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.
ẠGWẠNDCONĀGẠN.
AGWANJOONAAGAN.
FLOATING-NET-STICK.
Narrated by Penesi — Series 2 (Nos. 4–43), Fort William (per Jones Part II Introduction p. ix; not credited on the story page itself).
from Ojibwa Texts collected by William Jones (1919).
(1) Ningudingisa kīwäⁿ ạnicinābäg ōdätōwạg tcīgibīg kistcigạmīng, mī∙i∙māⁿ wä∙u∙ndcīwād kī∙o∙säwāt wīnisāwāt awäsīⁿyạn; ānind gayä kīⁿgōⁿyạn unōdci∙ā∙wān. ‘Aᵉa´widạc ugimāⁿ, Ạgwạndcōnagạn ijini‘kāzu; mī∙i∙´ᵘ ga‘kina täbanimāgubạnän īni´ᵘ anicinābä wädä‘tōnit. Wīnigu ga‘kina äni∙i∙‘kidot, änī∙i∙nād īni´ᵘ anicinābä täbänimāt mī∙i∙ᵘ ändōdạminit.
Ningoding isa giiwenh anishinaabeg oodetoowag jiigibiig gichigaming, mii imaa wenjiiwaad giiyosewaad wii-nisaawaad awesiinyan; aanind gaye giigoonyan onoojii’aawaan. A’aw idash ogimaa, Agwanjoonaagan izhinikaazo; mii iw gakina debanimaagobanen iniw anishinaaben wedetoonid. Wiin igo gakina eni-ikidod, eni-inaad iniw anishinaaben debenimaad mii iw endoodaminid.
Now, once they say that the people were living in a town by the shore of the sea, and so from that place they set forth when they went on a hunt to kill game; and some also obtained fish. Now, one was chief. Floating-Net-Stick was his name; for it was he who ruled over all the people that lived in the town. And since he had the say in all matters, what he would command the people under his charge, that would they do.
Ningoding isa giiwenh (once, so they say) anishinaabeg oodetoowag (the people had a town) jiigibiig gichigaming (by the shore of the sea), mii imaa wenjiiwaad (it was from there they set out) giiyosewaad (when they went hunting) wii-nisaawaad awesiinyan (to kill animals); aanind gaye giigoonyan onoojii’aawaan (and some went after fish). A’aw idash ogimaa (and that one was chief), Agwanjoonaagan izhinikaazo (Floating-Net-Stick he was called); mii iw gakina debanimaagobanen (it was he, so it is said, who ruled over all; dubitative preterite) iniw anishinaaben wedetoonid (those people who had the town). Wiin igo gakina eni-ikidod (whatever he said), eni-inaad iniw anishinaaben debenimaad (what he told the people he governed), mii iw endoodaminid (that is what they did).
(2) Ningudingidạc kāwīn ā‘pidci kägō uni‘tōsīnāwa kämīdciwāt, mī∙i∙dạc äjikạnōnāwāt īni´ᵘ ugimān: “Ānīn, Ạgwạndcōnāgạn, kädijiwäbisiyāng? Kāwīn gägō nimi‘kazīmin. Kībạgusänimigō kägō tcī∙i∙jitcigäyạn tcîmi‘kạmāng wägōnän kä∙u∙ndcipimādisiyāng.”
Ningoding idash gaawiin aapiji gegoo onitoosiinaawaa ge-miijiwaad, mii idash ezhi-ganoonaawaad iniw ogimaan: “Aaniin, Agwanjoonaagan, ged-izhiwebiziyaang? Gaawiin gegoo nimikaziimin. Gibagosenimigoo gegoo ji-izhichigeyan ji-mikamaang wegonen ge-onji-bimaadiziyaang.”
Now, once on a time they were not killing very much of anything to eat, whereupon they spoke to the chief: “What, Floating-Net-Stick, will become of us? Nothing are we finding. We beg of you to do something so that we may find what we are to live upon.”
Ningoding idash (then once on a time) gaawiin aapiji gegoo onitoosiinaawaa (they were not killing much of anything) ge-miijiwaad (that they might eat), mii idash ezhi-ganoonaawaad iniw ogimaan (so then they spoke to the chief): “Aaniin, Agwanjoonaagan (what, Floating-Net-Stick), ged-izhiwebiziyaang? (what will become of us?) Gaawiin gegoo nimikaziimin (nothing are we finding). Gibagosenimigoo (you are begged; we beg of you) gegoo ji-izhichigeyan (to do something) ji-mikamaang wegonen ge-onji-bimaadiziyaang (so that we find what we are to live upon).”
