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.
34. NÄNABUSHU IS FED MEAT FROM THE BACK OF A WOMAN.
Nanabosho is fed Meat from the Back of a Woman
Narrated by probably Midāsugaⁿj (Michelson’s own hedge, carried) — Series 3 (Nos. 33–38), Bois Fort (per Michelson’s roster, Part I Preface p. XX; not credited on the story page itself).
from Ojibwa Texts collected by William Jones (1917).
(1) Ānīc, a∙ī∙ntāwạg imā ạnicinābäg, Nänabucu unīdcānisaᵉ nīciwaᵉ wīwạn kayä.
Aaniish, ayiindaawag imaa anishinaabeg, Nenabosho oniijaanisan niizhiwag wiiwan gaye.
Now, abiding at the place were some people, the two children of Nänabushu and his wife.
Aaniish, ayiindaawag imaa anishinaabeg (now, some people were living there), Nenabosho oniijaanisan niizhiwag (Nenabosho’s two children) wiiwan gaye (and his wife).
(2) Mīsa’ imā papipōniciwāt, ānīcînā, nawạtciku kāwin kägō una∙ä∙nimusīn.
Mii sa imaa babiboonishiwaad, aaniish inaa, nawaj igo gaawiin gegoo ona’enimosiin.
And so there, where they passed the winter, why, hardly any food had they in store.
Mii sa imaa babiboonishiwaad (and so there, where they were wintering), aaniish inaa (why now), nawaj igo gaawiin gegoo ona’enimosiin (hardly anything at all had he laid up in store).
(3) Ānīc, mīsa’ tcigwa tcipipōnini, mīsa’ kāwīn wī‘kā nā ubītōsīn kägō.
Aaniish, mii sa zhigwa ji-biboonini, mii sa gaawiin wiikaa naa obiidoosiin gegoo.
Well, it was now far into the winter, and never a single thing did he fetch home.
Aaniish, mii sa zhigwa ji-biboonini (well, it was now getting to be deep winter), mii sa gaawiin wiikaa naa obiidoosiin gegoo (and never once did he bring anything home).
(4) Ānīc mīsa’ pa‘kadäwād.
Aaniish mii sa bakadewaad.
Naturally, therefore, they grew hungry.
Aaniish mii sa bakadewaad (naturally, then, they grew hungry).
(5) Ningutinbiku, pạbāmusät, ạnicinābäᵉ äjiudisāt; nīciwaᵉ abinōtcīyaᵉ ạbiwạn īni’ᵘ ininiwạn.
Ningoding igo, babaamosed, anishinaaben ezhi-odisaad; niizhiwag abinoojiiyan abiwan iiniw ininiwan.
And once, when walking about, to where some people were he came; there were two children, (and) at home was the man.
Ningoding igo, babaamosed (and once, as he was walking about), anishinaaben ezhi-odisaad (he came upon some people); niizhiwag abinoojiiyan abiwan (there were two children present) iiniw ininiwan (and that man).
(6) Ānīc, mīsa’, ä‘kitunit: “Ānīn dạc nā, kīgä∙ā∙siwang ‘aᵉa’ᵘ kipīwitäminān,” udinān wīwạn.
Aaniish, mii sa ekidonid: “Aaniin dash naa, giige-aasiwang a’aw gipiiwideminaan,” odinaan wiiwan.
So, therefore, said (the man): “Why, let us feed our visitor,” (thus) he said to his wife.
Aaniish, mii sa ekidonid (so then he said): “Aaniin dash naa, giige-aasiwang a’aw gipiiwideminaan,” (“why now, let us feed this visitor of ours,”) odinaan wiiwan (he said to his wife).
(7) Ānīc, skwāntäng nāsạmạpiwạn īni’ᵘ i‘kwäwạn.
Aaniish, shkwaandeng naasamabiwan iiniw ikwewan.
Now, with her face towards the door was the woman seated.
Aaniish, shkwaandeng naasamabiwan iiniw ikwewan (now, facing the doorway sat that woman).
