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.
35. NÄNABUSHU AND THE WOODPECKER.¹
Nenabosho and the Woodpecker (1)
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) Cigwa pa‘kadäwạg ā‘pidci, mīsa’ äcimādcāt Nänabucu.
Zhigwa bakadewag aapiji, mii sa ezhi-maajaad Nenabosho.
So were they much in need of food, whereupon off went Nänabushu.
Zhigwa bakadewag aapiji (now they were very hungry), mii sa ezhi-maajaad Nenabosho (and so off went Nenabosho).
(2) Cigwa, mīnawā udiciwä.
Zhigwa, miinawaa odishiwe.
Now, again was he a-visiting.
Zhigwa, miinawaa odishiwe (now, again he went visiting).
(3) Mīsa’ mīnawā äcinawāt ạnicinābäᵉ, nīciwaᵉ unīdcānisini.
Mii sa miinawaa ezhi-nawaad anishinaaben, niizhiwag oniijaanisini.
And so again they whom he saw seemed like people, (and) they had two children.
Mii sa miinawaa ezhi-nawaad anishinaaben (and so again the ones he saw were like people), niizhiwag oniijaanisini (and they had two children).
(4) Kāwīn kägō wâbạndạmawāsīn; wä‘kwāgān ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ändānit.
Gaawiin gegoo waabandamawaasiin; wekwaagaan i’iw endaanid.
He saw nothing of what they had; a long lodge they occupied for a home.
Gaawiin gegoo waabandamawaasiin (he saw nothing of what they had); wekwaagaan i’iw endaanid (a long lodge it was that they lived in).
(5) “Wägutugwänigic mādcīwāgwän!” inändạm.
“Wegodogwenigish maajiiwaagwen!” inendam.
“Wonder what in the world they eat!” he thought.
“Wegodogwenigish maajiiwaagwen!” (“I wonder what in the world they eat!”) inendam (he thought).
(6) “Cigwa, ānīndạcnā iᵘ kīgä∙ā∙siwạnk ‘aᵉa’ᵘ kipīwitäminān?”
“Zhigwa, aaniin dash naa iw giige-aasiwang a’aw gibiiwideminaan?”
“Now, what had we better feed our visitor?”
“Zhigwa, aaniin dash naa iw (“now, what then) giige-aasiwang a’aw gibiiwideminaan?” (shall we feed our visitor?”)
(7) Mīsa’ kägä‘t cigwa ujī‘tāwạn īni’ᵘ ininiwạn; wawäci∙ō∙wạn uka‘tigwạning, udicicimāni īni’ᵘ miskōsānạmạnạn; mīnawā udōntcibitōnini pīwâbi‘k ā‘pidci kācibōtäni.
Mii sa geget zhigwa ozhiitaawan iiniw ininiwan; wawezhi’oowan ogatigwaning, odishishimaani iiniw miskoosaanamanan; miinawaa odoonjibidoonini biiwaabik aapiji gaa-zhi-boodeni.
Thereupon truly the man began getting ready; he painted himself on the forehead, the kind of paint he used was the red; furthermore, he took up a piece of metal, with a very keen edge due to filing.
Mii sa geget zhigwa ozhiitaawan iiniw ininiwan (and so truly now the man got ready); wawezhi’oowan ogatigwaning (he adorned himself on the forehead), odishishimaani iiniw miskoosaanamanan (the red paint he laid on); miinawaa odoonjibidoonini biiwaabik (and he took up a piece of metal) aapiji gaa-zhi-boodeni (filed to a very keen edge — boodeni stem flagged).
(8) Ānīc, unisitawinān äyāwạninig, mīnangwạna ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ijictcigäwāt īni’ᵘ o‘kunāsanwīn ² cägunānit i∙i∙mā ucạngwanāning ānīc mägwāgu kīnạmạdạbinit.
Aaniish, onisidawinaan eyaawaninig, miinangwana i’iw izhichigewaad iiniw okonaasanwiin zhegonaanid i’imaa oshangwanaaning aaniish megwaa go gii-namadabinid.
Now, (Nänabushu) recognized what it was, for the thing that they did was to put the bone-pointed spear(2) into the nostrils while he was seated there.
Aaniish, onisidawinaan eyaawaninig (now, he recognized what it was), miinangwana i’iw izhichigewaad (it turned out that what they did) iiniw okonaasanwiin zhegonaanid i’imaa oshangwanaaning (was to set the bone-pointed spear into his nostrils) aaniish megwaa go gii-namadabinid (while he sat there).
