkaagod. Gega-bii ingoji aanawi-izhaa, mii sa onjida i’iw zinigoshkaagod i’iw miigiskan. Gega-bii sa oganoonaan adikamegwan: “Adikameg, ambe sa noo, nawadandamaw flagged Naanabozho iwe wewebanaabaan.”
And so at that very place the big sturgeon happened to be. And it was there that he felt a rubbing on the cheeks (by the hook). At last away he tried in vain to go, but exactly as before he felt the rubbing of the hook. Then finally he spoke to the Whitefish, saying: “O Whitefish! please seize that bobbing (hook) of Nänabushu’s with your mouth.”
Mii dash i’imaa na’itaag (and so right at that place), ayaad a’aw mishiinamegwe (the big sturgeon happened to be). Mamwezhi dash imaa onowengiganig flagged (and there against his cheeks), mii sa imaa zinigoshkaagod (it was there it rubbed him). Gega-bii ingoji aanawi-izhaa (at last he tried in vain to go somewhere), mii sa onjida i’iw zinigoshkaagod i’iw miigiskan (but on purpose/exactly the hook kept rubbing him). Gega-bii sa oganoonaan adikamegwan (at last he spoke to the whitefish): “Adikameg (O whitefish), ambe sa noo (come now), nawadandamaw flagged Naanabozho iwe wewebanaabaan (seize with your mouth that bobbing hook of Naanabozho’s).”
Ạdi‘kamägwan, “white fish;” literally, “caribou fish.”
Ạdi‘kamägwan, “white fish;” literally, “caribou fish.”
(6) Kägä‘t äcinawatatạnk ‘iᵉi´ᵘ uwäwäbanābānini. Ki‘tciwīckāni ‘iᵉi´ᵘ owäwäbạnābān. Äjiwī‘kubidōt, “‘Ā‘tā, mīsa´ mīsa´, mīsa´ wā‘tiyān!” Cigwa omō‘kibinān ạdi‘kạmägwạn. “Isä,³ kāwīn kīn kīnantawänimisinōn! Kīwīnantān ‘iᵉi´ᵘ wäwäbanābān.”
Geget ezhi-nawadandang i’iw owewebanaabaanini. Gichi-wiishkaani i’iw owewebanaabaan. Ezhi-wiikobidood, “Aataa, mii sa mii sa, mii sa waa-idiyaan!” Zhigwa omookibinaan adikamegwan. “Ise, gaawiin giin ginandawenimisinoon! Giwii-nandaan i’iw wewebanaabaan.”
Truly then it seized that bobbing (hook) with its mouth. There was a hard pull on the bobbing (hook). When he pulled on it, “Ah, that’s it, that’s it, that’s what I want!” Presently he drew the Whitefish to the surface of the water. “Bah! I don’t want you. You befoul the bobbing (hook).”
Geget ezhi-nawadandang i’iw owewebanaabaanini (truly it seized the bobbing hook with its mouth). Gichi-wiishkaani i’iw owewebanaabaan flagged (there was a hard pull on the bobbing hook). Ezhi-wiikobidood (when he pulled on it), “Aataa, mii sa mii sa, mii sa waa-idiyaan! (ah, that’s it, that’s what I want! — flagged)” Zhigwa omookibinaan adikamegwan (presently he drew up the whitefish). “Ise (bah!), gaawiin giin ginandawenimisinoon (I don’t want you)! Giwii-nandaan flagged i’iw wewebanaabaan (you befoul the bobbing hook).”
Isä, “Bah!” an exclamation of reproach; with most Ojibwa dialects it is uttered only by the feminine sex.
Isä, “Bah!” an exclamation of reproach; with most Ojibwa dialects it is uttered only by the feminine sex.
(7) Kägä‘t intawā upạgidạndān ‘iᵉi´ᵘ wäwäbạnābān. Intawā äjikīwät ạdi‘kạmäg. Cigwa ạnitạgwicin. Micīnạmägwän äjikakwätcimigut: “Ānīntạc ä‘kitut?”
Geget indawaa obagidandaan i’iw wewebanaabaan. Indawaa ezhi-giiwed adikameg. Zhigwa ani-dagwishin. Mishiinamegwen ezhi-gagwejimigod: “Aaniindash ekidod?”