(8) Äci∙ō∙nạgōta‘ki‘kwänit.
Ezhi-oo-nagoodakikwenid.
Then she placed her kettle hanging from a hook.
Ezhi-oo-nagoodakikwenid (then she hung up her kettle on the hook).
(9) Ānīc, äcigīnibōtōnit umō‘kumānini, mackimutä‘käwan īni’ᵘ wīwini.
Aaniish, ezhi-giiniboodoonid omookomaanini, mashkimodekewan iiniw wiiwini.
Now, while (the man) was sharpening his knife, his wife was weaving a bag.
Aaniish, ezhi-giiniboodoonid omookomaanini (now, while he was sharpening his knife), mashkimodekewan iiniw wiiwini (his wife was weaving a bag).
(10) Mīsa’ kā‘kīcibōtōnit ‘iᵉi’ᵘ umō‘kumānini,
Mii sa gaa-giizhiboodoonid i’iw omookomaanini.
And when he had finished sharpening his knife, he moved over to sit next to his wife.
Mii sa gaa-giizhiboodoonid i’iw omookomaanini (and when he had finished sharpening his knife, he moved over to sit beside her).
Odanikamaanini, “her shoulder-straps,” a sort of suspender going over the shoulder, and thus holding up the skirt. This piece of garment is no longer worn by women of today.
(11) ubiminạnā‘tabī‘tawānini īni’ᵘ wīwini.
Obiminanaadabiidawaanini iiniw wiiwini.
Obiminanaadabiidawaanini iiniw wiiwini (he edged over to sit close beside his wife).
(12) Äjigitaskā‘kunamawāt īni’ᵘ wīwạn udạnikạmānini,² äjimi‘tawagạnäbināt; äjipäjicwāt nawāwigạn; mīsa’ äcipa‘kwäninwäcwāt; kāwīn kạnạgä mādapisīwạn īni’ᵘ i‘kwäwạn.
Ezhi-gidashkaakonamawaad iiniw wiiwan odanikamaanini, ezhi-midawaganebinaad; ezhi-beshizhwaad nawaawigan; mii sa ezhi-pakweninweshwaad; gaawiin ganage maadabisiiwan iiniw ikwewan.
Then, unfastening his wife’s shoulder-straps,1 he exposed her at the back; he then sliced her down the middle of the back with a knife; and he then sliced away a piece of fat from her; not a whit did his wife budge.
Ezhi-gidashkaakonamawaad iiniw wiiwan odanikamaanini, (then, unfastening his wife’s shoulder-straps,) ezhi-midawaganebinaad (he laid her bare at the back); ezhi-beshizhwaad nawaawigan (then he sliced her down the middle of the back); mii sa ezhi-pakweninweshwaad (and so he sliced away a piece from her); gaawiin ganage maadabisiiwan iiniw ikwewan (not a whit did the woman stir).
(13) Mīsa’ kā∙i∙jipicagāwiganäcwāt īni’ᵘ wīwini, äcipōdā‘kwäwānit i∙i∙mā a‘ki‘kung.
Mii sa gaa-izhi-pishagaawiganeshwaad iiniw wiiwini, ezhi-poodaakwewaanid i’imaa akikong.
And so, when he had sliced a piece from the back of his wife, she then put it into the kettle to boil.
Mii sa gaa-izhi-pishagaawiganeshwaad iiniw wiiwini (and so, when he had sliced a piece from his wife’s back), ezhi-poodaakwewaanid i’imaa akikong (then it was put there into the kettle to boil).
(14) A‘ka‘kạnjä aji∙ō∙dā‘pinạminit, äcisinigunamawānit i∙i∙mā u‘pi‘kwanāning.
Akakanzhe ezhi-oodaapinaminid, ezhi-sinigonamawaanid i’imaa obikwanaaning.
Picking up some charcoal, he then rubbed it on her back.2
Akakanzhe ezhi-oodaapinaminid (picking up some charcoal), ezhi-sinigonamawaanid i’imaa obikwanaaning (he then rubbed it on her there at her back).2
(15) Äcisạgā‘kuwāt mīnawā.
