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.
CIGĀG, MĪGŌS, MẠCKĪGIMIN, KAYÄ MA‘KICINIC.
ZHIGAAG, MIGOOS, MASHKIIGIMIN, GAYE MAKIZINISH.
SKUNK, AWL, AND CRANBERRY, AND THE OLD MOCCASIN.
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) Mīdạc iᵉi’ᵘ a∙ī∙ntāwạg cigāg, kayä mackīgimin, mīnawā migōs, kayä wīn ma‘kicinic; mīsa‘ iᵘ äjinīwiwāt wīpibōniciwāt. Cigwadạc wī‘pipōnini, mīsa´ iᵘ cigwa nạntawäntcigät aᵉa´ᵘ cigāg.
Mii dash i’iw ayi-andaawag zhigaag, gaye mashkiigimin, miinawaa migoos, gaye wiin makizinish; mii sa iw ezhi-niiwiwaad wii-biboonishiwaad. Zhigwa dash wii-biboonini, mii sa iw zhigwa nandawenjiged a’aw zhigaag.
And now there lived a Skunk, and a Cranberry, and an Awl, and an old miserable Moccasin; and thus four was the number of them that planned to go into camp for the winter. And in a while the winter came, whereupon then began Skunk to hunt for game.
Mii dash i’iw ayi-andaawag (and now there dwelt) zhigaag (Skunk), gaye mashkiigimin (and Cranberry), miinawaa migoos (and Awl), gaye wiin makizinish (and the old Moccasin; -ish pejorative); mii sa iw ezhi-niiwiwaad (and so four were they) wii-biboonishiwaad (who would winter together). Zhigwa dash wii-biboonini (and as winter was coming on), mii sa iw zhigwa nandawenjiged a’aw zhigaag (then Skunk began to hunt for game).
(2) Kägä‘t ninguting mạmītāwäntạm mackīgimin ā‘kusit; ā‘pidci wīpāckitcīckā. Ninguting äcipāckitcīckāt, mīsā‘pan.
Geget ningoding mamiitawendam mashkiigimin aakozid; aapiji wii-baashkijiishkaa. Ningoding ezhi-baashkijiishkaad, mii sa apane.
In truth, disturbed in mind was Cranberry once, because of being sick; on the very point of bursting open at the belly was she. By and by, when she burst open at the belly, then she was gone.
Geget ningoding mamiitawendam mashkiigimin aakozid (truly once Cranberry was troubled in mind, being sick); aapiji wii-baashkijiishkaa (she was about to burst open). Ningoding ezhi-baashkijiishkaad (once when she burst open), mii sa apane (then she was gone for good).
¹ All four are represented as old women. — Jones’s note, foot of p. 703. mamiitawendam “troubled in mind”; baashkijiishkaa- “burst open” — drafted; the comic bursting of Cranberry. apane “gone for good / forever.”
(3) Ningutingidạc kistci∙ā∙bawāni; aᵘ cigāg äjimādcāt kīyusät. Ninguting otō‘kawi∙ā∙n īni´ᵘ piciwạn, mīsa´ äji∙u∙cimut äntāt. Ningutingidạc cigwa tạgwicinōn īni’ᵘ pici’wạn mīsa‘ wīwīwimigut; misa´ käga‘pi kīwīwimigut. Mīdạc īni´ᵘ äntawäntcigänit, kägä‘t kāwīn kägō uni‘tōsin; ā‘pidci kō‘pạtisi. Cigwa pa‘kadäwạg. Ānīc mī∙a∙´ᵘ cigāg ạnicā odayān iᵉi´ᵘ gämīdciwāt. Käga‘pi kāwīn wī‘kā ningutạno wī∙i∙nạno‘kīsī aᵉa’ᵘ pīci’ᵘ.
Ningoding idash gichi-aabawani; a’aw zhigaag ezhi-maajaad giiyosed. Ningoding odookawi’aan iniw bizhiwan, mii sa ezhi-oojimod endaad. Ningoding idash zhigwa dagwishinon iniw bizhiwan mii sa wii-wiiwimigod; mii sa gegapii gii-wiiwimigod. Mii dash iniw endawenjigenid, geget gaawiin gegoo onitoosiin; aapiji goopadizi. Zhigwa bakadewag. Aaniish mii a’aw zhigaag anishaa odayaan i’iw ge-miijiwaad. Gegapii gaawiin wiikaa ningodino wii-inanokiisii a’aw bizhiw.
