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.
(Ojibwe title not printed in 1917 — left for M.)
57. NÄNABUSHU AND THE FISH-TRAP.
Narrated by Mrs. Syrette — Series 8 (Nos. 57–63), 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) Ningutingsa kīwäⁿ a∙ī∙ndāwạg Nänabucō ō‘kumisạn kayä.
Ningoding sa giiwenh a’iindaawag Nenabozho ookomisan gaye.
Once on a time they say that Nänabushu and his grandmother were abiding there.
Ningoding sa (once, indeed), giiwenh (they say), a’iindaawag (they were dwelling there), Nenabozho ookomisan gaye (Nenabozho and his grandmother).
(2) Mīdạc kīwäⁿ änāt ōcisạn: “Nōjis,” udinān, “iwä zībi päcu’ kā∙a∙yāmạga‘k, mī‘ku imā pīndcibōnāgạnạn uji∙ā∙wā‘pạn i‘ku kicicäⁿibạnīg,” udinān. Nänabucudạc wīn kāwīn kägō i‘kitusī.
Mii dash giiwenh enaad oozhisan: “Noozhis,” odinaan, “iwe ziibi besho gaa-ayaamagag, mii go imaa biinjibonaaganan ozhiaawaapan igo gizhishenyibaniig,” odinaan. Nenabozho dash wiin gaawiin gegoo ikidosii.
And so they say that she said to her grandson: “My grandson,” she said to him, “over there hard by is a river, and it was there your uncles of old used to set fish-traps,” she said to him. Now, Nänabushu, so far as he was concerned, had nothing to say.
Mii dash giiwenh enaad oozhisan (and then, they say, she said to her grandson): “Noozhis,” odinaan (“My grandson,” she said to him), “iwe ziibi besho gaa-ayaamagag (over there a river lies nearby), mii go imaa biinjibonaaganan ozhiaawaapan (right there is where fish-traps used to be made — flagged), igo gizhishenyibaniig (by your uncles of old — flagged),” odinaan (she said to him). Nenabozho dash wiin gaawiin gegoo ikidosii (Nenabozho, for his part, said nothing).
(3) Miyä‘tagu a‘pạnä nạndawäntcigät pābītōd kägō ändāwāt.
Mii eta-go apane nandawenjiged baabiidood gegoo endaawaad.
His only occupation was always hunting for game (and) bringing something home.
Mii eta-go (his only occupation was), apane (always), nandawenjiged (hunting for game), baabiidood gegoo (bringing something along — flagged), endaawaad (to where they dwelt).
(4) Ā‘pidcimā kayä Nänabucu kīmī‘kawiininīwi īnā‘tisōkāsu.
*Aapiji maa gaye Nenabozho gii-mikawi’ininiwi inaadizookaazo.**
And very lucky too was Nänabushu at getting game, to judge from his fame in story.
Aapiji maa (very indeed), gaye (also), Nenabozho gii-mikawi’ininiwi (Nenabozho was a lucky one at finding game — flagged), inaadizookaazo (so he is storied that way in the telling — stem flagged).
(5) Ningutingidạc, kīwäku a∙ī∙ndāwāt, omi‘kwändān kā∙i∙gu‘pạn ō‘kumisạn undci tcipīntcibōnāganikät pāwi‘tigunk.
Ningoding idash, giiwenh go a’iindaawaad, omikwendaan gaa-igopan ookomisan onji ji-biinjibonaaganiked baawitigong.
Now, once on a time they say that while they were living, (there), he remembered what his grandmother had said to him about going to catch fish with the fish-trap at the rapids.
Ningoding idash (now, once), giiwenh go a’iindaawaad (they say, while they were living there), omikwendaan (he remembered it), gaa-igopan ookomisan (what his grandmother had once said to him), onji (about), ji-biinjibonaaganiked (going to fish with the trap — flagged), baawitigong (at the rapids).
(6) Mīdec Nänabucu änändạnk: “Ictä mītạgic kā∙i∙ci‘pạn nō‘komis tcipīntcibōnāgạni‘käyān.
Mii dash Nenabozho enendang: “Ishte, miidagish gaa-izhi’ipan nookomis ji-biinjibonaaganikeyaan.
Thereupon Nänabushu thought: “Quite so, that is what my grandmother had told me, that I should go to catch fish with the fish-trap.
Mii dash Nenabozho enendang (thereupon Nenabozho thought): “Ishte, miidagish (quite so, that’s just it — flagged), gaa-izhi’ipan nookomis (that’s what my grandmother had once told me — flagged construction), ji-biinjibonaaganikeyaan (that I should go fish-trapping — flagged).
(7) Māgicā nō‘kumis aiyä‘kusitug pạnä wīyās mīdcît,” inändạm Nänabucō.
Maagizhaa nookomis ayekozidog pane wiiyaas miijid,” inendam Nenabozho.
Perhaps my grandmother may have grown tired of always eating meat,” thought Nänabushu.
Maagizhaa nookomis (perhaps my grandmother), ayekozidog (may have grown tired), pane wiiyaas miijid (of always eating meat),” inendam Nenabozho (thought Nenabozho).
(8) “Kīⁿgōⁿyạndạc kạnạbạtc uwī∙ạ∙mwān,” inändạm. Mīdạc änāt: “Nō‘kumis, kā∙i∙ciyạmbạnidạc undcipīndcibōnāgạni‘käyān?”
“Giigoonyan dash ganabaj owii-amwaan,” inendam. Mii dash enaad: “Nookomis, gaa-izhi-amban idash onji-biinjibonaaganikeyaan?”
“Now, fish she probably wants to eat,” he thought. Thereupon he said to her: “My grandmother, (you remember) what you told me about catching fish with a fish-trap?”
“Giigoonyan dash ganabaj owii-amwaan (fish, probably, she wants to eat — flagged),” inendam (he thought). Mii dash enaad (thereupon he said to her): “Nookomis, gaa-izhi-amban idash (my grandmother, what you had once told me — flagged), onji-biinjibonaaganikeyaan (about my going fish-trapping — flagged)?”
(9) “Äyäᵉ,” i‘kitu mindimōyä.
“Eye’,” ikido mindimooye.
“Yes,” said the old woman.
