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.
51. NÄNABUSHU AND THE MOOSE-HEAD.
Nanabushu and the Moose-Head
Narrated by Penessi — Series 7 (Nos. 44–56), Fort William (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 kī∙ạ∙nimādcād.
Mii dash gii-ani-maajaad.
Thereupon he started on his way.
Mii dash (and so) gii-ani-maajaad (he set out on his way).
(2) Mīdạc kīnạgickawād ininiwạn, ā‘pidci uniciciwạn.
Mii dash gii-nagishkawaad ininiwan, aapiji onizhishiwan.
And then he met with a man, very handsome was he.
Mii dash (and then) gii-nagishkawaad ininiwan (he met a man), aapiji onizhishiwan (very handsome was he).
(3) ‘Ā, mīgwanaᵉ uctigwāning!
Aa, miigwanan oshtigwaaning!
Ah, the feathers upon his head!
Aa (ah), miigwanan (the feathers) oshtigwaaning (upon his head)!
(4) Nänabuju ogạnōnān: “‘Ā, nīdci, ānīndi äjāyạn?”
Nenaboozhoo oganoonaan: “Aa, niijii, aaniindi ezhaayan?”
Nanabushu spoke to him, saying: “Well, my friend, whither are you bound?”
Nenaboozhoo oganoonaan (Nanabushu spoke to him): “Aa (well), niijii (my friend), aaniindi ezhaayan (where are you going)?”
(5) “Ā, ạnicāsạgo nimbạbāmādis; kīnîdạc, ānindi äjāyạn?”¹
“Aa, anishaa sa go nimbabaamaadis; giin idash, aaniindi ezhaayan?”
“Oh, I am just simply travelling about; and you, where are you going?”
“Aa (oh), anishaa sa go (just for nothing) nimbabaamaadis (I am travelling about); giin idash (and you), aaniindi ezhaayan (where are you going)?” (1)
(6) “Kā, anicāgunā gayä nīn nimbạbāmādis.”
“Gaa, anishaa go naa gaye niin nimbabaamaadis.”
“Oh, I too am simply wandering aimlessly about.”
“Gaa (oh), anishaa go naa (just simply) gaye niin (I too) nimbabaamaadis (am wandering about).”
(7) Mi‘tigwābīn oda‘kunān ‘aᵉa’ᵘ inini, Nänabujūdạc ogạnōnān: “Tā, nīdci käᵉgätsa’ unicici kimi‘tigwāb.
Mitigwaabiin odakonaan a’aw inini, Nenaboozhoo dash oganoonaan: “Daa, niijii geget sa onizhishi gi-mitigwaab.
A bow the man held in his hand, and Nanabushu addressed him, saying: “Why, my friend, truly handsome is your bow.
Mitigwaabiin odakonaan (a bow he was holding) a’aw inini (that man), Nenaboozhoo dash oganoonaan (and Nanabushu spoke to him): “Daa (why), niijii (my friend), geget sa onizhishi (truly handsome it is) gi-mitigwaab (your bow).
(8) Skumā bīc, nīngạgạgwätāgîbinā.”
Shkomaa biish, ninga-gagwedaagibiinaa.”
Just you hand it over to me, I want to see how it pulls.”
Shkomaa biish (just hand it over), ninga-gagwedaagibiinaa (I will test its pull).”
(9) “Ā, kāwīn! Kāwīka awiya nindawi∙ā∙sī.”
“Aa, gaawiin! Gaa wiikaa awiya nindawi’aasii.”
“Ah, no! never do I turn it over to any one.”
“Aa (ah), gaawiin (no)! Gaa wiikaa (never) awiya nindawi’aasii (do I hand it to anyone).”
(10) “Ā, mānō, nīdci, kạnạgägō ạdcinā!”
“Aa, maanoo, niijii, gaa na gegoo ajina!”
“Oh, please, my friend, just only for a moment!”