Truly, therefore, (the Whitefish) let go from his mouth the bobbing (hook). And so back home went the Whitefish. Soon he came home. By the big Sturgeon was he asked: “And what did he say?”
Geget indawaa obagidandaan i’iw wewebanaabaan (truly then he let go the bobbing hook from his mouth). Indawaa ezhi-giiwed adikameg (so back home went the whitefish). Zhigwa ani-dagwishin (soon he arrived home). Mishiinamegwen ezhi-gagwejimigod (by the big sturgeon he was asked): “Aaniindash ekidod? (and what did he say?)”
(8) “Kā, ‘Kiwīnạntān iᵘ wäwäbạnābān,’ i‘kitō Nänabucu Micīnamägwä yä‘ta ninạntawänimā.”
“Gaa, ‘Giwii-nandaan i’iw wewebanaabaan,’ ikido Naanabozho. ‘Mishiinamegwe yeta ninandawenimaa.’”
“Oh, ’you befoul the bobbing (hook),’ said Nänabushu. ’It is the big Sturgeon I want.’”
“Gaa (oh), ‘Giwii-nandaan i’iw wewebanaabaan (you befoul the bobbing hook — flagged),’ ikido Naanabozho (said Naanabozho). ‘Mishiinamegwe yeta ninandawenimaa (it is only the big sturgeon I want).’”
(9) Mīsa keyābi onowängikạnig sinigwisänig ‘iᵉi´wä uwäwäbanābānini. Ā‘pidcisa umiguckātäntān micīnạmägwä. “Tạga, kīn, nạmägus, awinawạtạntạn.”
Mii sa geyaabi onowengiganig zinigwisenig i’iwe owewebanaabaanini. Aapiji sa omigoshkaadendam mishiinamegwe. “Daga, giin, namegos, awi-nawadandan.”
And so once more against his cheeks rubbed the bobbing (hook). Very much was the big Sturgeon annoyed: “I say, you, Trout, go seize it with your mouth.”
Mii sa geyaabi onowengiganig zinigwisenig i’iwe owewebanaabaanini (and so once more against his cheeks the bobbing hook rubbed). Aapiji sa omigoshkaadendam mishiinamegwe (very much was the big sturgeon annoyed). “Daga, giin, namegos (now then, you, Trout), awi-nawadandan (go seize it with your mouth).”
(10) Tōkisäni iᵘ wäwäbạnābān. Äjiwī‘kubitōt Nänabucu uwawäbạnābān, mīsa´ nāsāo ä‘kitut: “Mīsa wā‘tiyān.” Omō‘kibạnān īni´ᵘ nạmägusạn. “Isä, kāwīn kīn kinạntawänimisinōn! Kīwinạntān ‘iᵉi´ᵘ niwäwäbạnābān.”
Dookizeni i’iw wewebanaabaan. Ezhi-wiikobidood Naanabozho owewebanaabaan, mii sa naasaab ekidod: “Mii sa waa-idiyaan.” Omookibanaan iniw namegosan. “Ise, gaawiin giin ginandawenimisinoon! Giwii-nandaan i’iw niwewebanaabaan.”
There was a gentle pull on the bobbing (hook). As on his bobbing (hook) Nänabushu pulled, so the same thing as before he said: “This is what I want.” Out of the water he pulled the Trout. “Bah! you are not the one I want. You befoul my bobbing (hook).”
Dookizeni i’iw wewebanaabaan (there was a gentle pull on the bobbing hook). Ezhi-wiikobidood Naanabozho owewebanaabaan (as Naanabozho pulled his bobbing hook), mii sa naasaab ekidod (the same as before he said): “Mii sa waa-idiyaan (this is what I want — flagged).” Omookibanaan iniw namegosan (he drew up the trout). “Ise (bah!), gaawiin giin ginandawenimisinoon (you are not the one I want)! Giwii-nandaan i’iw niwewebanaabaan (you befoul my bobbing hook — flagged).”
(11) Mīnawā ubạgitạntān nạmägus. Äjimādcāt; tägwicing udōgimāmạn uganōnigōn. “Ānīc ä‘kitut?”
Miinawaa obagidandaan namegos. Ezhi-maajaad; dagwishing odoogimaaman oganoonigoon. “Aaniish ekidod?”