(9) A‘pī kā‘kīci∙u∙nit, pānimāgu wạndcinawạtinānit īni’ᵘ mi‘tigōn päta‘kisunit i∙i∙mā ändānit; nōndāgusiwạn.
Apii gaa-giizhi’onid, baanimaa go wanjinawadinaanid iiniw mitigoon bedakisonid i’imaa endaanid; noondaagoziwan.
When he had finished painting himself, he suddenly made for a post that was standing there where they lived; the sound of his cry could be heard.
Apii gaa-giizhi’onid (when he had finished adorning himself), baanimaa go wanjinawadinaanid iiniw mitigoon (suddenly he sprang at a post) bedakisonid i’imaa endaanid (that stood there where they lived); noondaagoziwan (the sound of his voice was heard).
(10) “Ku‘ku’k, ku’‘kuk!” inwäwạn.
“Kokok, kokok!” inwewan.
“Ku’‘kuk, ku’‘kuk!” was his cry.
“Kokok, kokok!” (vocable, carried as printed) inwewan (such was his cry).
(11) Ānīc inābit Nänabucu, mämän owâbạmān; cigwa utạni kwä‘kwänibâbạmāni īni’ᵘ mi‘tigōn.
Aaniish inaabid Nenabosho, memen owaabamaan; zhigwa odanigwekwenibaabamaani iiniw mitigoon.
Now, when Nänabushu looked, he saw the red-head (woodpecker); and (the bird) kept busily nodding his head to see where to find something on the post.
Aaniish inaabid Nenabosho (now, when Nenabosho looked), memen owaabamaan (he saw the red-head woodpecker); zhigwa odanigwekwenibaabamaani iiniw mitigoon (and he kept bobbing his head along, eyeing the post).
(12) Cigu‘ku’ udạnikutcisạgạwāni; mī‘ku äcīgu‘kwäninit i∙i∙mā tcīgā‘tig.
Zhigo ko odanikojisagawaani; mii go ezhi-gokweninid i’imaa jiigaatig.
At last he began to try pecking the post; and occasionally, ceasing from his work, he held his head close to the post.
Zhigo ko odanikojisagawaani (at last he started pecking up along the post); mii go ezhi-gokweninid i’imaa jiigaatig (and he would tip his head close to the post — gokweni stem flagged; cf. footnote 3).
(13) Anīc, pīnicigu i∙i∙witi cpiming ạni∙a∙yāwạn, apī‘tcināg īni’ᵘ cayīgwa mādci‘kwä∙i∙gäwạn.
Aaniish, biinish igo i’iwidi shpiming ani-ayaawan, abiijinaag iiniw zhayiigwa maajikwe’igewan.
Now, by degrees he began making his way upward, every now and then he would begin pecking away.
Aaniish, biinish igo i’iwidi shpiming ani-ayaawan (now, little by little he worked his way up high), abiijinaag iiniw zhayiigwa maajikwe’igewan (every now and then he would start pecking away).
(14) Mīdạc ningutingiku, ini‘kwänininit, äsibạnạn pimiba‘tōwạn, mīsa’ minawā päjik pimibisōwạn.
Mii dash ningoding igo, inikwenininid, esibanan bimibatoowan, mii sa miinawaa bezhig bimibisoowan.
And so by and by, as he pecked, (Nänabushu saw) a raccoon come running (out), and then another came falling down.
Mii dash ningoding igo, inikwenininid (and so by and by, as he pecked), esibanan bimibatoowan (a raccoon came running out), mii sa miinawaa bezhig bimibisoowan (and then another came falling down).
(15) Mīsa’ nīⁿj kīnisāt ‘iᵉi’ᵘ äsibạnaᵉ, pā∙i∙jinīsā‘kwacimōnunit.
Mii sa niizh gii-nisaad i’iw esibanan, baa-izhi-niisaakwashimoononid.
And so, after killing the raccoons, he came down from the post.
Mii sa niizh gii-nisaad i’iw esibanan (and so, after he killed the two raccoons), baa-izhi-niisaakwashimoononid (he came down from the post).
(16) Mīsa’ äcimạmōnit i∙i∙mā kā∙a∙‘tōnit ucạngwanāning ‘iᵉi’ᵘ pīwâbi‘k.
Mii sa ezhi-mamoonid i’imaa gaa-atoonid oshangwanaaning i’iw biiwaabik.
