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 1919 — left for M.)
THE WOMAN WHO TURNED INTO A BEAR.
Narrated by Wāsāgunäckạnk — Series 3 (Nos. 44–61), Bois Fort (per Jones Part II Introduction p. ix; not credited on the story page itself).
from Ojibwa Texts collected by William Jones (1919).
(1) Aᵘ käkä‘k i‘kwäwạn uwīdigämān, ä‘pidci ucīngänimān, mī∙i∙´ᵘ uwīpäcwābạmigōn; mī a‘panä kabätibi‘k udōpā∙i∙gōn. Kägä‘t kāwīn inändāⁿzī tcibäcwābạmāt īni‘kwäwạn. Ōsạn ayāwạn kayä īni´ᵘ ugīn. Mīdạc iᵉi‘ᵘ, “Ạmbäsạnō, nīngamādcā,” udinān ōsạn. “Kägä‘t nicīngänimā a∙i∙‘kwä. Kāwīn wība ningạtạgwiciⁿzī.” Kägä‘t äcimādcāt a∙i∙nini.
Aw gekek ikwewan owiidigemaan, aapiji o-zhiingenimaan, mii iw owii-beshwaabamigoon; mii apane gabe-dibik odoopaa’igoon. Geget gaawiin inendanziin ji-beshwaabamaad iniw ikwewan. Oosan ayaawan gaye iniw ogiin. Mii dash igiw, “Ambesano, ninga-maajaa,” odinaan oosan. “Geget ni-zhiingenimaa a’aw ikwe. Gaawiin wiiba ningad-dagwizhinzii.” Geget ezhi-maajaad a’aw inini.
Bird-Hawk lived with a woman; very much he hated her, for attempt was made by her to be intimate with him; and so throughout the whole of every night he was kept awake by her. Truly no desire did he have to be intimate with the woman. He had a father and a mother. So then, “Therefore I am going away,” he said to his father. “Really do I hate the woman. Not soon will I return.” Truly thence departed the man.
Aw gekek (Bird-Hawk; literally ‘the hawk’) ikwewan owiidigemaan (lived with / was married to a woman). Aapiji o-zhiingenimaan (very much he hated her), mii iw owii-beshwaabamigoon (for she would try to lie close beside him — stem beshwaab- ‘draw near’ flagged); mii apane gabe-dibik odoopaa’igoon (and so all night long she kept him awake — odoopaa’igoon ‘she keeps him from sleep’ flagged). Geget gaawiin inendanziin (truly he had no wish) ji-beshwaabamaad iniw ikwewan (to be intimate with that woman). Oosan ayaawan gaye iniw ogiin (he had a father and a mother). Mii dash igiw (and so then), “Ambesano, ninga-maajaa,” (“come now, I am going away,”) odinaan oosan (he said to his father). “Geget ni-zhiingenimaa a’aw ikwe (“truly I hate that woman). Gaawiin wiiba ningad-dagwizhinzii.” (not soon will I come back.”) Geget ezhi-maajaad a’aw inini (truly the man set off).
(2) Mīdạc iᵉi´ᵘ aᵉawi‘kwä nickādisit. Kīmādcānit īni´ᵘ ininiwạn, “Tạga, ninganīsimān īniyōsạn kayä īni´ᵘ ugīn.” Mīdạc äcima‘kōwit a∙i∙‘kwä.
Mii dash igiw aw ikwe nishkaadizid. Gii-maajaanid iniw ininiwan, “Daga, ninga-nisimaan iniw oosan gaye iniw ogiin.” Mii dash ezhi-makoowid a’aw ikwe.
Thereupon then was the woman angry. When the man was gone, “Now, I am going to his father and mother.” Accordingly then into a bear the woman was changed.
Mii dash igiw aw ikwe nishkaadizid (and so then the woman became angry). Gii-maajaanid iniw ininiwan (when that man had gone away), “Daga, ninga-nisimaan iniw oosan gaye iniw ogiin.” (“now, I will slay his father and his mother.”) Mii dash ezhi-makoowid a’aw ikwe (and so then the woman turned into a bear — makoowi- ‘become a bear’).
(3) Ānīc tci∙ō∙dänāng ayāwạg, wīnidạc udipändān iwudäna aᵉa‘ᵘ a‘kiwäⁿzi.
Aaniish ji-oodenaang ayaawag, wiin idash odibendaan iw oodena a’aw akiwenzi.
Now, in a great town they lived, and the old man himself ruled over the town.
Aaniish ji-oodenaang ayaawag (now, in a town they were living — the tci- prefix here flagged; see footnote), wiin idash odibendaan iw oodena (and he himself ruled / owned that town) a’aw akiwenzi (that old man).
(4) Mīdạc iᵉi´ᵘ äcimādcād a∙i∙‘kwä mī∙i∙wä kīkạcki‘tōt iᵉi‘ᵘ ma‘kūwit; ā‘pidcigu kīki‘tciminditō. Mīdạc iwiti ä‘kwā‘kwāni‘k kāpi∙u∙ndcipīpāgit, ka‘kina´ äcisāga∙ạ∙muwāt īgi´ᵘ ạnicinābäg. Cigwa päcu´ pātạgwicing ma‘kwa, pīndigäsäwạg anicinābäg. Udā‘pinạmowāt upāckisigạniwān kayä īni´ᵘ o wâgä‘kwạtōwān māwinäwāwāt.
