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.
KWĪWISÄNS KĀMĀDCĪNIGUT MA‘KWAN.
GWIIWIZENS GAA-MAAJIINIGOD MAKWAN.
THE BOY THAT WAS CARRIED AWAY BY A BEAR.
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) Ningudingsa tāgwābạn anicinābäᵉg; päᵉjikidạc a‘kiwäⁿzī nībiwa udaiyāwaᵉ unīdcānisaᵉ, īni´ᵘ idạc päᵉjik ogwisạn mōⁿjạg opagi‘täᵒwān, ạgāⁿjīyi ‘aᵉa´ᵘ kwīwisäns. Nīnguding minawā ugīpapaki‘tä∙o∙wān, ‘aᵉa´widạc kwīwisäns kīmādcība‘tō nō‘piming. Ningudcidạc mägwä cingubī‘kā ani∙a∙ba‘tōd ki‘tcipäᵉcu´ ma‘kwạn owâbạmān. Mīgo∙i∙´ᵘ āja kītäbibinigut; ‘aᵉawidạc kwīwijäns sägizit pīpāgi. “Îyā!” inwä. Mägwā pīpāgit mīgū∙i∙´ᵘ kīwạnänimāt ōᵘsan ugīn gayä; mīgō∙i∙´ᵘ āja mäckut kīsāgi∙ā∙t īni´ᵘ ma‘kwan obicawäninigōn; kāwīn ogīnîsigusīn.
Ningoding sa daawaaban anishinaabeg; bezhig idash akiwenzii niibiwa odayaawaag oniijaanisag, iniw idash bezhig ogwisan moonzhag obakite’waan, agaashiinyi a’aw gwiiwizens. Ningoding miinawaa ogii-babakite’waan, a’aw idash gwiiwizens gii-maajiibatoo noopiming. Ningoji idash megwaa zhingobiikaa ani-batood gichi-besho makwan owaabamaan. Mii go iw azha gii-debibinigod; a’aw idash gwiiwizens zegizid biibaagi. “Iyaa!” inwe. Megwaa biibaagid mii go iw gii-wanenimaad oosan ogiin gaye; mii go iw azha meshkwad gii-zaagi’aad iniw makwan obizhawenimigoon; gaawiin ogii-nisigosiin.
Once on a time there were dwelling some people; and a certain old man had many children, and one of his sons was he continually flogging; small was the boy. Once again he chastised him thoroughly, and the boy started away on the run into the forest. And presently, while running along through a balsam-grove, very close by he saw a bear. Thereupon then was he seized; and the boy, becoming alarmed, cried out with a loud voice. “Iyā!” he exclaimed. While calling aloud, he thereupon lost the memory of his father and his mother; accordingly, then, instead he became fond of the bear that had come to take pity upon him; he was not slain by it.
Ningoding sa (once upon a time) daawaaban (there dwelt; 27-H1 — dwelling-verb, stem uncertain) anishinaabeg (people); bezhig idash akiwenzii (and a certain old man) niibiwa odayaawaag oniijaanisag (had many children), iniw idash bezhig ogwisan (and one of his sons) moonzhag obakite’waan (he kept flogging), agaashiinyi a’aw gwiiwizens (small was the boy). Ningoding miinawaa (once again) ogii-babakite’waan (he flogged him thoroughly), a’aw idash gwiiwizens (and the boy) gii-maajiibatoo noopiming (started running off into the forest). Ningoji idash (and presently) megwaa zhingobiikaa (while in a balsam-grove) ani-batood (as he ran along) gichi-besho makwan owaabamaan (very close by he saw a bear). Mii go iw azha (thereupon now) gii-debibinigod (he was seized by it); a’aw idash gwiiwizens (and the boy) zegizid (being afraid) biibaagi (cried out). “Iyaa!” inwe (he exclaimed). Megwaa biibaagid (while crying out) mii go iw (thereupon) gii-wanenimaad oosan ogiin gaye (he forgot his father and his mother); mii go iw azha meshkwad (and so now instead) gii-zaagi’aad iniw makwan (he came to love the bear), obizhawenimigoon (he was taken pity on by it — resolved 2026-09-02, 27-H2); gaawiin ogii-nisigosiin (he was not killed by it).
(2) Mēdac kīmādcīnigut nō‘pîmīng, ā‘pidci ozāgi∙i∙gōn. “Nōjis,” mōⁿjạg udigōn. Mīgu a‘pạnä mōⁿjạg pạpāwīdcīwigut; ạnōdc kägōn umīdcināwa, ka‘kina kägōn nä‘tāwiging mīnạn umīdciwāwān. Ningudīngidạc udigōn: “Ambä, ōwidi ijādā. Mōⁿjạg anicinābäᵉg imāⁿ kägō uda‘tōnāwa mīdcîm. Awigîmōdata!” i‘kido ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa.
Mii dash gii-maajiinigod noopiming, aapiji ozaagi’igon. “Noozhis,” moonzhag odigoon. Mii go apane moonzhag babaa-wiijiiwigod; anooj gegoon omiijinaawaa, gakina gegoon netaawiging miinan omiijiwaawaan. Ningoding idash odigoon: “Ambe, oowidi izhaadaa. Moonzhag anishinaabeg imaa gegoo odatoonaawaa miijim. Awi-gimoodadaa!” ikido a’aw makwa.
Thereupon he was carried away into the forest, very much was he loved (by the bear). “My grandson,” continually was he called. And so all the while, when roaming about, he was ever in the company (of the bear); various kinds of things they ate, all kinds of things in the way of berries that grew in the ground they ate. Now, once he was told: “Come, let us go over in this direction! Ever are the people putting away some kind of food there. Let us go steal it!” said the Bear.