Ezhi-sagaakowaad miinawaa.
Then he fastened her garment on again.
Ezhi-sagaakowaad miinawaa (then he fastened up her garment again).
(16) Mīsa’ kāwīn kạnạgä gīmādapisīwạn īni’ᵘ i‘kwäwạn.
Mii sa gaawiin ganage gii-maadabisiiwan iiniw ikwewan.
And not a whit had his wife moved.
Mii sa gaawiin ganage gii-maadabisiiwan iiniw ikwewan (and so not a whit had the woman moved).
(17) Tcigwa kīcisä‘kwäwạn, “Ānīc, mīsa iᵘ äciwīsinīyạmbạn,” inā Nänabucu.
Zhigwa giizhisekwewan, “Aaniish, mii sa iw ezhi-wiisiniiyamban,” inaa Nenabosho.
So when she had finished with the cooking, “Well, you may now as well eat,” was told Nänabushu.
Zhigwa giizhisekwewan (when she had finished the cooking), “Aaniish, mii sa iw ezhi-wiisiniiyamban,” (“well, you may as well eat now,”) inaa Nenabosho (Nenabosho was told).
(18) Mīdạc kägä‘t äjiwīsinit, pạnägu kānīskininu‘tänig mīsa’ äjiwīsinit.
Mii dash geget ezhi-wiisinid, pane go gaa-niishkininodenig mii sa ezhi-wiisinid.
Thereupon truly did Nänabushu eat, forthwith after the fat was boiled was when he ate.
Mii dash geget ezhi-wiisinid (thereupon truly he ate), pane go gaa-niishkininodenig (just as soon as the fat was boiled) mii sa ezhi-wiisinid (was when he ate).
(19) Kumā mini‘k skwạntcigä Nänabucu.
Gomaa minik shkwanjige Nenabosho.
A certain part of it Nänabushu refrained from eating.
Gomaa minik shkwanjige Nenabosho (a certain amount Nenabosho left uneaten).
(20) “Mī∙i’∙ᵘ ijikīwäwitaᵘ kinītcānisạg nā mini‘k äckwạntcigäyạn.”
“Mii iw izhi-giiwewidaw giniijaanisag naa minik eshkwanjigeyan.”
“That much which you saved do you take to your children.”
“Mii iw izhi-giiwewidaw giniijaanisag (“take that home to your children) naa minik eshkwanjigeyan.” (that much you have left over.”)
(21) Mīsa’ cigwa wī‘kīwä.
Mii sa zhigwa wii-giiwe.
Therefore now was he on the point of going back home.
Mii sa zhigwa wii-giiwe (therefore now he was about to go home).
(22) “Awägwänigic?” kī∙i∙näntam.
“Awegwenigish?” gii-inendam.
“Who in the world (is it)?” he thought.
“Awegwenigish?” (“who in the world is it?”) gii-inendam (he thought).
(23) Mīnạngwạna umackōsōn kāwudisāt.
Mii nangwana omashkoosoon gaa-odisaad.
Now, it happened to be the elk whom he had visited.
Mii nangwana omashkoosoon gaa-odisaad (now it happened to be the elk that he had visited).
(24) Ānīc mīsa cigwa kī‘ki‘känimāt äyāwinit.
Aaniish mii sa zhigwa gii-kikenimaad eyaawinid.
So then at last he found out who it was.
Aaniish mii sa zhigwa gii-kikenimaad eyaawinid (so then now he knew who it was).
(25) Cigwa wī‘kīwä, äci∙ā∙bawāt ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ugīcōtäbisonaᵉ ‘iᵉi’ᵘ wâbōsowayānaᵉ; äcicängwāntagināt ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ugīcō‘täwunaᵉ, äjisāga∙ạ∙nk.
Zhigwa wii-giiwe, ezhi-aabawaad i’iw ogiizhoodebizonan i’iw waaboozowayaanan; ezhi-shengwaandaginaad i’iw ogiizhoodewonan ezhi-saaga’ang.