“Eye’ (yes),” ikido mindimooye (said the old woman).
(10) “Imāguta bāwi‘tigunk mīimāa‘ku pīndcibōnāwā‘pạn kīⁿgōⁿyaᵉ kicicäyabạnīg,” udinān.
“Imaagoda baawitigong miimaago biinjibonaawaapan giigoonyan gizhisheyabaniig,” odinaan.
“It was at yonder rapids where your uncles of old used to fish with a fish-trap,” she said to him.
“Imaagoda baawitigong (right there at the rapids — flagged), miimaago (that’s just the place — flagged), biinjibonaawaapan (they used to fish-trap — flagged), giigoonyan (fish), gizhisheyabaniig (your uncles of old),” odinaan (she said to him).
(11) “Ki‘tcinänībiwa, kînīni‘ku, unisāwâbạnīn kīⁿgōⁿyaᵉ,” udigōn ō‘kumisạn.
“Gichi-nenibiwa, giininigo, onisaawaabaniin giigoonyan,” odigoon ookomisan.
“Oh, great indeed was the number of fishes they used to kill,” he was told by his grandmother.
“Gichi-nenibiwa (oh, greatly numerous — flagged), giininigo (indeed — flagged, uncertain particle), onisaawaabaniin giigoonyan (fish they used to kill), odigoon ookomisan (he was told by his grandmother).
(12) Mīdec kägä‘t Nänabucō mādci‘tād uji∙ā∙t pīndcibōnāgạnạn, kiˢtcimi‘tigōn udayāwatcinigānān, wâsa kayä udōndāwạnān, wīsōngi‘tōd upīndcibōnāgạnan. Mīdạc kā‘kīci∙ā∙t wīndạmawāt ō‘kumisạn, mīdạc änāt: “Mī, nō‘kumis, kī‘kīci∙a∙g pīndcibōnāgạn, mīdạc kīⁿgōⁿ tci∙ạ∙mwat,” udinān ō‘kumisạn.
Mii dash geget Nenabozho maajitaad ozhiaad biinjibonaaganan, gichi-mitigoon odayaawachiniganaan, waasa gaye odoondaawanaan, wiizoongitood obiinjibonaaganan. Mii dash gaa-giizhi’aad wiindamawaad ookomisan, mii dash enaad: “Mii, nookomis, gii-giizhi’ag biinjibonaagan, mii dash giigoonh ji-amwad,” odinaan ookomisan.
And then truly did Nänabushu begin making his fish-traps, huge logs he carried on his shoulders, and from afar he carried them on his back, (for) he wanted to make his traps strong. And then after he had finished them he notified his grandmother, and this he said to her: “There, my grandmother, have I finished the fish-traps, and now some fish will you eat,” he (thus) said to his grandmother.
Mii dash geget Nenabozho maajitaad (and then truly Nenabozho began making) ozhiaad biinjibonaaganan (his fish-traps — flagged), gichi-mitigoon (huge logs; Jones prints a raised ˢ in this word, carried in the Jones layer only and given no Fiero value) odayaawachiniganaan (he carried on his shoulders — flagged), waasa gaye odoondaawanaan (and from afar he carried them on his back — flagged), wiizoongitood obiinjibonaaganan (for he wanted to make his traps strong — flagged). Mii dash gaa-giizhi’aad (and then after he had finished them) wiindamawaad ookomisan (he notified his grandmother), mii dash enaad (and this he said to her): “Mii, nookomis (there, my grandmother), gii-giizhi’ag biinjibonaagan (I have finished the fish-trap), mii dash giigoonh ji-amwad (now some fish will you eat),” odinaan ookomisan (he said to his grandmother).
(13) “Ayaᵉ,” i‘kitu mindimōyä.
“Aya’*,” ikido mindimooye.
“Ay,” said the old woman.
“Aya’ (ay, yes — spelling flagged),” ikido mindimooye (said the old woman).
(14) Mīdạc weyābaninig Nänabucu kī∙a∙wiwâbạmāt upīndcibōnāgạnạn, nībawa dạc kīⁿgōⁿyạn kīpīndcipōsōwạn; mīdạc Nänabucu kī‘kīwäwạnät.
*Mii dash weyaabaninig Nenabozho gii-awi-waabamaad obiinjibonaaganan, niibawa dash giigoonyan gii-biinjibosowan; mii dash Nenabozho gii-giiwewaned.**
So then in the morning Nänabushu went to see his fish-traps, and many the fish that were drawn into them; thereupon Nänabushu went back home, carrying them along.
Mii dash weyaabaninig (so then in the morning), Nenabozho gii-awi-waabamaad obiinjibonaaganan (Nenabozho went to see his fish-traps — noun flagged), niibawa dash giigoonyan gii-biinjibosowan (and many fish had been drawn into them — flagged), mii dash Nenabozho gii-giiwewaned (thereupon Nenabozho went back home, carrying them along — stem flagged).
(15) Äni∙a∙yāt dạc päcu’ ạni∙i∙‘kitu Nänabucu: “Nō‘kumis!
Eni-ayaad dash besho ani-ikido Nenabozho: “Nookomis!
And as he was drawing near, Nänabushu went along, saying: “O my grandmother!
Eni-ayaad dash besho (and as he was drawing near), ani-ikido Nenabozho (Nenabozho went along, saying): “Nookomis! (O my grandmother!)
(16) nībawa kīⁿgōyạg mingīnisāg,” i‘kitō.
Niibawa giigoonyag ningii-nisaag,” ikido.
many fishes have I killed,” he said.
niibawa (many), giigoonyag (fish, plural), ningii-nisaag (I killed them; prefix reconstruction flagged), ikido (he said).
(17) Mīdạc kägä‘t mindimōyä kiˢtciminwändạnk.
Mii dash geget mindimooye gichi-minwendang.
Thereupon truly was the old woman highly pleased.
mii dash (thereupon), geget (truly), mindimooye (the old woman), gichi-minwendang (was greatly pleased; Jones prints a raised ˢ, carried in the Jones layer only and given no Fiero value).
(18) Mīdạc a∙ī∙ndāwāt, nībiwa kīⁿgōyạn Nänabucu onisān.
Mii dash a’iindaawaad, niibiwa giigoonyan Nenabozho onisaan.
