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.
MISKWĀTÄSĪ MA‘KWA GAYÄ.
MISKWAADESI MAKWA GAYE.
PAINTED-TURTLE AND BEAR.
Narrated by either Wāsāgunäckạnk, or Midāsugaⁿj, or both (the roster’s own wording) — Series 4 (Nos. 62–78), 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) Ānīc miskwātäsi sāgi‘kwäkumu. Ā‘pidci mica‘kwạtini, kayä kicā‘täni. Pabāsāgi‘kwägamut owâbandạn asîn sāgibīnig; mīdạc iimāⁿ äci∙ạ∙gwā‘tād ạbāsạndä‘kät. Ā‘pidci minwäntạm kicā‘tänig. Käga‘pī äjinibāt. Kānibāt äjipa‘kubīsänik iyu‘kāt; mīnawā uni‘k äjipa‘kubīsänik; mīsa iᵘ ka‘kina äcipa‘kubīsät mägwā nibā‘pạn. Näyāb äcimōckamut, sībing äji∙i∙cāt. Kägä‘t uminwābạndān pimidcīgā‘kwānig. “Ambägic kacki∙o∙yān tci∙i∙cāyān iwiti!” Mīsa´ äji∙ạ∙gwā‘tāt icāt iwiti tcīgā‘kwānig. Cigwa udōdi‘tān mī‘kạna. Äjiwābạndang unisitawinān tinu mī‘kạna; mīnangwana īni´ᵘ ma‘kwạn umī‘kanāni. Äjibima∙a∙dōt; päcu tägwicink owâbạndān mōᵘ a‘tänig. Äci∙ō∙cigät; kā‘kīcigät obāsān.
*Aaniish miskwaadesi zaagikwekomo. Aapiji mizhaakwadini, gaye gizhaateni. Babaa-zaagikwegaamod owaabandaan asin zaagibiinig; mii dash imaa ezhi-agwaataad abaasandeked. Aapiji minwendam gizhaatenig. Gegapii ezhi-nibaad. Gaa-nibaad ezhi-bakobiisenig iyokaad; miinawaa onik ezhi-bakobiisenig; mii sa iw gakina ezhi-bakobiised megwaa nibaapan. Neyaab ezhi-mooshkamod, ziibiing ezhi-izhaad. Geget ominwaabandaan bimi-jiigaakwaanig. “Ambegizh gashki-oyaan ji-izhaayaan iwidi!” Mii sa ezhi-agwaataad izhaad iwidi jiigaakwaanig. Zhigwa odooditaan miikana. Ezhi-waabandang onisidawinaan dino miikana; miinangwana iniw makwan omiikanaani. Ezhi-bima’adood; besho dagwishing owaabandaan moo atenig. Ezhi-oozhiged; gaa-giizhiged obaasaan.**
Now, the Painted (red-chested) Turtle was sticking her head out of the water. It was a very clear day, and it was also hot. While roundabout she swam with her head above the water, she beheld a rock projecting above the surface; then she came forth from the water to bask in the sun. Highly pleased was she that the weather was warm. Finally she then went to sleep. After she had fallen asleep, then into the water dropped one of her legs; next one of her arms then fell into the water; and then the whole (of herself) dropped into the water while she was yet asleep. When back up to the surface she came, to a river she went. Truly pleased was she with (the sight of) the forest along the edge (of the water). “Would that I could go over there!” Accordingly then out of the water she went to go over to where the forest came down (to the water). Presently she came to a path. On looking at it, she perceived what sort of a path it was; it happened to be the path of a bear. Then she followed along in the path; when a little way she was come, she saw where there was some dung. Then she put up a dwelling; after she had finished the dwelling, she dried (the dung).
