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.)
BIKWAAKWADOONH.
BALL-BEING.
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) Pikwā‘kwanatōⁿ a∙i∙ntā.
Bikwaakwadoonh ayindaa.
A being shaped like a ball was living (there).
Bikwaakwadoonh (a little ball-being) ayindaa (was dwelling there).
(2) Kīwīmīsī, mī äjisāga∙ạ∙nk.
Gii-wii-miizii, mii ezhi-zaaga’ang.
He desired to ease himself, whereupon he went out of doors.
Gii-wii-miizii (he wanted to relieve himself), mii ezhi-zaaga’ang (so out he went).
(3) Äjikibicạngajīt, mīsa äjibwānawi‘tōt.
Ezhi-gibishangajiid, mii sa ezhi-bwaanawitood.
As he was constipated, he therefore failed in his efforts.
Ezhi-gibishangajiid (being blocked up), mii sa ezhi-bwaanawitood (so he failed at it).
(4) Mīsa´ äcinisigut.
Mii sa ezhi-nisigod.
Accordingly then he was killed (by his own incapacity).
Mii sa ezhi-nisigod (and so it killed him).
(5) Mīsa pinäwitcīt…
Mii sa binewi-jiid …
Whereupon the buttocks of the ruffed grouse…
Mii sa binewi-jiid (and so the ruffed grouse’s rump) … (the closing that leaves the story to the listener’s wondering).