(3) ‘Aᵉa´widạc ugimā kī∙i∙‘kido: “Ckumā sāga∙i∙gāns uji‘tōyu‘k tcīgibīg kistcigạmīng. Mānūdạc pạngītạjībaiya kistcigạmīng inakakäyā.”
A’aw idash ogimaa gii-ikido: “Shkomaa zaaga’igaans ozhitooyok jiigibiig gichigaming. Maanoo dash bangii daa-zhiibaayaa gichigaming inakakeyaa.”
And the chief said: “Then make you a small lake by the shore of the sea. And let there be a small (underground) passage out towards the sea.”
A’aw idash ogimaa gii-ikido (and the chief said): “Shkomaa (come, then) zaaga’igaans ozhitooyok (make ye a little lake) jiigibiig gichigaming (by the shore of the sea). Maanoo dash (and let it be so) bangii daa-zhiibaayaa (let a small passage run through) gichigaming inakakeyaa (out toward the sea).”
(4) Mīdạc ‘iᵉi´ᵘ kägä‘t kā∙i∙jitcigäwāt kā∙i∙gōwāt īni´ᵘ ugimān. A‘pī∙i∙dạc kā‘kīci‘tōwād ‘iᵉi´ᵘ sāga∙i∙gāns, “Mī∙u∙māⁿ ayāyu‘k, imāⁿ jībaiyā‘k.” Päᵉjik idạc ugi∙u∙ji‘tōn ạgwạndcōnāgạn, mīdạc kā∙i∙nāt ạnicinābäᵉ: “Ạnāmīndîm ningạtijā tcînāsi‘kawạgwā kīⁿgōⁿyạg, mī∙ō∙māⁿ kädijiwīnạgwā sāga∙i∙gānsing. A‘pī∙i∙dạc wābạmägwā mōckinäwāt imāⁿ sāga∙i∙gānsing, mī∙i∙’ᵘ kädijikibā∙ạ∙mäg imāⁿ cībaiyāg.”
Mii dash i’iw geget gaa-izhichigewaad gaa-igoowaad iniw ogimaan. Apii idash gaa-giizhitoowaad i’iw zaaga’igaans, “Mii omaa ayaayok, imaa zhiibaayaag.” Bezhig idash ogii-ozhitoon agwanjoonaagan, mii dash gaa-inaad anishinaabeg: “Anaamiindim ningad-izhaa ji-naazikawagwaa giigoonyag, mii omaa ged-izhiwinagwaa zaaga’igaansing. Apii idash waabamegwaa mooshkinewaad imaa zaaga’igaansing, mii iw ged-izhi-giba’ameg imaa zhiibaayaag.”
Now, it was true that they did what they had been told by the chief. And after they had finished the little lake, “Now in this place do you remain, in this (underground) passageway.” And one floating-net stick he made, whereupon he said to the people: “Under the water will I go to fetch the fish, for by this very place will I bring them to the little lake. And when you see that they are filling up the little lake there, then shall you close up the place of the (underground) passageway.”
Mii dash i’iw geget gaa-izhichigewaad (and truly so they did) gaa-igoowaad iniw ogimaan (as they were told by the chief). Apii idash gaa-giizhitoowaad i’iw zaaga’igaans (and when they had finished the little lake), “Mii omaa ayaayok (right here remain ye), imaa zhiibaayaag (there at the passage).” Bezhig idash ogii-ozhitoon agwanjoonaagan (and one floating-net stick he made), mii dash gaa-inaad anishinaabeg (then he said to the people): “Anaamiindim ningad-izhaa (under the water will I go) ji-naazikawagwaa giigoonyag (to go and fetch the fish), mii omaa ged-izhiwinagwaa zaaga’igaansing (by this very place will I bring them to the little lake). Apii idash waabamegwaa (and when you see them) mooshkinewaad imaa zaaga’igaansing (filling up the little lake there), mii iw ged-izhi-giba’ameg (then shall you close it up) imaa zhiibaayaag (there at the passage).”