And so while they remained there, many fishes Nänabushu slew.
mii dash (and so), a’iindaawaad (while they dwelt there), niibiwa (many), giigoonyan (fish), Nenabozho (Nänabushu), onisaan (he killed them).
(19) Ningudingidạcigu mägwa nāndcipīndcibōnāgạnät, onōndawān awiya pinōndāgusinit, inwänit “— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!”
Ningoding idash igo megwaa naanji-biinjiboonaganed, onoondawaan awiya binoondaagozinid, inwenid “— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!”
And now, once on a time while he was out hunting for fish at his traps, he heard the approaching sound of some creature. The sound it uttered was: “— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!”
ningoding idash igo (and now, once upon a time), megwaa (while), naanji-biinjiboonaganed (he was out at his fish-trap; flagged compound), onoondawaan (he heard it approaching), awiya (some creature), binoondaagozinid (it was heard coming), inwenid (the sound it made was) “— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!” (vocable, carried verbatim, unresolved notation).
(20) Äcī∙i∙nābit Nänabucu, ạndutạnk, wīkätcinā∙u∙t wägunän kā∙i∙nwänik; mägwādạc ạndutạnk säsi‘ka unōndạwān ketcipäcu: “Tcike tcike, tcik” kayädạc minawā tibicko: “— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!”
Ezhi-inaabid Nenabozho, andotang, wii-gechinaawod wegonen gaa-inwenig; megwaa dash andotang zezika onoondawaan gechi-beshoo: “Tcike tcike, tcik” gaye dash miinawaa dibishkoo: “— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!”
Up Nänabushu looked, he listened for it, for he wanted to be sure of what was making the noise; and while he listened for it, suddenly he heard it very close: “Tcike, tcike, tcik!” And then again the same: “— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!”
ezhi-inaabid (up he looked), Nenabozho (Nänabushu), andotang (he listened for it), wii-gechinaawod (he wanted to be sure of it; flagged), wegonen (what), gaa-inwenig (that was making the sound); megwaa dash andotang (and while he listened), zezika (suddenly; flagged), onoondawaan (he heard it), gechi-beshoo (very close), “Tcike tcike, tcik” (vocable/cry, carried verbatim), gaye dash miinawaa (and then again), dibishkoo (the same), “— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!” (vocable, carried verbatim, unresolved notation).
(21) Mīdạc Nänabucō wäwīp nawạtcipināt ugīⁿkōⁿyaᵉ, mādcība‘tōd; kā∙a∙niwawajacācākucingigo Nänabucu.
*Mii dash Nenabozho wewiib nawajibinaad ogiigoonyan, maajiibatood; gaa-ani-wawazhazhaazhaagozhingigo Nenabozho.**
Thereupon Nänabushu quickly gathered up his fishes, (and) started running; (and) on the way Nänabushu went slipping on the logs and knocking off the bark.
mii dash (thereupon), Nenabozho (Nänabushu), wewiib (quickly), nawajibinaad (he gathered them up), ogiigoonyan (his fish), maajiibatood (he started off running), gaa-ani-wawazhazhaazhaagozhingigo (along the way he went slipping on the logs and knocking the bark off — stem flagged), Nenabozho (Nänabushu).
(22) Kīwäba‘tōd i‘kitut dạc änitạgwicing: “Nō‘kumididä, awiya ninnōndawā!”
Giiwebatood, ikidod dash, ani-dagwishing: “Nookomidide, awiya ninoondawaa!”
On the way home he ran, and said as he was arriving: “O my grandmother! I hear something.”
giiwebatood (he ran homeward), ikidod dash (and he said), ani-dagwishing (as he was arriving), “nookomidide (O my grandmother!; flagged ending), awiya ninoondawaa (I hear something)!”
(23) “Ānīn anwät?”
“Aaniin anwed?”
“How did it sound?”
aaniin (how), anwed (did it sound)?
(24) “‘— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!’ mī∙ä∙nwät,” udinān.
“‘— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!’ mii anwed,” odinaan.
“ ‘— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!’ was the way it sounded,” he said to her.
‘— ˊ— —, — ˊ— —!’ (the sound it made — vocable, carried verbatim), mii anwed (that is how it sounded), odinaan (he said to her).
(25) Mīdạc ä‘kitut mindimōyä: “Āᵃ, kwīngwīci’ udinawābạnin kicicäⁿyabạnīg!” udinān.
Mii dash ekidod mindimooye: “Aa, gwiingwiishi odinawaabanin gizhishenyabaniig!” odinaan.
And then said the old woman: “Why, a Canada jay is what your uncles of old used to call it!” she said to him.
mii dash (and then), ekidod (she said), mindimooye (the old woman), aa (why/oh), gwiingwiishi (a Canada jay), odinawaabanin (is what they used to call it; flagged), gizhishenyabaniig (your uncles of old), odinaan (she said to him).
(26) “Wīwīsini, kīnạndudamāg tci∙a∙cạmạt pā∙u∙ndcī∙i∙nwät.
“Wii-wiisini, gii-nandodamaag ji-ashamad baa-onji-inwed.
“That it wanted to eat, (and) was begging of you to feed it, was why it cried out in that way.
wii-wiisini (it wanted to eat), gii-nandodamaag (it was begging you), ji-ashamad (to feed it), baa-onji-inwed (that is why it was crying out; compositional, moderate confidence).
(27) Kīⁿgōⁿyạn acạm,” udinān.
Giigoonyan asham,” odinaan.
Feed it some fish,” she said to him.
giigoonyan (some fish), asham (feed it!), odinaan (she said to him).
(28) Mīdạc kägä‘t Nänabucu utā‘pināt kīⁿgōⁿyaᵉ, pạginat ānīndi ina‘kakäyā kā‘tạni‘tạng.
Mii dash geget Nenabozho odaapinaad giigoonyan, baginad aaniindi inakakeyaa gaa-tanitang.
Thereupon truly Nänabushu took the fishes, (and) threw part of them towards the place where he had heard the sound.
mii dash (thereupon), geget (truly), Nenabozho (Nänabushu), odaapinaad (he took them), giigoonyan (the fish), baginad (he threw them; flagged), aaniindi (towards where), inakakeyaa (in that direction), gaa-tanitang (where he had heard it; flagged).