Mii dash igiw ezhi-maajaad a’aw ikwe mii iwe gii-gashkitood igiw makoowid; aapiji go gii-gichi-mindido. Mii dash iwidi ekwaakwaanik gaa-bi-onji-biibaagid, gakina ezhi-zaaga’amowaad igiw anishinaabeg. Zhigwa besho ba-dagwishing makwa, biindigesewag anishinaabeg. Odaapinamowaad obaashkiziganiwaan gaye iniw o-waagaakwadowaan mawinewaawaad.
And so then away went the woman, whereupon she then brought it about that she became a bear; and ever so big was she. Thereupon, when from yonder place at the edge of the forest she called aloud, then out came all the people. When near by the bear was come, then into (their wigwams) hastened the people. They seized their guns and their axes to go to attack (the bear).
Mii dash igiw ezhi-maajaad a’aw ikwe (and so then the woman set off) mii iwe gii-gashkitood igiw makoowid (whereupon she managed to become a bear); aapiji go gii-gichi-mindido (and very big indeed was she). Mii dash iwidi ekwaakwaanik (and so over there at the edge of the woods — ä‘kwā‘kwāni‘k flagged; see footnote) gaa-bi-onji-biibaagid (when she called out from there), gakina ezhi-zaaga’amowaad igiw anishinaabeg (all the people came outside). Zhigwa besho ba-dagwishing makwa (when the bear came near), biindigesewag anishinaabeg (the people rushed indoors). Odaapinamowaad obaashkiziganiwaan (they seized their guns) gaye iniw o-waagaakwadowaan (and their axes) mawinewaawaad (to go attack her — mawinewaa- ‘rush upon’).
(5) Mīgū īni´ᵘ ni‘tạm a‘kiwäⁿzīyạn iwägimāwinit näsāt. Mīdạc imāⁿ ānawipa‘kitä∙u∙nt wâgā‘kwātōn kāwäsā unisāsiwāwān. Ka‘kina udānumāmawō‘kawāwān ānupāckiswāwāt, kāwīn pigwāckōsusī. Ānind ānōcimōwạg pōtc ka‘kina äjinisāt. Ga‘kina kānisāt mī cigwa nō‘pinạnāt īni´ᵘ cāngänimigut īni‘ᵘ īniniwạn. mạdwäsāsā‘kwänit ạnicinābäᵉ; kuniginīn, owâbạmāᵉ ạnicinābäᵉ pā‘tạnīninit wäyābạmigut.
Mii go iniw nitam akiwenziiyan iwe-gimaawinid nesaad. Mii dash imaa aanawi-bakite’ond waagaakwadoon gaawesaa onisaasiwaawaan. Gakina odaano-maamawokawaawaan aano-baashkiswaawaad, gaawiin bigwashkozosii. Aniind anoozhimowag booch gakina ezhi-nisaad. Gakina gaa-nisaad mii zhigwa noopinanaad iniw zhiingenimigod iniw ininiwan. Madwesaasaakwenid anishinaabeg; goniginiin, owaabamaan anishinaabeg baadaniininid weyaabamigod.
And the first she slew was the old man that was chief. And though she was then beaten with axes, yet they could not kill her. All of them together tried going against her, in vain shooting at her (with guns), but she was impervious. Some tried to flee, but in spite of that she slew them all. After she had slain them all, she then followed after the man who hated her. When a certain distance she had come on the trail (along which) she was following him, she suddenly caught the sound of some people whooping; lo, she beheld some people, many in number, looking at her.
Mii go iniw nitam akiwenziiyan (and so first that old man) iwe-gimaawinid nesaad (the one who was chief she slew — iwägimāwinit ‘the one who is chief’ flagged). Mii dash imaa aanawi-bakite’ond waagaakwadoon (and though she was struck there with axes) gaawesaa onisaasiwaawaan (they could not kill her — gaawesaa ‘in vain / not at all’). Gakina odaano-maamawokawaawaan (all of them together tried to set on her) aano-baashkiswaawaad (shooting at her in vain), gaawiin bigwashkozosii (she was not pierced — bigwashkozo- ‘be pierced’ flagged). Aniind anoozhimowag (some fled) booch gakina ezhi-nisaad (yet she slew them all). Gakina gaa-nisaad (after she had slain them all) mii zhigwa noopinanaad (then she pursued) iniw zhiingenimigod iniw ininiwan (that man who hated her). Madwesaasaakwenid anishinaabeg (she heard people whooping — madwesaasaa’kwe- ‘sound of whooping’ flagged); goniginiin (lo and behold), owaabamaan anishinaabeg (she saw people) baadaniininid weyaabamigod (many of them looking at her).