“Aa (oh), maanoo (please), niijii (my friend), gaa na gegoo ajina (just for a little while)!”
(11) Kînwäⁿj ugītạcimān.
Ginwenzh ogii-dashimaan.
A long while, he coaxed him.
Ginwenzh (a long while) ogii-dashimaan (he coaxed him).
(12) Käga‘pī ugīmīnigōn īni’ᵘ mi‘tigwābīn, Nänabujūdạc ugạgwädāgibinān mi‘tigwābīn.
Gegapii ogii-miinigoon iniw mitigwaabiin, Nenaboozhoo dash ogagwedaagibiinaan mitigwaabiin.
At last he was given the bow, and Nanabushu tested the spring of the bow.
Gegapii (at last) ogii-miinigoon iniw mitigwaabiin (he was given the bow), Nenaboozhoo dash ogagwedaagibiinaan mitigwaabiin (and Nanabushu tested the pull of the bow).
(13) “Tāᵃ, käᵉgätsa’ minwāgizi.
“Taa geget sa minwaagizi.
Why, to be sure, it pulls finely.
“Taa (why), geget sa minwaagizi (truly it pulls well).
(14) Skumā wīn ī∙i∙wä kidasawān.”
Shkomaa wiin i’iwe gidasawaan.”
Just (hand me) over that arrow of yours.”
Shkomaa wiin (just) i’iwe gidasawaan (that arrow of yours).”
(15) Kînwäⁿj ānawi ogīsāgi‘tāgōn, käga‘pī ogīmīnigōn.
Ginwenzh aanawi ogii-saagitaagoon, gegapii ogii-miinigoon.
With all his pleading, yet a long while was it withheld from him, but finally it was given to him.
Ginwenzh aanawi (a long while, even so) ogii-saagitaagoon (it was withheld from him), gegapii ogii-miinigoon (at last it was given to him).
(16) Mī∙i∙dạc kā∙i∙jinābisitōd ī∙i∙māⁿ ạtcābīnk; mī∙i∙dạc kạgwätāgibināt Nänabucū mi‘tigwâbin, mī∙i’∙ᵘ kā∙i∙jipîmwād īni’ᵘ ininiwạn kānạgickawā‘pạn.
Mii idash gaa-izhi-naabisidood i’imaa ajaabiing; mii idash gagwedaagibiinaad Nenaboozhoo mitigwaabiin, mii iw gaa-izhi-bimwaad iniw ininiwan gaa-nagishkawaapan.
Thereupon he fitted it in place on the bowstring ; and when Nanabushu pulled upon the bow, he thereupon shot the man whom he had met.
Mii idash gaa-izhi-naabisidood (and so he fitted it in place) i’imaa ajaabiing (there on the bowstring); mii idash gagwedaagibiinaad Nenaboozhoo mitigwaabiin (and as Nanabushu drew the bow), mii iw gaa-izhi-bimwaad (then he shot him) iniw ininiwan gaa-nagishkawaapan (that man whom he had met).
(17) Mōⁿzunk kī∙i∙jināguziwạn a‘pī gānisāt; ā‘pidci wīninōwạn.
Moozong gii-izhinaagoziwan apii gaa-nisaad; aapiji wiininoowan.
Like a moose he looked, after (Nanabushu) had slain him ; he was ever so fat.
Moozong gii-izhinaagoziwan (like a moose he looked) apii gaa-nisaad (when he had killed him); aapiji wiininoowan (very fat was he).
(18) Kistcimînwändạm Nänabujū kistciwīsinit.
Gichi-minwendam Nenaboozhoo gichi-wiisinid.
Highly pleased was Nanabushu to have a great heap of food.
Gichi-minwendam Nenaboozhoo (greatly pleased was Nanabushu) gichi-wiisinid (to eat a great deal).
(19) Mī∙i∙dạc kā∙i∙jipigickijwād īni’ᵘ mōⁿzōn, ā‘pidcidạc wänicicink wīyās ugīkījizān wāmīdcit; pimidä gayä.