Aaniish miskwaadesi (now Painted-Turtle) zaagikwekomo (was sticking her head out of the water — stem flagged). Aapiji mizhaakwadini (it was very clear), gaye gizhaateni (and it was hot). Babaa-zaagikwegaamod (as she swam roundabout with her head out on the water) owaabandaan asin (she saw a rock) zaagibiinig (projecting out of the water); mii dash imaa (and so there) ezhi-agwaataad (she came out of the water — stem flagged) abaasandeked (and warmed herself in the sun). Aapiji minwendam (very pleased was she) gizhaatenig (that it was warm). Gegapii ezhi-nibaad (at last she fell asleep). Gaa-nibaad (after she had slept) ezhi-bakobiisenig iyokaad (one of her legs dropped into the water); miinawaa onik (and her arm too) ezhi-bakobiisenig (dropped into the water); mii sa iw gakina (and so the whole of her) ezhi-bakobiised (dropped into the water) megwaa nibaapan (while she was sleeping). Neyaab ezhi-mooshkamod (when she floated back up to the surface), ziibiing ezhi-izhaad (to a river she went). Geget ominwaabandaan (truly she liked the look of) bimi-jiigaakwaanig (where the woods ran along the edge). “Ambegizh gashki-oyaan (would that I could) ji-izhaayaan iwidi! (go over there!)” Mii sa ezhi-agwaataad (and so out of the water she went) izhaad iwidi jiigaakwaanig (going over to the edge of the woods). Zhigwa odooditaan miikana (then she came upon a path). Ezhi-waabandang (on looking at it) onisidawinaan dino miikana (she recognized what kind of path it was); miinangwana iniw makwan (it turned out to be that bear’s) omiikanaani (his path). Ezhi-bima’adood (then she followed along it); besho dagwishing (when she had come near) owaabandaan moo atenig (she saw where there was dung). Ezhi-oozhiged* (then she built a dwelling); gaa-giizhiged (when she had finished it) obaasaan (she dried them).
(2) Ānīc picicigigu mīnạ‘n. Ā‘pidci kā‘pāsink, wīgwāsink äji∙a∙‘tōt; änikwäcink äjinā∙i∙nank. Ningutingigu awiya pītwäwäcinon pīta‘pābiwạn. Kuniginīn, ma‘kwạn! Ugạnōnān: “Pīndigän,” udinān.
Aaniish bizhishig igo miinan. Aapiji gaa-baasing, wiigwaasing ezhi-atood; anaamikweshing ezhi-naa’inang. Ningoding igo awiya biidweweshinon biidabaabiwan. Goniginiin, makwan! Oganoonaan: “Biindigen,” odinaan.
Now, it was entirely of blueberries. When they were thoroughly dried, into some birch-bark she put them; under where she lay her head she hid (the bark of berries). And once she heard the sound of some one approaching, whom she saw come up and peep in. Behold, it was a Bear! She spoke to him, saying: “Come in!” she said to him.
Aaniish bizhishig igo miinan (now, it was nothing but blueberries). Aapiji gaa-baasing (when they were well dried), wiigwaasing ezhi-atood (into birch-bark she put them); anaamikweshing (under where she lay her head — stem flagged) ezhi-naa’inang (she hid them). Ningoding igo awiya (and once someone) biidweweshinon (came with the sound of footsteps) biidabaabiwan (and peeped in — flagged). Goniginiin, makwan! (behold, a bear!) Oganoonaan (she spoke to him): “Biindigen,” (“come in,”) odinaan (she said to him).
(3) Kägä‘t pīndigäwạn.
Geget biindigewan.
To be sure, in came (the Bear).
Geget biindigewan (sure enough, in he came).
(4) Kā‘pīndigänit udōdā‘pinān iᵉi´ᵘ umōwini. Äci∙ạ∙cạmāt i‘kido: “Taga nāgä nīn unō´ᵘ pāsiminānạn.”
Gaa-biindigenid odoodaapinaan i’iw omoowini. Ezhi-ashamaad ikido: “Daga naagaj niin onow baasiminaanan.”
After he had entered, she took up his dung. Then, feeding him, she said: “Now, here are some dried blueberries.”
Gaa-biindigenid (after he had entered) odoodaapinaan i’iw omoowini (she took up his dung). Ezhi-ashamaad ikido (then, feeding him, she said): “Daga naagaj niin (“now then, here are mine) onow baasiminaanan.” (these dried things.”)