The Trout was the next to let go from his mouth the bobbing (hook). Then he departed; when he got home, by his chief was he asked: “What did he say?”
Miinawaa obagidandaan namegos (again the trout let go the hook from his mouth). Ezhi-maajaad (then he departed); dagwishing odoogimaaman oganoonigoon (arriving, by his chief he was spoken to). “Aaniish ekidod? (what did he say?)”
(12) “Kāwīn kuca kīn kinantawänimisinōn. Micinạmägwä yäta ninạntawänimā.”
“Gaawiin gosha giin ginandawenimisinoon. Mishiinamegwe yeta ninandawenimaa.”
“You are not the one I really want. It is only the big Sturgeon I wish.”
“Gaawiin gosha giin ginandawenimisinoon (you are truly not the one I want). Mishiinamegwe yeta ninandawenimaa (it is only the big sturgeon I want).”
(13) Mīsa ‘i´ᵘ ingutci äji∙i∙cāt micīnamägwä. Kāwäsa ugacki‘tōsīn pa‘kān tciwäwäbạnābinit. “Ācimādcisawīna∙a´∙ᵘ Nänabucu! Mini‘k ningitạcī‘kāg wīnicki∙i∙t!” Nänabucōwan unawatantamawān iᵉiwä uwäwäbạnābānini.
Mii sa iw ingoji ezhi-izhaad mishiinamegwe. Gawesa ogashkitoosiin bakaan ji-wewebanaabinid. “Azhi-maajisawina a’aw Naanabozho! Minik ningidazhikaag wii-nishki’id!” Naanabozhowan onawadandamawaan i’iwe owewebanaabaanini.
Thereupon away went the big Sturgeon. He found it impossible to make (Nänabushu) fish elsewhere with his hook and line. “Confound that Nänabushu! He has been pestering me so long as to anger me!” He then seized hold of Nänabushu’s bobbing (hook) with his mouth.
Mii sa iw ingoji ezhi-izhaad mishiinamegwe (thereupon the big sturgeon went off somewhere). Gawesa ogashkitoosiin flagged bakaan ji-wewebanaabinid (he could not make him fish elsewhere). “Azhi-maajisawina flagged a’aw Naanabozho! (confound that Naanabozho!) Minik ningidazhikaag flagged wii-nishki’id! (so long has he pestered me, to anger me!)” Naanabozhowan onawadandamawaan i’iwe owewebanaabaanini (he seized Naanabozho’s bobbing hook with his mouth).
(14) Nänabucu mīgu iᵘ äjiki‘tcīwibitōt iᵉi´ᵘ wäwäbạnābān. Inābit micawagām, minisäns inäntạm wändcimō‘kibīnik. Mīnạngwạna iᵘ ucigwạnāni īni´ᵘ micīnamägwän. Cigwasa ningutingigu pạnägu kāsāswänik u‘tawạgạn. Mīnạngwana iᵘ kōgạmigut mīgu iᵉiᵘ kigitcīmān. Mīsạgu a‘pạn äciwạnäntạnk; wī‘kāsa mi‘kawi. Mä‘kawit, “Wâginugāning nintaiyā,” inäntạm. Inābit, icpiming ki‘tcimaskimut ạgōtänik;
Naanabozho mii go iw ezhi-gichi-wiibidood i’iw wewebanaabaan. Inaabid mishawagaam, minisens inendam wenji-mookibinig. Minangwana iw ozhigwanani iniw mishiinamegwen. Zhigwa sa ningoding igo banego gaa-zaaswenig odawagan. Minangwana iw googamigod mii go iw gigi jiimaan. Mii sa go apane ezhi-waanendang; wiikaa sa mikawi. Mekawid, “Waaginogaaning nindayaa,” inendam. Inaabid, ishpiming gichi-mashkimod agoodenig;
Nänabushu thereupon held tight to the bobbing (hook). As he looked out over the broad sea, an island he thought was appearing on the surface of the water. But it happened to be the tail of the big Sturgeon. Then of a sudden there was a continuous ringing in his ears. It happened that he was being taken down into the water together with his canoe. And so straightway he lost his wits; after a long while he came to. When he was revived, “In a circular place am I,” he thought. While looking around, up overhead a huge bag was hanging; it hap-