Now, once there was a great thaw; Skunk then set out to hunt for game. Once she came upon the trail of a Lynx, whereupon she fled to where she lived. And once when Lynx came, accordingly then was she desired for a wife by him; and so at last she was taken to wife by him. And now it was he that hunted for game, but nothing did he kill; for utterly worthless was he. In time they were in want of food. So it was due to Skunk that they had food to eat. Finally never a thing did Lynx care to do.
Ningoding idash gichi-aabawani (now once there was a great thaw); a’aw zhigaag ezhi-maajaad giiyosed (Skunk set off to hunt). Ningoding odookawi’aan iniw bizhiwan (once she came on the trail of a Lynx), mii sa ezhi-oojimod endaad (and she fled home). Ningoding idash zhigwa dagwishinon iniw bizhiwan (and once when the Lynx arrived), mii sa wii-wiiwimigod (she was wanted by him for a wife); mii sa gegapii gii-wiiwimigod (and at last he took her to wife). Mii dash iniw endawenjigenid (and now it was he that hunted), geget gaawiin gegoo onitoosiin (but truly he killed nothing); aapiji goopadizi (utterly worthless was he). Zhigwa bakadewag (now they were hungry). Aaniish mii a’aw zhigaag anishaa odayaan i’iw ge-miijiwaad (so it was Skunk alone who had what they would eat). Gegapii gaawiin wiikaa ningodino wii-inanokiisii a’aw bizhiw (at last never at all would the Lynx do a thing).
(4) Ninguting unāgucininig āwasut owāwâbandānạn upwāmạn. Kīgito: “Ạmạntcigic ä‘pugisiwānän! Ạmạntcsa pa‘kwäcạmān iᵉi’ᵘ nimpwām!” Kägä‘t äcipa‘kwäcạnk iyupwāmạn, unāⁿsitīwạgōn. Mīdạc iᵉi´ᵘ kāpa‘kwäcạnk, ickutänk uda‘tōn. Äjikīcitänig; kā‘kīcitänig, utạgwāsitōn. Äcimīdcit, kīgito: “Kägä‘t niminu‘pugus.”
Ningoding onaagoshininig awasod owaawaabandaanan obwaaman. Giigido: “Amanjigizh e-bagozhiwaanen! Amanj sa bakwezhamaan i’iw nimbwaam!” Geget ezhi-bakwezhang iyo-obwaaman, onaanzidiiwagon. Mii dash i’iw gaa-bakwezhang, ishkodeng odatoon. Ezhi-giizhidenig; gaa-giizhidenig, odagwaasitoon. Ezhi-miijid, giigido: “Geget nimino-bagoz.”
When one evening he was warming himself, he was looking (with admiration) at his hips. He spoke, saying: “Wonder how I should taste! Suppose that I slice (a portion) off my hip!” Of a truth, he then sliced off (a piece) from his hip, from the back of his thigh. And then, after he had sliced off a portion, into the fire he placed it. Then it was cooked; after it was cooked, he took it off the fire. Then, eating it, he spoke, saying: “Of a truth, I am good to eat.”
Ningoding onaagoshininig awasod (one evening as he warmed himself) owaawaabandaanan obwaaman (he gazed at his hips/thigh). Giigido (he spoke): “Amanjigizh e-bagozhiwaanen! (wonder how I would taste!) Amanj sa bakwezhamaan i’iw nimbwaam! (suppose I slice off a piece of my thigh!)” Geget ezhi-bakwezhang iyo-obwaaman (truly he sliced off his thigh), onaanzidiiwagon (from the back of it). Mii dash i’iw gaa-bakwezhang (and what he sliced off), ishkodeng odatoon (he set in the fire). Ezhi-giizhidenig (when it was cooked); gaa-giizhidenig, odagwaasitoon (when cooked, he took it off). Ezhi-miijid, giigido (eating it, he said): “Geget nimino-bagoz (truly I taste good).”