As he was about setting out for home, he untied his mittens of rabbit-fur; then, putting his mittens in the balsam boughs (under the mat), he went out of doors.
Zhigwa wii-giiwe (when he was about to go home), ezhi-aabawaad i’iw ogiizhoodebizonan i’iw waaboozowayaanan (he untied his warm mittens of rabbit-skin); ezhi-shengwaandaginaad i’iw ogiizhoodewonan (then, tucking his mittens into the balsam boughs) ezhi-saaga’ang (he went outside).
(26) Kumā‘pī äni∙a∙yāt, usāgitcinica∙u∙gō ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ạbinōtcīyaᵉ.
Gomaapii eni-ayaad, ozaagijinisha’ogoo i’iw abinoojiiyan.
When some distance away he was come, out of doors rushed the children after him.
Gomaapii eni-ayaad (when he had got some distance off), ozaagijinisha’ogoo i’iw abinoojiiyan (the children rushed out of doors after him).
(27) Mīdạc äcipīpāgit “Äī!” i‘kito; “kīwạnī‘kä kigīcō‘tä∙u∙nạg!”
Mii dash ezhi-piibaagid “Aay!” ikido; “gii-waniike gigiizhoode’onag!”
And then one called aloud (to him): “Hey!” he said, “you forgot your mittens!”
Mii dash ezhi-piibaagid (and then he called aloud) “Aay!” ikido (“hey!” he said); “gii-waniike gigiizhoode’onag!” (“you forgot your mittens!”)
(28) “Nindōcimạg ugạpīnāwa,” udinā.
“Nindooshimag oga-biinaawag,” odinaa.
“My nephews will fetch them,” he said to them.
“Nindooshimag oga-biinaawag,” (“my nephews will fetch them,”) odinaa (he said to them).
(29) Mīsa’ kägä‘t wâbạmimāwāt ạbinit.
Mii sa geget waabamimaawaad abinid.
And then they saw where they were.
Mii sa geget waabamimaawaad abinid (and then truly they saw where they were lying).
(30) “Wâsạgu udciwäbinạmawi‘k.
“Waasa go ojiwebinamawik.
“And from afar do you throw them to him.
“Waasa go ojiwebinamawik (“and from far off throw them to him.)
(31) Kāwīn kīgapạsämigusīwaᵉ.”
Gaawiin giiga-pasemigosiiwa.”
He will not refrain from saying something to you.”
Gaawiin giiga-pasemigosiiwa.” (he will surely say something to you.”)
(32) Mīdạc kägä‘t wâsạgu wâ∙u∙ndciwäbinạmāgu ‘iᵉi’ᵘ abinōtcīgaᵉ.
Mii dash geget waasa go waa-onji-webinamaago i’iw abinoojiigan.
Thereupon truly from afar were the children intending to throw them to him, when,
Mii dash geget waasa go waa-onji-webinamaago i’iw abinoojiigan (thereupon truly from afar the children meant to throw them to him, when,)
(33) “Ic!” udinaᵉ; “kāwunāgunäwäbināwāg,” udināᵉ.
“Ish!” odinaan; “gaawonaagonewebinaawaag,” odinaan.
“Stop!” he said to them; “do not throw them into the snow, (lest they be lost,)” he said to them.
“Ish!” odinaan (“stop!” he said to them); “gaawonaagonewebinaawaag,” odinaan (“don’t throw them into the snow,” he said to them).
(34) “Pimīciyu‘kiku!” udināᵉ.
“Bi-miishiyokiko!” odinaan.
“Come, hand them to me!” he said to them.
“Bi-miishiyokiko!” (“come, hand them to me!”) odinaan (he said to them).
(35) Ānīc mīsa’ kägä‘t äwicimīnigut, mīdạc änicimādcība∙i∙tinit.
Aaniish mii sa geget ewishimiinigod, mii dash enishimaajiiba’idinid.