Naanabozho mii go iw ezhi-gichi-wiibidood i’iw wewebanaabaan (Naanabozho thereupon held tight to the bobbing hook). Inaabid mishawagaam (as he looked out over the broad water), minisens inendam wenji-mookibinig (an island he thought was rising to the surface). Minangwana iw ozhigwanani iniw mishiinamegwen (but it was the tail of the big sturgeon). Zhigwa sa ningoding igo banego flagged gaa-zaaswenig odawagan (then suddenly there was a ringing in his ears). Minangwana iw googamigod flagged mii go iw gigi jiimaan (it happened he was taken down into the water canoe and all). Mii sa go apane ezhi-waanendang (and so straightway he lost his wits); wiikaa sa mikawi (after a long while he came to). Mekawid (when he revived), “Waaginogaaning nindayaa (in a circular/round place am I),” inendam (he thought). Inaabid (looking around), ishpiming gichi-mashkimod agoodenig (up above a huge bag was hanging);
(15) mīmīgu iᵘ äcimạmāsi‘kānik. Mīnawā iwiti inābit wä‘kwāyaī awiya owâbạmān tạcika‘kawatạbinit. Äcipạsigwīt Nänabucu; äciwạnabī‘tawāt, äjikanōnāt: “Ä‘tawā nîcīmisā, ānīndạc äci∙a∙yāyạn?”
mii mii go zho ezhi-mamaazikaanig. Miinawaa iwidi inaabid weekwayaa’ii awiya owaabamaan dazhika gawadabinid. Ezhi-bazigwiid Naanabozho; ezhi-wanabitawaad, ezhi-ganoonaad: “Etawaa nishiimisaa, aaniindash ezhi-ayaayan?”
pened to be in motion. Again while looking yonder at the other end he saw some sort of a creature seated, swinging back and forth. Then up rose Nänabushu to his feet; taking his seat beside him, he then addressed him, saying: “My poor little brother, and what is the matter with you?”
mii mii go zho ezhi-mamaazikaanig (it happened to be in motion). Miinawaa iwidi inaabid weekwayaa’ii (again as he looked yonder at the far end), awiya owaabamaan dazhika gawadabinid (he saw some creature seated, swaying). Ezhi-bazigwiid Naanabozho (then Naanabozho rose to his feet); ezhi-wanabitawaad (taking his seat beside him), ezhi-ganoonaad (he addressed him): “Etawaa nishiimisaa (my poor little brother), aaniindash ezhi-ayaayan? (what is the matter with you?)”
(16) Agāwāgu pimādisiwạn. Cigwa kīgitōwạn: “Nänabucu, mīsa kayä kīn kī‘kuni‘k aᵉa´ᵘ micinạmägwä.”
Agawaa go bimaadiziwan. Zhigwa gigidowan: “Naanabozho, mii sa gaye giin gigonik a’aw mishiinamegwe.”
And barely alive was the other. Presently he said: “Nänabushu, and so you too have been swallowed by the Big Sturgeon.”
Agawaa go bimaadiziwan (barely alive was the other). Zhigwa gigidowan (presently he spoke): “Naanabozho, mii sa gaye giin gigonik a’aw mishiinamegwe (and so you too have been swallowed by the big sturgeon).”
(17) “Abā‘pinisiwâgạn!” inäntạm Nänabucu. “Ạmbäsạnō, wīndạmawicin ānti kā‘tạciguni‘k.”
“Abaapinisiwaagan!” inendam Naanabozho. “Ambe sa noo, wiindamawishin aandi gaa-dazhi-gonik.”
“(That is) dreadful!” thought Nänabushu. “Please tell me where it was you were swallowed.”
“Abaapinisiwaagan! (that is dreadful!)” inendam Naanabozho (thought Naanabozho). “Ambe sa noo (please now), wiindamawishin aandi gaa-dazhi-gonik (tell me where you were swallowed).”
(18) “Kāwīnīnạc; iwiti nawäyā‘kwucink cingwā‘k mī∙i∙witi ayāwāt īgi´ᵘ wacackwätōwạg;¹ mīdạc iwiti änāntawäyāmbān; piniwäpạmạgwā īgi´ᵘ wacackwätōwạg, nibī‘kāngidạc pạngicinōg īgi´ᵘ ucackwätōwạg; mīdäc ‘iᵉi´ᵘ nātagwanä∙ō∙nạgitwā mīdạc imā kīnawạtạmit micīnạmāgwä. Nänabucu, ạmbäsa´, kīgawīndạmōn. Mīginīni iᵘ ōdäᵉ kāyạgōtänig. Ạmbāsạnō, kīcpin äyāwạnän ‘iᵉi´ᵘ mō‘komān, paciba∙ä∙muʷⁱ.”