(5) Mī∙i∙dạc ci´gwa käᵉgä‘t owâbạmāwān pīndigänit kīⁿgōⁿyaᵉ. Ka‘kina ändạswāwanagisiwāt kīⁿgōⁿyạg kī‘pīndigäwạg imāⁿ sāga∙i∙gānsing. Apī∙i∙dạc mōckinäwāt kīⁿgōⁿyạg ugīkîba∙ā∙nāwa imāⁿ cībaiyāg. Mī∙a∙´ᵘ Ạgwạndcōnāgạn kā‘pīnāt kīⁿgōⁿyaᵉ. Mīdạc imāⁿ a‘pạnä kā∙u∙ndināwāt nībiwa kīⁿgōⁿyạn.
Mii idash zhigwa geget owaabamaawaan biindigenid giigoonyag. Gakina endaswaawanagiziwaad giigoonyag gii-biindigewag imaa zaaga’igaansing. Apii idash mooshkinewaad giigoonyag ogii-giba’aanaawaa imaa zhiibaayaag. Mii aw Agwanjoonaagan gaa-biinaad giigoonyag. Mii dash imaa apane gaa-ondinaawaad niibiwa giigoonyan.
And so at last they truly beheld the fish going in. And the various kinds of fish went into that little lake over there. And when the fish had filled up the place, then they closed up the underground passageway. It was Floating-Net-Stick who fetched home the fish. And so it was from that place that they always obtained abundant fish.
Mii idash zhigwa geget (and then at last truly) owaabamaawaan biindigenid giigoonyag (they beheld the fish going in). Gakina endaswaawanagiziwaad giigoonyag (all the kinds of fish, as many as there were) gii-biindigewag imaa zaaga’igaansing (went into the little lake there). Apii idash mooshkinewaad giigoonyag (and when the fish had filled it up) ogii-giba’aanaawaa imaa zhiibaayaag (they closed up the passage there). Mii aw Agwanjoonaagan gaa-biinaad giigoonyag (it was Floating-Net-Stick who fetched the fish home). Mii dash imaa apane gaa-ondinaawaad niibiwa giigoonyan (and so from that place they always obtained many fish).
(6) Ningudingidạc mägwā ōdä‘tōwād kīkistci∙i∙jiwäbạt, animi‘kīg ugīpạnādci‘tōnāwa iᵘ ōdäna; wīnäta Ạgwạndcōnāgạn kāwīn kinibusī. Kinickādizi. Mī∙i∙dạc kā∙i∙jimādcāt ạnōdc mạnidō ugīpabāgạgwädcimān tcînādamāgut, kāwīn awiya ugīmi‘kawāsīn; ga‘kina asînīn pīwâbi‘k gayä ändaswäwānạga‘k ugīgagwädcindān. Ka‘kina dạc ugī∙i∙gūn: “Kāwīn gayä nīn nimpizwạgạnāmigusī.”
Ningoding idash megwaa oodetoowaad gii-gichi-izhiwebad, animikiig ogii-banaajitoonaawaa iw oodena; wiin eta Agwanjoonaagan gaawiin gii-nibosii. Gii-nishkaadizi. Mii idash gaa-izhi-maajaad anooj manidoo ogii-babaa-gagwejimaan ji-naadamaagod, gaawiin awiya ogii-mikawaasiin; gakina asiniin biiwaabik gaye endaswewaanagak ogii-gagwejindaan. Gakina dash ogii-igoon: “Gaawiin gaye niin nimbizwaganaamigosii.”
Now, once on a time, while they were dwelling at the place, there arose a great storm; Floating-Net-Stick was the only one not to die. He was angered. And so afterwards he went forth, going about asking all the various manitous to help him, but no one did he find; all the rocks and the various kinds of metal there he asked. And by all was he told: “I am also beyond destruction from the power of a blow.”
Ningoding idash megwaa oodetoowaad (now once, while they dwelt in the town) gii-gichi-izhiwebad (a great thing came to pass), animikiig ogii-banaajitoonaawaa iw oodena (the Thunderers destroyed the town); wiin eta Agwanjoonaagan gaawiin gii-nibosii (only Floating-Net-Stick did not die). Gii-nishkaadizi (he was angered). Mii idash gaa-izhi-maajaad (and so he set forth) anooj manidoo ogii-babaa-gagwejimaan (he went about asking all manner of manidoog) ji-naadamaagod (to help him), gaawiin awiya ogii-mikawaasiin (no one did he find); gakina asiniin (all the stones) biiwaabik gaye endaswewaanagak (and every kind of metal) ogii-gagwejindaan (he asked of them). Gakina dash ogii-igoon (and by all was he told): “Gaawiin gaye niin nimbizwaganaamigosii (I too cannot be shattered by a blow).”