(6) Mī cigwa pimawinạnint, pāckizigạnạn ānupāckisunt; mīgu iᵉi‘ᵘ ana‘kōtäbibināt änibō‘kutcībināt. Kägä‘t nībiwa unisāᵉ. Abā‘pic ga‘kina kānisāt, kāwīn awiya īni´ᵘ ininiwạn īni´ᵘ gācingänimigut; mīdạc iᵘ mādci‘tād aninantwa∙a∙tcigät, mīsa kāwīn ningutci omi‘kwa∙ạ∙nāsīn. Käga‘pīgu icpîmink mi‘tigunk ānu∙i∙nābi, ningutingigu ugīwâbạmān ạgōsinit. “ ‘Ä, nōngum ä‘ta kibimādis!” Äci∙a∙‘kwāndawät ‘aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa; payäcwâbạmāt ugạnōnigōn: “Kigītimāgis nindānisā änänimiwạnän.”
Mii zhigwa bimawinanind, baashkiziganan aano-baashkizond; mii go igiw ana-gotebibinaad eni-bookojibinaad. Geget niibiwa o-nisaag. Abaapish gakina gaa-nisaad, gaawiin awiya iniw ininiwan iniw gaa-zhiingenimigod; mii dash iw maajiitaad ani-nandawaa-jiged, miisa gaawiin ningoji o-mikwaa’anaasiin. Gegapii go ishpiming mitigong aano-inaabi, ningoding igo ogii-waabamaan agoozinid. “ ‘E, noongom eta gi-bimaadiz!” Ezhi-akwaandawed a’aw makwa; bayeshwaabamaad oganoonigoon: “Gigidimaagiz nindaanisaa enenimiwanen.”
Then was she pursued, then with guns was she shot at, but to no purpose; whereupon as fast as she could catch them she tore them in two. In truth, many she slew. In a while, after she had slain them all, there was nothing (to be seen) of the man who hated her; whereupon then she set to work looking for (the signs of his trail), but nowhere could she find his tracks. At last up a tree she looked, and of a sudden she saw him perched upon (a limb). “Ah, this is the only moment left you to live!” Then up the tree climbed the Bear. When getting near to him, she was addressed by him saying: “You are a poor fool to be possessed of the thought that you can kill me.”
Mii zhigwa bimawinanind (then she was pursued), baashkiziganan aano-baashkizond (with guns she was shot at in vain); mii go igiw ana-gotebibinaad eni-bookojibinaad (whereupon as she caught them she tore them in two — gotebibinaa-/bookojibinaa- ‘seize and break/tear apart’ flagged). Geget niibiwa o-nisaag (truly many she slew). Abaapish gakina gaa-nisaad (when she had slain them all), gaawiin awiya iniw ininiwan iniw gaa-zhiingenimigod (there was no sign of the man who hated her); mii dash iw maajiitaad ani-nandawaa-jiged (and so she began searching for his trail — nandawaa-jige- ‘seek tracks’ flagged), miisa gaawiin ningoji o-mikwaa’anaasiin (but nowhere could she find his tracks). Gegapii go ishpiming mitigong aano-inaabi (at last she looked up into a tree in vain), ningoding igo ogii-waabamaan agoozinid (and suddenly she saw him perched up there). “ ‘E, noongom eta gi-bimaadiz!” (“ah, only now have you left to live!”) Ezhi-akwaandawed a’aw makwa (then the bear climbed up the tree); bayeshwaabamaad oganoonigoon (when she drew near him she was addressed by him): “Gigidimaagiz nindaanisaa enenimiwanen.” (“you are pitiful, that you should suppose you can kill me” — nindaanisaa flagged; Jones: ‘you are a poor fool…’).
(7) “Mi[ᵉ]tcaya∙ī∙ kīgamīgātimin.” “Kāwīn, mīgu∙o∙māⁿ wāta‘pinạninān.” Umi‘tigwābīn äji∙ō∙tā‘pināt kayä upikwa‘k a∙i∙nini. Pīdāntawänit nāwā‘kigạn äcipimwāt, kīsāngāngäsinini iᵘ pikwa‘k. Kägāgu pạngicinōn. Mīnawā päcig ubikwa‘k umạmōn; äjipimwāt wawīngä ucāpunawān; nāgạtcigu äjipạngicininit. Mīsagu iᵉi´ᵘ kägä‘t kī∙ạ∙ninibunit äcinīsāndawät. Mi‘tigōn äci∙ō∙‘kwā‘kwisitōt; kā∙u∙tā‘pinạnk īni´ᵘ ubīkwa‘kōn, nībiwa ugī∙a∙‘tōnạn īni´ᵘ misạn. Kā∙i∙jisa‘kawāt inābit, ōdäna pạnägu kābō‘kutcīcininit anicinābäᵉ. Umi‘tigwābīn udōdā‘pinān kayä obikwa‘k. Äjīcpāngwa∙ā∙t pīpāgi tci∙ä∙nigu‘k: “Anicinābätug! nimbikwa‘k kibisi‘kāgunāwā!”
“Michaya’ii* ji-gagamiigaadimin.” “Gaawiin, mii go omaa waa-dakwaninaan.” Omitigwaabiin ezhi-odaapinaad gaye obikwak a’aw inini. Biidaandawenid naawakigan ezhi-bimwaad, gii-zaangaangesinini iw bikwak. Gegaa go bangizhinoon. Miinawaa bezhig obikwak omamoon; ezhi-bimwaad wawiinge ozhaaponawaan; naagaj igo ezhi-bangizhininid. Mii sa go igiw geget gii-ani-nibonid ezhi-niisaandawed. Mitigoon ezhi-okwaakwisitood; gaa-odaapinang iniw obikwakoon, niibiwa ogii-atoonan iniw misan. Gaa-izhi-zaka’waad inaabid, oodena banaa go gaa-bookojishininid anishinaabeg. Omitigwaabiin odoodaapinaan gaye obikwak. Ezhi-ishpaangwa’aad biibaagi ji-enigok: “Anishinaabedog! nimbikwak gibizikaagonaawaa!”