(5) Kägä‘t minwäntạmōn ạcạmāt. Kā‘kitāminit uganōnigōn: “Ānti kā∙u∙ntinamạn īni´ᵘ mīnạn?”
*Geget minwendamon ashamaad. Gaa-gidaaminid oganoonigoon: “Aandi gaa-ondinaman iniw miinan?”**
Of a truth, he was pleased when she fed him. After he had eaten them up, she was addressed by him saying: “Where did you get the berries?”
Geget minwendamon ashamaad (truly pleased was he when she fed him). Gaa-gidaaminid* (after he had eaten them up) oganoonigoon (she was addressed by him): “Aandi gaa-ondinaman (“where did you get) iniw miinan?” (those blueberries?”)
(6) “Iwäti nō‘piming kī∙ạ∙nipi‘kwâbigạtināg, mīnawā ābiding iwiti kī∙ạ∙nipi‘kwâbigatināg.” Ugạnōnigōn miskwātäsi: “Icinu∙ạ∙mawicinigu.” Kägä‘t äjisāga∙ạ∙mowāt icino∙ạ∙mawāt. “Mī iwiti kā∙u∙ntinamān īni´ᵘ mīnạn.”
“Iwedi noopiming gii-ani-bikwaabigadinaag, miinawaa aabiding iwidi gii-ani-bikwaabigadinaag.” Oganoonigoon miskwaadesi: “Izhinoo’amawishinig.” Geget ezhi-zaaga’amowaad izhinoo’amawaad. “Mii iwidi gaa-ondinamaan iniw miinan.”
“Over there inland, among the rocks up along the hills, and yonder among the rocks up another hill.” By him was Painted-Turtle addressed, saying: “Just you point out the place to me.” In truth, when out of doors they went, she showed him the place: “It was over there that I got the blueberries.”
“Iwedi noopiming (“over there inland) gii-ani-bikwaabigadinaag (where the rocks run up along), miinawaa aabiding iwidi (and yonder once again) gii-ani-bikwaabigadinaag.” (where the rocks run up along.”) Oganoonigoon miskwaadesi (Painted-Turtle was addressed by him): “Izhinoo’amawishinig.” (“just point out the place to me.”) Geget ezhi-zaaga’amowaad (truly, when out of doors they went) izhinoo’amawaad (she showed him the place): “Mii iwidi gaa-ondinamaan iniw miinan.” (“it was over there that I got those blueberries.”)
(7) Mādcāwạn; ki‘tcipābigä tạgwicinōn. Āja mạdwäbībāgiwạn iwiti pi‘kwābi‘kānig: “Mīna omāⁿ!” mạdwä∙i∙gōn.
Maajaawan; gichi-baabige dagwishinon. Aazha madwebiibaagiwan iwidi bikwaabikaanig: “Mii na omaa!” madwe-igon.
Then off he started; very soon did he arrive there. Already then could be heard the sound of his voice calling up there among the high rocks: “Is this the place?” was heard the sound of his voice when she was called upon.
Maajaawan (off he started); gichi-baabige dagwishinon (very soon he arrived there). Aazha madwebiibaagiwan (already the sound of his voice could be heard calling) iwidi bikwaabikaanig (up there among the high rocks): “Mii na omaa!” (“is this the place?”) madwe-igon (his voice was heard).
(8) “Kāwīn, keyābi ābiding ạnibi‘kwābi‘kāg mī iwiti kā∙u∙ntinamān īni´ᵘ mīnạn.”
“Gaawiin, geyaabi aabiding aniibikwaabikaag mii iwidi gaa-ondinamaan iniw miinan.”
“No, in another place, among the lofty rocks, was where I got the blueberries.”
“Gaawiin, geyaabi aabiding (“no, in still another place) aniibikwaabikaag (among the lofty rocks) mii iwidi gaa-ondinamaan iniw miinan.” (was where I got those blueberries.”)
(9) Āja mīnawā mạdwäbīpāgiwạn: “Mīna ōmāⁿ?”
Aazha miinawaa madwebiibaagiwan: “Mii na o’omaa?”