Mii idash gaa-izhi-pi-gishkizhwaad iniw moozoon, aapiji dash wenizhishing wiiyaas ogii-kiizhizaan waa-miijid; bimide gaye.
Accordingly he cut the moose up into pieces, and very nice was the meat he cooked to eat ; and the grease too (was savory).
Mii idash gaa-izhi-pi-gishkizhwaad iniw moozoon (and so he cut up the moose), aapiji dash wenizhishing wiiyaas (and very fine meat) ogii-kiizhizaan waa-miijid (he cooked, what he would eat); bimide gaye (and the grease too).
(20) Kā‘kījidänik, mīdạc kī∙ạ∙gwā∙i∙zä‘kwät.
Gaa-giizhidenig, mii dash gii-agwaa’izekwed.
When it was done, he accordingly took it out of the kettle.
Gaa-giizhidenig (when it was cooked), mii dash gii-agwaa’izekwed (then he took it out of the kettle).
(21) Cī’gwa wīmādạndcigät, kizībā‘kwạt.
Zhigwa wii-maadanjiged, giziibaakwad.
Just as he was on the point of eating, there was a creaking noise.
Zhigwa wii-maadanjiged (just as he was about to begin eating), giziibaakwad (there was a creaking sound).
(22) “Tciēⁿ, tciēⁿ,” inwänik.
“Ji’iin, ji’iin,” inwenig.
“Tciēⁿ, tciēⁿ!” was the way it sounded.
“Ji’iin, ji’iin,” (a vocable, carried as sounded) inwenig (so it sounded).
(23) Kāwin omino‘tạnzīn.
Gaawiin ominotanziin.
He did not like the sound.
Gaawiin ominotanziin (he did not like the sound of it).
(24) “Ictä, pîzān tāga!”
“Ishte, bizaan daga!”
“Now, do you keep silent !”
“Ishte (now then), bizaan daga (do be still)!”
(25) Äckamigu kijīwä ī∙i’∙ᵘ kizībā‘kwạt.
Eshkam igo gizhiiwe i’iw giziibaakwad.
Still louder grew the noise of the creaking.
Eshkam igo gizhiiwe (louder and louder it sounded) i’iw giziibaakwad (that creaking).
(26) Nänabujudạc kīpạsigwī, ogīmạnijān pạngī ojōbīn.
Nenaboozhoo dash gii-pasigwii, ogii-manizhaan bangii ozhoobiin.
Nanabushu rose to his feet, sliced off a little bit of (fatty) tenderloin.
Nenaboozhoo dash gii-pasigwii (and Nanabushu rose to his feet), ogii-manizhaan bangii ozhoobiin (he sliced off a little of the tenderloin).
(27) Mīdạc ädạnk ī∙i’∙ᵘ kizībā‘kwạt: “Käᵉgätsa’ kidōmbīgis.
Mii dash edang i’iw giziibaakwad: “Geget sa gidoombiigis.
And then he said to the creaking noise : “Really, too much of a noise are you making.
Mii dash edang i’iw giziibaakwad (and so he said to the creaking): “Geget sa gidoombiigis (truly you are making too much noise).
(28) Kīwạnickwäm wīwīsiniyān.
Gii-wanishkwem wii-wiisiniyaan.
You are annoying me when I want to eat.
Gii-wanishkwem (you are disturbing me) wii-wiisiniyaan (when I want to eat).
(29) Owä gayä gīn mīdcin.”
Owe gaye giin miijin.”
This too do you eat.”
Owe gaye giin (this too, you) miijin (eat).”
(30) Mīdạc Nänabuju a‘tōd ī∙i’∙ᵘ pimidä kizībā‘kwạt ogīta‘kwạmigun.
Mii dash Nenaboozhoo atood i’iw bimide giziibaakwad ogii-dakwamigon.
And when Nanabushu placed the fat in where the creaking noise was made, he was caught fast.