Mii dash (and then) gii-maajiinigod noopiming (he was led away into the forest), aapiji ozaagi’igon (very much he was loved by it). “Noozhis,” (my grandson) moonzhag odigoon (he was always called). Mii go apane moonzhag babaa-wiijiiwigod (and so always he went about in its company); anooj gegoon omiijinaawaa (various things they ate), gakina gegoon netaawiging miinan omiijiwaawaan (all kinds of berries that grow in the ground they ate). Ningoding idash odigoon (and once he was told): “Ambe, oowidi izhaadaa (Come, let us go this way). Moonzhag anishinaabeg imaa gegoo odatoonaawaa miijim (the people always store some food there). Awi-gimoodadaa!” (Let us go steal it!) ikido a’aw makwa (said the bear).
(3) A‘pī∙i∙dạc wädi‘tạmuwād îmāⁿ atänik asạndcigun, minisäns tcīgibīg a‘täni; pāgwā îmāⁿ cībaiyāg. “Mī∙u∙māⁿ ayān,” udigōn. “Ninganāsi‘kān ‘iᵉi´ᵘ asạndcigun.”
Apii idash weditamowaad imaa atenig asanjigon, minisens jiigibiig ateni; baagwaa imaa zhiibaayaag. “Mii omaa ayaan,” odigoon. “Ninga-naazikaan i’iw asanjigon.”
Now, when they came to the place where the cache was, there was a small island off from the water’s edge; shallow was the channel in between. “In this place do you remain,” he was told. “I will go fetch the (contents of the) cache.”
Apii idash weditamowaad (and when they reached) imaa atenig asanjigon (where the cache was), minisens jiigibiig ateni (a small island lay off the shore); baagwaa imaa zhiibaayaag (shallow was the channel between). “Mii omaa ayaan,” odigoon (Here you stay, he was told). “Ninga-naazikaan i’iw asanjigon” (I will go to the cache).
(4) Mīdac kī‘pîmādạgāzī ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa ijāt minisänsing. Unūndān ‘aᵉa´ᵘ kwīwisäns mạmạdwäpitōd wīgwās agwana∙i∙gātänig ‘iᵉi´ᵘ usạndcigun. Nāgạdcidạc ci´gwa pimạdāpī imāⁿ minisänsing ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa, upita‘kunān ma‘ka‘kuckwämak. Mī∙i∙dạc kīmādcītōd nō‘pîmīng. “Wībatạbitạgwicinōg anicinābäᵉg imāⁿ a‘tägibạn asạndcigun.”
Mii dash gii-bimaadagaazii a’aw makwa izhaad minisensing. Onoondaan a’aw gwiiwizens memadwebidood wiigwaas agwana’igaadenig i’iw asanjigon. Naagaji dash zhigwa bimadaabii imaa minisensing a’aw makwa, obidakonaan makakoshkwemak. Mii dash gii-maajiidood noopiming. “Wiiba da-bi-dagwishinoog anishinaabeg imaa ate-giban asanjigon.”
Accordingly into the water waded the Bear as he went over to the islet. A noise did the boy hear (of the Bear) tearing up the birch-bark that covered the cache. Then after a while forth from the island down to the water came the Bear, he came holding in his arms a birch-bark box. Thereupon he started off into the forest with it: “In a little while will the people be coming to the place where the cache used to be.”
Mii dash gii-bimaadagaazii a’aw makwa (and so the bear waded along) izhaad minisensing (going to the little island). Onoondaan a’aw gwiiwizens (the boy heard) memadwebidood wiigwaas (the noise of him tearing the birch-bark) agwana’igaadenig i’iw asanjigon (that covered the cache). Naagaji dash zhigwa (and after a while now) bimadaabii imaa minisensing a’aw makwa (the bear came into view from the island), obidakonaan makakoshkwemak (carrying a birch-bark box). Mii dash gii-maajiidood noopiming (and then he started off into the forest with it). “Wiiba da-bi-dagwishinoog anishinaabeg (Soon the people will come) imaa ate-giban asanjigon (to where the cache used to be).”
(5) Wâsadạc kā∙i∙jāwād, “Mī∙u∙māⁿ tạjiwīsinidā!” udigōn. Mī∙i∙dạc kī‘pigopidōt ‘iᵉi´ᵘ maka‘kuckwämak. Ā‘pidci wäniciciwād nạmä‘tägwạg imāⁿ pīzōwạg; pîmidä gayä pīndäni. Mīdạc kīwīsiniwād. Kā∙i∙ckwā wīsiniwād, “Nibādā!” udigōn. Ā‘pidci kicā‘täni.
Waasa dash gaa-izhaawaad, “Mii omaa daji-wiisinidaa!” odigoon. Mii dash gii-biigobidood i’iw makakoshkwemak. Aapiji wenizhishiwaad namedegwag imaa biizowag; bimide gaye biindeni. Mii dash gii-wiisiniwaad. Gaa-ishkwaa-wiisiniwaad, “Nibaadaa!” odigoon. Aapiji gizhaateni.
And when a long way off they had gone, “In this place let us eat!” (the boy) was told. Whereat he broke up the birch-bark box. Very nice were the fishes dried by roasting that were in (the box); some tallow, too, was inside. Thereupon they ate. After they had eaten, “Let us go to sleep!” (the boy) was told. Exceedingly warm was it.
Waasa dash gaa-izhaawaad (and when they had gone far), “Mii omaa daji-wiisinidaa!” odigoon (Here let us eat! he was told). Mii dash gii-biigobidood i’iw makakoshkwemak (and then he broke open the birch-bark box). Aapiji wenizhishiwaad namedegwag (very nice were the fire-dried fishes; namedeg-family, Jones: fishes dried by roasting) imaa biizowag (that were inside); bimide gaye biindeni (some tallow too was within). Mii dash gii-wiisiniwaad (and so they ate). Gaa-ishkwaa-wiisiniwaad (when they had eaten), “Nibaadaa!” odigoon (Let us sleep! he was told). Aapiji gizhaateni (exceedingly warm was it).