Already again could be heard the sound of his voice calling aloud: “Is this the place?”
Aazha miinawaa madwebiibaagiwan (again the sound of his voice could be heard calling): “Mii na o’omaa?” (“is this the place?”)
(10) Aᵘ miskwādäsi ubībāgimān: “Ma‘kwā! kimōᵘ kigīmīdcîn!”
Aw miskwaadesi obiibaagimaan: “Makwaa! gimoo gigii-miijin!”
Painted-Turtle called aloud to him: “O Bear! your dung you have eaten!”
Aw miskwaadesi obiibaagimaan (Painted-Turtle called aloud to him): “Makwaa! gimoo gigii-miijin!” (“O Bear! your dung you have eaten!”)
(11) Aᵘ ma‘kwa änigu‘k nōndāgusi: “Ag, ag, ag!” Ā‘pidci kägä‘t niskādisi. Aᵘ ma‘kwa tci∙ä∙nigu‘k äjimādcība‘tōt nō‘pinạnāt miskwātäsiwạn. Kayä wīn miskwātäsi änigu‘k äjimādcāt miskwātäsi äji∙i∙cāt imāⁿ sībink. Cigwa ā‘pidci udānupäcwābạndān mämintagä ginīn äci∙ā∙ciki‘twäwäbā‘kutcing; kabäya iᵘ dạc u‘pwānawi∙o∙. Wī‘kā uniskāba‘tō. Inābit, āca päcu ma‘kwạn owābạmān. Äni∙i∙cipa‘kubīkwāckunit, äci∙ạ∙ntugạmipīginigut. Mīsa´ äcitäbibinigut, äcipīsibinigut, misiwä äji∙a∙‘pạginigut. Misa´ äjikīgititut ma‘kwa: “Tạga, kāgä gayä wīn wāwiyạc nimbwātōtawāsī.”
Aw makwa enigok noondaagozi: “Ag, ag, ag!” Aapiji geget nishkaadizi. Aw makwa ji-enigok ezhi-maajiibatood noopinanaad miskwaadesiwan. Gaye wiin miskwaadesi enigok ezhi-maajaad miskwaadesi ezhi-izhaad imaa ziibiing. Zhigwa aapiji odaani-besho-waabandaan memindage giniin ezhi-aazhigitwewebaakojing; gabeya’ii iw dash obwaanawi’o. Wiikaa oniishkaabatoo. Inaabid, azha besho makwan owaabamaan. Ani-izhi-bakobiikwaashkonid, ezhi-andagamibiiginigod. Mii sa ezhi-debibinigod, ezhi-biisibinigod*, misiwe ezhi-apaginigod. Mii sa ezhi-giigidod makwa: “Daga, kaage gaye wiin wawiyazh nimbwaadoodawaasii*.”**
Bear with a loud voice was heard saying, “Ach, ach, ach!” In much anger truly was he. Bear then with all speed started in pursuit after Painted-Turtle. And Painted-Turtle too started at full speed for the river. Presently very nigh to it was she drawing, when it so happened that over upon her back she tumbled; and for a long while she was helpless. After a long while she sprang up from where she lay. When she looked, already then but a little way she saw Bear. As she went leaping into the stream, attempt was made by him to get hold of her under the water. And so, when she was caught, she was torn to pieces, everywhere was a piece of her thrown. Accordingly then spoke Bear, saying: “Now, back on her have I played a trick.”