Mii dash Nenaboozhoo atood i’iw bimide (and when Nanabushu put the fat) giziibaakwad ogii-dakwamigon (into the creaking place, it bit and held him).
(31) Mī∙i∙māⁿ kī∙ạ∙gōdcink kistciginwäⁿc, pīnic ạnōdc awäsīyạg — ma∙ī∙ngạnạg; kwingwa∙ā∙gäg, udcīgạg, wâgucạg — gītạgwicinōg kī∙ạ∙mwāwād mōzōn; kāgāgiwạg gayä.
Mii imaa gii-agoojing gichi-ginwenzh, biinish anooj awesiiyag — ma’iinganag; gwiingwa’aageg, ojiigag, waagoshag — gii-dagwishinoog gii-amwaawaad moozoon; gaagaagiwag gaye.
Accordingly there he hung for a great while, until all sorts of game-folk – wolves, martens, fishers, foxes – arrived to eat the moose; ravens too (arrived).
Mii imaa gii-agoojing gichi-ginwenzh (and so there he hung a very long while), biinish anooj awesiiyag (until all sorts of animals) — ma’iinganag (wolves); gwiingwa’aageg (wolverines/martens), ojiigag (fishers), waagoshag (foxes) — gii-dagwishinoog gii-amwaawaad moozoon (arrived and ate the moose); gaagaagiwag gaye (ravens too).
(32) Pānimā ka‘kina kā‘kidạmunt ‘aᵉa’ᵘ mōⁿs mī∙i’∙ᵘ pîdcīnạg, kīpạgidạmigut Nänabujū ī∙i’∙ᵘ kizībā‘kwạt.
Baanimaa gakina gaa-gidamond a’aw mooz mii iw bijiinag, gii-pagidamigod Nenaboozhoo i’iw giziibaakwad.
Not till the whole of the moose was eaten up, was Nanabushu freed from the grip of the creaking place.
Baanimaa gakina gaa-gidamond a’aw mooz (not until the whole moose was eaten up) mii iw bijiinag (only then), gii-pagidamigod Nenaboozhoo i’iw giziibaakwad (was Nanabushu released by the creaking place).
(33) A‘pidci wīwisini kī∙i∙jā iimāⁿ abini‘pạn īni’ᵘ mōzōn.
Aapiji wii-wiisini gii-izhaa i’imaa abinipan iniw moozoon.
Very eager was he to eat, and he went over to where the moose had been.
Aapiji wii-wiisini (very eager to eat was he) gii-izhaa i’imaa abinipan iniw moozoon (he went there where the moose had been).
(34) Mīyä‘ta u‘kạnan ä‘tänig, ustigwānigägạn kayä a‘täni.
Mii eta okanan etenig, oshtigwaanigegan gaye ateni.
Only its bones were left, its skull was there too.
Mii eta okanan etenig (only its bones were there), oshtigwaanigegan gaye ateni (and its skull lay there too).
(35) Mēdạc äjiwâbạmād wawâbigạnōdcīyaᵉ pīndigänit imāⁿ mons ustigwānig.
Mii dash ezhi-waabamaad waawaabiganoojiiyan biindigenid imaan mooz oshtigwaaning.
Thereupon he saw some mice (2) go into the head of the moose.
Mii dash ezhi-waabamaad waawaabiganoojiiyan (then he saw mice) biindigenid imaan mooz oshtigwaaning (going into there, the moose’s head).
(36) Owâbạndạn pạngī a‘tänig winindîp.
Owaabandaan bangii atenig wiinindib.
He saw that a little bit of the brains was left.
Owaabandaan bangii atenig (he saw that a little was left) wiinindib (of the brains).
(37) “A‘pägic mīdciyān!” inändạm mīdạc äjikạnōnāt wawâbigạnōdciyaᵉ: “Kitāgạckitō nāwāna gayä nīn ī∙i’∙ᵘ tcī∙i∙niginiyān äyāniginiyäg?”