Thereupon he removed the metal which he had placed there in his nose.
Mii sa ezhi-mamoonid i’imaa gaa-atoonid oshangwanaaning i’iw biiwaabik (thereupon he took out the metal he had put there in his nose).
(17) Mīsa’ äcigạba‘tawint ‘iᵉi’ᵘ äsibạnaᵉ; cigwa ạgwā∙ạ∙mawā tciwīsinit.
Mii sa ezhi-gabadawind i’iw esibanan; zhigwa agwaa’amawaa ji-wiisinid.
And then the raccoons were cooked for (Nänabushu); then they were dipped out for him to eat.
Mii sa ezhi-gabadawind i’iw esibanan (and then the raccoons were boiled for him); zhigwa agwaa’amawaa ji-wiisinid (then they were dipped out for him to eat).
(18) Mīsa’ cigwa’ kīwīsinit, cigwa’ kạnōnā: “Ānīc mīsa’ kä∙i∙jikīwäwitawatwā kinītcānisạg mini‘k äckwạntcigäyạn,” kī∙i∙nā.
Mii sa zhigwa gii-wiisinid, zhigwa ganoonaa; “Aaniish mii sa ge-izhi-kiiwewidawadwaa giniijaanisag minik eshkwanjigeyan,” gii-inaa.
And so then was he eating when he was addressed: “Now, therefore, do you carry back to your children as much as you do not eat,” he was told.
Mii sa zhigwa gii-wiisinid, zhigwa ganoonaa (and so when he was eating, he was spoken to); “Aaniish mii sa ge-izhi-kiiwewidawadwaa giniijaanisag (“now then, carry back to your children) minik eshkwanjigeyan,” (as much as you leave uneaten,”) gii-inaa (he was told).
(19) Mīsa’ mīnawā, wạnimō‘k, ᵉīgu∙i∙mā kā∙u∙ndcicägōntạgināt mīnawā ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ugīcō‘tä∙u∙naᵉ.
Mii sa miinawaa wanimook, igo imaa gaa-onji-shegoondaginaad miinawaa i’iw ogiizhoode’onan.
Thereupon again, without being seen, he slipped his mittens (in the balsam boughs under the mat).
Mii sa miinawaa wanimook (thereupon again, unseen), igo imaa gaa-onji-shegoondaginaad miinawaa i’iw ogiizhoode’onan (he tucked away his mittens there — shegoond-/shoode’on stem flagged).
(20) Mīsa’ mīnawā ạnimādcāt.
Mii sa miinawaa ani-maajaad.
So then again he set out on his way.
Mii sa miinawaa ani-maajaad (and so again he set out).
(21) Pānimāgu mạdwäpīpāgi, “Aⁱ!” mädwä∙i∙‘kitowạn.
Baanimaa go madwe-biibaagi, “Ay!” medwe’ikidowan.
After a while he heard somebody calling aloud: “Hey!” he heard some one saying.
Baanimaa go madwe-biibaagi (after a while a voice could be heard calling), “Ay!” medwe’ikidowan (“Hey!” someone was heard saying).
(22) “Kiwạnicigāgomä!” mạdwäi‘kitowạn.
“Giwanishigaagome!” madwe-ikidowan.
“You have forgotten something!” he heard him say.
“Giwanishigaagome!” (“you’ve forgotten something!”) madwe-ikidowan (he was heard saying).
(23) “Ānīc, wägutugwänigic?” i‘kituwạn ininiwạn.
“Aaniish, wegodogwenigish*?” ikidowan ininiwan.
“Why, what in the world is it?”(4) said the man.
“Aaniish, wegodogwenigish*?” (“why, what in the world is it?” — dubitative; cf. footnote 4) ikidowan ininiwan (said the man).
(24) Mīnạngwạna guca kägä‘t kābunit ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ugīcōtä∙u∙naᵉ.
Miinangwana gosha geget gaabonid i’iw ogiizhoode’onan.
It was really true that where (Nänabushu) had been were his mittens.
Miinangwana gosha geget gaabonid i’iw ogiizhoode’onan (it turned out, sure enough, that his mittens were left where he had been).
(25) “Wâsạgu undciwäbinạmawi‘k.
“Waasa go onji-webinamawik.
“From afar do you fling them to him.
“Waasa go onji-webinamawik (“from far off fling them to him).
(26) Kägu’ wīn i∙i∙witi päcocā‘kägun,” udināᵉ ‘iᵉi’ᵘ unīdcānisaᵉ.