(5) Cigāg ogạnōnān: “Nackänā acạmicin!” Mīsa´ kāwīn utacạmigusīn. Mīsanā kīwīsinit pici´ᵘ. “Kägä‘t niminu‘pugus.” Ninguting mīnawā, ānīc, mī ā‘pidci cigwạ pa‘kadäwāt. Ninguting mīnawā äji∙ā∙wạsut, “Ạmạntcigic iᵉi´ᵘ ninạgic ä‘pugwatugwän! Tạga ningapạgutcīnitis.” Kägä‘t äcipagutcīnitisut äcimạmōt ābi‘ta iᵉi´ᵘ unạgic. Kāmạmōt, ickutänk uta‘pagitōn. Äji∙a∙‘ka‘kacäbwät, “Tciⁿ, tciⁿī tciⁿ, tciⁿ,” inwäwätäni iᵉi´ᵘ unạgic. Äji∙ạ∙gwāsitōt, mīsa´ mīnawā äcimīdcit. Kā‘kidāng, ā‘pidci minu‘pugwạt inändạm.
Zhigaag oganoonaan: “Nashke naa ashamishin!” Mii sa gaawiin odashamigosiin. Mii sa naa gii-wiisinid bizhiw. “Geget nimino-bagoz.” Ningoding miinawaa, aaniish, mii aapiji zhigwa bakadewaad. Ningoding miinawaa ezhi-aawasod, “Amanjigizh i’iw ninagizh ebagwadogwen! Daga ningabagojiinidis.” Geget ezhi-bagojiinidisod ezhi-mamood aabita i’iw onagizh. Gaa-mamood, ishkodeng odapagitoon. Ezhi-akakanzhebwed, “Chin, chinii chin, chin,” inwewedeni* i’iw onagizh. Ezhi-agwaasitood, mii sa miinawaa ezhi-miijid. Gaa-gidaang*, aapiji mino-bagwad* inendam.**
Skunk spoke to him, saying: “Come, now, and give me some to eat!” But she was not fed. And so then Lynx ate. “Of a truth, I am good to eat.” One other time, well, it was when they were very much in want of food. Another time, when he was warming himself, “Wonder how my entrails would taste! Now, I will open myself at the belly.” In truth, when he opened himself at the belly, he then removed a part of his entrails. After removing them, into the fire he put them. When he roasted them on hot coals, “Tciⁿ, tciⁿ, tciⁿ, tciⁿ!” was the sound his entrails made. When he took them off the fire, he then ate again. After eating them up, very good was their taste, he fancied.
Zhigaag oganoonaan (Skunk spoke to him): “Nashke naa ashamishin! (come now, feed me!)” Mii sa gaawiin odashamigosiin (but she was not fed by him). Mii sa naa gii-wiisinid bizhiw (and so the Lynx ate). “Geget nimino-bagoz (truly I taste good).” Ningoding miinawaa, aaniish (and one more time, well), mii aapiji zhigwa bakadewaad (then very much were they in want of food). Ningoding miinawaa ezhi-aawasod (another time, when he was warming himself), “Amanjigizh i’iw ninagizh ebagwadogwen! (wonder how my entrails would taste!) Daga ningabagojiinidis*. (now, I will open myself at the belly.)” Geget ezhi-bagojiinidisod* (in truth, when he opened himself at the belly) ezhi-mamood aabita i’iw onagizh (he then removed a part of his entrails). Gaa-mamood, ishkodeng odapagitoon (after removing them, into the fire he put them). Ezhi-akakanzhebwed (when he roasted them on hot coals), “Chin, chinii chin, chin,” (vocable, carried as printed) inwewedeni* i’iw onagizh (was the sound his entrails made). Ezhi-agwaasitood (when he took them off the fire), mii sa miinawaa ezhi-miijid (he then ate again). Gaa-gidaang*, aapiji mino-bagwad* inendam (after eating them up, very good was their taste, he fancied).
(6) Mīsa´ iᵉi´ᵘ mīdạc iᵉi´ᵘ cigāg nickī∙i∙gut. “Kägä‘t māma‘kātc ạcamisiwānk. Intawā wābạnk mādcān, asām kāwīn kidạcamisīmin.”
Mii sa i’iw mii dash i’iw zhigaag nishki’igod. “Geget maamakaaj ashamisiwaang. Indawaa waabang maajaan, asam gaawiin gidashamisiimin.”
Thereupon was Skunk made angry: “Truly strange it is that you do not feed us. Therefore to-morrow you leave, for too often do you fail to feed us.”
Mii sa i’iw mii dash i’iw zhigaag nishki’igod (thereupon Skunk was angered by it). “Geget maamakaaj ashamisiwaang (truly strange that you do not feed us). Indawaa waabang maajaan (therefore tomorrow leave), asam gaawiin gidashamisiimin (for too often you fail to feed us).”