“Apegish miijiyaan!” inendam mii dash ezhi-ganoonaad waawaabiganoojiiyan: “Gidaa-gashkitoonaawaa na gaye niin i’iw ji-iniginiyaan eyaniginiyeg?”
“Would that I might eat it !” he thought. Thereupon he spoke to the mice, saying : “ Could you bring it about so that I might be of the same size as you ?”
“Apegish miijiyaan (would that I might eat it)!” inendam (he thought) mii dash ezhi-ganoonaad waawaabiganoojiiyan (and so he spoke to the mice): “Gidaa-gashkitoonaawaa na (could you bring it about) gaye niin i’iw ji-iniginiyaan (that I too might be the size) eyaniginiyeg (that you are)?”
(38) “Ā, kāwīn!” udigōn.
“Aa, gaawiin!” odigoon.
“Ah, no!” he was told.
“Aa (ah), gaawiin (no)!” odigoon (he was told).
(39) “Uzām kīmindit,” udigōn.
“Ozaam gi-mindid,” odigoon.
“Of too large a size are you,” he was told.
“Ozaam gi-mindid (you are too big),” odigoon (he was told).
(40) “Ā, mānū kayänīn nīwīpīndigä imāⁿ mōⁿs ustigwāning!”
“Aa, maanoo gaye niin niwii-piindige imaa mooz oshtigwaaning!”
“Ah, please let me go into the head of the moose too!”
“Aa (ah), maanoo (please) gaye niin niwii-piindige (I too want to go in) imaa mooz oshtigwaaning (there into the moose’s head)!”
(41) “Awāwisa’,” udigōn.
“Ahaaw isa,” odigoon.
“All right, then,” he was told.
“Ahaaw isa (all right then),” odigoon (he was told).
(42) “Omāⁿ yä‘ta kistigwāning kīgadagāⁿcī’ⁿyᵉ.”
“Omaa eta gi-shtigwaaning gigad-agaashiinyi.”
“Only here at your head will you be made small.”
“Omaa eta gi-shtigwaaning (only here at your head) gigad-agaashiinyi (you will be made small).”
(43) Mīdec wāwābiganōdcīyink gī∙i∙ni‘kuguictigwānät.
Mii dash waawaabiganoojiiying gii-inikogo ishtigwaaned.
Thereupon like unto the head of a mouse was the size of his head.
Mii dash waawaabiganoojiiying gii-inikogo ishtigwaaned (and so to the size of a mouse his head became).
(44) Mīdạc kī‘pīndi‘kwänit, “Pä‘kāgu wīsinin,” udigōn.
Mii dash gii-piindikwenid, “Bekaa go wiisinin,” odigoon.
And so when he stuck his head in, “Slowly do you eat,” he was told.
Mii dash gii-piindikwenid (and so when he poked his head in), “Bekaa go wiisinin (slowly eat),” odigoon (he was told).
(45) “Kägu umbi‘kwäni‘kän,” udigōn.
“Gego ombikweniken,” odigoon.
“Do not lift your head,” he was told.
“Gego ombikweniken (do not raise your head),” odigoon (he was told).
(46) Uzāmidạc Nänabuju kī∙u∙mbi‘kwäni, mīdec kā∙i∙jimistcānik ustigwān.
Ozaam idash Nenaboozhoo gii-ombikweni, mii dash gaa-izhi-michaanig oshtigwaan.
Now, too high Nanabushu lifted his head, whereupon the size of his head enlarged.
Ozaam idash Nenaboozhoo gii-ombikweni (but too much Nanabushu raised his head), mii dash gaa-izhi-michaanig oshtigwaan (and so his head grew large).
(47) Kāwīn kīkacki∙u∙sī tcîgītcîgu‘tād.
Gaawiin gii-gashki’osii ji-giichigotaad.
He was unable to get (his head) free.