Gego wiin i’iwidi beshoshaakegon,” odinaan i’iw oniijaanisan.
Do not go near to him,” he said to (his boys).
Gego wiin i’iwidi beshoshaakegon,” (don’t go near him over there,”) odinaan i’iw oniijaanisan (he said to his children).
(27) “Käya‘ku’ täbiwäbinạmawäg mī∙i∙mā a‘pī undciwäbinạmawi‘k,” udināᵉ ‘iᵉi’ᵘ unīdcānisaᵉ.
“Gaye go debiwebinamaweg mii imaa apii onji-webinamawik,” odinaan i’iw oniijaanisan.
“And from as far as you can throw is the distance you fling them to him,” he said to his children.
“Gaye go debiwebinamaweg mii imaa apii onji-webinamawik,” (“and from as far as you can throw, that is where you fling them to him,”) odinaan i’iw oniijaanisan (he said to his children).
(28) Ạnicā’ kägä‘t cigwa’ o∙ō’∙wīdac udināᵉ ‘iᵉi’ᵘ unīdcānisaᵉ: “Kāwīn ningutinō kīgabwā i∙gusīwā.”
Anishaa geget zhigwa o’ow idash odinaa i’iw oniijaanisa: “Gaawiin ningodinoo gii-ga-bwaa’igosiiwaa.”
Now, really, for fun only did he say this to his children: “In no way will he refrain from saying something to you.”
Anishaa geget zhigwa o’ow idash odinaa i’iw oniijaanisa (now, truly just in jest he said this to his children): “Gaawiin ningodinoo gii-ga-bwaa’igosiiwaa.” (“in no way will he refrain from saying something to you.”)
(29) Cigwasa’ kägä‘t udānawi∙a∙‘pạgitawāwān, o∙ō’∙widac udināᵉ Nänabucu: “Kägu’ kāwạnāgunäwäbināwāg.”
Zhigwa sa geget odaanawi-apagidawaawaan, o’ow idash odinaan Nenabosho: “Gego gaawanaagonewebinaawaag.”
When they were really in earnest about throwing them to him, then this Nänabushu said to them: “Do not fling them, lest they become lost in the snow.”
Zhigwa sa geget odaanawi-apagidawaawaan (now, truly when they were set to throw them to him), o’ow idash odinaan Nenabosho (this Nenabosho said to them): “Gego gaawanaagonewebinaawaag.” (“don’t fling them, lest they be lost in the snow.”)
(30) Mīdạc kägä‘t kā∙i∙cimīnāwāt.
Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-miinaawaad.
Whereupon they truly went and handed them to him.
Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-miinaawaad (whereupon truly they handed them to him).
(31) Ānawi pimādci ba∙i∙tiwạg īgi’ᵘ kwīwicäncạg kā∙i∙ciināt: “A‘kawä, i∙i∙mā ayāyu‘k!”
Aanawi bimaajiba’idiwag iigiw gwiiwizhenshag gaa-izhi-inaad: “Akawe, i’imaa ayaayok!”
In the act of starting to run away were the boys when (this) he said to them: “Hold, wait there!”
Aanawi bimaajiba’idiwag iigiw gwiiwizhenshag (the boys were already starting to run off) gaa-izhi-inaad: “Akawe, i’imaa ayaayok!” (when he said to them: “Hold on, stay there!”)
(32) Oᵉo’dạc udināᵉ: “Kägä‘tisa’ kiba‘kadämwāsa,” udināᵉ.
O’ow dash odinaan: “Geget isa gibakademwaasa,” odinaan.
And this he said to them: “Really, you must be pretty hungry,” he said to them.
O’ow dash odinaan (and this he said to them): “Geget isa gibakademwaasa,” (“truly, you must be quite hungry,”) odinaan (he said to them).
(33) “Mī guca wīni iᵘ päbātạcī‘käwāt īgi’ᵘ kītcikiwäⁿ∙i∙wāg; mīgu iᵘ pimitä päpā∙o∙pạgạmāgạniwāt päpātacī‘käwāt īgi’ᵘ kītcikiwäⁿ∙i∙wāg, ‘iᵉi’ᵘ maskawatcipimitä.
“Mii gosha wiini iw bebaadaashiikewaad iigiw giijikiweniwaag; mii go iw bimide bebaa’opagamaaganiwaad bebaadashiikewaad iigiw giijikiweniwaag, i’iw mashkawajibimide.