(6) Mī∙i∙dec a‘pī ka‘kina kā∙ạ∙mwāwād nạmä‘tägwạn kī∙ạ∙nimādcāwạg; ạnōdc kägō obạbāmīdcināwa. A‘pī∙i∙dạc kägā änibibōnk, “Ạmbä nạndawâbạndạdā tcī∙a∙yāyạnk!” ‘Aᵉawidạc ma‘kwa kī∙ạ∙nimi‘ku‘tā kīnạntuki‘kändạnk mini‘k anicinābäᵉn kädicānit tcîbibōng. Ningudcidạc ogī∙o∙nābạndān ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa. “Mīsaᵉ omā kāwīn umāⁿ tạbimusäsī ạnicinābä kabäbîbōn.” Mīdạc imāⁿ kī∙u∙ji‘tōd owāc mägwä kījikänsi‘kāng. A‘pī∙i∙dạc päbōnk mī∙i∙māⁿ kīpīndigäwād.
Mii idash apii gakina gaa-amwaawaad namedegwan gii-ani-maajaawag; anooj gegoo obabaa-miijinaawaa. Apii idash gegaa ani-biboong, “Ambe nandawaabandadaa ji-ayaayang!” A’aw idash makwa gii-ani-mikwataa gii-nando-gikendang minik anishinaaben ged-izhaanid ji-biboong. Ningoji idash ogii-onaabandaan a’aw makwa. “Mii sa omaa gaawiin omaa da-bimosesii anishinaabe gabe-biboon.” Mii dash imaa gii-ozhitood owaazh megwaa gizhikensikaang. Apii idash baboong mii imaa gii-biindigewaad.
And so, when they had eaten up all of the fish that had been dried by the fire, they started upon their way; all sorts of things they ate as they wandered about. Now, when it was getting well on into the winter, “Come, let us seek for a place where we are to stay!” So the Bear rolled over upon his face and belly, in order to find out in his mind how many people would be passing by during the winter. So off in a certain place did the Bear seek for a spot. “Now, by this place will no person pass throughout the entire winter.” Accordingly he made his lair there, in a grove of little cedars. So, when winter came, it was into that place they went.
Mii idash apii gakina gaa-amwaawaad namedegwan (and when they had eaten up all the dried fishes) gii-ani-maajaawag (they started on their way); anooj gegoo obabaa-miijinaawaa (all sorts of things they ate as they roamed). Apii idash gegaa ani-biboong (and when it was nearly winter), “Ambe nandawaabandadaa ji-ayaayang!” (Come, let us seek a place to stay!). A’aw idash makwa gii-ani-mikwataa (and the bear lay prone; Jones: rolled over upon his face and belly — stem soft, light flag) gii-nando-gikendang minik anishinaaben (to learn how many people) ged-izhaanid ji-biboong (would pass by during the winter; future, light flag). Ningoji idash ogii-onaabandaan a’aw makwa (and somewhere the bear chose a spot by looking). “Mii sa omaa gaawiin omaa da-bimosesii anishinaabe gabe-biboon” (By this place no person will pass all winter long). Mii dash imaa gii-ozhitood owaazh (and there he made his den) megwaa gizhikensikaang (amid a grove of little cedars). Apii idash baboong (and when winter came) mii imaa gii-biindigewaad (it was there they went in).
(7) Ningudīng ānawi kwaiya‘k pīdāsạmusä ‘aᵉa´ᵘ anicinābä; päᵉjik udūdā‘pinān nạmä‘tägwạn; mīdạc äjisāgitciwäpinād pînäng idạc ijināguzi ‘aᵉ´ᵘ nạmä‘täg. Mīdạc äjiwạcki‘kād ‘aᵉa´ᵘ anicinābä nōdci∙ā∙d pînäwạn; mīdạc ningudci pîmī∙i∙jāt ‘aᵉa´ᵘ anicinābäᵉ.
Ningoding aanawi gwayak biidaasamose a’aw anishinaabe; bezhig odoodaapinaan namedegwan; mii dash ezhi-zaagijiwebinaad bineng idash izhinaagozi a’aw namedeg. Mii dash ezhi-waakikaad a’aw anishinaabe noojii’aad binewan; mii dash ningoji bimi-izhaad a’aw anishinaabe.
Sometimes a person would in fact be coming straight (to where they were); one piece of fish that had been dried by the fire would (the Bear) take; and when he flung it out, then into the form of a ruffed grouse would the dried smoked fish become. Thereupon would the man turn off his course to follow after the ruffed grouse; and so into another direction would the person go.
Ningoding aanawi gwayak biidaasamose a’aw anishinaabe (sometimes a person would come walking straight toward them); bezhig odoodaapinaan namedegwan (one of the dried fishes he would take); mii dash ezhi-zaagijiwebinaad (and as he flung it out) bineng idash izhinaagozi a’aw namedeg (the dried fish would appear as a ruffed grouse; bineng “as a grouse,” light flag). Mii dash ezhi-waakikaad a’aw anishinaabe (and so the man would turn aside; light flag) noojii’aad binewan (chasing after the grouse); mii dash ningoji bimi-izhaad a’aw anishinaabe (and so off in another direction the man would go).