(7) A‘pī wayābạninig kägä‘t kisināni; mīgu iᵘ mīnōtc äcimādcāt pici´ᵘ kigicäp. Wayäntcī‘kä kī‘kạtci. Ningutingiku mạtāpīckusiwä sībīns; änimạdāpīckusiwät ā‘pidci kī‘kạtci. Nāwaya∙i∙ agāwa ugacki‘tōn i∙i∙māⁿ nā∙ạ∙ckusi iᵘ icāt. Kīwätinnuk äji∙i∙nābit, ä‘tawā! mī∙i∙´ᵘ mackawā‘kwạtcit, pạnāgu niskīngwänit; mīgu i´ᵘ änā-‘kwạtcit.
Apii wayaabaninig geget gisinaani; miigo iw miinooj ezhi-maajaad bizhiw gigizheb. Wayenji-kaa gii-gashkadji. Ningoding igo madaabiishkozhiwe-ziibiins; ani-madaabiishkozhiwed aapiji gii-gashkadji. Naawayi’ii agaawaa ogashkitoon i’imaa naa-ashkozid iw izhaad. Giiwedinong ezhi-inaabid, e-tawaa! mii iw mashkawaakwajid, banaa go niskiingwenid; miigo iw enaakwajid.
When the morrow came, truly cold it was; but nevertheless away went Lynx in the morning. From the very beginning he was cold. And by and by he came out upon a meadow (where there was) a brook; while coming out upon the meadow, very cold he became. Hardly was he able to get as far as the middle of the meadow. When towards the north he then looked, poor fellow! he was then freezing, and all the while he made an ugly face; whereupon that was the way he was frozen.
Apii wayaabaninig geget gisinaani (when morning came it was truly cold); miigo iw miinooj ezhi-maajaad bizhiw gigizheb (yet even so the Lynx set off at dawn). Wayenji-kaa gii-gashkadji (from the very start he was cold). Ningoding igo madaabiishkozhiwe-ziibiins (by and by he came out on a brook-meadow); ani-madaabiishkozhiwed aapiji gii-gashkadji (coming out onto it he grew very cold). Naawayi’ii agaawaa ogashkitoon i’imaa naa-ashkozid iw izhaad (hardly could he get to the middle of the meadow he was going to). Giiwedinong ezhi-inaabid (when he looked to the north), e-tawaa! (poor fellow!) mii iw mashkawaakwajid (then he froze stiff), banaa go niskiingwenid (making an ugly face the while); miigo iw enaakwajid (and that is how he froze).
(8) Mīsa´ piciwicīgạn cigāg pimādcā pipima∙a∙nāt. Ä‘tawā! ninguting ạni∙i∙nābit unāpämạn kicingicinōn kī‘kawạtcinit. Mīsa imāⁿ äjimawit; kā‘tämawit intawā äjikīwät. Mīdạc imāⁿ äntāwāt tibātcimut: “Mī gī‘kawạtcit aᵉa´ᵘ pici´ᵘ.”
Mii sa bizhiwishigan zhigaag bimaajaa bi-bima’anaad. E-tawaa! ningoding ani-inaabid onaabeman gizhingishinon gii-gawajinid. Mii sa imaa ezhi-mawid; gaa-demawid indawaa ezhi-giiwed. Mii dash imaa endaawaad dibaajimod: “Mii gii-gawajid a’aw bizhiw.”
And now behind Lynx came Skunk following in his tracks. Alas! by and by, while going along she was looking about, there lay her husband, who had frozen to death. Thereupon then she wept; after she had had a surfeit of crying, then back home she went. And then at the place where they lived she told the news: “Therefore now has Lynx frozen to death.”
Mii sa zhigaag bimaajaa bi-bima’anaad (and now Skunk came along on his tracks). E-tawaa! ningoding ani-inaabid (alas! by and by as she looked about) onaabeman gizhingishinon gii-gawajinid (there lay her husband, frozen to death). Mii sa imaa ezhi-mawid (thereupon she wept there); gaa-demawid indawaa ezhi-giiwed (when she had wept her fill she went home). Mii dash imaa endaawaad dibaajimod (and there where they lived she told it): “Mii gii-gawajid a’aw bizhiw (now the Lynx has frozen to death).”