(29) Mīdạc minawā weyābạninig Nänabucu nāndcipīndcibōbāgạnät, mī mīnawā awiya kīnōndawāt nōdāgusinit. Mīdạc kā∙i∙cipạgināt kīⁿgōⁿyạn ändạni‘tạng, mi‘kwändạnk ō‘kumisạn kā∙i∙gut pîtcīnāgō.
Mii dash miinawaa weyaabaninig Nenabozho naanji-biinjiboobaaganed, mii miinawaa awiya gii-noondawaad noodaagosinid. Mii dash gaa-izhi-baginaad giigoonyan endanitang, mikwendang ookomisan gaa-igod bichiinaagoo.
And when on the next day Nänabushu went to look after his fish-trap, he then again heard the sound of some creature. And after flinging the fish towards the place where he heard the sound, he recalled what was told him by his grandmother on the day before.
mii dash miinawaa (and then again), weyaabaninig (on the next day), Nenabozho (Nänabushu), naanji-biinjiboobaaganed (he went to his fish-trap; flagged compound, printer’s variant of the section-19 word), mii miinawaa (then again), awiya (some creature), gii-noondawaad (he heard it), noodaagosinid (it was heard/making a sound), mii dash (and then), gaa-izhi-baginaad (after he had flung it), giigoonyan (the fish), endanitang (the place where it was heard), mikwendang (he recalled), ookomisan (his grandmother), gaa-igod (what she had told him), bichiinaagoo (on the day before; flagged, unattested).
(30) Kāwīndạc mämwätc wī‘kīwäpitōsī.
Gaawiin dash memwech wii-giiwebidoozii.
He did not find it necessary to run on his way back home.
gaawiin dash (and he did not), memwech (find it necessary), wii-giiwebidoozii (need to run back home; flagged).
(31) Mīdạc mīnawā ạnikīwät, ạni∙i∙nāt ō‘kumisạn: “Awiya mīnawā ningīnōntawā nōndāgusit, mi‘ta‘kạmig tạnwäwitạm.”
Mii dash miinawaa ani-giiwed, ani-inaad ookomisan: “Awiya miinawaa ningii-noondawaa noondaagozid, mitakamig danwewidam.”
And so again, when he went back, he went and said to his grandmother: “Something again I heard making a noise, on the ground was where it sounded.”
Mii dash (and then) miinawaa (again) ani-giiwed (as he went back) ani-inaad (he went and said to her) ookomisan (his grandmother): “Awiya (something) miinawaa (again) ningii-noondawaa (I heard it) noondaagozid (making a sound), mitakamig (on the ground) danwewidam (it resounded).”
(32) Mīdac ägut: “Āᵃ, cāngwäci aᵘ udināwâbạnin kicicäⁿyabạnig.
Mii dash egod: “Āᵃ, shaangwezhi aw odinaawaabanin gizhishenyabanig.
Thereupon he was told: “Why, a mink was what your uncles of old used to call it.
Mii dash (and then) egod (he was told): “Āᵃ (interjection, carried as printed), shaangwezhi (a mink — reading uncertain, see flag) aw (that) odinaawaabanin (is what they used to call it — reading uncertain, see flag) gizhishenyabanig (your uncles of long ago).
(33) Kigī∙ạ∙cạmāna?”
Gigii-ashamaa na?
Did you feed it?”
Gigii-ashamaa (did you feed it) na (question marker)?
(34) “Äyeᵉ,” i‘kitu Nänabucu. “Mī∙i∙wägwaya‘k,” udigōn ō‘kumisan.
“Eye’,” ikido Nenabozho. “Mii iw gwayak,” odigoon ookomisan.
“Yes,” said Nänabushu. “That was proper,” he was told by his grandmother, “O my grandson!”
“Eye’,” (yes) ikido (he said) Nenabozho (Nenabozho). “Mii iw gwayak,” (that was correct/proper — reading uncertain, see flag) odigoon (he was told) ookomisan (by his grandmother).
(35) “Nōjis!” udigon; “nībawa awiya, aya∙a∙wicänsạg kīga∙u∙disigunānig, mīcigu a‘panä tci∙ạ∙cạmạtwā,” udinān.
“Noozhis!” odigoon; “niibawa awiya, ayaawizhensag gigad-odisigonaanig, miish go apane ji-ashamaadwaa,” odinaan.
he was told; “by many creatures, by the little animal folk, shall we be visited, and you shall always give them food to eat,” she said to him.
“Noozhis!” (grandson) odigoon (he was told); “niibawa (many) awiya (creatures/things), ayaawizhensag (the little animal folk — reading uncertain, see flag) gigad-odisigonaanig (they will come to visit us — reading uncertain, see flag), miish go (and so) apane (always) ji-ashamaadwaa (so that you feed them — ending inferred, see flag),” odinaan (she said to him).
(36) “Kīnạntawiskatāgōk tci∙ạ∙cạmạtwā wīwisiniwạg kayä wīnawā.”
“Giinandawiskadaagoog ji-ashamaadwaa wii-wiisiniwag gaye wiinawaa.”
“They will ask you to feed them, for they themselves are also anxious for food.”
“Giinandawiskadaagoog (they will ask/urge you — reading uncertain, see flag) ji-ashamaadwaa (to feed them) wii-wiisiniwag (they are anxious for food) gaye (also) wiinawaa (they themselves).”
(37) Mīdac kīwäⁿ Nänabucu minawā nātcipīndcipōnāgạnät.
Mii dash giiwenh Nenabozho minawaa naaji-biinjiboonaaganed.
Thereupon they say that Nänabushu went again to look after his fish-trap.
Mii dash (thereupon) giiwenh (they say) Nenabozho (Nenabozho) minawaa (again) naaji-biinjiboonaaganed (went to tend his fish-trap — reading uncertain, see flag).
(38) Nībiwa ā‘pitci onisān kīⁿgōⁿyaᵉ.
Niibiwa aapiji onisaan giigoonyan.
Many indeed were the fishes he slew.
Niibiwa (many) aapiji (indeed) onisaan (he killed them) giigoonyan (fish).