Gaawiin gii-gashki’osii (he was not able) ji-giichigotaad (to pull himself free).
(48) Mīdạc kā∙i∙jimādcād tibi∙ä∙jāgwän; kāwin owâbandaⁿzīn äjād.
Mii dash gaa-izhi-maajaad dibi e-zhaagwenh, gaawiin owaabandanziin e-zhaad.
Thereupon he started off, not knowing whither he was going ; he did not see whither he was bound.
Mii dash gaa-izhi-maajaad (and so he set off) dibi e-zhaagwenh (not knowing where he was going), gaawiin owaabandanziin e-zhaad (he did not see where he was going).
(49) Ka‘kina mi‘tigōn pä‘tā‘kucink ugagwätcimān: “Awänän gīn?”
Gakina mitigoon betaakoshing ogagwejimaan: “Awenen giin?”
Every tree he bumped against he asked of it : “ Who are you ?”
Gakina mitigoon betaakoshing (every tree he bumped into) ogagwejimaan (he asked it): “Awenen giin (who are you)?”
(50) Mina∙i∙k nāningudînō; wīgwās nānīngutînō; azātiwạn ninguting.
Mina’ig naaningodinoo; wiigwaas naaningodinoo; azaadiwan ningoding.
A tamarack (it was) sometimes ; a birch (it was) sometimes ; a poplar once.
Mina’ig naaningodinoo (a tamarack sometimes); wiigwaas naaningodinoo (a birch sometimes); azaadiwan ningoding (a poplar once).
(51) Mīnawā mi‘tigōn opi‘tā‘kuckawān, “Awänän gīn?” udinān.
Miinawaa mitigoon obitaakoshkawaan, “Awenen giin?” odinaan.
Another tree he bumped against. “Who are you?” he said to it.
Miinawaa mitigoon obitaakoshkawaan (again a tree he bumped into), “Awenen giin (who are you)?” odinaan (he said to it).
(52) Kī∙i∙jiksa.
Giizhik sa.
A cedar (it was).
Giizhik sa (a cedar).
(53) “Mīsa’ päcu’ tcīgibīk indayāmitug,” inändạm.
“Mii sa besho jiigibiig indayaamidog,” inendam.
“Then close to the edge of the water I must be,” he thought.
“Mii sa besho jiigibiig (then near the water’s edge) indayaamidog (I must be),” inendam (he thought).
(54) Wīpạgu kägät nibi uda‘kugādān.
Wiipago geget nibi odakogaadaan.
Soon then really into the water he stepped.
Wiipago geget (soon indeed) nibi odakogaadaan (he stepped his foot into the water).
(55) Mīdạc igu kwaya‘k kā∙ạ∙ni∙i∙jinīmināsīt, kī∙ạ∙nipimādagä kwaya‘kigu äjād.
Mii dash igo gwayak gaa-ani-izhi-niiminaasiid, gii-ani-bimaadage gwayak igo e-zhaad.
Thereupon, when straight into the water he went, off he went swimming towards the way he was bound.
Mii dash igo gwayak gaa-ani-izhi-niiminaasiid (and so when he went straight in), gii-ani-bimaadage gwayak igo e-zhaad (he swam straight along the way he was going).
(56) Awiya unūndawān pīpāginit ạnicinābän: “Äᵉē, näcka kuca’, mōⁿs pämādạgät! ‘Aa’ᵘ! mawinạdawātāʷᵉ!”
*Awiya onoondawaan biipaaginid anishinaaben: “E’ii, nashke gosha, mooz bemaadaged! Aaw! Mawinadawaadaa!”**
Some people he heard calling aloud : “ Hey ! Just look ! a moose is swimming by ! Come on ! Let us go for him !”
Awiya onoondawaan (some people he heard) biipaaginid anishinaaben (the people calling out): “E’ii (hey), nashke gosha (just look), mooz bemaadaged (a moose swimming by)! Aaw (come on)! Mawinadawaadaa* (let us go after him — stem flagged)!”