So accordingly he truly had them handed to him, whereupon back (the children) started racing as they went.
Aaniish mii sa geget ewishimiinigod (so truly they handed them to him), mii dash enishimaajiiba’idinid (whereupon they started racing back as they went).
(36) Ānīc, ugī∙i∙nāᵉ aᵘ awäti wänītcānisit: “Wâsạgu undciwäbinạmawi‘k, kāwīn kīgabạsämigusīwā.”
Aaniish, ogii-inaan aw awedi weniijaanisid: “Waasa go onji-webinamawik, gaawiin giiga-basemigosiiwaa.”
Now, yonder parent of the children had said to them: “From afar do you hand them to him, for he will not refrain from saying something to you.”
Aaniish, ogii-inaan aw awedi weniijaanisid (now, that parent of theirs had said to them): “Waasa go onji-webinamawik (“from far off hand them to him), gaawiin giiga-basemigosiiwaa.” (for he will surely say something to you.”)
(37) Mīdạc kägä‘t ānawi‘tōtạminit, ānīc ugī∙u∙ndcī∙ā∙nidic.
Mii dash geget aanawi-doodaminid, aaniish ogii-onjii-aanidish.
Therefore they truly tried to do so, but (Nänabushu) prevented them.
Mii dash geget aanawi-doodaminid (therefore they truly tried to do so), aaniish ogii-onjii-aanidish (but he turned them aside).
(38) Mīdạc kā∙i∙nāt a‘pī kāmīnigut: “Ạmbäsinō, wâbạng kōsiwā tabīcā,” ugī∙i∙nāᵉ.
Mii dash gaa-inaad apii gaa-miinigod: “Ambe sa noo, waabang koosiwaa dabiizhaa,” ogii-inaan.
And this was what he said to them when he was given (the mittens): “Now, to-morrow let your father come,” he said to them.
Mii dash gaa-inaad apii gaa-miinigod (and this is what he said to them when he was handed them): “Ambe sa noo, waabang koosiwaa dabiizhaa,” (“come now, tomorrow let your father come,”) ogii-inaan (he said to them).
(39) Mīsa’ kā∙i∙cikīwäba∙i∙tiwāt īgi’ᵘ kwīwisänsạg, äjiwīndamawāwāt unīgiigowāᵉ a‘kitunit Nänabucōwạn: “ ‘Käba‘katämwāsạ kīnawā!,’ ” udinā ‘iᵉi’ᵘ unīgī∙i∙gowaᵉ īgi’ᵘ kwīwisänsạg.
Mii sa gaa-izhi-kiiweba’idiwaad iigiw gwiiwisensag, ezhi-wiindamawaawaad oniigi’igowaan ekidonid Nenaboshoowan: “Gebakademwaasa giinawaa!” odinaa i’iw oniigii’igowag iigiw gwiiwisensag.
When the boys had raced back home, they told their parents what Nänabushu had said. “ ‘You must be hungry!’ ” the boys said to their parents.
Mii sa gaa-izhi-kiiweba’idiwaad iigiw gwiiwisensag (when the boys had raced back home), ezhi-wiindamawaawaad oniigi’igowaan ekidonid Nenaboshoowan (they told their parents what Nenabosho had said): “Gebakademwaasa giinawaa!” (“you must surely be hungry!”) odinaa i’iw oniigii’igowag iigiw gwiiwisensag (the boys said to their parents).
(40) Mīsa’ ä‘kitut ainini: “Ānīcinā, ninga∙i∙cā,” i‘kito.
Mii sa ekidod a inini: “Aanishinaa, ninga-izhaa,” ikido.
Thereupon said the man: “Of course, I will go,” he said.
Mii sa ekidod a inini (thereupon the man said): “Aanishinaa, ninga-izhaa,” ikido (“of course, I will go,” he said).
(41) Cigwasa’ ạnitạgwicin ändāwāt.
Zhigwa sa ani-dagwishin endaawaad.
In the mean while (Nänabushu) was arriving home.