(39) Kayä wīndạc mindimōyä aninạmä‘tä‘ku‘kä; wīngä omōckina‘tōn ändawāt pindik; ạgwāwät kayä ạgwatcing; täsā‘kwa∙i∙gạnạn uwīngä mạmōckinäniwạn mini‘k näsāwät kīⁿgōⁿyạn.
Gaye wiin idash mindimooye aninametekoke; wiinge omooshkinatoon endaawaad biindig; agwaawed gaye agwajiing; desaakwa’iganan awiinge mamooshkineniwan minik nesaawed giigoonyan.
And the old woman herself was busy smoking them on the rack; every nook and corner inside of their home she filled; and she also hung them up out of doors; quite full were the drying-racks of all the fishes that he had killed.
Gaye (and) wiin idash (she herself) mindimooye (the old woman) aninametekoke (was busy smoking them — reading uncertain, see flag); wiinge (thoroughly) omooshkinatoon (she filled it) endaawaad (their home) biindig (inside); agwaawed (she hung them up — reading uncertain, see flag) gaye (and) agwajiing (outdoors); desaakwa’iganan (the drying-racks — reading uncertain, see flag) awiinge (quite) mamooshkineniwan (were full) minik (as much as/all) nesaawed (that he had killed) giigoonyan (the fish).
(40) Ningudingdạc kīwäⁿ a∙ī∙ndawāt mīnawā Nänabucu awiya onōndawān pīnōndāgusinit, pī∙i∙nwänit: “Kō‘kōko’ho, Kō‘kōko’hō!”
Ningoding idash giiwenh a’iindaawaad miinawaa Nenabozho awiya onoondawaan bi-noondaagozinid, bi-inwenid: “Kō‘kōko’ho, Kō‘kōko’hō!”
And once they say that while they were living (there), again Nänabushu heard something making a noise as it approached, as it came, (and) it made the sound: “Kō‘kōko’hō, kō‘kōko’hō!”
Ningoding idash (and once) giiwenh (they say) a’iindaawaad (while they were living there) miinawaa (again) Nenabozho (Nenabozho) awiya (something) onoondawaan (he heard it) bi-noondaagozinid (as it was heard approaching), bi-inwenid (as it came sounding — reading uncertain, see flag): “Kō‘kōko’ho, Kō‘kōko’hō!” (owl-cry, carried verbatim from Layer 1).
(41) Nänabucu nawạtcipināt kīⁿgōⁿyaᵉ, minawā ạniwucācākucing.
Nenabozho nawajibinaad giigoonyan, minawaa aniwozhaazhaagozhing.
As Nänabushu fetched more fish, he again went slipping over the logs along his course.
Nenabozho (Nenabozho) nawajibinaad (as he fetched more of them) giigoonyan (fish), minawaa (again) aniwozhaazhaagozhing (he went slipping along — reading uncertain, see flag).
(42) Mīdac mīnawā ạni∙i∙nāt ō‘kumisạn: “Nō‘kumididē, awiya ninōndawā!”
Mii dash miinawaa ani-inaad ookomisan: “Nookomidide, awiya ninoondawaa!”
And so again he went and said to his grandmother: “ O my grandmother! something I heard.”
Mii dash (and so) miinawaa (again) ani-inaad (he went and said to her) ookomisan (his grandmother): “Nookomidide (O my grandmother — vocative form, reading uncertain, see flag), awiya (something) ninoondawaa (I heard)!”
(43) I‘kitu mindimōyä: “Ānīn änwät?”
Ikido mindimooye: “Aaniin enwed?”
Said the old woman: “ How did it sound?”
Ikido (she said) mindimooye (the old woman): “Aaniin (how) enwed (did it sound)?”
(44) Mīdạc Nänabucu äjinābuwät: “Kō‘kōko’hō, kō‘kōko’ho.”
Mii dash Nenabozho ezhi-naabowed: “Kō‘kōko’hō, kō‘kōko’ho.”
And then Nänabushu mocked the cry: “Kō‘kōko’hō, kō‘kōko’hō!”
Mii dash (and then) Nenabozho (Nenabozho) ezhi-naabowed (mimicked the cry — reading uncertain, see flag): “Kō‘kōko’hō, kō‘kōko’ho.” (owl-cry, carried verbatim from Layer 1).
(45) “Ōᵘ!”
“Ōᵘ!”
“Oh!”
“Ōᵘ!” (an interjection — carried verbatim from Layer 1, per the vocable rule).
(46) i‘kito mindamōyä.
Ikido mindamooye.
said the old woman.
ikido (she said), mindamooye (the old woman).
(47) “Kō‘koko’ho udinawâbanīn kicicäⁿyabạnīg.
“Kō‘koko’ho odinaawaabanin gizhishenyabanig.
“An owl was what your uncles of old used to call it.
Kō‘koko’ho (the owl-word — carried verbatim, see footnote), odinaawaabanin (that is what they used to call it), gizhishenyabanig (your uncles of old).
(48) Acạm,” udinān. Mīdạc kägät Nänabucu ạninawatināt kīⁿgōⁿyaᵉ; pä‘kic nạnīngickāt sägisit.
“Asham,” odinaan. Mii dash geget Nenabozho ani-nawadinaad giigoonyan; bekish naningizhkaad zegizid.
Give it food,” she said to him. And then truly Nänabushu took up some fish; at the same time he was trembling with fear.
Asham (feed it!), odinaan (she said to him), mii dash (and then), geget (truly), Nenabozho (Nänabushu) ani-nawadinaad (went along and took up) giigoonyan (some fish); bekish (at the same time) naningizhkaad (trembling — uncertain, see flag) zegizid (being afraid).
(49) Mīdạc iwiti äjipạgināt kā‘tạni‘tạnk, “Owä, nimicōmis!”
Mii dash iwidi ezhi-baginaad gaa-tanitang, “Owe, nimishoomis!”
And so he flung them over in the direction where he had heard the sound. “Here, my grandfather!”
Mii dash (and then), iwidi (over that way) ezhi-baginaad (he flung them) gaa-tanitang (where it had sounded), “Owe (there/here), nimishoomis (my grandfather)!”
(50) Mīdạc minawā näyāp äjikīwät.
Mii dash minawaa neyaab ezhi-giiwed.