(57) Mīdạc käᵉgät äjipōziwad ạnicinābäg wīnisāwād mōⁿzōn.
Mii dash geget ezhi-pooziwad anishinaabeg wii-nisaawaad moozoon.
Thereupon truly into their canoes went the people, in the hope of killing the moose.
Mii dash geget ezhi-pooziwad anishinaabeg (and so truly the people got into their canoes) wii-nisaawaad moozoon (wanting to kill the moose).
(58) Nänabujūdạc kīwạckibạgizo.
Nenaboozhoo dash gii-washkibagizo.
Nanabushu then quickly turned about.
Nenaboozhoo dash gii-washkibagizo (and Nanabushu turned about quickly).
(59) “Äᵉē! āja wackātạgä!”
“E’ii! Aazha washkaadage!”
“Hey! He is turning back!”
“E’ii (hey)! Aazha washkaadage (now he is swimming back)!”
(60) Nänabuju änigu‘k pimādagä.
Nenaboozhoo enigok bimaadage.
Nanabushu was swimming fast.
Nenaboozhoo enigok bimaadage (Nanabushu was swimming hard).
(61) Anicinābäg cigwa päcu’ pi∙a∙yāwạg.
Anishinaabeg zhigwa besho bi-ayaawag.
The people now were coming close.
Anishinaabeg zhigwa besho bi-ayaawag (the people now were getting close).
(62) Mīdạc Nänabujū cīgwa täba‘kīnạnk, mīdạc äcimādcīpa‘tōd pạgwạna, kāwīn owâbandaⁿzīn äpa‘tōd.
Mii dash Nenaboozhoo zhigwa debakiinang, mii dash ezhi-maajiibatood bagwana, gaawiin owaabandanziin e-patood.
And when Nanabushu touched bottom, then off he started running without knowing where ; he did not see whither he was running.
Mii dash Nenaboozhoo zhigwa debakiinang (and when Nanabushu touched bottom), mii dash ezhi-maajiibatood bagwana (then off he ran blindly), gaawiin owaabandanziin e-patood (he did not see where he was running).
(63) Mīdạc kī∙u∙jajabi‘kicink, mī∙i∙dec kīpāsesink ī∙i’∙ᵘ mōⁿsuctigwānic.
Mii dash gii-ozhashaabikishing, mii idash gii-paasesing i’iw moozoo-shtigwaanish.
And then he stumbled and fell, where upon he cracked that wretched head of the moose.
Mii dash gii-ozhashaabikishing (and then he slipped and fell), mii idash gii-paasesing i’iw moozoo-shtigwaanish (and so that wretched moose-head cracked open).
(64) Mī∙i’∙dạc pidcīnạg kīwâbit.
Mii idash bijiinag gii-waabid.
And that was when he could see.
Mii idash bijiinag gii-waabid (and only then could he see).
(65) Mī∙i’∙ᵘ kī∙ạ∙nimādcīpa‘tōd.
Mii iw gii-ani-maajiibatood.
Accordingly away he started running.
Mii iw gii-ani-maajiibatood (and so off he started running).
(66) Nänabujūn wīn kā∙i∙jināguzinit; mī∙a∙‘panä tibi ä‘patōgwän Nänabuju.
Nenaboozhoon wiin gaa-izhinaagozinid; mii apane dibi e-patoogwen Nenaboozhoo.
Nanabushu then took on his own form ; and off he ran, no one knew where.
Nenaboozhoon wiin gaa-izhinaagozinid (Nanabushu himself looked as he was again); mii apane dibi e-patoogwen Nenaboozhoo (and on he ran, who knows where, that Nanabushu).
(67) Mīsaⁱ ä‘kōsit.
Mii sa ekoozid.
And that is the end of (the story).
Mii sa ekoozid (and that is the end).
(51) Nanabushu and the Moose-Head
(1) Translated by the editor.
(2) In another version it was the flies.