“Down on the ground let us fight with each other!” “No, right in this very place do I intend to kill you.” Then the man took his bow and arrow. As (the Bear) came climbing up, then in the centre of the chest was where he shot her, up as far as the feathers went the arrow. And almost did (the Bear) fall. Another arrow he took; when he shot her, clear on through he sent the arrow; and in a little while down fell (the Bear). And so, when in truth (the Bear) was dead, then down the tree he climbed. A heap of wood he then piled up; after he had picked up his arrows, he put on a great deal of fire-wood. After he had set fire to (the Bear), he looked, (and saw that) all the people of the town had been torn apart. He picked up his bow and arrow. As he shot into the air, he called aloud: “O ye people! by my arrow will you be struck!”
“Michaya’ii* ji-gagamiigaadimin.” (“down on the ground let us fight each other” — both words flagged; superscript ambiguous; see footnote). “Gaawiin, mii go omaa waa-dakwaninaan.” (“no, right here I mean to kill you” — wāta‘pinạninān flagged). Omitigwaabiin ezhi-odaapinaad gaye obikwak a’aw inini (the man took up his bow and his arrow). Biidaandawenid naawakigan ezhi-bimwaad (as she came climbing up he shot her in the middle of the chest), gii-zaangaangesinini iw bikwak (the arrow sank up to the feathers — zaangaangesin- flagged). Gegaa go bangizhinoon (she nearly fell). Miinawaa bezhig obikwak omamoon (he took another arrow); ezhi-bimwaad wawiinge ozhaaponawaan (when he shot her he drove it clean through her); naagaj igo ezhi-bangizhininid (and after a while she fell). Mii sa go igiw geget gii-ani-nibonid (and so when she had truly died) ezhi-niisaandawed (he climbed down). Mitigoon ezhi-okwaakwisitood (he piled up a heap of wood); gaa-odaapinang iniw obikwakoon (after picking up his arrows), niibiwa ogii-atoonan iniw misan (he heaped on much firewood). Gaa-izhi-zaka’waad inaabid (after he set fire to her he looked), oodena banaa go gaa-bookojishininid anishinaabeg (the whole town of people lay torn apart). Omitigwaabiin odoodaapinaan gaye obikwak (he took up his bow and arrow). Ezhi-ishpaangwa’aad biibaagi ji-enigok (as he shot up into the air he called aloud): “Anishinaabedog! nimbikwak gibizikaagonaawaa!” (“O people! by my arrow you shall be struck!” — gibizikaagonaawaa flagged).
(8) Unickāba∙i∙tiwạg; kägä‘t unickāba∙i∙tiwaᵉ anicinābäᵉ. Mīsa‘ nāsāp äjipimādisini‘pạn, näyāp kiminu∙a∙gānit. Inändạm aᵉawinini: “Mīmāwini iᵘ kīnisāgwän īni´ᵘ nōsạn. Intāwā ninga∙i∙cā.” Kägä‘t mādcā; änitäbābạndạnk ōdäna, kāwīn gạnagä päjik pimādisisīwạn. Inābit ä‘kwā‘kwānig undāba‘täni. Äjigāgīmā‘tōd päcu äciwawäcicink. Wīpagu kīpīmisāga∙ạ∙mōn udā‘pitci∙u∙cīmäyạn miziwä umigīwiwạn; ạgāwāgu unisitawinawā, ānīc i‘kwäsänsạn īni´ᵘ ucīmäyạn ā‘pidci kagwātạgināgusiwạn. Kāwīn gayä wāpisī a∙i∙‘kwäsäns. “Ạmbägicsa umā na‘ka‘kāyā pī∙i∙cāt!” inändạm a∙a∙ inini. Kägä‘t pī∙a∙i∙ntạcī‘käwạn īniyōcimäyạn. Päcu imā pi∙a∙yāwạn, äjikạnōnāt: “Nicīmä, nintạgwicin.”
Onishkaabi’idiwag; geget onishkaabi’idiwag anishinaabeg. Mii sa naasaab ezhi-bimaadiziniban, neyaab gii-mino-ayaanid. Inendam a’aw inini: “Mii maawiin iw gii-nisaagwen iniw noosan. Indawaa ninga-izhaa.” Geget maajaa; eni-debaabandang oodena, gaawiin ganage bezhig bimaadizisiiwan. Inaabid ekwaakwaanig ondaabateni. Ezhi-gaagiimaatood besho ezhi-wawezhishing. Wiibaa go gii-bimisaaga’amoon odaapichi-ozhiimeyan miziwe omigiwiwan; agaawaa go onisidawinawaa, aaniish ikwezhensan iniw ozhiimeyan aapiji gagwaadaginaagoziwan. Gaawiin gaye waabizii a’aw ikwezhens. “Ambegizh sa omaa nakakeyaa bi-izhaad!” inendam a’aw inini. Geget bi-aano-nandazhi-gewan iniw ozhiimeyan. Besho imaa bi-ayaawan, ezhi-ganoonaad: “Nishiime, nindagwishin.”