Aw makwa enigok noondaagozi (Bear with a loud voice was heard): “Ag, ag, ag!” Aapiji geget nishkaadizi (very angry indeed was he). Aw makwa ji-enigok (Bear, with all his speed) ezhi-maajiibatood (started running off) noopinanaad miskwaadesiwan (in pursuit of Painted-Turtle). Gaye wiin miskwaadesi enigok (and Painted-Turtle too at full speed) ezhi-maajaad (started off) miskwaadesi ezhi-izhaad imaa ziibiing (Painted-Turtle making for the river). Zhigwa aapiji odaani-besho-waabandaan (now she was drawing very near it) memindage giniin (when of a sudden) ezhi-aazhigitwewebaakojing* (she tumbled over onto her back — stem flagged); gabeya’ii iw dash obwaanawi’o (and for a long while she was helpless). Wiikaa oniishkaabatoo (after a long while she sprang up from where she lay). Inaabid (when she looked), azha besho makwan owaabamaan (already a little way off she saw Bear). Ani-izhi-bakobiikwaashkonid (as she went leaping into the water), ezhi-andagamibiiginigod (he tried to grab her under the water — stem flagged). Mii sa ezhi-debibinigod* (and so when she was caught), ezhi-biisibinigod* (she was torn to pieces), misiwe ezhi-apaginigod (everywhere a piece of her was thrown). Mii sa ezhi-giigidod makwa (and so Bear spoke): “Daga, kaage gaye wiin wawiyazh (“there, I too in turn) nimbwaadoodawaasii*.” (a trick have I played on her.” — kâgä particle + verb stem flagged; Jones renders it ’back on her have I played a trick’)
(12) Äjimādcāt aᵘ ma‘kwa.
Ezhi-maajaad aw makwa.
Then away went Bear.
Ezhi-maajaad aw makwa (then away went Bear).
(13) Intawā aᵘ miskwātäsi tā‘tagōtā, ka‘kina mi‘ka∙u∙tisō. Äjipapāsāgi‘kwägạmut.
*Indawaa aw miskwaadesi daa-dagoodaa, gakina mikawodizo. Ezhi-babaa-zaagikwegaamod.**
Nevertheless the (parts of) Painted-Turtle came together, every piece of her was found. Then roundabout she swam with her head out of the water.
Indawaa aw miskwaadesi daa-dagoodaa* (nevertheless the parts of Painted-Turtle came together), gakina mikawodizo (every piece of her was found — stem flagged). Ezhi-babaa-zaagikwegaamod (then she swam roundabout with her head out on the water).
(14) Cayīgwa näyāp äcimạtāpīt aᵘ ma‘kwa iwä sāga∙i∙gạn papāmācạgāmät. Aᵘ miskwātäsi owâbạmān papāmācạgāmänit inäntạm miskwātäsi: “Wī‘kāgä, taba‘kubī!” udinänimān īni´ᵘ ma‘kwạn.
*Zhayiigwa neyaab ezhi-madaabiid aw makwa iwe zaaga’igan babaamashagaamed. Aw miskwaadesi owaabamaan babaamashagaamenid inendam miskwaadesi: “Wiikaage, daa-bakobii!” odinenimaan iniw makwan.**
In a while back out upon the lake came Bear, wandering about upon the shore. Painted-Turtle saw him roaming about upon the shore. Thought Painted-Turtle: “Oh, let him go into the water!” was the thought she had of Bear.
Zhayiigwa neyaab ezhi-madaabiid aw makwa (in a while back out came Bear) iwe zaaga’igan babaamashagaamed (wandering about the shore of that lake). Aw miskwaadesi owaabamaan babaamashagaamenid (Painted-Turtle saw him roaming about the shore) inendam miskwaadesi (thought Painted-Turtle): “Wiikaage*, daa-bakobii!” (“oh, let him go into the water!”) odinenimaan iniw makwan (so she thought of that Bear).
(15) Minis ayāni imāⁿ micawagām. Ā‘pidci nōndāgusiwạg imā umīmīg papācagāmät aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kwa. Inändạm: “Undcitamāwīn mīnạn ayāniwitugänạn imāⁿ kī∙a∙yāwāt īgi´ᵘ umīmīg.” Kägä‘t äcipa‘kubīt äji∙i∙cāt imāⁿ mīnising.
Minis ayaani imaa mishawagaam. Aapiji noondaagoziwag imaa omiimiig babaashagaamed a’aw makwa. Inendam: “Onjida-mawiin miinan ayaaniwidogenan imaa gii-ayaawaad igiw omiimiig.” Geget ezhi-bakobiid ezhi-izhaad imaa minising.