¹ It is not brought out clearly here, but this is one account of the origin of the squinting look of the lynx. — Jones’s note, foot of p. 705. gawaji- “freeze to death”; bima’anaad “follow his trail”; the surfeit-of-weeping gaa-demawid drafted. bizhiwishigan §-init word uncertain, flagged.
(9) Ā‘pidci mānäntạm aᵉa´ᵘ ma‘kicinic, kayä aᵉa´ᵘ migōs. “Ānīc kätīyạnk?”
Aapiji maanendam a’aw makizinish, gaye a’aw migoos. “Aaniish ge-dodamang”
Very sad was the miserable old Moccasin, so too the Awl. “What are we going to do?”
Aapiji maanendam a’aw makizinish (very downcast was the old Moccasin), gaye a’aw migoos (and the Awl too). “Aaniish ge-doodamang? (what shall we do?)”
(10) “Mānūⁿ! ō∙o∙māⁿ ayātā.” Mīsa cigwa mādci‘tāt cigāg nạntawäntcigät, mīsa´ iᵉi´ᵘ kāwīn käyābi pa‘kạtäsiwạg. Ningutingiku wâbōsōn udōtisiguwān äjikạgwätcimiguwāt: “Kāna umāⁿ nintā∙a∙yāsī?”
“Maanoo! o’omaa ayaadaa.” Mii sa zhigwa maajiitaad zhigaag nandawenjiged, mii sa i’iw gaawiin geyaabi bakadesiiwag. Ningoding igo waaboozoon odoodisigowaan ezhi-gagwejimigowaad: “Gaa na omaa nindaa-ayaasii?”
“Never you mind! here let us remain.” Accordingly then to work set Skunk hunting for game, and then no longer did they lack for food. Now, once by a Hare they were visited, when by him they were asked: “May I not continue here?”
“Maanoo! o’omaa ayaadaa. (never mind! here let us stay.)” Mii sa zhigwa maajiitaad zhigaag nandawenjiged (so then Skunk set to hunting), mii sa i’iw gaawiin geyaabi bakadesiiwag (so they were no longer hungry). Ningoding igo waaboozoon odoodisigowaan (once a Hare came to them) ezhi-gagwejimigowaad (and was asking them): “Gaa na omaa nindaa-ayaasii? (might I not stay here?)”
(11) “Wä∙i∙bạnạnā, omāⁿ wītạcipibōniciyạn.” Ā‘pidci kägä‘t ni‘tānạntāwäntcigäwạn. Kägä‘t ā‘pidci anōtcigu kägō ubītōni wīsiniwīn. Ningutingidạc kī∙o∙sänit pītcinicimōwạn. “Ningī∙o∙‘kawi∙ā∙g īgi’ᵘ pigic kanitiskäsiwạg.” Mīdạc iᵉi´ᵘ cigāg äjigạnōnāt: “Awänänạg idạc iᵉi’ᵘ äcini‘kānạtwā pigickanitiskäsi?” “Kā, nạngwạna piciwạg, mīwagigi äcini‘kāsowāt. Kīcpin u‘kawī∙i∙wāt mīwạgigi käniciwāt; ningapītānigōg.”
“Wewiib inanaa, omaa wii-dazhi-biboonishiyan.” Aapiji geget nitaa-nandawenjigewan. Geget aapiji anooji go gegoo obiidoonan wiisiniwin. Ningoding idash gii-osenid biijinizhimowan. “Ningii-ookawi’aag igiw bigizh-ganidiskesiwag.” Mii dash i’iw zhigaag ezhi-ganoonaad: “Awenenag idash i’iw ezhi-nikaanadwaa* bigizh-ganidiskesii?” “Gaa*, nangwana bizhiwag, miiwagigi* ezhi-nikaasowaad. Giishpin okawi’iwaad* miiwagigi genizhiwaad; ningabiitaanigoog*.”
“(You are) welcome, in this place you may pass the winter.” A thoroughly fine hunter of game he truly was. In truth, just about every sort of thing in the way of food he fetched home. And once, while out on the hunt, he came home in speedy flight. “I got on trail of those Putrid-Navels.” Thereupon Skunk spoke to him, saying: “And who may they be whom you call by the name of Putrid-Navels?” “Why, it is the Lynxes, for such is what they are called. If they come upon my trail, then it is they that will slay me; by them shall I be followed into where I am.”