Up they quickly rose together; in truth, up quickly rose the people together. Thereupon back to the same life as before they came, back to the same state of well-being they returned. Thought the man: “It is possible that she may have slain my father. Therefore thither I will go.” In truth, he departed; when on his way he came in sight of the town, not a single person was there alive. When he looked towards the edge of the woods, some smoke was lifting (there). Then, going stealthily up to (the smoke), close by he lay down. And in a little while out of doors came the youngest of his sisters, covered all over with sores; and hardly could he make out (who she was), for the little girl, his younger sister, presented a dreadful sight. And unable to see was the little girl. “Would that over in this direction she would come!” willed the man. Sure enough, in his direction came his little sister, working her way along. When near by she was come, then he spoke to her, saying: “My little sister, I have arrived.”
Onishkaabi’idiwag (up they rose together); geget onishkaabi’idiwag anishinaabeg (truly the people rose up together — onishkaabi’idi- ‘rise up together’ flagged). Mii sa naasaab ezhi-bimaadiziniban (and so back to the same life as before they came), neyaab gii-mino-ayaanid (back to well-being they returned). Inendam a’aw inini (thought the man): “Mii maawiin iw gii-nisaagwen iniw noosan (“perhaps she has slain my father). Indawaa ninga-izhaa.” (so I will go.”) Geget maajaa (truly he set off); eni-debaabandang oodena (when he came in sight of the town), gaawiin ganage bezhig bimaadizisiiwan (not even one was alive). Inaabid ekwaakwaanig ondaabateni (when he looked, smoke was rising at the edge of the woods — ondaaba’te- ‘smoke rises’ flagged). Ezhi-gaagiimaatood besho ezhi-wawezhishing (going stealthily he lay down close by — gaagiimaa’too- ‘go in secret’ flagged). Wiibaa go gii-bimisaaga’amoon (soon out of doors came) odaapichi-ozhiimeyan (the very youngest of his little sisters — odaapichi-ozhiimeyan flagged; see footnote) miziwe omigiwiwan (covered all over with sores); agaawaa go onisidawinawaa (hardly could he recognize her), aaniish ikwezhensan iniw ozhiimeyan (for that little-girl younger sister of his) aapiji gagwaadaginaagoziwan (looked dreadfully pitiable). Gaawiin gaye waabizii a’aw ikwezhens (and the little girl could not see). “Ambegizh sa omaa nakakeyaa bi-izhaad!” (“would that she would come this way!”) inendam a’aw inini (willed the man). Geget bi-aano-nandazhi-gewan iniw ozhiimeyan (truly his little sister came working her way along — bi-aano-nandazhi-gewan flagged; see footnote). Besho imaa bi-ayaawan (when she came near), ezhi-ganoonaad (he spoke to her): “Nishiime, nindagwishin.” (“my little sister, I have arrived.”)
(9) Mīgu imāⁿ wā∙u∙ndci gīgitōnit witibātcimunit. “Icä´, nicīmä! kägu´ tibātcimu‘kän tạgwicinān.” Äcitäbibināt iniyocīmäyạn; äcitäbibināt otcīmāt. “Ānīn kā∙i∙jictcigät kīnisāt iᵉi´ᵘ ạnicinābäᵉ?”
Mii go imaa waa-onji-giigidonid wii-dibaajimonid. “Izhe, nishiime! gego dibaajimoken dagwishinaan.” Ezhi-debibinaad iniw ozhiimeyan; Ezhi-debibinaad ojiimaad. “Aaniin gaa-izhichiged gii-nisaad igiw anishinaabeg?”
Thereupon at that moment she would have spoken because of her desire to tell the news. “Hush, my little sister! do not tell the news that I have arrived.” Then he caught hold of his little sister; when he got hold of her, he kissed her. “What did she do, so that she might kill the people?”
Mii go imaa waa-onji-giigidonid wii-dibaajimonid (just then she was about to speak, wishing to tell the news). “Izhe, nishiime! (“hush, my little sister!) gego dibaajimoken dagwishinaan.” (do not tell that I have arrived.”) Ezhi-debibinaad iniw ozhiimeyan (then he caught hold of his little sister — dakwabinaa- ‘grasp’); Ezhi-debibinaad ojiimaad (when he held her, he kissed her). “Aaniin gaa-izhichiged gii-nisaad igiw anishinaabeg?” (“what did she do, that she killed the people?”)
(10) “Kä, kīma‘kōwi; ạnicādạc wī∙a∙wa‘kācit ningī∙u∙ndcīskunạnig, mī∙i∙‘ᵘ wändciwâbạmiyạn umigīwiyān. Mīgu iᵉi‘ᵘ äcipāsakupạgitä∙u∙t kägō ạnōci‘t.”
“Kaa, gii-makoowi; anish idash wii-awakaazhid ningii-onji-shkonanig, mii iw wenji-waabamiyan o-migiwiyaan. Mii go igiw ezhi-baasakobagite’od gego anoozhid.”