Zhigwa sa ani-dagwishin endaawaad (meanwhile he was arriving at their home).
(42) Ānīc ubītawāᵉ unīdcānisaᵉ ‘iᵉi’ᵘ kā∙a∙caminit.
Aaniish obiidawaan oniijaanisan i’iw gaa-ashaminid.
Now, he fetched home to his children what had been given him to eat.
Aaniish obiidawaan oniijaanisan i’iw gaa-ashaminid (now, he brought home to his children what he had been given to eat).
(43) Cigwa’ ugạnōnān īni’ᵘ wīwạn: “Kāwīnsanā wī‘kā tci∙u∙mackimutä‘käyạn?” udinān īni’ᵘ wīwạn.
Zhigwa oganoonaan iiniw wiiwan: “Gaawiin sa naa wiikaa ji-omashkimodekeyan?” odinaan iiniw wiiwan.
Then he spoke to his wife, saying: “Why do you never weave bags?” he said to his wife.
Zhigwa oganoonaan iiniw wiiwan (then he spoke to his wife): “Gaawiin sa naa wiikaa ji-omashkimodekeyan?” (“won’t you ever weave bags?”) odinaan iiniw wiiwan (he said to his wife).
(44) “Indạckā mīnawā awiya kīwâbạmāgwän ‘iᵉi’ᵘ äjictcigänit,” udigōn īni’ᵘ wīwạn.
“Indashkaa miinawaa awiya gii-waabamaagwen i’iw ezhichigenid,” odigoon iiniw wiiwan.
“No doubt but that again he must have seen somebody doing that,” he was told by his wife.
“Indashkaa miinawaa awiya gii-waabamaagwen i’iw ezhichigenid,” (“no doubt he must again have seen somebody doing that,”) odigoon iiniw wiiwan (he was told by his wife).
(45) “Awawa’ ijictcigän!” udinān.
“Awawa izhichigen!” odinaan.
“Go ahead and do it!” he said to her.
“Awawa izhichigen!” (“go ahead and do it!”) odinaan (he said to her).
(46) Mīsa’ kägä‘t äjimạckimutä‘kät wayābạninik ‘aᵉa’ᵘ i‘kwä.
Mii sa geget ezhi-mashkimodeked wayaabaninig a’aw ikwe.
Thereupon truly did the woman set to work weaving a bag on the morrow.
Mii sa geget ezhi-mashkimodeked wayaabaninig a’aw ikwe (thereupon truly the woman set to weaving a bag on the morrow).
(47) Ānīc ạbi’ ‘aᵉa’ᵘ Nänabucu, obī∙ā∙n.
Aaniish abi a’aw Nenabosho, obii’aan.
So at home was Nänabushu, he was waiting for (his guest).
Aaniish abi a’aw Nenabosho (so Nenabosho was at home), obii’aan (he was waiting for him).
(48) Cigwasa’ pikīgitōwaᵉ unīdcānisaᵉ: “Nạckäginīn, cigwa pīwitä!” udigōᵉ.
Zhigwa sa bi-giigidoowag oniijaanisan: “Nashke giniin, zhigwa biiwide!” odigoon.
At last came his children, saying: “Oh, see! here is a visitor!” he was told.
Zhigwa sa bi-giigidoowag oniijaanisan (at last his children spoke up): “Nashke giniin, zhigwa biiwide!” (“look, you! now there’s a visitor!”) odigoon (he was told).
(49) Ānīc mīsa’ äcipīndigāgowāt īni’ᵘ pīwitän.
Aaniish mii sa ezhi-piindigaagowaad iiniw biiwiden.
So thereupon in where they were came the visitor.
Aaniish mii sa ezhi-piindigaagowaad iiniw biiwiden (so thereupon the visitor came in where they were).
(50) Mīsa’ nāmạdạbinit.
Mii sa namadabinid.
And then he sat down.
Mii sa namadabinid (and then he sat down).
(51) “Wägunäna’ kägīgä∙ạ∙nk ‘aᵉa’ᵘ pīwitä?” udinān īni’ᵘ wīwạn.