“Gaawiin iina zh; iwidi naweyakwozhing zhingwaak mii iwidi ayaawaad igiw wazhashkwedowag; mii dash iwidi enaandaweyaambaan flagged; binii-webamagwaa igiw wazhashkwedowag, nibikaang idash bangishinog igiw ozhashkwedowag; mii dash iw nadagwane oonagidwaa mii dash imaa giinawadamid mishiinamegwe. Naanabozho, ambe sa, gigad-wiindamoon. Mii go inini iw ode gaa-agoodenig. Ambe sa noo, gishpin ayaawanen i’iw mookomaan, bazhiba’amowi.”
“Oh, it was over yonder; where a pine hangs out over the water is a place where there are some cones; it was there I climbed, searching for them; I bit off the cones, letting them fall, and into the water they dropped; and so when we were hauling them ashore by canoe was the time that the Big Sturgeon seized me with his mouth. Nänabushu, come, I will give you some information. Behold, that is his heart which hangs from up there! Please, if you have a knife, do pierce it.”
“Gaawiin iina zh (oh, well); iwidi naweyakwozhing zhingwaak (over yonder where a pine hangs out over the water), mii iwidi ayaawaad igiw wazhashkwedowag (there are some cones); mii dash iwidi enaandaweyaambaan flagged (it was there I climbed searching for them); binii-webamagwaa igiw wazhashkwedowag (I bit off the cones, letting them drop), nibikaang idash bangishinog igiw ozhashkwedowag (and into the water the cones fell); mii dash iw nadagwane oonagidwaa (and so as we hauled them ashore by canoe), mii dash imaa giinawadamid mishiinamegwe (it was then the big sturgeon seized me with his mouth). Naanabozho, ambe sa (come now), gigad-wiindamoon (I will tell you something). Mii go inini iw ode gaa-agoodenig (behold, that is his heart hanging there). Ambe sa noo, gishpin ayaawanen i’iw mookomaan (please, if you have a knife), bazhiba’amowi (do pierce it).”
Wacackwätōwạg, “cones;” it is also the name of the leathery hard shell-like fungi found on various trees, the poplar in particular; it may be that is what is meant here.
(19) Nänabucu dạc udaiyān iᵘ mō‘kumān. Wägunänīwinän pạngī ạjitca‘ka∙ạ∙mawāt.
Naanabozho dash odayaan iw mookomaan. Wegonen iwinen bangii azhi-jaka’amawaad.
Now, Nänabushu possessed a knife. And so what did he do but give the heart a gentle prick.
Naanabozho dash odayaan iw mookomaan (now Naanabozho had a knife). Wegonen iwinen flagged bangii azhi-jaka’amawaad (and what did he do but give it a gentle prick).
(20) Mạdwägīgitōwạn micīnạmägwạn: “Kägä‘t nisäsägitä∙ä∙.”
Madwe-gigidowan mishiinamegwan: “Geget nizesegidee.”
Then was heard the voice of the Big Sturgeon saying: “Really, I am afraid in my heart.”
Madwe-gigidowan mishiinamegwan (the big sturgeon’s voice was heard): “Geget nizesegidee flagged (really, I am afraid in my heart).”
(21) Nạwatcidạc änigu‘k ubaciba∙ạ∙mawān ‘iᵉi´ᵘ udä∙i∙ni.
Nawaj idash enigok obazhiba’amawaan iw ode’ini.
So harder still (Nänabushu) pierced his heart.
Nawaj idash enigok (so harder still), obazhiba’amawaan iw ode’ini (he pierced his heart).
(22) Mīnawā mạdwägīgitōwạn: “Kägä‘t nimāni‘kāg ‘aᵉa´ᵘ Nänabucu kī‘kunạg.” Mạdwäkạnōnimāwạn: “Kāwäsa, kīdāwīskīwigusī waᵉa´ᵘ Nänabucu. Kägä‘t mạtcī∙i∙ciwäbisi Nänabucu.”