“Why, she turned into a bear; and, as she only wounded me, I am on that account permitted to live, and that is why you see me covered with sores. In fact, she would strike me with her claws whenever she had me do something (for her).”
“Kaa, gii-makoowi (“why, she turned into a bear); anish idash wii-awakaazhid ningii-onji-shkonanig (and because she would keep me as a slave I was spared — wī∙a∙wa‘kācit / ningī∙u∙ndcīskunạnig flagged), mii iw wenji-waabamiyan o-migiwiyaan (that is why you see me with sores). Mii go igiw ezhi-baasakobagite’od gego anoozhid.” (and she would slash me with her claws whenever she set me to do something — pāsakupạgitä∙u∙t flagged).”
(11) “Ạmbäsạnō kī‘kawicimoyäg, ‘Nimisäⁿ, wägunän kā∙u∙ndcipwāwinạnigōyäg,’ mī∙i∙wä icigạgwätcim.”
“Ambesano gii-gawishimoyeg, ‘Nimise, wegonen gaa-onji-bwaawinaninigooyeg,’ mii iwe izhi-gagwejim.”
“(I) wish that after you go to bed you would ask her, ‘O my elder sister! how was it that you (and the rest) could not be killed?’”
“Ambesano gii-gawishimoyeg (“when you (both) have gone to bed), ‘Nimise, wegonen gaa-onji-bwaawinaninigooyeg,’ (‘O my elder sister, how was it you could not be killed?’ — pwaawinanini- ‘be unable to be killed’ flagged) mii iwe izhi-gagwejim.” (that is the way ask her.”)
(12) Cigwạtạc kawicimōwạg. A∙i∙kwäsäns īni ōmisäyạn ogạnōnān: “Wägunän kā∙u∙ndcipwāwinạnigōyạn?”
Zhigwa idash gawishimowag. A’aw ikwezhens iniw omiseyan oganoonaan: “Wegonen gaa-onji-bwaawinaninigooyan?”
In a while they went to bed. The little girl spoke to her elder sister, saying: “How was it that you were not killed?”
Zhigwa idash gawishimowag (then they went to bed). A’aw ikwezhens iniw omiseyan oganoonaan (the little girl spoke to her elder sister): “Wegonen gaa-onji-bwaawinaninigooyan?” (“how was it that you could not be killed?” — pwaawinanini- flagged)
(13) “Kạnạbạtc māwīn kī‘tạgwicin kä‘kä‘k.”
“Ganabaj maawiin gii-dagwishin gekek.”
“Maybe Bird-Hawk has arrived.”
“Ganabaj maawiin gii-dagwishin gekek.” (“perhaps Bird-Hawk has arrived.”)
(14) “Kāwīn, ạnigāgu kīmama‘kādänimin iᵉi´ᵘ kī‘pwāwinạnigōyạn.” “Ānīc wā∙i∙ciki‘känimiyạn? Indiskwäsitāning mī∙i∙māⁿ kā∙a∙‘tōyān indä.”
“Gaawiin, ani-gaa go gii-mamakaadenimin igiw gii-bwaawinaninigooyan.” “Aaniish waa-izhi-gikenimiyan? Indiskwesidaaning mii imaa gaa-atooyaan indee.”
“No, I am simply amazed that you could not be killed.” “Why do you want to know it of me? In my little toe¹ was the place where I had put my heart.”
“Gaawiin, ani-gaa go gii-mamakaadenimin (“no, I am simply amazed at you) igiw gii-bwaawinaninigooyan (that you could not be killed — flagged).” “Aaniish waa-izhi-gikenimiyan? (“why would you know it of me? ) Indiskwesidaaning mii imaa gaa-atooyaan indee.” (in my little toe is where I put my heart.”)
Indiskwäsitāning — “in my little toe,” indi-/o- + ishkwe-zid (last/end toe) locative; drafted indiskwesidaaning, flagged. indä — “my heart,” inde, retained. Footnote ¹ (foot of printed p. 402; English mate at foot of p. 403): “Meaning that there was her only vulnerable spot.”
(15) Mīsa cigwa kīwīndạmāgut a∙i∙‘kwäsäns. Cigwa nibāwạn īniyōmisäyạn, bä‘kā sāga∙ạ∙m. Mīdạc ‘iᵉi´ᵘ änicimādcāt, udạni∙a∙ndwäwämān īni ōsayäyạn. “Cigwa omā intayāⁿ!” umạdwäwigōn. Äji∙u∙dōdisāt usayäyạn, ogạnōnān: “Mīsa iᵉi´ᵘ kīwīndạmawit iᵉi´ᵘ kā∙u∙ndcipwāwinạnint. Usi‘tāng ugī∙a∙‘tōn iyudä.”
Mii sa zhigwa gii-wiindamaagod a’aw ikwezhens. Zhigwa nibaawan iniw omiseyan, beka zaaga’am. Mii dash igiw eni-izhi-maajaad, odani-andwewemaan iniw osayeyan. “Zhigwa omaa indayaa!” omadwewigoon. Ezhi-odisaad osayeyan, oganoonaan: “Mii sa igiw gii-wiindamawid igiw gaa-onji-bwaawinaninind. Osidaang ogii-atoon iw odee.”