(8) Kạbäpîbōn nīpā ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa, uwī‘pämān ‘aᵉa´ᵘ kwīwisäns. Ningudingi‘ku ogạnōnigōn: “Nōjis, kipa‘kạdäna?” “Äyeᵉ,” udinān. “Ckumāⁿ imāⁿ inābin nimpi‘kwanāng.” Pạngī∙i∙dac kwänibi‘tā aᵘ ma‘kwa. Mīdạc inābit aᵘ gwīsiwäns ā‘pidci wänicicing mīdcîm owâbạndān. Ka‘kina kā∙i∙nạndcigäwād nībînung mī∙i∙māⁿ ka‘kina a‘tänik. “Wīsînin nōjis!” udigōn. Gäᵉgä‘t kīwīsini ‘aᵉa´ᵘ kwīwisäns.
Gabe-biboon nibaa a’aw makwa, owiipemaan a’aw gwiiwizens. Ningoding igo oganoonigoon: “Noozhis, gibakade na?” “Eya’,” odinaan. “Ishkomaa imaa inaabin nimbikwanaang.” Bangii idash gwekibitaa aw makwa. Mii dash inaabid aw gwiiwizens aapiji wenizhishing miijim owaabandaan. Gakina gaa-inanjigewaad niibinong mii imaa gakina atenig. “Wiisinin noozhis!” odigoon. Geget gii-wiisini a’aw gwiiwizens.
All winter long slept the Bear, with him slept the boy. Sometimes would (the boy) be addressed: “My grandson, are you hungry?” “Yes,” he would say to him. “Just you look there at my back.” So slightly over would the Bear turn. And when the boy looked, very nice was the food he saw. Everything which they had eaten during the summer before was all there. “Do you eat, my grandson!” he was told. Truly did the boy eat.
Gabe-biboon nibaa a’aw makwa (all winter the bear slept), owiipemaan a’aw gwiiwizens (he slept with the boy). Ningoding igo oganoonigoon (once in a while he was addressed): “Noozhis, gibakade na?” (My grandson, are you hungry?) “Eya’,” odinaan (Yes, he said to him; Äyeᵍ — 2nd corpus print, feeds the #41 HARD flag). “[Ishkomaa] imaa inaabin nimbikwanaang” (Just look there at my back; exhortative particle, light flag). Bangii idash gwekibitaa aw makwa (and a little the bear turned himself; light flag). Mii dash inaabid aw gwiiwizens (and when the boy looked) aapiji wenizhishing miijim owaabandaan (very nice food he saw). Gakina gaa-inanjigewaad niibinong (everything they had eaten last summer) mii imaa gakina atenig (was all there). “Wiisinin noozhis!” odigoon (Eat, my grandson! he was told). Geget gii-wiisini a’aw gwiiwizens (truly the boy ate).
(9) Mīgō∙i∙´ᵘ kā‘tōdạminit kạbäbibōn kī∙ạ∙camigut. Nāningutinū ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa i‘kido: “Ānawi nījawänimāg anicinābäᵉg, kāwīndạc nimīnāsīg nī∙i∙yaᵘ. Uzām kidāpạnādci∙i∙n kīcpîn nisigōyān.”
Mii go iw gaa-doodaminid gabe-biboon gii-ashamigod. Naaningodinoo a’aw makwa ikido: “Aanawi nizhawenimag anishinaabeg, gaawiin idash nimiinaasiig niiyaw. Onzaam gidaapanaaji’in giishpin nisigoyaan.”
So that was what (the Bear) did throughout the winter when feeding (the boy). Sometimes the Bear would say: “Even though I take pity upon people, yet I do not (always) give them of my body. Too much harm would I do you if I should be killed.”
Mii go iw gaa-doodaminid gabe-biboon (so that was what he did all winter) gii-ashamigod (in feeding him). Naaningodinoo a’aw makwa ikido (now and then the bear would say): “Aanawi nizhawenimag anishinaabeg (Even though I take pity on people), gaawiin idash nimiinaasiig niiyaw (yet I do not give them my body). Onzaam gidaapanaaji’in giishpin nisigoyaan (Too much harm would I do you if I were killed).”
(10) A‘pī∙i∙dạc kägā äninībing, käyābi pạngī kōni‘kānig, mī∙i∙´ᵘ kīsāga∙ạ∙mowād. Mojạg ugi‘känimān anicinābäᵉn käbimi∙i∙jānit, kāwīndec imāⁿ ayāsīwạg. A‘pī∙i∙dạc wawīngä kānībing, “Ạmbä, nōjis, ōwidi ijādā! Kīⁿgōⁿyạg iwidi ayāwạg sībīng. Mī∙i∙māⁿ mōjạg äjāyān sāgwạngîn.”
Apii idash gegaa ani-niibing, geyaabi bangii goonikaanig, mii iw gii-zaaga’amowaad. Moozhag ogikenimaan anishinaaben ge-bimi-izhaanid, gaawiin dash imaa ayaasiiwag. Apii idash wawiinge gaa-niibing, “Ambe, noozhis, oowidi izhaadaa! Giigoonyag iwidi ayaawag ziibiing. Mii imaa moozhag ezhaayaan ziigwaning.”
And when it was getting well on towards the summer, while there was yet a little snow on the ground, then out they came. Always did (the Bear) know where the people would be passing, so there would they not remain. And after the summer had fully come, “Now, my grandson, over this way let us go! Some fishes are in a river over there. It is there I always stay during the spring.”
Apii idash gegaa ani-niibing (and when it was nearly summer), geyaabi bangii goonikaanig (while yet a little snow lay), mii iw gii-zaaga’amowaad (then out they came). Moozhag ogikenimaan anishinaaben ge-bimi-izhaanid (always he knew where the people would pass), gaawiin dash imaa ayaasiiwag (so there they would not stay). Apii idash wawiinge gaa-niibing (and when summer had fully come), “Ambe, noozhis, oowidi izhaadaa! (Come, my grandson, let us go this way!) Giigoonyag iwidi ayaawag ziibiing (Fishes are in a river yonder). Mii imaa moozhag ezhaayaan [ziigwaning] (It is there I always go in the spring; light flag).”