Miinawaa madwe-gigidowan: “Geget nimanikaag a’aw Naanabozho gigonag. ” Madwe-ganoonimawan: “Gawesa, gidaawiishkiwigozi wa’aw Naanabozho. Geget maji-izhiwebizi Naanabozho.”
Again was heard the voice of him, saying: “Truly in discomfort am I for having swallowed Nänabushu.” Then was heard the voice of some one addressing him: “Why, you would not be free of harm from Nänabushu. Truly a baneful being is Nänabushu.”
Miinawaa madwe-gigidowan (again his voice was heard): “Geget nimanikaag flagged a’aw Naanabozho gigonag (truly I am in discomfort for having swallowed Naanabozho).” Madwe-ganoonimawan (then someone’s voice was heard addressing him): “Gawesa, gidaawiishkiwigozi flagged wa’aw Naanabozho (you would not be free of harm from Naanabozho). Geget maji-izhiwebizi Naanabozho (truly Naanabozho is a baneful being).”
(23) Wägunänīwinän äjibabacipa∙ạ∙mawāt ‘iᵉi´ᵘ udä∙i∙ni.
Wegonen iwinen ezhi-babazhiba’amawaad i’iw ode’ini.
What should he do but stab away upon the (Big Sturgeon’s) heart.
Wegonen iwinen ezhi-babazhiba’amawaad i’iw ode’ini (what should he do but stab away at the heart).
(24) Änigu‘k mạdwägīgitōwạᵉ: “Äᵉ, mīsā‘pạnä kīnibut kitōgimāminān! Ānīc kägītōtawạnk? Mādcīnạcinā tākacki∙ā∙tcipimādisit. Intawāsagu mānu mī∙i´∙ᵘ kä∙i∙ci∙ạ∙yaguntcing.”
Enigok madwe-gigidowan: “Ae, mii sa banaa giiniboo gidoogimaaminaan! Aaniish ge-gii-doodawang? Maajiina ji-naa daa-gashki’aa ji-bimaadizid. Indawaa sa go maanoo mii iw ge-izhi-ayagoonjing.”
Loud sounded the voices of them, saying: “Yea, gone is our chief now dead! What can we do for him? It is difficult to be able to bring him back to life. So therefore he may just as well be left to drift upon the water.”
Enigok madwe-gigidowan (loud sounded their voices): “Ae, mii sa banaa giiniboo gidoogimaaminaan! (yea, gone now, dead, is our chief!) Aaniish ge-gii-doodawang? (what can we do for him?) Maajiina ji-naa daa-gashki’aa ji-bimaadizid (it is hard to be able to bring him back to life). Indawaa sa go maanoo mii iw ge-izhi-ayagoonjing (so let him just drift upon the water).”
(25) Kumāgu ya‘pī äji∙ā∙bōskạntcisät.
Gomaa go apii ezhi-aaboskanjised.
It was some time before (the Big Sturgeon) came up to the surface of the water.
Gomaa go apii (after some while), ezhi-aaboskanjised (he came up to the surface).
(26) Ānīc mī cigwa kī‘ki‘känimāt Nänabucu kī∙ā∙bōckạntcisänit, äjigạnōnāt wādạbimādcin. Ānīc ạdcitạmōn īni´ᵘ wâdạbimāt, mīwạniniᵘ kayä wīn kā‘kunigōgubạnän īni´ᵘ micinạmägwän ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ạdcitạmō. Mīdạc a‘pī äjikīgitut Nänabucu: “Ạmbäsạnō i∙i∙mā nō‘kumis utạgạmīming tawī∙i∙ci∙ạ∙gwaiya∙a∙gu waᵉa´ᵘ micīnamägwä; ningaki‘tciminwäntạm.”
Aaniish mii zhigwa gii-gikenimaad Naanabozho gii-aaboshkanjisenid, ezhi-ganoonaad waadabimaajin. Aaniish ajidamoon iniw waadabimaad, mii waniw gaye wiin gaa-gonigoogobanen iniw mishiinamegwen a’aw ajidamo. Mii dash apii ezhi-giigidod Naanabozho: “Ambe sa noo i’imaa nookomis odagamiming daa-wii-izhi-agwayaa’ig go wa’aw mishiinamegwe; ningad-gichi-minwendam.”