“That is exactly the way of your brothers wherever they are; it is grease that your brothers give so bountifully wherever they are, the hard frozen grease.
“Mii gosha wiini iw bebaadaashiikewaad iigiw giijikiweniwaag (“that is just the way of your brothers wherever they go about); mii go iw bimide bebaa’opagamaaganiwaad bebaadashiikewaad iigiw giijikiweniwaag (it is grease your brothers hand out as they go about), i’iw mashkawajibimide (the hard-frozen grease).
(34) Ạmbäsinō, a‘pī wâbạng kōsiwā tapī∙i∙cā,” udināᵉ.
Ambe sa noo, apii waabang koosiwaa da-bii-izhaa,” odinaan.
Pray, when the morrow comes, let your father come over,” he said to them.
Ambe sa noo, apii waabang koosiwaa da-bii-izhaa,” (“come now, when tomorrow comes let your father come over,”) odinaan (he said to them).
(35) Mīsa’ änicimādcāt.
Mii sa eni-izhi-maajaad.
And then on his way he went.
Mii sa eni-izhi-maajaad (and then on his way he went).
(36) Tägucing ändāwāt, ujī‘tā mi‘tigōn; ubada‘kinān ändāwāt, wä‘kwāgān ugī∙u∙ji‘tōn kayä.
Degoshing endaawaad, ozhiitaa mitigoon; obadakinaan endaawaad, wekwaagaan ogii-ozhitoon gaye.
When he arrived at where they lived, he made ready for a post; he placed it standing in (the place) where they lived, for he too had made a long lodge.
Degoshing endaawaad (when he arrived at where they lived), ozhiitaa mitigoon (he got a post ready); obadakinaan endaawaad (he stood it up where they lived), wekwaagaan ogii-ozhitoon gaye (and he too had made a long lodge).
(37) Mīdạc ägut īni’ᵘ wīwạn: “Indạckā mīnawā kā∙i∙cinawāgwän awiya,” udigōn īni’ᵘ wīwạn.
Mii dash egod iiniw wiiwan: “Indashkaa miinawaa gaa-izhi-nawaagwen awiya,” odigoon iiniw wiiwan.
And this he was told by his wife: “No doubt but that he must have seen somebody else doing that,” he was told by his wife.
Mii dash egod iiniw wiiwan (and this his wife said to him): “Indashkaa miinawaa gaa-izhi-nawaagwen awiya,” (“no doubt you must have seen someone else doing this,”) odigoon iiniw wiiwan (he was told by his wife).
(38) “Ạmạndcigisa’, äcimiwạnän kägō ānawi cictcigäyānin?” udinān īni’ᵘ wīwạn.
“Amanjig isa, ezhimiwanen gegoo aanawi zhichigeyaanin?” odinaan iiniw wiiwan.
“Now, why should you want to dissuade me from something I wish to do?” he said to his wife.
“Amanjig isa, ezhimiwanen gegoo aanawi zhichigeyaanin?” (“why on earth would you talk me out of something I mean to do?”) odinaan iiniw wiiwan (he said to his wife).
(39) Ānīc, ugī∙u∙ninān kayä īni’ᵘ usānạmạnạn kayä īni’ᵘ ukạnāsạnwīn.
Aaniish, ogii-oninaan gaye iiniw osaanamanan gaye iiniw okanaasanwiin.
Now, he put in order for use his paint and his bone spear.
Aaniish, ogii-oninaan gaye iiniw osaanamanan gaye iiniw okanaasanwiin (now, he set in order his paint and his bone spear).
(40) Mīsa’ kī‘kīcī‘tāt cayīgwa kīgitōwaᵉ unīdcānisaᵉ: “Pīwitä!” i‘kitōwaᵉ.
Mii sa gii-giizhiitaad zhayiigwa giigidoowag oniijaanisan: “Biiwide!” ikidoowag.
And so by the time he was ready, then said his children: “A visitor!” they said.
Mii sa gii-giizhiitaad zhayiigwa (and so when he was ready) giigidoowag oniijaanisan: “Biiwide!” ikidoowag (his children spoke up: “A visitor!” they said).
(41) Ānīc mīsa’ äcipīndigāguwāt īni’ᵘ pīwitän.
Aaniish mii sa ezhi-biindigaagowaad iiniw biiwiden.
So thereupon in where they were came the visitor.
Aaniish mii sa ezhi-biindigaagowaad iiniw biiwiden (so thereupon the visitor came in to them).