“Wewiib inanaa, omaa wii-dazhi-biboonishiyan. (do come, here you may pass the winter.)” Aapiji geget nitaa-nandawenjigewan (a truly skilled hunter he was). Geget aapiji anooji go gegoo obiidoonan wiisiniwin (truly all kinds of food he brought home). Ningoding idash gii-osenid biijinizhimowan (and once, while hunting, he came fleeing home). “Ningii-ookawi’aag igiw bigizh-ganidiskesiwag. (I struck the trail of those Putrid-Navels.)” Mii dash i’iw zhigaag ezhi-ganoonaad (thereupon Skunk spoke to him): “Awenenag idash i’iw ezhi-nikaanadwaa* bigizh-ganidiskesii? (and who may they be whom you call by the name of Putrid-Navels?)” “Gaa*, nangwana bizhiwag (why, it is the Lynxes), miiwagigi* ezhi-nikaasowaad (for such is what they are called). Giishpin okawi’iwaad* miiwagigi genizhiwaad (if they come upon my trail, then it is they that will slay me); ningabiitaanigoog*. (by them shall I be followed into where I am.)”
(12) Ningutingidạc, “Ānīn kīn kätōtawạmbạn mawinaningōyạnk?” inā mīgōs. Äjikīgitut: “Pisānigu nintāpata‘kakībạgis i∙i∙māⁿ apacīng.” “Kīnidạc?” inā ma‘kicinic. “Ickwātänk nintā∙i∙cā.” Mīnawā kạnōnā cigāg: “Kīnitạc, cigāg?” “Kā, pisānigu kīwīmba∙ā∙gunānināng mī∙i∙māⁿ kä∙i∙cāyāmbān.”
Ningoding idash, “Aaniin giin ge-doodawambaa mawinaningooyang?” inaa migoos. Ezhi-giigidod: “Bizaanigo nindaa-badaka’akibagis i’imaa apazhiing.” “Giin idash?” inaa makizinish. “Ishkwaandeng nindaa-izhaa.” Miinawaa ganoonaa zhigaag: “Giin idash, zhigaag?” “Gaa, bizaanigo gii-wiimba’agonaaniing mii i’imaa ge-izhaayaambaan.”
Now, once on a time, “What would you do if we were attacked?” they said to the Awl. Then she said: “I would simply stick into yonder lodge-pole.” “And you?” they said to the old miserable Moccasin. “Thither by the doorway would I go.” Next day they spoke to Skunk, saying: “And you, Skunk?” “Oh, simply into where there is a hole in the snow, (that) is where I would go.”
Ningoding idash, “Aaniin giin ge-doodawambaa mawinaningooyang?” (now once, “what would you do if we were set upon?”) inaa migoos (they said to the Awl). Ezhi-giigidod (then she said): “Bizaanigo nindaa-badaka’akibagis i’imaa apazhiing. (I would just stick into yonder lodge-pole.)” “Giin idash?” inaa makizinish (“and you?” they said to the Moccasin). “Ishkwaandeng nindaa-izhaa. (to the doorway I would go.)” Miinawaa ganoonaa zhigaag (then they spoke to Skunk): “Giin idash, zhigaag? (and you, Skunk?)” “Gaa, bizaanigo gii-wiimba’agonaaniing mii i’imaa ge-izhaayaambaan. (oh, just into a hole in the snow is where I would go.)”
² Hole made by the snow being dug out for use, as in melting it for water. — Jones’s note, foot of p. 706 (on the snow-hole). mawinan- “rush upon, attack.” badaka’- “stick (oneself) into”; the comic hiding-plans, each by its nature. wiimba’agonaan “a hollow/hole in the snow” drafted.
(13) Ningutingiku mawinạnāwạg; sāgitcikwāskwạni wābōs. Äjimādcī∙ạ∙nk wābōs:—
Ningoding igo mawinanaawag; zaagijikwaashkwani waabooz. Ezhi-maajii’ang waabooz:—
By and by they were attacked; outside then leaped Hare. Then began Hare to sing:—
Ningoding igo mawinanaawag (by and by they were set upon); zaagijikwaashkwani waabooz (out leaped Hare). Ezhi-maajii’ang waabooz (then Hare began to sing):—
(14) “Pōskä pigiskanidiskäsiwạg mawinạninạngwā, / Pōskä pigishanidiskäsiwạg mawinạninạngwā, / Pōskä pigiskanidiskäsiwạg mawinạninạngwā, / Nāmā nindānagạnāg.”