Well, now, when Nänabushu learned that (the Sturgeon) was come up to the surface of the water, then he spoke to the one by whom he sat. Now, it was the Squirrel by whom he sat, for it was the Squirrel that had been swallowed too by the Big Sturgeon. And so then Nänabushu said: “Pray, yonder to my grandmother’s landing-place let the Big Sturgeon drift; I shall be greatly pleased.”
Aaniish mii zhigwa gii-gikenimaad Naanabozho gii-aaboshkanjisenid (well, when Naanabozho learned the sturgeon had come to the surface), ezhi-ganoonaad waadabimaajin (he spoke to the one he sat beside). Aaniish ajidamoon iniw waadabimaad (it was the squirrel he sat beside), mii waniw gaye wiin gaa-gonigoogobanen iniw mishiinamegwen a’aw ajidamo (for the squirrel too had been swallowed by the big sturgeon). Mii dash apii ezhi-giigidod Naanabozho (and so then Naanabozho said): “Ambe sa noo i’imaa nookomis odagamiming (pray, yonder to my grandmother’s landing-place) daa-wii-izhi-agwayaa’ig go wa’aw mishiinamegwe (may the big sturgeon drift ashore); ningad-gichi-minwendam (I shall be greatly pleased).”
(27) Mīsa´ gägä‘t na∙i∙tāg ‘iᵉimā äci∙ạ∙gwaiyā∙a∙gunīt. Ningutingigu ā‘pidci mạmātcisäwạg. “Mīmāwīni iᵘ kīmicạgāmäyā∙u∙gut,” udinān īni´ᵘ ạdcitạmōn. “Tạga, mī∙i´∙ᵘ kä∙i∙cibạgutcīnạg.” Ānīc ānawigu kinwābi‘kạtini i∙i∙wä omō‘kumān. Nänabucu äjimādicwāt, ki‘tciwī‘kā ubạgunäcwān. Ạbā‘pic bägunäcwāt oganōnān ạdcitạmōn: “‘Ā‘āᵘ, ạdcitạmō, sāga∙ạ∙n.”
Mii sa geget na’itaag imaa ezhi-agwayaa’igonid. Ningoding igo aapiji mamaachizewag flagged. “Mii maawiin iw gii-mizhagamaya’oogod,” odinaan iniw ajidamoon. “Daga, mii iw ge-izhi-bagojiinag.” Aaniish aanawi go ginwaabikadini i’iwe omookomaan. Naanabozho ezhi-maajizhwaad, gichi-wiikaa obagonezhwaan. Abaapizh begonezhwaad oganoonaan ajidamoon: “A’aa, ajidamo, zaaga’an.”
And so truly that was precisely the place where it drifted ashore. And by and by they were much shaken up. “It is possible that he has drifted ashore,” he said to the Squirrel. “Now, therefore, will I open him at the belly.” Of course rather long was that knife of his. When Nänabushu was cutting him with the knife, he was a long time cutting a hole through the body. By the time he had made a hole through him with a knife, he addressed the Squirrel, saying: “Now, Squirrel, do you go outside.”
Mii sa geget na’itaag imaa ezhi-agwayaa’igonid (and so truly that was just the place it drifted ashore). Ningoding igo aapiji mamaachizewag flagged (by and by they were much shaken). “Mii maawiin iw gii-mizhagamaya’oogod (it is possible he has drifted ashore),” odinaan iniw ajidamoon (he said to the squirrel). “Daga, mii iw ge-izhi-bagojiinag (now I will open him at the belly).” Aaniish aanawi go ginwaabikadini i’iwe omookomaan (rather long was that knife of his). Naanabozho ezhi-maajizhwaad (when Naanabozho began cutting him), gichi-wiikaa obagonezhwaan (a long time he cut a hole through). Abaapizh begonezhwaad (when he had cut a hole through), oganoonaan ajidamoon (he addressed the squirrel): “A’aa, ajidamo, zaaga’an (now, squirrel, go outside).”