(42) Mīngwana dạc īni’ᵘ mämän, ānīc, mīwạniniᵘ tinowạn kā∙u∙disāt.
Miingwana dash iiniw memen, aaniish, miiwaniniw dinowan gaa-odisaad.
It happened to be the red-head, why, the very same one whom he had visited.
Miingwana dash iiniw memen (it turned out to be the red-head), aaniish, miiwaniniw dinowan gaa-odisaad (why, the very same one he had visited).
(43) Cigwasa’ ogạnōnān īni’ᵘ wīwạn: “Ānīn dạcinā iᵘ ạmbä, kigä∙ā∙siwạng ‘aᵉa’ᵘ pīwitä?” udinān īni’ᵘ wīwạn.
Zhigwa sa oganoonaan iiniw wiiwan: “Aaniin dash inaa iw ambe, gige-aasiwang a’aw biiwide?” odinaan iiniw wiiwan.
Then he spoke to his wife, saying: “Why is it, pray, we don’t feed the guest?” he said to his wife.
Zhigwa sa oganoonaan iiniw wiiwan (then he spoke to his wife): “Aaniin dash inaa iw ambe, gige-aasiwang a’aw biiwide?” (“why, pray, do we not feed this visitor?”) odinaan iiniw wiiwan (he said to his wife).
(44) Cigwa ugạnōnigōn: “Wägunäci iᵘ äyāyang kägīgä∙i∙wäyạng?”
Zhigwa oganoonigoon: “Wegoneshi iw eyaayang gegiige’iweyang?”
Then he was answered: “What on earth have we to feed him?”
Zhigwa oganoonigoon (then he was answered): “Wegoneshi iw eyaayang gegiige’iweyang?” (“what on earth do we have to feed him with?”)
(45) Ānīc unickimigōn īni’ᵘ wīwạn.
Aaniish onishkimigoon iiniw wiiwan.
Naturally he was angered by his wife (for speaking so).
Aaniish onishkimigoon iiniw wiiwan (naturally his wife made him angry).
(46) “Cayīgwusa pīˢtca unagōc ‘aᵉa’ᵘ aki‘k,” udinān īni’ᵘ wīwạn.
“Zhayiigwa sa biicha* onagoozh a’aw akik,” odinaan iiniw wiiwan.
“Now, you hang up the kettle,” he said to his wife.
“Zhayiigwa sa biicha* onagoozh a’aw akik,” (“now then, hang up that kettle,”) odinaan iiniw wiiwan (he said to his wife).
(47) Mīsa’ gägä‘t ‘aᵉa’ᵘ i‘kwä ạnạgōnāt īni’ᵘ udạki‘kōn.
Mii sa geget a’aw ikwe anagoonaad iiniw odakikoon.
Thereupon truly the woman hung up her kettle.
Mii sa geget a’aw ikwe anagoonaad iiniw odakikoon (thereupon truly the woman hung up her kettle).
(48) Ānīc, mīsa’ cayīgwa wawäci∙u∙t Nänabucu, äcimiskunạnk ‘iᵉi’ᵘ ucạngwan.
Aaniish, mii sa zhayiigwa waweshi’od Nenabosho, ezhi-miskonang i’iw oshangwan.
So it was then that Nänabushu began painting himself, painting his nose red.
Aaniish, mii sa zhayiigwa waweshi’od Nenabosho (so it was then that Nenabosho adorned himself), ezhi-miskonang i’iw oshangwan (painting his nose red).
(49) Ānīc, cigwa, mīnawā ucägwunān ‘iᵉi’ᵘ piwâbi‘k i∙i∙mā acingwạnāng.
Aaniish, zhigwa, miinawaa oshegwonaan i’iw biiwaabik i’imaa ashingwanaang.
Now, then, next he stuck the metal in his nose.
Aaniish, zhigwa, miinawaa oshegwonaan i’iw biiwaabik i’imaa ashingwanaang (now, then, next he set the metal there in his nose).
(50) Mägwāsạgu nạmạdạbit wädcipasingwitcisät nawạtināt īni’ᵘ mi‘tigōn kāpata‘kināt; ạnia‘kwāntawät.
Megwaa sa go namadabid weji-basingwijised nawadinaad iiniw mitigoon gaa-padakinaad; ani-akwaandawed.
And while seated, up from there he leaped, seizing the post that he had put up; on up the post he went.
Megwaa sa go namadabid weji-basingwijised (and while seated, from there he sprang up) nawadinaad iiniw mitigoon gaa-padakinaad (seizing the post he had stood up); ani-akwaandawed (on up he climbed).