“Wegonena gegii-ge’ang a’aw biiwide?” odinaan iiniw wiiwan.
“What shall we feed the visitor?” he said to his wife.
“Wegonena gegii-ge’ang a’aw biiwide?” (“what shall we feed this visitor?”) odinaan iiniw wiiwan (he said to his wife).
(52) “Wägunändac ‘iᵉi’ᵘ äyāyạn?” udigōn īni’ᵘ wīwạn.
“Wegonen dash i’iw eyaayan?” odigoon iiniw wiiwan.
“Now, what do you have?” he was told by his wife.
“Wegonen dash i’iw eyaayan?” (“and what is it you have?”) odigoon iiniw wiiwan (he was told by his wife).
(53) Ānīc mādcibōtōn omō‘kumān.
Aaniish maajiboodoon omookomaan.
So he began filing his knife.
Aaniish maajiboodoon omookomaan (so he began filing his knife).
(54) Cōcạmīngwäniwạn upīwitämạn.
Zhoozhamiingweniwan obiiwideman.
Then a smile was on the face of their visitor.
Zhoozhamiingweniwan obiiwideman (their visitor wore a smile on his face).
(55) Mī cigwa kī∙ō∙nagōta‘ki‘kwät.
Mii zhigwa gii-oo-nagoodakikwed.
Then finally (Nänabushu) hung up the kettle.
Mii zhigwa gii-oo-nagoodakikwed (then now he hung up the kettle).
(56) Anīc cigwa ugīgidis kā‘kunạmawān udạni‘kạmānini īni’ᵘ wīwạn, äcini‘tāwạgạnäbināt īni’ᵘ wīwạn; äjipäcicwāt imā pi‘kwạnāning.
Aaniish zhigwa ogiigidiz gaa-gonamawaan odanikamaanini iiniw wiiwan, ezhi-nitaawaganebinaad iiniw wiiwan; ezhi-pezhishwaad imaa bikwanaaning.
So when he had unfastened his wife’s shoulder-straps, he uncovered his wife at the back; then he sliced her down the back with a knife.
Aaniish zhigwa ogiigidiz gaa-gonamawaan odanikamaanini iiniw wiiwan (so now, when he had unfastened his wife’s shoulder-straps), ezhi-nitaawaganebinaad iiniw wiiwan (he laid his wife bare at the back); ezhi-pezhishwaad imaa bikwanaaning (then he sliced her there at the back).
(57) Ānīcinā, “Igō’!” udigōn.
Aaniish inaa, “Igoo!” odigoon.
Naturally, “Ouch!” he was told.
Aaniish inaa, “Igoo!” odigoon (naturally, “ouch!” he was told).
(58) Cōcamīngwäniwạn īni’ᵘ ubīwitämạn.
Zhooshamiingweniwan iiniw obiiwideman.
There was a smile on the face of his visitor.
Zhooshamiingweniwan iiniw obiiwideman (his visitor wore a smile on his face).
(59) “Tạgạckumā, Nänabucu,” udigon.
Daga shkomaa, Nenabosho,” odigoon.
“Pray, let me, Nänabushu!” he was told (by the visitor).
“Daga shkomaa, Nenabosho,” (“pray, let me, Nenabosho,”) odigoon (he was told).
(60) Ānīc, mīsa’ äci∙ạ∙ntutạmāgut ‘iᵉi’ᵘ mō‘kumān, mīdạc ägut: “Tạga, Nänabucu!” udigōn.
Aaniish, mii sa ezhi-ando-damaagod i’iw mookomaan, mii dash egod: “Daga, Nenabosho!” odigoon.
Now, therefore, when (Nänabushu) was asked for the knife, this he was told: “Do, Nänabushu!” he was told.
Aaniish, mii sa ezhi-ando-damaagod i’iw mookomaan (now, so then he was asked for the knife), mii dash egod (and this is what he was told): “Daga, Nenabosho!” odigoon (“do, Nenabosho!” he was told).