“Pōskä pigiskanidiskäsiwạg mawinạninạngwā, / Pōskä pigishanidiskäsiwạg mawinạninạngwā, / Pōskä pigiskanidiskäsiwạg mawinạninạngwā, / Nāmā nindānagạnāg.”
“Even, even, even by the Putrid Navels are we attacked, / Even, even, even by the Putrid Navels are we attacked, / Even, even, even by the Putrid Navels are we attacked, / With my speed will I leave them behind.”
(Hare’s song stands as printed — song register carried, not converted; Jones’s facing English gives the meaning, sung three times with its closing line)
(15) Mīdạc iᵉi’ᵘ nōmạg pimipa∙i∙wä aᵉa’ᵘ wâbōs, käga‘pī täbibinā. Ä‘tawā! mīsa iᵘ gīnisint wâbōs kayä kī∙ạ∙munt. Mīsā‘panä äjimādcāwāt igī’ᵘ piciwạg.
Mii dash i’iw noomag bimiba’iwe a’aw waabooz, gegapii debibinaa. E-tawaa! mii sa iw gii-nisind waabooz gaye gii-amond. Mii sa apane ezhi-maajaawaad igiw bizhiwag.
And then for a while was Hare chased about, at last he was caught. Alas! and then was Hare killed and eaten. And then away went the Lynxes.
Mii dash i’iw noomag bimiba’iwe a’aw waabooz (and for a while Hare was chased about), gegapii debibinaa (at last he was caught). E-tawaa! mii sa iw gii-nisind waabooz gaye gii-amond (alas! then Hare was killed and eaten). Mii sa apane ezhi-maajaawaad igiw bizhiwag (and away then went the Lynxes).
(16) Mīsa näyāp cigwa mādcīpa‘katäwāt. Kägä‘t kagwātagi‘tō cigāg.
Mii sa neyaab zhigwa maajii-bakadewaad. Geget gagwaadagitoo zhigaag.
And so, as before, they now began to be in want of food. Verily, a strenuous time Skunk had.
Mii sa neyaab zhigwa maajii-bakadewaad (and so again they began to go hungry). Geget gagwaadagitoo zhigaag (truly a hard time Skunk had).
¹ In providing food for the company. — Jones’s note, foot of p. 706. gagwaadagi’too “has a hard/strenuous time.” With the Hare gone, the want returns.
(17) Ningutingiku kägä‘t mawinanāwạg. Aᵘ migōs pata‘kā‘kupạgisu imāⁿ ạpacīng; kayä aᵉaᵘ ma‘kicimic ickwāntänk a‘pạgisu; kayä aᵉa’ᵘ cigāg wīmpa∙ā∙gunāning pīndigä.
Ningoding igo geget mawinanaawag. A’aw migoos badaka’akobagizo imaa apajiing; gaye a’aw makizinish ishkwaandeng apagizo; gaye a’aw zhigaag wiimba’agonaaning biindige.
And by and by, sure enough, they were attacked. The Awl flung herself (and) stuck into the lodge-pole; and the old miserable Moccasin threw herself beside the doorway; and Skunk entered into where there was a hole in the snow.
Ningoding igo geget mawinanaawag (and by and by, sure enough, they were attacked). A’aw migoos badaka’akobagizo imaa apajiing (the Awl flung herself, sticking into the lodge-pole); gaye a’aw makizinish ishkwaandeng apagizo (and the Moccasin threw herself by the doorway); gaye a’aw zhigaag wiimba’agonaaning biindige (and Skunk went into a hole in the snow).
(18) Cigwa äjipīndigäsäwāt, mīsa‘ kāwīn kägō owâbadạzīnāwa. Ānawinābiwāt, mīsa‘ imā pinäwitcīt kīgōtänig.
Zhigwa ezhi-biindigesewaad, mii sa gaawiin gegoo owaabadazinaawa. Aanawi-inaabiwaad, mii sa imaa binewijiid gii-agoodenig.
When in the others rushed, then nothing they saw. Yet as they looked about, but to no purpose, yonder was the buttocks of the ruffed grouse hanging aloft.
Zhigwa ezhi-biindigesewaad (when they rushed in), mii sa gaawiin gegoo owaabadazinaawa (they saw nothing at all). Aanawi-inaabiwaad (though they looked about in vain), mii sa imaa binewijiid gii-agoodenig (and so there the rump of the ruffed grouse hangs aloft) (the closing that leaves the story to the listener’s wondering).