(51) Cayīgwa nōndāgusi: “Ku‘ku’k, ku‘ku’k, ku‘ku’k, ku‘ku’k,” inwä.
Zhayiigwa noondaagozi: “Gokok, gokok, gokok, gokok,” inwe.
Presently he was heard uttering: “Ku‘ku’k, ku‘ku’k, ku‘ku’k, ku‘ku’k!” (such) was the cry he uttered.
Zhayiigwa noondaagozi (presently he was heard): “Gokok, gokok, gokok, gokok,” (vocable, carried as printed) inwe (such was his cry).
(52) Cayīgwasa ānīc kā∙i∙cinawātigu ijictcigä, cigwasa’ uwīpā‘kwäwān īni’ᵘ mi‘tigōn.
Zhayiigwa sa aaniish gaa-izhi-nawaadigo izhichige, zhigwa sa owiipaakwewaan iiniw mitigoon.
Now, what he had previously seen them do he was doing now, he was now pecking the post.
Zhayiigwa sa aaniish gaa-izhi-nawaadigo izhichige (now then, just as he had seen done he was doing), zhigwa sa owiipaakwewaan iiniw mitigoon (now he was pecking the post).
(53) Pitcīnạg ābiting äni‘kwänit, äcipata‘kiskāgut, pạnä mī∙i∙gu kīpimibisu; pạngicing panägu kābi‘ti‘ku‘kạmigicing.
Bijiinag aabiding enikwenid, ezhi-padakishkaagod, pane mii igo gii-bimibizo; bangishing pane go gaa-bidigokamigishing.
At the first peck he made, he was pierced by the metal, whereupon down he fell; when he fell, he struck the ground with a thud.
Bijiinag aabiding enikwenid (at the very first peck he made), ezhi-padakishkaagod (he was pierced by the metal), pane mii igo gii-bimibizo (and straightway down he fell); bangishing pane go gaa-bidigokamigishing (falling, he struck the ground with a thud).
(54) Ānīc, miskwi ucạngwanāng.
Aaniish, miskwi oshangwanaang.
Well, his nose was bleeding.
Aaniish, miskwi oshangwanaang (well, his nose was bleeding).
(55) Mīsa’ ä‘kitonit īni’ᵘ upīwitämiwān: “Ānīnā iᵘ mayāwibināsiwạt?” īni’ᵘ māwạn īni’ᵘ i‘kwäwạn.
Mii sa ekidonid iiniw obiiwidemiwaan: “Aaniinaa iw mayaawibinaasiwaad?” iiniw maawan iiniw ikwewan.
Thereupon said their visitor: “Why do you not lift and set him up?” was what he said to the woman.
Mii sa ekidonid iiniw obiiwidemiwaan (thereupon their visitor said): “Aaniinaa iw mayaawibinaasiwaad?” (“why do you not lift him up and set him right?”) iiniw maawan iiniw ikwewan (he said to the woman).
(56) Mīsa’ gägä‘t äjimayāwibināt ‘aᵉa’ᵘ i‘kwä.
Mii sa geget ezhi-mayaawibinaad a’aw ikwe.
Thereupon truly the woman lifted and set him up.
Mii sa geget ezhi-mayaawibinaad a’aw ikwe (thereupon truly the woman lifted and set him up).
(57) O∙ō∙widạc udigōn īni’ᵘ pīwitämiwān: “Udickunān māwīn īni’ᵘ usānạmạnạn.
O’ow idash odigoon iiniw biiwidemiwaan: “Odishkonaan maawiin iiniw osaanamanan.
And this she was told by their visitor: “Doubtless he may have left unused some of his paint.
O’ow idash odigoon iiniw biiwidemiwaan (and this their visitor said to her): “Odishkonaan maawiin iiniw osaanamanan (“no doubt he has left over some of his paint).
(58) Ạmbäsinō, pīc,” udigōn.
Ambe sa noo, biish,” odigoon.
Pray, give it to me,” she was told.
Ambe sa noo, biish,” (“come now, give it here,”) odigoon (she was told).
(59) Mīdạc gägä‘t, äcimīnāt, acimiskunạmit ‘iᵉi’ᵘ uˢka‘tiguni.
Mii dash geget, ezhi-miinaad, azhi-miskonamid i’iw ogatigoni.
And so truly, when she gave it to him, he painted the forehead (of her husband) red.