(11) Ạnicinābäᵉg mōjạg imāⁿ ijāwạg wīnisāwād ma‘kwạn. Āja ugī∙u∙ji‘tōnāwān tạsōnāgạnạn. A‘pī∙i∙dạc wädi‘tạmuwād a‘pidci nībawa ayāwaᵉ kīⁿgōⁿyaᵉ. Mīdạc wâbạndạmuwād wạnī∙i∙gạnạn mīgō∙i∙´ᵘ ki‘kändạnk ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa wägunän a‘tänig ‘iᵉi´ᵘ gu‘käya; kāwīndec uwīdā‘pạnāⁿzīn. Ānawi mōⁿjạg ogī∙a∙wiudā‘pināwa kīⁿgōⁿyạn, ‘aᵉa´ᵘ kwīwisäns kāwīn ugīkạcki∙ā∙sīn kigạckitci∙ạ∙mwād kīⁿgōⁿyạn; nō‘pimīng ugī∙ạ∙n∙i∙i∙jiwinigōn umicōmisạn, kägōnidạc ugīnạndawâbandān ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa, pīgidcīsạgunk ugī∙u∙ndinān wâbickānik. Mīdạc ‘iᵉi´ᵘ kāca‘kamūnigut umicōmisạn, mī∙i∙dec ‘iᵉi´ᵘ tibickō kägōn wäwäni kīcitäg; mī∙i∙ᵘ kā∙i∙jinawāt īni´ᵘ kīⁿgōⁿyạn. A‘pī äckwā∙a∙yāwāt kīⁿgōⁿyạg ī∙i∙māⁿ sībīnk ningutci kī∙ạ∙ni∙i∙jāwạg. A‘pạnä uwī‘pämigōn omicōmisạn, kāwī‘kā kī‘kạdcisī.
Anishinaabeg moozhag imaa izhaawag wii-nisaawaad makwan. Azha ogii-ozhitoonaawaan dasoonaaganan. Apii idash weditamowaad aapiji niibawa ayaawag giigoonyag. Mii dash waabandamowaad wanii’iganan mii go iw gikendang a’aw makwa wegonen atenig i’iw gookaya; gaawiin dash owii-daapinaanziin. Aanawi moonzhag ogii-awi-odaapinaawaa giigoonyan, a’aw gwiiwizens gaawiin ogii-gashki’aasiin ji-ashkamwaad giigoonyan; noopiming ogii-ani-izhiwinigoon omishoomisan, gegoon idash ogii-nandawaabandaan a’aw makwa, biigijisagong ogii-ondinaan waabishkaanig. Mii dash i’iw gaa-zhakamoonigod omishoomisan, mii idash i’iw dibishkoo gegoon weweni gizhideg; mii iw gaa-izhinawaad iniw giigoonyan. Apii ishkwaa-ayaawaad giigoonyag i’imaa ziibiing ningoji gii-ani-izhaawag. Apane owiipemigoon omishoomisan, gaawiikaa gii-gawajisii.
People were always going to the place to kill bears. Already had they set the dead-falls. And when they got to the place, very many were the fishes there. Now, when they saw the traps, then did the Bear know what the bait was; so he would not take it. Although they went often to get fish, yet the boy was not able to eat the fish raw; into the forest would he be taken by his grandfather, and for something would the Bear seek, from decayed wood would he obtain something white. Accordingly, when it was put into his mouth by his grandfather, then would it be like something that was nicely cooked; such was the way (the boy) imagined the fish (to be cooked). When there was no longer any more fish there in the river, then off to some other place they went. Continually with him slept his grandfather, never was he cold.
Anishinaabeg moozhag imaa izhaawag (the people always went there) wii-nisaawaad makwan (to kill bears). Azha ogii-ozhitoonaawaan dasoonaaganan (already they had set the deadfalls). Apii idash weditamowaad (and when they reached the place) aapiji niibawa ayaawag giigoonyag (very many were the fishes there). Mii dash waabandamowaad wanii’iganan (and when they saw the traps) mii go iw gikendang a’aw makwa wegonen atenig i’iw [gookaya] (then the bear knew what the bait was; bait — light flag); gaawiin dash owii-daapinaanziin (so he would not take it). Aanawi moonzhag ogii-awi-odaapinaawaa giigoonyan (though often they went to get fish), a’aw gwiiwizens gaawiin ogii-gashki’aasiin ji-ashkamwaad giigoonyan (the boy was not able to eat the fish raw; eat-raw verb soft, light flag); noopiming ogii-ani-izhiwinigoon omishoomisan (into the forest he would be taken by his grandfather), gegoon idash ogii-nandawaabandaan a’aw makwa (and the bear would seek something), biigijisagong ogii-ondinaan waabishkaanig (from rotten wood he got something white; light flag). Mii dash i’iw gaa-zhakamoonigod omishoomisan (and when it was put in his mouth by his grandfather), mii idash i’iw dibishkoo gegoon weweni gizhideg (it was like something nicely cooked); mii iw gaa-izhinawaad iniw giigoonyan (such was how he regarded the fish). Apii ishkwaa-ayaawaad giigoonyag i’imaa ziibiing (when there were no more fish in the river) ningoji gii-ani-izhaawag (off elsewhere they went). Apane owiipemigoon omishoomisan (always his grandfather slept with him), gaawiikaa gii-gawajisii (never was he cold).