Thereupon back home again he went.
Mii dash (and then), minawaa (again), neyaab (back home), ezhi-giiwed (he went).
(51) Mīdạc mīnawā weyābạninig nātcipindcibōnāgạnät; mägwā dạc minawā māmōjigināt kīⁿgōⁿyan, awiya ōnōndawān mīnawā nōndāgusinit.
Mii dash miinawaa weyaabaninig naaji-binjiboonaaganed; megwaa dash minawaa maamoozhiginaad giigoonyan, awiya onoondawaan miinawaa noondaagozinid.
And so on the next day he went to look after his fish-traps; and while he was at work again gathering the fish, he heard something again uttering a sound.
Mii dash (and then), miinawaa (again), weyaabaninig (on the next day), naaji-binjiboonaaganed (he went to tend his fish-trap — trap-noun uncertain, see flag); megwaa dash (and while) minawaa (again) maamoozhiginaad (he was gathering) giigoonyan (the fish), awiya (something) onoondawaan (he heard it) miinawaa (again) noondaagozinid (it making a sound).
(52) Mīdạc mīnawā nạndutạnk Nänabucu, “Mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ!” ini‘tạm.
Mii dash miinawaa nandotang Nenabozho, “Mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ!” initam.
And now, as Nänabushu listened again, “M, m, m!” was the sound he heard.
Mii dash (and then), miinawaa (again), nandotang (as he listened — uncertain, see flag) Nenabozho (Nänabushu), “Mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ!” (the cry — carried verbatim, see footnote) initam (was the sound it made — uncertain, see flag).
(53) Mī mīnawā äjinawātcipināt ugīⁿgōⁿ∙i∙maᵉ.
Mii miinawaa ezhi-nawajibinaad ogiigoonhiman.
Thereupon again more were the fish he fetched.
Mii (so), miinawaa (again), ezhi-nawajibinaad (as he fetched more of them — uncertain, see flag), ogiigoonhiman (his fish — possessive form uncertain, see flag).
(54) Mādcība‘tōd mīnawā ạni∙i∙nāt ō‘kumisạn: “Nō‘kumididē!
Maajiibatood miinawaa ani-inaad ookomisan: “Nookomidide!
Starting to run again he went, saying to his grandmother: “O my grandmother!
Maajiibatood (starting to run), miinawaa (again), ani-inaad (he went along and said to her), ookomisan (his grandmother): “Nookomidide (O my grandmother! — vocative form uncertain, see flag)!
(55) awiya mīnawā ninnōndawā!” “Ānīn änwät, nōjis?”
Awiya miinawaa ninoondawaa!” “Aaniin enwed, noozhis?”
something again do I hear.” “ What sort of a noise did it make, my grandson?”
Awiya (something), miinawaa (again), ninoondawaa (I hear it)!” “Aaniin (what) enwed (it sounded like), noozhis (my grandson)?”
(56) i‘kitu.
Ikido.
she said.
Ikido (she said).
(57) “‘Mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ,’ inwä.”
“‘Mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ,’ inwe.”
“ ‘M, m, m!’ was the sound it made.”
‘Mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ, mⁿᵃ,’ (the cry — carried verbatim, see footnote) inwe (was the sound it made).
(58) “Āᵃ,” i‘kitu mindimōyä; “piswägunä kō‘kōkohō udināwābạnīn kicicäⁿyạbạnīg.
“Āᵃ,” ikido mindimooye; “bizwegone kō‘kōkohō odinaawaabanin gizhishenyabanig.
“Why,” said the old woman; “a fine soft-feathered owl was what your uncles of old called it.
“Āᵃ (interjection — carried verbatim, see footnote),” ikido (said) mindimooye (the old woman); “bizwegone (soft-feathered — uncertain, see flag) kō‘kōkohō (the owl-word — carried verbatim, see footnote) odinaawaabanin (that is what they used to call it) gizhishenyabanig (your uncles of old).
(59) Wīwīsini.
Wii-wiisini.
It wants to eat.
Wii-wiisini (it wants to eat).
(60) Awạcạm,” udinān. Mīdec mīnawā Nänabucu äyä‘pinä‘tigu ạni∙u∙dā‘pināt kīⁿgōⁿyạn, pạgināt kā‘tạni‘tạnk.
“Awasham*,” odinaan. Mii dash miinawaa Nenabozho eyepinetigo ani-odaapinaad giigoonyan, baginaad gaa-tanitang.
Go feed it,” she said to him. And so again, as Nänabushu with fear went and took some fish, he threw them where he had heard the sound.
“Awasham (go feed it! — stem flagged),” odinaan (she said to him). Mii dash (and then) miinawaa (again) Nenabozho (Nänabushu) eyepinetigo (with fear — uncertain, see flag) ani-odaapinaad (went along and took) giigoonyan (some fish), baginaad (he threw them) gaa-tanitang (where it had sounded).
(61) Mīdạc mīnawā weyābạninig mīnawā nātcipīndcibōnāgạnät.
Mii dash miinawaa weyaabaninig miinawaa naachi-biinjiboonaganed.
And then on the following morning again he went to look after his fish-trap.
Mii dash (and then), miinawaa (again) weyaabaninig (on the following morning), miinawaa (again) naachi-biinjiboonaganed (he went to check his fish-trap).
(62) Mīnawā mägwā mōciginät kīⁿgōⁿyạn, mīnawā kägō ini‘tam. Nänabucu kạgwānisạg kipạgisu owä ijipasāgipạgisu.
Miinawaa megwaa moozhigined giigoonyan, miinawaa gegoo ini-tam. Nenabozho gagwaanisag gibagizo owe izhi-bazaagibagizo.
While gathering the fish, again he heard another sound. Nänabushu stood up with a sudden start, and so brought himself to his full stature.
Miinawaa (again) megwaa (while) moozhigined (he was gathering) giigoonyan (the fish), miinawaa (again) gegoo (something) ini-tam (he heard it). Nenabozho (Nenabozho) gagwaanisag (with a sudden start — semantic range uncertain, flagged) gibagizo (stood himself up), owe (then) izhi-bazaagibagizo (he drew himself up to his full height).