There was an island far out in the lake. Very loud over there was the sound of the pigeons while Bear was roaming about on the shore. He thought: “It seems quite likely that there may be some blueberries over there where the pigeons are.” Verily, then into the water he went, on his way over to the island.
Minis ayaani imaa mishawagaam (there was an island far out in the lake). Aapiji noondaagoziwag imaa omiimiig (very loud over there were the pigeons) babaashagaamed a’aw makwa (while that Bear roamed about the shore). Inendam (he thought): “Onjida-mawiin miinan (“surely there must be blueberries) ayaaniwidogenan imaa (over there) gii-ayaawaad igiw omiimiig.” (where those pigeons are.”) Geget ezhi-bakobiid (truly, into the water he went) ezhi-izhaad imaa minising (on his way to the island).
(16) Owābạmān aᵘ miskwātäsi īni´ᵘ ma‘kwạn ācawa∙o∙nit. Kägä‘t inäntạm miskwātäsi nawạtc tcimintitut. Pạbā‘pic kāmindidut aᵉa´ᵘ miskwātäsi, mī∙i∙´ᵘ cigwa mawinäwāt īni´ᵘ ma‘kwạn. Kägä‘t owābạmān pimādạgānit. Äcinawatạmāt, äjikōgiwa∙ō∙nāt. Kā‘kōgiwa∙ō∙nāt äcipō‘kwāwigạnäbināt.
Owaabamaan aw miskwaadesi iniw makwan aazhawa’onid. Geget inendam miskwaadesi nawaj ji-mindidod. Babaapish gaa-mindidod a’aw miskwaadesi, mii iw zhigwa mawinawaad iniw makwan. Geget owaabamaan bimaadagaanid. Ezhi-nawadamaad, ezhi-googiiwa’onaad. Gaa-googiiwa’onaad ezhi-bookwaawiganebinaad.
Painted-Turtle saw Bear crossing the water. Of a truth, did Painted-Turtle will that she might be bigger. When Painted-Turtle grew bigger, then it was that she made an attack on Bear. In truth, she saw him swimming hitherward. When she quickly bit him, then down into the water she took him. After she had taken him down into the water, she then broke his back.
Owaabamaan aw miskwaadesi iniw makwan aazhawa’onid (Painted-Turtle saw that Bear crossing the water). Geget inendam miskwaadesi (truly thought Painted-Turtle) nawaj ji-mindidod (that she should be bigger). Babaapish gaa-mindidod a’aw miskwaadesi (when Painted-Turtle had grown bigger), mii iw zhigwa mawinawaad iniw makwan (then she made an attack on that Bear). Geget owaabamaan bimaadagaanid (truly she saw him swimming hitherward). Ezhi-nawadamaad (when she quickly bit him), ezhi-googiiwa’onaad (down into the water she took him). Gaa-googiiwa’onaad (after she had taken him down) ezhi-bookwaawiganebinaad (she broke his back).
(17) Mīdạc iᵉi´ᵘ ä‘kitut ạnicinābä: “Mī∙i∙´wä kā∙u∙ndciwāgisit aᵘ ma‘kwa, mī∙i∙´ᵘ kā∙i∙‘pināgubạnän īni´ᵘ miskwātäsiwạn.”
*Mii dash i’iw ekidod anishinaabe: “Mii iwe gaa-onji-waagizid aw makwa, mii iw gaa-ibinaagobanen iniw miskwaadesiwan.”**
Therefore thus say the people: “Such is the reason why the bear has a hump (upon the back), for that was the way Painted-Turtle once bent him.”
Mii dash i’iw ekidod anishinaabe (and this is what the people say): “Mii iwe gaa-onji-waagizid aw makwa (“that is why the bear is bent over), mii iw gaa-ibinaagobanen* iniw miskwaadesiwan.” (that is the way Painted-Turtle once bent him — preterite participle; bending-stem flagged.)
(18) Mīsa‘ iᵘ pinäwītcīt …
Mii sa iw binewi-jiid …
And so the buttocks of the ruffed grouse …
Mii sa iw (and so it is) binewi-jiid (the ruffed grouse’s rump) … (the closing that leaves the story to the listener’s wondering).