(7) Gäga‘pī∙i∙dec päᵉjik wägutugwän ma‘kadäpīwâbi‘k ā‘pidciswāngạnugwän mī∙i∙´ᵘ kātäpwä‘tāgut. Mēdạc kā∙i∙dạnk mîcigînäbigunk tcî∙i∙jināgwạdinig. Mēdạc käᵉgä‘t kā∙i∙jināgwạk ‘iᵉi´ᵘ ma‘kadäpīwābi‘k. Mīdạc imāⁿ apîmayä∙ī∙kī‘kāsut. A‘pī∙i∙dạc änimi‘kīkāk änimi‘kīg ogīwâbạmāwān mîcigînäbigōn cingicininit, mīdạc pāginäwāt. Kāwīndec pīgwisäsinōn ‘iᵉi´ᵘ ma‘kadäpīwâbi‘k. Pīnic kāwīn kwätc owâbạndazīn wâsạmowin, ogītcāginān ‘iᵉi´ᵘ ickodä ạnimi‘kī. Käga‘pī ugīkwāckunadānāwa ‘iᵉi´ᵘ pīwâbi‘k, kāwīn obigwābitōsīnāwa.
Gegapii idash bezhig wegodogwen makade-biiwaabik aapiji-zoonganogwen mii iw gaa-debwetaagod. Mii dash gaa-idang mishi-ginebigong ji-izhinaagwadinig. Mii dash geget gaa-izhinaagwak i’iw makade-biiwaabik. Mii dash imaa opime-ayi’ii gii-gaazod. Apii idash animikiikaag animikiig ogii-waabamaawaan mishi-ginebigoon zhingishininid, mii dash baaginewaad. Gaawiin dash biigwisesinoon i’iw makade-biiwaabik. Biinish gaawiin gwech owaabandanziin waasamowin, ogii-jaaginaan i’iw ishkode animikii. Gegapii ogii-gwaashkonadaanaawaa i’iw biiwaabik, gaawiin obiigwaabidoosiinaawaa.
Then at last there was one unknown kind of black metal that must have been very strong, and it was by it that he was promised help. And so what he said to it was that it should look like a great serpent. And so truly that was what the black metal looked like. Thereupon over there at one side he hid himself. And during a thunder-storm the Thunderers beheld a large serpent lying there, whereupon they struck at it. But the black metal did not shatter into pieces. (He watched it) till he could scarcely see any lightning, for all their fire had the Thunderers used up. At last (the Thunderers) sprang upon that metal, but they could not make an impression upon it.
Gegapii idash (then at last) bezhig wegodogwen makade-biiwaabik (one black metal, whatever kind it was) aapiji-zoonganogwen (it must have been very strong) mii iw gaa-debwetaagod (and by that one was he given his promise). Mii dash gaa-idang (and what he said to it was) mishi-ginebigong ji-izhinaagwadinig (that it should take on the look of the Great Serpent). Mii dash geget gaa-izhinaagwak i’iw makade-biiwaabik (and truly so did the black metal appear). Mii dash imaa opime-ayi’ii gii-gaazod (then off at one side he hid himself). Apii idash animikiikaag (and when a thunder-storm came) animikiig ogii-waabamaawaan mishi-ginebigoon zhingishininid (the Thunderers beheld the great serpent lying there), mii dash baaginewaad (whereupon they struck at it). Gaawiin dash biigwisesinoon i’iw makade-biiwaabik (but the black metal did not shatter into pieces). Biinish gaawiin gwech owaabandanziin waasamowin (until he could scarcely see any lightning), ogii-jaaginaan i’iw ishkode animikii (for the Thunderers’ fire had been used up). Gegapii ogii-gwaashkonadaanaawaa i’iw biiwaabik (at last they sprang upon the metal), gaawiin obiigwaabidoosiinaawaa (they could not tear it apart).