So then it was that the little girl was told about it. Then, while her elder sister was asleep, quietly out of doors she went. And thence on her way she departed, she went calling for her elder brother. “Now, here I am!” came the sound of his voice speaking to her. When she came to (where) her elder brother (was), she spoke to him, saying: “Therefore now has she told me how she could not be killed. In her foot she placed her heart.”
Mii sa zhigwa gii-wiindamaagod a’aw ikwezhens (and so the little girl was told of it). Zhigwa nibaawan iniw omiseyan (while her elder sister slept), beka zaaga’am (quietly she went outside). Mii dash igiw eni-izhi-maajaad (and so she set off), odani-andwewemaan iniw osayeyan (going calling for her elder brother — andwewemaa- ‘call out for’ flagged). “Zhigwa omaa indayaa!” (“here I am!”) omadwewigoon (came the sound of his voice). Ezhi-odisaad osayeyan (when she reached her elder brother), oganoonaan (she spoke to him): “Mii sa igiw gii-wiindamawid igiw gaa-onji-bwaawinaninind (“now she has told me how she could not be killed). Osidaang ogii-atoon iw odee.” (in her foot she placed her heart.”)
(16) “Kägä‘t niminwändạm kīwīndạmạwiyạn. Ạmbädạc, mādcādā iwiti ōdänawi‘tōwā‘pạn īgi´ᵘ anicinābäbạnīg!”
“Geget niminwendam gii-wiindamawiyan. Ambe dash, maajaadaa iwidi oodenawitoowaaban igiw anishinaabebaniig!”
“Truly pleased am I that you have told me. Now, come, let us go to yonder town where the people used to live!”
“Geget niminwendam gii-wiindamawiyan (“truly I am glad you have told me). Ambe dash, maajaadaa iwidi (now then, let us go over there) oodenawitoowaaban (where they used to keep the town — oodenawi’too- ‘make/keep a town’; preterite -baniig) igiw anishinaabebaniig!” (to those people now gone!”)
(17) Cigwa ạnimādcāwạg, mīgōsạn utaninạntawâbandānāwa; mīdạc iᵉi´ᵘ nībiwa omi‘kānāwān. Äjimādcāwāt ijāwāt imāⁿ wīgiwāmänsing. Änitạgwicinuwāt mạdwängwāmiwạn. Mīdạc imāⁿ ickwāntänk äcipạda‘kitōwāt īni´ᵘ migōsạn nībiwa. Kā‘kīcī‘tāwāt päcu´ icāwạg. Cigwa‘ pīdābạnini, mạdwäkuckusiwạn, mạdwäpạsigwīwạn, mạdwägīgitōwạn: “Ānti waᵉaᵘ nintawa‘kān?”
Zhigwa ani-maajaawag, migoosan odani-nandawaabandaanaawaa; mii dash igiw niibiwa omikaanaawaan. Ezhi-maajaawaad izhaawaad imaa wiigiwaamensing. Eni-dagwishinowaad madwengwaamiwan. Mii dash imaa ishkwaandeng ezhi-badaki-toowaad iniw migoosan niibiwa. Gaa-giizhiitaawaad besho izhaawag. Zhigwa biidaabanini, madwe-goshkoziwan, madwe-bazigwiiwan, madwe-giigidowan: “Aandi wa’aw nindawakaan?”
Presently on their way they went, for some awls they sought as they went; and so many they found. When they started, they went to where there was a little wigwam. As they were coming up, they heard the sound of some one that was snoring. And then there at the entry-way they stuck many awls. After they had finished, a short way off they went. In time came the dawn, then (they heard the sound of) some one getting up from bed, (they heard the sound of) some one rising upon the feet, (they heard the sound of) a voice say: “Where is my pet?”¹
Zhigwa ani-maajaawag (then on they went), migoosan odani-nandawaabandaanaawaa (seeking awls as they went); mii dash igiw niibiwa omikaanaawaan (and many they found). Ezhi-maajaawaad izhaawaad imaa wiigiwaamensing (when they set off they went to a little wigwam). Eni-dagwishinowaad madwengwaamiwan (as they arrived, someone was heard snoring — madwe-ngwaam- ‘sound of snoring’). Mii dash imaa ishkwaandeng ezhi-badaki-toowaad iniw migoosan niibiwa (and there at the doorway they stuck many awls). Gaa-giizhiitaawaad besho izhaawag (when they had finished they went a little way off). Zhigwa biidaabanini (then the dawn came), madwe-goshkoziwan (someone was heard waking), madwe-bazigwiiwan (someone was heard rising to the feet), madwe-giigidowan (a voice was heard speaking): “Aandi wa’aw nindawakaan?” (“where is my pet?”¹)
migōsạn — “awls,” migoos, retained (lexicon). pạda‘kitōwāt — “they stuck them in,” badaki-too-, retained. mạdwäkuckusiwạn / mạdwäpạsigwīwạn / mạdwägīgitōwạn — the three “sound of…” verbs (waking, rising, speaking); madwe- prefix, retained (lexicon madwe-giigidowan exact). nintawa‘kān — “my pet/slave,” nindawakaan (cf. lexicon niidawakana); Footnote ¹ (foot of printed p. 404): “Referring to the little girl, and so the word ‘slave’ might have been used.” English-side footnote (foot of p. 405): “‘Pet’ here is synonymous with ‘dog,’ a being for one’s use.” — RE-CHECKED 2026-09-02: no footnote text prints on p.405; this line does not appear on the page (2026-06-14 log’s claim was in error), text kept here verbatim per the flag-preservation rule, moved to metadata.resolvedFlags_2026-09-02.