(12) Ningudingidạc ogạnōnigōn umicōmisạn: “Ānīc, nōjis, mīsaᵉ nindawā tcikīwäwininān. Uzām kạckändạmōg kinīki∙i∙gōg. Ạmbä, iwidi ijādāᵉ ayāwād!” Mī∙i∙dec kī∙ạ∙nimādcīnigut. Ninguding ugạnōnigūn: “Mī∙o∙māⁿ päcu´ ayāmạga‘k sāga∙i∙gan, mī∙i∙māⁿ ändāwāt kōs kīga gayä.” Tcīgibīg kī∙ạ∙nijā ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa. Päᵉjik mi‘tigōn ugī∙ạ∙nināzi‘kawān tcīgibīg päta‘kizunit. Mī∙i∙dạc ägut kwä‘kā‘tig, mīdạc ägut: “Kīcpîn ninguding pạ‘kadäyạn kạnōjicin. Kīkạdajạmin.”
Ningoding idash oganoonigoon omishoomisan: “Aaniish, noozhis, mii sa nindawaa ji-giiwewininaan. Onzaam gashkendamoog ginikii’igoog. Ambe, iwidi izhaadaa ayaawaad!” Mii idash gii-ani-maajiinigod. Ningoding oganoonigoon: “Mii omaa besho ayaamagak zaaga’igan, mii imaa endaawaad koos giga gaye.” Jiigibiig gii-ani-izhaa a’aw makwa. Bezhig mitigoon ogii-ani-naazikawaan jiigibiig betakizonid. Mii dash egod gwekaakwatig, mii dash egod: “Giishpin ningoding bakadeyan ganoozhishin. Gigad-ashamin.”
Now, once he was addressed by his grandfather saying: “Well, my grandchild, now therefore will I take you back home. Too sorrowful are your parents. Come, thither let us go where they are!” Accordingly was he then carried away. By and by he was addressed (by the Bear) saying: “Now, nigh to this place is a lake, and there dwell your father and your mother.” Along by the edge of the water travelled the Bear. He continued straight up to a certain tree that stood by the edge of the water. Now, this (the boy) was told (by the Bear) from behind the tree, this he was told: “If at any time you are in need of food, then do you call upon me. I will feed you.”
Ningoding idash oganoonigoon omishoomisan (and once he was addressed by his grandfather): “Aaniish, noozhis, mii sa nindawaa ji-giiwewininaan (Well, my grandson, now I had better take you home). Onzaam gashkendamoog ginikii’igoog (Too sorrowful are your parents). Ambe, iwidi izhaadaa ayaawaad! (Come, let us go where they are!)” Mii idash gii-ani-maajiinigod (and so he was carried away). Ningoding oganoonigoon (by and by he was told): “Mii omaa besho ayaamagak zaaga’igan (Near this place is a lake), mii imaa endaawaad koos giga gaye (and there your father and your mother dwell).” Jiigibiig gii-ani-izhaa a’aw makwa (along the shore the bear travelled). Bezhig mitigoon ogii-ani-naazikawaan jiigibiig betakizonid (he went up to a certain tree standing by the water’s edge). Mii dash egod [gwekaakwatig] (and from behind the tree he was told; light flag), mii dash egod: “Giishpin ningoding bakadeyan ganoozhishin (If ever you are hungry, call upon me). Gigad-ashamin (I will feed you).”
(13) A‘pī∙i∙dạc ‘aᵉa´ᵘ kwīwisäns kwä‘kā‘tig kā∙i∙jāt mī∙i∙´ᵘ kīwạnänimāt umicōmisạn. Mīdạc kā∙i∙jināzibīt ‘aᵉa´ᵘ kwīwisäns imāⁿ sāga∙i∙ganīng mi‘tāwạngānik imādec u‘pîmäya∙ī∙ inābit owābạndānạn tcīmānạn a‘tänig; kī∙ạ∙nī∙i∙jāt owâbạmāᵉ i∙i∙māⁿ i‘kwäwaᵉ tạji‘tänit. Īgiwidạc uckinīgi‘kwäg owâbạmāwān kwīwisänsạn pīdāsạmusänit, kägāgu unisidawinawāwän. Päᵉjikidạc ‘aᵉa’ᵘ uckinīgi´kwä kīgupī‘patō ändāwāt, kī∙a∙witibätibātcîmu: “Awīya kuca´, nīwâbạmānān kwīwisäns pīdāsạmusät!” Īgi’widac kistcianicinābäᵉg kīsāgitcipa‘tōwạg kīnāzibīwāt, mīdạc wâbạmāwād īni´ᵘ ugwisänsiwān pitạgwicinint; a‘pạnä nībinunk kāwạni∙ā∙wāt. Mīgū∙i∙´ᵘ käyābi pāsi‘kạnk wâbōswäkun pạbīnsi‘kawāgạn, kāwīn kägō kayä udāsạn, cācāginigātä; kāwīn gayä pa‘kạdäsī, mīgū i´ᵘ äjināguzi‘pạn a‘pī kāwạnicingi‘pan. Kāwīndạc kägōn ugīkạgwädcimāsiwāwān, ugīkusāwān. Kāwīn mīnawā wī‘kā ugīpạki‘täwäsīn īni´ᵘ ugwisạn ‘aᵉa´ᵘ a‘kiwäⁿzi.