(8) A‘pī∙i∙dec Ạgwạndcōnāgạn weyâbạmāt ckudä ayāsinini‘k, īni´ᵘ animi‘kīn ugīmawinạnān; ugīsạgizitänān päᵉjik. “Kīnîna kạbạnādci‘tōyạn nidōdäna?” Mīdạc imāⁿ pīwâbi‘kunk kīpa‘kitäcimāt pīnic kīnisāt. A‘pī∙i∙dạc kānîsāt kī∙i∙jā iwidi udūdäna ayānigibạn; mīyä‘ta u‘kạnạn ä‘tänig. Mēdạc kā∙i∙jimi‘tigwâbī‘kät nîswi asawânạn ugī∙u∙ji‘tōnạn. Mī∙i∙dạc kā∙i∙ji∙a∙yāni‘kawigạnäcimāt anicinābäᵉ, ka‘kina ändacinipạn, mī∙i∙dạc îcpimīng ina∙ä∙t. Mīdạc ä‘kidot: “Ä‘äᵉ anicinābätug! unickaiyu‘k, kîbîtcinōninim.”¹ A‘pī kāpạngisibini‘k udasawān kägā miziwäsiwạg anicinābäg. Mīnawā päjik udasawān kī∙i∙na∙ä∙ cpîmīng, mī∙i∙´ᵘ mēnawā ä‘kidot: “Ä‘äᵉ, ạnicinābätug! anickaiyu‘k, kibî‘tcinōninim.” Mī∙i∙´ᵘ anāwi kīmạmīziwäziwāt ạnicinābäk. Mīdạc käyābi päᵉji‘k udasawān īcpîmīng gī∙ī∙na∙ä∙. Mīgu mīnawā iᵘ kā∙i∙‘ki‘tut: “Ạnicinābätug! unickaiyu‘k, kibîtcinōninim.” Mīdạc ka‘kina kā∙i∙jipạzigwīwāt näyāp; mīnawā kī‘pîmādisiwạg äjipîmādisiwā‘pạn.
Apii idash Agwanjoonaagan wayaabamaad ishkode ayaasininik, iniw animikiin ogii-mawinanaan; ogii-sagizidenaan bezhig. “Giin ina gaa-banaajitooyan nindoodena?” Mii dash imaa biiwaabikong gii-bakiteshimaad biinish gii-nisaad. Apii idash gaa-nisaad gii-izhaa iwidi odoodena ayaanigiban; mii eta okanan etenig. Mii dash gaa-izhi-mitigwaabiiked niswi asawaanan ogii-ozhitoonan. Mii idash gaa-izhi-ayaanikawiganeshimaad anishinaabeg, gakina endashiniban, mii idash ishpiming ina’ed. Mii dash ekidod: “Ä‘äᵉ, anishinaabedog! onishkaayok, gibichinooninim.” Apii gaa-bangisininik odasawaan gegaa miziwesiwag anishinaabeg. Miinawaa bezhig odasawaan gii-ina’e ishpiming, mii iw miinawaa ekidod: “Ä‘äᵉ, anishinaabedog! onishkaayok, gibichinooninim.” Mii iw aanawi gii-mamiziweziwaad anishinaabeg. Mii dash geyaabi bezhig odasawaan ishpiming gii-ina’e. Mii go miinawaa iw gaa-ikidod: “Anishinaabedog! onishkaayok, gibichinooninim.” Mii dash gakina gaa-izhi-bazigwiiwaad neyaab; miinawaa gii-bimaadiziwag ezhi-bimaadiziwaapan.
And when Floating-Net-Stick saw that (the Thunderers) had no more fire, he then made an attack upon the Thunderers; he seized hold of one by the foot. “Are you the one who destroyed my town?” And so there upon the iron he flung it till he slew it. And after he had slain it, he then went over to the place where his town used to be; there were only bones at the place. And so after he had made a bow, he then made three (spear-pointed) arrows. And then, after he had placed the bones together in their natural order, all that had been in the body, then into the air he sent (an arrow). And then he said: “Yea, O ye people! rise up, for I am shooting at you with an aim undirected.”¹ When the arrow had fallen, nearly whole were the people. Another arrow he sent into the air. Whereupon he said: “Yea, O ye people! rise up, for I am shooting at you with an aim undirected.” Whereupon truly were the people all made whole. And then the remaining arrow into the air he sent. Whereupon again he then said: “O ye people! rise up, for I am shooting at you with an aim undirected.” Whereupon all then rose to their feet, as they had done in the past; again were they alive, as they used to be.