(63) Mīdạc mīnawā nōndāgusinit awiya inwänit: “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
Mii dash miinawaa noondaagosinid awiya inwenid: “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
And then again he heard the sound of some creature screaming out: “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
Mii dash (and then) miinawaa (again) noondaagosinid (the sound of it was heard), awiya (some creature) inwenid (crying out): “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” (vocable, carried verbatim).
(64) Ō, Nänabucu mādcība‘tōd!
Oo, Nenabozho maajiibatood!
Oh, how Nänabushu started running!
Oo (oh), Nenabozho (Nenabozho) maajiibatood (started running)!
(65) wäwīp nawatcipināt ugīⁿgōⁿ∙i∙maᵉ. Kīwäba‘tōd ināt ō‘kumisạn: “Nō‘kumididē!
Wewiib nawajibinaad ogiigoonhiman. Giiwebatood inaad ookomisan: “Nookomidide!
speedily more of his fish he fetched. Coming home on the run, he said to his grandmother: “O my grandmother!
Wewiib (quickly) nawajibinaad (he fetched more of them) ogiigoonhiman (his fish). Giiwebatood (running home) inaad (he said to her) ookomisan (his grandmother): “Nookomidide (O my grandmother; spelling standardized across the story)!
(66) awiya nin nōndawā, mạnidō!”
Awiya niin noondawaa, manidoo!”
something do I hear, a manitou!”
Awiya (something) niin (I) noondawaa (hear it), manidoo (a manitou)!”
(67) “Ānīn änwät, nōcis?”
“Aaniin enwed, noozhis?”
“How did it sound, my grandson?”
“Aaniin (how) enwed (did it sound), noozhis (my grandson)?”
(68) “‘Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!’ mī∙ä∙nwät.”
“ ‘Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!’ mii-enwed.”
“ ‘Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!’ was the way it sounded.”
“ ‘Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!’ (vocable, carried verbatim) mii-enwed (that was how it sounded).”
(69) “A, nōjis, mī tcinibuyạng!”
“A, noozhis, mii ji-niboyang!”
“Why, my grandson, now are we going to die!”
“A (ah), noozhis (my grandson), mii (now) ji-niboyang (we are going to die; inclusive)!”
(70) udinān ojisạn.
Odinaan ozhisan.
she said to her grandson.
Odinaan (she said to him) ozhisan (her grandson).
(71) “Wäwīp, nō‘kumis, ujī‘tām, kīgamādcāmin!” udinān.
“Wewiib, nookomis, ozhiitaan, gigad-maajaamin!” odinaan.
“Be quick, my grandmother, get ready, let us be off!” he said to her.
“Wewiib (be quick), nookomis (grandmother), ozhiitaan (get ready), gigad-maajaamin (let us be off; inclusive)!” odinaan (he said to her).
(72) Ānīc kägä‘t mindimōyä nạningīwizit.
Aaniish geget mindimooye naningiiwizid.
And then truly the old woman trembled (by reason of age and fear).
Aaniish (and so) geget (truly) mindimooye (the old woman) naningiiwizid (trembled — by reason of age and fear).
(73) Mīdạc wäwīp cayīgwa wī∙u∙mbōmāt Nänabucu ō‘kumisạn. Mīdạc änāt: “‘Āᵘ, kīga∙u∙mbōmin,” udinān ō‘kumisạn.
Mii dash wewiib zhayiigwa wii-ombomaad Nenabozho ookomisan. Mii dash enaad: “Aaw, gigad-ombomin,” odinaan ookomisan.
And so hastily was Nänabushu now going to carry his grandmother upon his back. Thereupon he said to her: “Come, let me carry you upon my back!” he said to her.
Mii dash (and so) wewiib (hastily) zhayiigwa (now) wii-ombomaad (he was going to carry her on his back) Nenabozho (Nenabozho) ookomisan (his grandmother). Mii dash (and then) enaad (he said to her): “ ‘Āᵘ (vocable, carried verbatim), gigad-ombomin (let me carry you on my back)!’ ” odinaan (he said to) ookomisan (his grandmother).
(74) Mīdạc kägä‘t.
Mii dash geget.
And so that (was what) truly (happened).
Mii dash (and so) geget (that was truly what happened).
(75) Mīdạc änā‘t ōjisan: “Nạmä‘tägumạg!”
Mii dash enaad oozhisan: “Nametegomag!”
And then she said to her grandson: “Oh, my dried fish!”
Mii dash (and then) enaad (she said to him) oozhisan (her grandson): “Nametegomag (oh, my dried fish! — Fiero rendering unconfirmed by lexicon, flagged)!”
(76) “Mānū, gägu pạbāmänimā‘kạn!”
“Maanoo, gego babaamenimaakan!”
“Never mind, don’t bother about them!”
maanoo (never mind), gego (don’t), babaamenimaakan (bother about them)
(77) Minawā mindimōyä i‘kitō: “Nōjis! ningackipitāgạn nindōnī‘känạn.”
Minawaa mindimooye ikido: “Noozhis! ningashkibidaagan nindooniikenan.”
Again the old woman said: “O my grandson! my tobacco-pouch am I forgetting.”
minawaa (again), mindimooye (the old woman), ikido (she said): “Noozhis! (grandson!) ningashkibidaagan (my tobacco-pouch) nindooniikenan (verb, meaning uncertain — see flag)”
(78) Mīdạc kägä‘t Nänabucu ājäpạgisut, awinawatināt ō‘kumisạn ugaskipitāgạnini.
Mii dash geget Nenabozho azhebagizod, awi-nawadinaad ookomisan ogashkibidaaganini.
Thereupon truly back Nänabushu hurried, as he went and seized his grandmother’s tobacco-pouch.
mii dash (thereupon), geget (truly), Nenabozho (Nenabozho), azhebagizod (he hurried/ran back — root not corpus-attested, see flag), awi-nawadinaad (he went and seized [it]), ookomisan (his grandmother’s), ogashkibidaaganini (her tobacco-pouch)
(79) Ānawi wīnigu Nänabucu mīni‘k wīnigu käckiwanät kī∙u∙mbiwạnä, mīdạc imā ō‘kumisạn ukitcaya∙ī∙ kī∙ạ∙sāt ō‘kumisạn.