(28) Kägä‘t äjisāga∙ạ∙nk ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ạdcitạmō, kayä wīn Nänabucu äjisāga∙ạ∙nk. Kāsāga∙ạ∙nk, utcīmān usāgisi‘tōn. Mīsa cigwa änici‘kupīt, äjipīndigawāt ō‘kumisạn. A‘pī kā‘pīndigawāt īni´ᵘ ō‘kumisạn, äjikanōnāt: “Nō‘kō, mīsa´ iᵘ kīnisạg ‘aᵉa´ᵘ micīnạmägwä. Ạmbäsạgu awimādcīnamä‘kän.”
Geget ezhi-zaaga’ang a’aw ajidamo, gaye wiin Naanabozho ezhi-zaaga’ang. Gaa-zaaga’ang, ojiimaan ozaagizitoon. Mii sa zhigwa eni-zhi-gobiid, ezhi-biindigawaad ookomisan. Apii gaa-biindigawaad iniw ookomisan, ezhi-ganoonaad: “Nookoo, mii sa iw gii-nisag a’aw mishiinamegwe. Ambe sa go awi-maajinamekan.”
To be sure, then out went the Squirrel, and Nänabushu too went outside. When he had gone out, he then took out his canoe. And so when on up from the shore he went, he entered into where his grandmother was. After he had gone into where his grandmother was, he then spoke to her: “My grandmother, now have I slain the Big Sturgeon. So please do you go dress the Sturgeon.”
Geget ezhi-zaaga’ang a’aw ajidamo (truly out went the squirrel), gaye wiin Naanabozho ezhi-zaaga’ang (and Naanabozho too went out). Gaa-zaaga’ang (when he had gone out), ojiimaan ozaagizitoon (he took out his canoe). Mii sa zhigwa eni-zhi-gobiid (and so when he went up from the shore), ezhi-biindigawaad ookomisan (he entered where his grandmother was). Apii gaa-biindigawaad iniw ookomisan (after he had gone in to his grandmother), ezhi-ganoonaad (he spoke to her): “Nookoo, mii sa iw gii-nisag a’aw mishiinamegwe (my grandmother, now have I slain the big sturgeon). Ambe sa go awi-maajinamekan flagged (so go dress the sturgeon).”
(29) “Nōjic, kāwīn kạnabatc kitānisāsī ‘aᵉa´ᵘ micīnạmägwä.”
“Noozhizh, gaawiin ganabaj gidaa-nisaasii a’aw mishiinamegwe.”
“My grandson, you could not possibly slay the Big Sturgeon.”
“Noozhizh (my grandson), gaawiin ganabaj gidaa-nisaasii a’aw mishiinamegwe (you could not possibly slay the big sturgeon).”
(30) “Kāwīn kuca ạnicā kīwī∙i∙nisinōn. Naskä kuca nāzibītā, mī∙i∙mā tciwâbamạt.”
“Gaawiin gosha aanizhaa giwii-inisinoon. Naske gosha naazibiitaa, mii imaa ji-waabamad.”
“Why, not a whit am I deceiving you. Just let us go down to the water, and there shall you see him.”
“Gaawiin gosha aanizhaa giwii-inisinoon (why, not a whit am I deceiving you). Naske gosha naazibiitaa (just let us go down to the water), mii imaa ji-waabamad (and there you shall see him).”
(31) Kägä‘t ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mindimōyạ̈ äjināzibīt, ā‘taiyā, ki‘tcigīgōⁿyan.
Geget a’aw mindimooye ezhi-naazibiid, aateyaa, gichi-giigoonyan.
Sure enough, when the old woman went down to the water, why, (there was) a great fish.
Geget a’aw mindimooye ezhi-naazibiid (sure enough, when the old woman went down to the water), aateyaa (why!), gichi-giigoonyan (a great fish).
(32) “Nō‘kō, mīsa waᵉa´ᵘ känạmä‘kānạt.”
“Nookoo, mii sa wa’aw ge-naamekaanad.”
“My grandmother, this is the sturgeon which you are to dress.”
“Nookoo (my grandmother), mii sa wa’aw ge-naamekaanad (this is the one you are to dress).”
(33) “Mī∙i´∙ᵘ, nōjis kä∙i∙cinạmä‘kānạg.”
“Mii iw, noozhis ge-izhi-naamekaanag.”
“Very well, my grandson, then will I dress the sturgeon.”
“Mii iw (very well), noozhis ge-izhi-naamekaanag (my grandson, then will I dress it).”