Apii idash Agwanjoonaagan wayaabamaad (and when Floating-Net-Stick saw) ishkode ayaasininik (that no fire was left), iniw animikiin ogii-mawinanaan (he attacked the Thunderers); ogii-sagizidenaan bezhig (he seized one by the foot). “Giin ina gaa-banaajitooyan nindoodena? (is it thou who destroyed my town?)” Mii dash imaa biiwaabikong gii-bakiteshimaad (then there upon the iron he flung him down) biinish gii-nisaad (until he slew him). Apii idash gaa-nisaad (and after he had slain him) gii-izhaa iwidi odoodena ayaanigiban (he went over to where his town used to be; -ban: a town that was); mii eta okanan etenig (only the bones were there). Mii dash gaa-izhi-mitigwaabiiked (and after he had made a bow) niswi asawaanan ogii-ozhitoonan (three arrows he made). Mii idash gaa-izhi-ayaanikawiganeshimaad anishinaabeg (then he laid the people out, bone joined to bone in order), gakina endashiniban (all that had been in the body), mii idash ishpiming ina’ed (then upward he shot). Mii dash ekidod (and then he said): “Ä‘äᵉ, anishinaabedog! (yea, O ye people!; vocative plural) onishkaayok (rise up!), gibichinooninim (I shoot at you with an aim undirected; by chance, at no one in particular).” Apii gaa-bangisininik odasawaan (when his arrow had fallen) gegaa miziwesiwag anishinaabeg (nearly whole were the people). Miinawaa bezhig odasawaan gii-ina’e ishpiming (another arrow he sent into the air), mii iw miinawaa ekidod (whereupon he said again): “Ä‘äᵉ, anishinaabedog! onishkaayok, gibichinooninim.” Mii iw aanawi gii-mamiziweziwaad anishinaabeg (whereupon truly were the people each made whole). Mii dash geyaabi bezhig odasawaan (and then the remaining arrow) ishpiming gii-ina’e (into the air he sent). Mii go miinawaa iw gaa-ikidod (and again the same he said): “Anishinaabedog! onishkaayok, gibichinooninim.” Mii dash gakina gaa-izhi-bazigwiiwaad neyaab (whereupon all rose to their feet as before); miinawaa gii-bimaadiziwag ezhi-bimaadiziwaapan (again they lived as they had lived before; preterite: as they used to live).
¹ It is a bit troublesome to make this sentence clear without use of the text. “With an aim undirected” is a free rendering of what in Ojibwa would be better rendered with something like “by chance” or “by accident;” the idea being, that, no matter where the arrow falls, the result will be the same for one as for all, and that the shooting of the arrow is not designed for any individual in particular. — W. Jones (footnote printed across pp. 242–243). · Printer’s note: kāpạngisibini‘k (p. 242, l. 24) prints b where n is expected (cf. pạngisin- “fall”); preserved as printed.
(9) Mī∙i∙dạc ‘iᵉi´ᵘ miziwä äjināgwa‘k ki‘tcigạmīng: sāga∙i∙gāns ayāmạga‘k tcīgibīg pạngī cībaiyā kistcigạmīng ina‘kakäyā. Mī∙i∙māⁿ ayāwāt mōⁿjạg kīⁿgōⁿyạg. Mī∙i∙´ᵘ wīn Ạgwạndcōnāgạn kā∙u∙ji‘tōgubạnän. Mī∙i∙māⁿ mōⁿjạg ạnicinābäg wändinawāt ạnōdc kīⁿgōⁿyaᵉ.
Mii idash i’iw miziwe ezhinaagwak gichigaming: zaaga’igaans ayaamagak jiigibiig bangii zhiibaayaa gichigaming inakakeyaa. Mii imaa ayaawaad moonzhag giigoonyag. Mii iw wiin Agwanjoonaagan gaa-ozhitoogobanen. Mii imaa moonzhag anishinaabeg wendinawaad anooj giigoonyag.
Now, therefore, that is the way it looks along the sea: there is (always) a little lake by the shore, with an underground passage leading towards the sea. In that place are always fishes. And now it was Floating-Net-Stick himself who had caused it. And from that place do the people always obtain all kinds of fish.
Mii idash i’iw miziwe ezhinaagwak gichigaming (that, then, is the way it looks everywhere along the sea): zaaga’igaans ayaamagak jiigibiig (there is a little lake by the shore) bangii zhiibaayaa gichigaming inakakeyaa (with a small passage running out toward the sea). Mii imaa ayaawaad moonzhag giigoonyag (in that place there are always fish). Mii iw wiin Agwanjoonaagan gaa-ozhitoogobanen (and it was Floating-Net-Stick himself who had made it, so it is said; dubitative preterite). Mii imaa moonzhag anishinaabeg wendinawaad anooj giigoonyag (and from there do the people always obtain all kinds of fish).
(10) Mīsai.
Mii sa i.
That is all.
Mii sa i (that is all).