Aanawi wiin igo Nenabozho minik wiin igo geshkiwaned gii-ombiwane, mii dash imaa ookomisan ogichayi’ii gii-asaad ookomisan.
Even though Nänabushu put as much as he could carry upon his back, yet there on the top (of his burden) he placed his grandmother.
aanawi (even though), wiin igo (he, emphatic), Nenabozho (Nenabozho), minik (as much as), wiin igo (he, emphatic), geshkiwaned (he was able to carry it — root uncertain, see flag), gii-ombiwane (he put [it] on his back), mii dash (and then), imaa (there), ookomisan (his grandmother), ogichayi’ii (on the very top of it), gii-asaad (he placed her), ookomisan (his grandmother)
(80) Mīdạc kīmādcība‘tōd, nagạtcinicindạng upīndcibōnāgạnạn.
Mii dash gii-maajiibatood, nagachinizhindang obiinjiboonaaganan.
Thereupon he started to run, leaving behind his fish-traps.
mii dash (thereupon), gii-maajiibatood (he started to run), nagachinizhindang (he left it/them behind — root uncertain, see flag), obiinjiboonaaganan (his fish-traps — element uncertain, see flag)
(81) Mīdạc Nänabucu mādcād, mādcinicimut.
Mii dash Nenabozho maajaad, maaji-nizhimod.
Now, as Nänabushu started, he began singing.
mii dash (now), Nenabozho (Nenabozho), maajaad (as he started off), maaji-nizhimod (he began singing)
(82) Mīnạngwana wīn kā∙i∙ji∙u∙nā‘kunigäwāt ändaswạwānạgisiwāt mini‘kigu nä‘tā∙ạ∙mwāt kīⁿgōⁿyạn.
Miinangwana wiin gaa-izhi-onaakonigewaad endazwawaanagiziwaad minikigo netaa-amwaad giigoonyan.
It so happened that an agreement had been entered into among the various creatures, as many as there were that used fish for food.
miinangwana (it so happened), wiin (as for that/emphatic), gaa-izhi-onaakonigewaad (that it had been so agreed/decided among them), endazwawaanagiziwaad (as many as there were — root uncertain, see flag), minikigo (just as many as), netaa-amwaad (those accustomed to eating), giigoonyan (fish)
(83) Mīdạc kī∙ạ∙nōnint ni‘tạm kwīngwīci tci∙ạ∙wiku‘tāsumāt Nänabucōn.
Mii dash gii-anoonind nitam gwiingwiishi ji-awi-gotaasomaad Nenabozhoon.
Therefore the first one employed to go scare Nänabushu was the Canada jay.
mii dash (therefore), gii-anoonind (the first one was employed/sent), nitam (first), gwiingwiishi (the Canada jay), ji-awi-gotaasomaad (to go scare him — final morpheme uncertain, see flag), Nenabozhoon (Nenabozho)
(84) Iniwidạc ō‘kumisạn ugīki‘känimāni awänänen ayāwinit, mīdạc Nänabucu kā∙u∙ndcisägisisik.
*Iniwidash ookomisan ogii-gikenimaani awenenen ayaawinid, mii dash Nenabozho gaa-onji-zegizisig.**
Now, his grandmother knew who they were, and for that reason Nänabushu was not frightened at first.
iniwidash (and that one), ookomisan (his grandmother), ogii-gikenimaani (she knew — ending flagged), awenenen (who), ayaawinid (that one who was/existed), mii dash (and for that reason), Nenabozho (Nenabozho), gaa-onji-zegizisig (he was not frightened [at first])
(85) Pānimādạc minawā ānint pa‘kān kī∙ạ∙nōnāwạg, kāwīn ugīsägimāsiwāwān Nänabucōn.
Baanimaa dash miinawaa aanind bakaan gii-anoonaawag, gaawiin ogii-zegimaasiwaawaan Nenabozhoon.
Then afterwards some others that were different were employed, but they did not frighten Nänabushu.
baanimaa dash (then afterwards), miinawaa (again/also), aanind (some), bakaan (different), gii-anoonaawag (they were employed), gaawiin (not), ogii-zegimaasiwaawaan (they did not scare him), Nenabozhoon (Nenabozho)
(86) Mīdạc minawā ānint kī∙ạ∙nōnintwā.
Mii dash miinawaa aanind gii-anoonindwaa.
Thereupon some others were next employed.
mii dash (thereupon), miinawaa (again), aanind (some others), gii-anoonindwaa (they were next employed)
(87) Mīdạc awä päji‘k îskwātc kā∙i∙jāt mīdạc awä sīgwạnikō‘kō‘ko∙ō∙n kāsägimigut Nänabucō; mīdạc īni’ᵘ kā∙u∙ndcinagadcinicindạnk upīndcibōnāgạn. Mīdạc wīnawā kīmēyāwisiwāt ạnōdcigu aiya∙ā∙wicänsạg kīwīsiniwāt imāⁿ.
Mii dash awe bezhig ishkwaaj gaa-izhaad mii dash awe ziigwani-gookooko’oon gaa-zegimigod Nenabozhoo; mii dash iniw gaa-onji-nagajinizhindang obiinjiboonaagan. Mii dash wiinawaa gii-meyaawiziwaad anoojigo aiyaawizhensag gii-wiisiniwaad imaan.
And the one that came last was the screech-owl by whom Nänabushu was frightened; and on account of that one, he left behind his fish-trap. Thereupon all the various little animal folk enjoyed the fruits of the labor (of Nänabushu and his grandmother) by eating the food there.
mii dash (and), awe bezhig (the one), ishkwaaj (last), gaa-izhaad (that came), mii dash (and), awe (that one), ziigwani-gookooko’oon (the screech-owl — see note), gaa-zegimigod (by whom he was frightened), Nenabozhoo (Nenabozho); mii dash (and), iniw (that one — see note), gaa-onji-nagajinizhindang (on account of which he left it behind — root uncertain, see flag), obiinjiboonaagan (his fish-trap — element uncertain, see flag). mii dash (and), wiinawaa (they), gii-meyaawiziwaad (they had good fortune/benefited — root uncertain, see flag), anoojigo (in all their various kinds), aiyaawizhensag (the little animal folk — root uncertain, see flag), gii-wiisiniwaad (as they ate), imaan (there).