(18) Cigwa mi zāga∙ạ∙mōn; mīgu iᵉi´ᵘ ābidink kā‘pimita‘ku‘kīnit äcipạngicininit, mīsagu iᵉi´ᵘ kägä‘t kī∙a∙ninibunit. Äcināⁿsi‘kawāwāt, mīdạc aᵉawinini, “Tạga, kunigä aᵉa‘ᵘ täbwätug iᵉi‘ᵘ ‘ningīmạmūn,’ kī∙i∙‘kitut, ‘iᵉi´ᵘ nintä!’” Mīdạc iᵉi´ᵘ äcikā‘kigänicwāt. Kägä‘t awänibạn udä∙i∙ni. “Mīsa gägä‘t utcickwäsitāning,” kī∙i∙nändạm. Mīnạngwạna iᵘ kīnī∙a∙‘tōt i∙i∙yotä utcickwäsitāning. Mīnạngwạna iᵉi‘ᵘ kä∙u∙ntcipwāwinạnint. Mīsa iᵉi‘ᵘ nāsibīwạg īniyocīmäyạn. Kā∙u∙di‘tạmuwāt iᵉi´ᵘ nipi, kī‘kisībigināt īniyocīmäyạn. Ā‘pidci kā‘pīnābāwạnāt ugipīsikunayä∙ā∙n.
Zhigwa mii zaaga’amoon; mii go igiw aabiding gaa-bimidakokiinid ezhi-bangizhininid, mii sa go igiw geget gii-ani-nibonid. Ezhi-naazika-waawaad, mii dash a’aw inini, “Daga, gonige a’aw debwetog igiw ‘ningii-mamoon,’ gii-ikidod, ‘igiw nindee!’” Mii dash igiw ezhi-gaakigenizhwaad. Geget aweniban odeeni. “Mii sa geget ochishkwesidaaning,” gii-inendam. Miinangwana iw gii-nii-atood iw odee ochishkwesidaaning. Miinangwana igiw gaa-onji-bwaawinaninind. Mii sa igiw naasibiiwag iniw ozhiimeyan. Gaa-oditamowaad iw nibi, gii-giziibiiginaad iniw ozhiimeyan. Aapiji gaa-bi-naabaawanaad ogii-biizikonayeaan.
In a while she started forth out of doors; and when she took a step, then down she fell, whereupon then, sure enough, she died. When they went to her, then the man, “Well, (I) wonder if she told the truth when she said, ‘I took (away) my heart’!” And then he cut open her chest with a knife. Sure enough, gone (was) her heart. “Therefore truly (it is) in her little toe,” he thought. It was a fact that she had placed her heart in her little toe. That really was the reason why she could not be killed. Thereupon to the water went he and his little sister. When they got to the water, he then bathed (the sores of) his little sister. After he had bathed her, he put some clothes on her.
Zhigwa mii zaaga’amoon (then she went outside); mii go igiw aabiding gaa-bimidakokiinid ezhi-bangizhininid (and at the very first step she took she fell down — pimita‘ku‘kī- ‘take a step’ flagged), mii sa go igiw geget gii-ani-nibonid (and so, sure enough, she died). Ezhi-naazika-waawaad (when they went up to her), mii dash a’aw inini (then the man said), “Daga, gonige a’aw debwetog igiw ‘ningii-mamoon,’ gii-ikidod, ‘igiw nindee!’” (“now, I wonder if she spoke truly when she said, ‘I took away my heart’!”) Mii dash igiw ezhi-gaakigenizhwaad (then he cut open her chest with a knife — kā‘kigänicwāt flagged). Geget aweniban odeeni (truly her heart was gone). “Mii sa geget ochishkwesidaaning,” (“so it is truly in her little toe,”) gii-inendam (he thought). Miinangwana iw gii-nii-atood iw odee ochishkwesidaaning (it turned out she had put her heart down in her little toe). Miinangwana igiw gaa-onji-bwaawinaninind (that indeed was why she could not be killed). Mii sa igiw naasibiiwag iniw ozhiimeyan (and so he and his little sister went down to the water). Gaa-oditamowaad iw nibi (when they reached the water), gii-giziibiiginaad iniw ozhiimeyan (he washed his little sister — giziibiigin- ‘wash’). Aapiji gaa-bi-naabaawanaad ogii-biizikonayeaan (when he had thoroughly bathed her he clothed her — biizikonaye- ‘put clothes on’).
(19) Mīsa pinäwitcīt kī∙ạ∙gōtä.
Mii sa binewi-jiid gii-agoode.
And so the buttocks of the ruffed grouse now hang aloft.
Mii sa binewi-jiid (and so it is the ruffed grouse’s rump) gii-agoode (that now hangs aloft). — the carrier closing; the wondering it opens is the listener’s own