(61) “Agạckumā, Nänabucu!” udigōn.
“Agashkomaa, Nenabosho!” odigoon.
“Please let me, Nänabushu!” he was told.
“Agashkomaa, Nenabosho!” (“please, let me, Nenabosho!”) odigoon (he was told).
(62) Äcimīnāt ‘iᵉi’ᵘ mō‘kumān, äcipäcāwaganäcumint īni’ᵘ wīwạn, mīsa’ kāwīn kạnagä mādạpisīwạn.
Ezhi-miinaad i’iw mookomaan, ezhi-peshaawaganeshomind iiniw wiiwan, mii sa gaawiin ganage maadabisiiwan.
When (Nänabushu) gave him the knife, then was his wife sliced down the back, and so not a whit did she wince.
Ezhi-miinaad i’iw mookomaan (when he gave him the knife), ezhi-peshaawaganeshomind iiniw wiiwan (his wife was sliced down the back), mii sa gaawiin ganage maadabisiiwan (and so not a whit did she stir).
(63) Pa‘kwadicumint īni’ᵘ wīninōn.
Bakwadishomind iiniw wiininoon.
What was cut from her was her fat.
Bakwadishomind iiniw wiininoon (what was sliced from her was her fat).
(64) Cigwa ugīpa‘kwạdicwānini, “ ‘Āᵘ, Nänabucu, mīi’ᵘ äjitcībā‘kwän,” udigōn.
Zhigwa ogii-pakwadishwaanini, “Aaw, Nenabosho, mii iw ezhi-jiibaakwen,” odigoon.
When the fat was cut from her, “Now, Nänabushu, therefore now do you cook,” he was told.
Zhigwa ogii-pakwadishwaanini (when the fat had been sliced from her), “Aaw, Nenabosho, mii iw ezhi-jiibaakwen,” (“now, Nenabosho, go ahead and cook,”) odigoon (he was told).
(65) Äji∙o∙dā‘pinạminit ‘iᵉi’ᵘ a‘ka‘kạnjä äjisinạgwạnạminit i∙i∙mā pi‘kwạnāning īni’ᵘ wīwạn.
Ezhi-odaapinaminid i’iw akakanzhe ezhi-sinagwanaminid i’imaa bikwanaaning iiniw wiiwan.
Taking up some charcoal, he rubbed (Nänabushu’s) wife with it on the back.
Ezhi-odaapinaminid i’iw akakanzhe (taking up the charcoal) ezhi-sinagwanaminid i’imaa bikwanaaning iiniw wiiwan (he rubbed it there on the back of the wife).
(66) Cigwa pasigwīwạn, “Mī∙i∙ᵘ, Nänabucu, ta∙i∙ciwīsiniwạg kinītcānisạg,” udigowān.
Zhigwa sa basigwiiwan, “Mii iw, Nenabosho, da-izhi-wiisiniwag giniijaanisag,” odigoowaan.
Then rising to his feet, “Now, Nänabushu, your children will eat,” they were told.
Zhigwa sa basigwiiwan (then, as he rose to his feet), “Mii iw, Nenabosho, da-izhi-wiisiniwag giniijaanisag,” (“that is it, Nenabosho, your children will eat,”) odigoowaan (they were told).
(67) Mīsa gägä‘t a‘pạnä mīsa’ kā∙ạ∙nimādcānit īni’ piwitạmiwān.
Mii sa geget apane mii sa gaa-ani-maajaanid iiniw biiwidemiwaan.
Thereupon truly forthwith went the visitor upon his way.
Mii sa geget apane mii sa gaa-ani-maajaanid iiniw biiwidemiwaan (thereupon truly, straightaway, their visitor went off on his way).
(68) Mīsa’ cigwa wīsiniwāt.
Mii sa zhigwa wiisiniwaad.
Thereupon now did they eat.
Mii sa zhigwa wiisiniwaad (thereupon now they ate).
(2) In order to render the place whole again, - a common formula for miraculous restoration.