*Apii idash a’aw gwiiwizens gwekaakwatig gaa-izhaad mii iw gii-wanenimaad omishoomisan. Mii dash gaa-izhi-naazibiid a’aw gwiiwizens imaa zaaga’iganing mitaawangaanig imaa idash obimeyaa’ii inaabid owaabandaanan jiimaanan atenig; gii-ani-izhaad owaabamaag i’imaa ikwewag dazhitaanid. Igiw idash oshkiniigikweg owaabamaawaan gwiiwizensan biidaasamosenid, gegaa go onisidawinawaawaan. Bezhig idash a’aw oshkiniigikwe gii-gopiibatoo endaawaad, gii-awi-dibedibaajimo: “Awiya gosha, niwaabamaanaan gwiiwizens biidaasamosed!” Igiw idash gichi-anishinaabeg gii-zaagijibatoowag gii-naazibiiwaad, mii dash waabamaawaad iniw ogwisensiwaan bidagwishininid; apane niibinong gaa-wani’aawaad. Mii go iw geyaabi biizikang waaboozwekan babiinzikawaagan, gaawiin gegoo gaye odaasan, zhaazhaaginigaade; gaawiin gaye bakadesii, mii go iw ezhinaagozipan apii gaa-wanishingipan. Gaawiin dash gegoon ogii-gagwejimaasiwaawaan, ogii-gosaawaan. Gaawiin miinawaa wiikaa ogii-bakite’waasiin iniw ogwisan a’aw akiwenzii.**
And when the boy went forth from behind the tree, then lost he all thought of his grandfather. And when the boy had gone down to the shore of the lake and looked off aside where the beach stretched away, he saw where there were some canoes; going thither, he saw some women who were there at work. And the maidens saw the boy walking thitherward, and barely did they recognize him. So one of the maidens ran up from the shore to her home, she went to announce the news: “Oh, somebody, we see a boy walking hitherward!” And the old folk came rushing out of the lodges (and) came on down to the shore, whereupon they saw that boy of theirs coming back home; ever since the summer before had they lost him. Still yet was he wearing his little rabbit-fur coat, (he was) also without any stockings, he was in bare legs; and he was not thin, he looked just the same as he did at the time he was lost. But of nothing did they question him, for they were afraid of him. Never again did the old man chastise him.
Apii idash a’aw gwiiwizens gwekaakwatig gaa-izhaad (and when the boy went behind the tree) mii iw gii-wanenimaad omishoomisan (then he lost all thought of his grandfather). Mii dash gaa-izhi-naazibiid a’aw gwiiwizens imaa zaaga’iganing (and when the boy had gone down to the lakeshore) mitaawangaanig imaa idash obimeyaa’ii inaabid (and looked off along the sandy beach) owaabandaanan jiimaanan atenig (he saw canoes lying there); gii-ani-izhaad owaabamaag i’imaa ikwewag dazhitaanid (going thither he saw women at work there). Igiw idash oshkiniigikweg owaabamaawaan gwiiwizensan biidaasamosenid (and the young women saw the boy walking hither), gegaa go onisidawinawaawaan (barely did they recognize him). Bezhig idash a’aw oshkiniigikwe gii-gopiibatoo endaawaad (and one of the maidens ran up to her home), gii-awi-dibedibaajimo* (she went to tell the news): “Awiya gosha, niwaabamaanaan gwiiwizens biidaasamosed!” (Oh, somebody, we see a boy walking hither!). Igiw idash gichi-anishinaabeg gii-zaagijibatoowag gii-naazibiiwaad (and the elders came rushing down to the shore), mii dash waabamaawaad iniw ogwisensiwaan bidagwishininid (and they saw that boy of theirs arriving); apane niibinong gaa-wani’aawaad (whom they had lost ever since last summer). Mii go iw geyaabi biizikang waaboozwekan babiinzikawaagan (still he was wearing his little rabbit-fur coat), gaawiin gegoo gaye odaasan (without any stockings), zhaazhaaginigaade (he was bare-legged); gaawiin gaye bakadesii (and he was not gaunt), mii go iw ezhinaagozipan apii gaa-wanishingipan (he looked just as he had at the time he was lost). Gaawiin dash gegoon ogii-gagwejimaasiwaawaan (but of nothing did they question him), ogii-gosaawaan (for they feared him). Gaawiin miinawaa wiikaa ogii-bakite’waasiin iniw ogwisan a’aw akiwenzii (never again did the old man strike his son).
(14) Nīnguding udạminut ugī∙u∙ji‘tōn mi‘tig, pạgạmāganing ijitcigādäni. Kāwīndạc kägō ugī∙i∙nāsīn ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mindimōyä īni´ᵘ ugwisạn. Ningudingidac pạbä∙u∙dạminut unūndawān ‘aᵉa´ᵘ mindimōyäⁿ ugwisạn mạdwägīgitōnit: “Nimicōmis, niwīwison, ạcạmicin.” Wībạdạcigu pîgīgitō ‘aᵉa´ᵘ kwīwisäns: “Inackä kuca´! ma‘kwa imāⁿ pîmādạgä.”
Ningoding odaminod ogii-ozhitoon mitig, bagamaaganing izhichigaadeni. Gaawiin dash gegoo ogii-inaasiin a’aw mindimooye iniw ogwisan. Ningoding idash babaa-odaminod onoondawaan a’aw mindimooyenh ogwisan madwe-giigitonid: “Nimishoomis, niwii-wiisin, ashamishin.” Wiiba dash igo bii-giigito a’aw gwiiwizens: “Inashke gosha! makwa imaa bimaadagaa.”
Once while in play he fashioned a stick, like a war-club was it made. But nothing did the old woman say to her son. And once, while he was roaming about in play, the old woman heard the voice of her son saying: “My grandfather, I wish to eat, do feed me!” And in a little while thither came the boy, saying: “Oh, look! yonder swims a bear.”
Ningoding odaminod ogii-ozhitoon mitig (once while at play he fashioned a stick), bagamaaganing izhichigaadeni (like a war-club it was made). Gaawiin dash gegoo ogii-inaasiin a’aw mindimooye iniw ogwisan (but nothing did the old woman say to her son). Ningoding idash babaa-odaminod (and once while roaming in play) onoondawaan a’aw mindimooyenh ogwisan madwe-giigitonid (the old woman heard her son speaking): “Nimishoomis, niwii-wiisin, ashamishin” (My grandfather, I wish to eat, feed me!). Wiiba dash igo bii-giigito a’aw gwiiwizens (and in a little while the boy came speaking): “Inashke gosha! makwa imaa bimaadagaa” (Oh, look! yonder a bear swims).