Mii dash geget, ezhi-miinaad (and so truly, when she gave it to him), azhi-miskonamid i’iw ogatigoni (he reddened the forehead).
(60) Mīnawā utibābạndamowānini kāgīcägunạnk imā cingwạnāng.
Miinawaa odibaabandamowaanini gaa-giizhegonang imaa shingwanaang.
Furthermore, she examined what he had stuck into his nose.
Miinawaa odibaabandamowaanini gaa-giizhegonang imaa shingwanaang (furthermore, she examined what he had stuck there in his nose).
(61) Kägä‘t, äjiwī‘kubitawāt, äcimināt īni’ᵘ pīwitämiwān.
Geget, ezhi-wiikobidawaad, ezhi-miinaad iiniw biiwidemiwaan.
Truly, when she pulled it out, she then gave it to their visitor.
Geget, ezhi-wiikobidawaad (truly, when she pulled it out), ezhi-miinaad iiniw biiwidemiwaan (she gave it to their visitor).
(62) Mägwāgu nạmạdạbinit, pānimāgu undcinōndāgusinit mämän; äcinawạtinānit īni’ᵘ mi‘tigōn, mīsa’ utạnikwä kwänibābamāni, andigwa‘ku ạnigakwātikwä∙i∙gäwạn.
*Megwaa go namadabinid, baanimaa go onji-noondaagozinid memen; ezhi-nawadinaanid iiniw mitigoon, mii sa odanikwekwenibaabamaani, aandigwago ani-gakwaadigwe’igewan.**
And while seated, of a sudden the red-head began calling; when he seized the post, he examined place after place as if, as he went along, he was testing where to peck.
Megwaa go namadabinid (and while he sat there), baanimaa go onji-noondaagozinid memen (of a sudden the red-head began calling); ezhi-nawadinaanid iiniw mitigoon (when he seized the post), mii sa odanikwekwenibaabamaani (he kept bobbing his head, looking it over), aandigwago* ani-gakwaadigwe’igewan (as if testing where to peck along the way).
(63) Cigwasa mādi‘kwä∙i∙gäwạn, äsibạnạn kīpimibisōwạn, āca mīnawā päcig; mīsa nīⁿj kīnisānit, pa∙i∙cinīsā‘kucimōnạnit.
Zhigwa sa maadikwe’igewan, esibanan gii-bimibizoowan aazha miinawaa bezhig; mii sa niizh gii-nisaanid, ba-izhi-niisaakoshimoonanid.
Presently, when beginning to peck, a raccoon came tumbling out, then later another; whereupon, on killing two of them, he then came down from the post.
Zhigwa sa maadikwe’igewan (presently, when he began pecking), esibanan gii-bimibizoowan aazha miinawaa bezhig (a raccoon came tumbling out, then another); mii sa niizh gii-nisaanid (and so, killing two of them), ba-izhi-niisaakoshimoonanid (he came down from the post).
(64) Ānīc, mī iᵘ cigwa kīmi‘kawit Nänabucu, udigōn: “Mī iᵘ ta∙i∙ciwīsiniyu‘k kinīdcānisạg,” udigōn.
Aaniish mii iw zhigwa gii-mikawid Nenabosho odigoon: “Mii iw da-izhi-wiisiniyok giniijaanisag,” odigoon.
Well, so when back to consciousness came Nänabushu, he was told: “Therefore do you and your children eat,” he was told.
Aaniish mii iw zhigwa gii-mikawid Nenabosho (well, when Nenabosho came back to himself) odigoon: “Mii iw da-izhi-wiisiniyok giniijaanisag,” odigoon (he was told: “now you and your children may eat,” he was told).
(65) Mīsa’ gägä‘t ạnicimādcānit, mīsạnā kīwisiniwāt.
Mii sa geget ani-zhi-maajaanid, mii sa naa gii-wiisiniwaad.
Thereupon truly when the other set forth on his way, then did they eat.
Mii sa geget ani-zhi-maajaanid (thereupon truly when the other set out on his way), mii sa naa gii-wiisiniwaad (then did they eat).
(1) For other versions see Nos. 42 (p.357) and 53 (p.423).
(2) Okanaasanwiin, “bone-pointed spear”; literally, “bone missile.”
(3) äc_gu’kwäninit in text, so could be ezhiigokweninid.
(4) The sense of the sentence is perhaps best conveyed by turning it into this: “(I don’t know) what it can be (that he has forgotten).” (Jones 1917, p. 307).