(15) Mīdạc kīnāzibībạ‘tōwāt uwâbạmāwān ma‘kwạn pîmādạgänit. ‘Aᵉa´widạc kwīwisäns ugīnāzi‘kwān wäwīp ‘iᵉi’ᵘ upạgamāgäns, kayä wīn kī‘pōzi tcīmāning. A‘pī∙i∙dạc päcu´ äni∙a∙yāwād ma‘kwạn pîmādạgänit, äckạm änipạzi‘kā ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa pimādạgät; ta´bacic äckạm ini‘kwäni. ‘Aᵉawidạc kwīwisäns i‘kidō: “Nīn ningapạki‘tä∙u∙wā,” i‘kidō. A‘pī∙i∙dạc äni∙u∙disāwād īni´ᵘ ma‘kwạn ‘aᵉa´ᵘ kwīwisäns ugī∙u∙dā‘pinān upạgamāgāns, mēdạc kīpaki‘tä∙u∙wāt ābiding mīgu iᵘ kīnibunit. Mī∙i∙´ᵘ pạnägu kā∙i∙jiwäbizit ‘aᵉ´ᵘ kwīwisäns. Kīcpîn nōndawint mạdwä∙i∙‘kidot, “Nimicōmis, nimpa‘kạdä ạcạmicin!” mīgō imā tibi kätāwâgwän pîbōninig mī∙i∙´māⁿ wändcimi‘kawāt ma‘kwạn, tcīgaya∙ī∙ wīgiwâming. Mī∙i∙´ᵘ kā∙i∙jiwäbisit ‘aᵉa´ᵘ kwīwisäns Wädā‘pinạng ugwisạn.
Mii dash gii-naazibiibatoowaad owaabamaawaan makwan bimaadagaanid. A’aw idash gwiiwizens ogii-naazikwaan wewiib i’iw obagamaagens, gaye wiin gii-boozi jiimaaning. Apii idash besho ani-ayaawaad makwan bimaadagaanid, eshkam ani-bazikaa a’aw makwa bimaadagaad; dabashish eshkam inikweni. A’aw idash gwiiwizens ikido: “Niin ninga-bakite’waa,” ikido. Apii idash ani-odisaawaad iniw makwan a’aw gwiiwizens ogii-odaapinaan obagamaagens, mii dash gii-bakite’waad aabiding mii go iw gii-nibonid. Mii iw apane go gaa-izhiwebizid a’aw gwiiwizens. Giishpin noondawind madwe-ikidod, “Nimishoomis, nimbakade ashamishin!” mii go imaa dibi getaawaagwen bibooninig mii imaa wenji-mikawaad makwan, jiigayi’ii wiigiwaaming. Mii iw gaa-izhiwebizid a’aw gwiiwizens Wedaapinang ogwisan.**
And when they ran down to the water, they saw a bear swimming along. And the boy hurried over to get his little war-club, he too got into a canoe. And when they got near to where the bear was swimming, slower then went the bear as he swam along; lower he bowed his head. And the boy said: “I myself will strike him,” he said. And when they drew up to the bear, the boy picked up his tiny war-club, whereupon he struck him but once, and then (the bear) was dead. Such was what always happened to the boy. Whenever he was heard saying, “My grandfather, I am hungry, feed me!” then there, wherever they were living in the winter-time, would he obtain a bear, near by the wigwam. Such was what happened to the boy that was son to He-that-takes-it-up.
Mii dash gii-naazibiibatoowaad (and when they ran down to the water) owaabamaawaan makwan bimaadagaanid (they saw a bear swimming). A’aw idash gwiiwizens ogii-naazikwaan wewiib i’iw obagamaagens* (and the boy hurried to his little war-club), gaye wiin gii-boozi jiimaaning (he too got into a canoe). Apii idash besho ani-ayaawaad makwan bimaadagaanid (and when they drew near the swimming bear), eshkam ani-bazikaa a’aw makwa bimaadagaad (slower and slower the bear swam; light flag); dabashish eshkam (lower he bowed his head; light flag). A’aw idash gwiiwizens ikido (and the boy said): “Niin ninga-bakite’waa,” ikido (I myself will strike him, he said). Apii idash ani-odisaawaad iniw makwan (and when they reached the bear) a’aw gwiiwizens ogii-odaapinaan obagamaagens* (the boy took up his tiny war-club), mii dash gii-bakite’waad aabiding (and he struck him but once) mii go iw gii-nibonid (and then it was dead). Mii iw apane go gaa-izhiwebizid a’aw gwiiwizens (such was what always happened to the boy). Giishpin noondawind madwe-ikidod (whenever he was heard saying), “Nimishoomis, nimbakade ashamishin!” (My grandfather, I am hungry, feed me!) mii go imaa dibi getaawaagwen bibooninig (then wherever they were living in the winter) mii imaa wenji-mikawaad makwan (there he would obtain a bear), jiigayi’ii wiigiwaaming (close by the wigwam). Mii iw gaa-izhiwebizid a’aw gwiiwizens Wedaapinang ogwisan (such was what happened to the boy that was son to He-that-takes-it-up).
(16) Mīsä‘kōsit ma‘kwa.
Mii sa ekoozid makwa.
That is the end (of the story of the) Bear.
Mii sa ekoozid makwa (that is as far as the [story of the] Bear goes — the ekoozid close-formula with the protagonist named inside it; third corpus shape of the ekoozid family; logged, never interpreted).