Nanabushu and the Caribou (1)
Mii eni-izhi-maamaajaad.
Thereupon he continued steadily on his way.
Ningoding igo ani-babimosed, ji-mishawashkosiwagaani wedidang.
Now, once while he was walking along, to a wide field of high grass he came.
Ezhi-inaabid i’iwidi wayekwaashkosiw gichi-ayaabe adikwan gii-pimadaabiishkosiwewan.
As he looked toward the other end of the meadow, (he saw) a big bull Caribou come walking out upon the stretch of grass,
Geget sa omisawenimaan.
and so he (Nanabushu) wanted to get him.
“Amanj igo’sh ge-inaapinanaawagipanen?”
“Wonder how can I get hold of him!”
Ezhi-waabamigod, “Indash iidog ge-pasemid,” inendam aw adik.
When (Nanabushu) was seen, “Without fail he will have something to say to me,” thought the Caribou.
“Daga ndawaa ninga-ashimaa,” ani-maajiibatoo a’aw adik.
“I think I will draw him on.” Off running started the Caribou.
Zhigwa geget omadwe-kanoonigoon: “Ai, ni-shiimisa, amanj wiin i’iw gii-doodaman ningoji wayaabaminaanin?
The truly the voice of Nanabushu was heard saying to him: “Hey, my little brother, would that I knew why you act so whenever I see you anywhere!
Akawe, giwii-dibaajimotawin!
Wait, I wish to tell you something!
Geget gichi-inakamigad o’owidi wendoseyaan,” odinaan.
Truly, a great time is going on over there from whence I have come,” he said to him.
“Awawa, ondaas, bi-izhaan!
“Ay, hither, come here!
Gaawiin gidaa-naniizaanenimisii.”
You have no cause to fear me.”
Mii dash geget gaa-bi-izhi-izhaanid i’imaa ayaad.
It was true that he went to where (Nanabushu) was.
“Diwe, geget igo gichi-inakamigad bijiinaago, gii-nisidiwag; gichi-waawiiyag gii-onji-nanidiwag; gipishkwatagiinodaadiwag.”
“Ah, but there truly was a great time going on yesterday, they were killing one another; for no reason were they slaying one another; they shot one another indiscriminately with arrows.”
Aaniish mii go imaa epiichi-danaajimotawaad ezhi-ikwateshkawaad iniw omitigwaabiin.
Now, while he was telling him the story, he was stringing his bow.
“O’ow isa go doodamobaniig.”
“This was the very way they did at the time.”
Ezhi-nanimaakwiinoodawaad i’imaa waashepiinid.
All the while he kept aiming there at his (2) side.
“Mii sa o’ow endoodamowaapan,” odinaan.
“This was just the way they did,” he said to him.
Ezhi-bimwaad i’imaa waashepiinid.
Then he shot him in the side.
“Mishanim Nenaboozhoo!
“Confound Nanabushu!
Geget aana gii-nenimagiban.”
Truly, that was the very thing I thought he would do.”
Aaniish mii sa gaa-izhi-nisaad, ezhi-maajiikawaad.
So after he had killed (the Caribou), he then set to work flaying (and) cutting him up.
Bapenaginange ikaamoowan; ezhi-pabimagoodood iniw owiininoman; ezhi-gabaashimaad gakina.
Exceedingly fat was (the Caribou); then he went (and) hung up his fat; then he boiled it all.
Gaa-izhi-giizizwaad, ogiidashkwemag ogii-agwaawaan.
After he had finished cooking it, then out upon a sheet of birch-bark he dipped the meat.
Mii dash gaa-ikidod apii gaa-onabiitawaad: “Dibigizh ge-ondamaawagen?” gii-ikido.
And this was what he said when he came to where it lay: “Wonder from what part of the body I shall take (what I am to eat)!” he said.
“Indawaa sa oshtigwaaning ninga-ondamaa.
“I think that from the head I will take what I am to eat of him.
Gaa maawiin nindaa-minochigesii, nindaa-paapi’igoog niinimooshenyag (3) ogii-ashewebamaan,” gii-inendam.
– Perhaps it would not be proper for me to do that, for I should be made fun of by my loves on account of my having begun at the opposite end,” (thus) he thought.
“Nindaa-baapi’igoog niinimooshenyag,” gii-nendam.
“I should be laughed at by my loves,” (thus) he thought.
“Amanj isa wiin i’iwidi obikwanaang ondamag?
“Wonder if it would be well for me to eat of him at the back!
Gaawiin sa, ganabaj nindaa-baapi’igoog.
– No, indeed, for probably I should then be laughed at.
Ganabaj ogii-kaanjwebamaan gichi-ayaabe-adikwan, nindaa-igoog maawiin niinimoshenyag.
‘Perhaps he shoved the big bull Caribou forward while eating upon him,’ would be said of me perhaps by my loves.
Amanj isa wiin bimichaya’ii ondamag?” gii-inendam.
– Wonder if it would be well for me to eat of him at the side!” (thus) he thought.
“Gaawiin sa, ganabaj nindaa-paabi’igoog.
“No indeed, for perhaps I should be laughed at.
Ogii-pimijwebamaan nindaa-igoog gichi-ayaabe-adikwan, niinimooshenyag nindaa-igoog.”
- ‘He tried to push a great bull caribou sidewise when eating upon him,’ would be said of me by my loves.”
Megwaa go danwewetood miziwe jiigaatig ogii-babaa-atoon omama’ibimaan.
And while engage in this talk, he laid round about the foot of a tree all the grease (which he had boiled down).
Mii dash apii ezhi-noondaagwadinig giziibaakwad, “Geget sa nin-gichi-sasiskimigon.
And so when the creaking of trees rubbing (together) was heard, “Truly by some one am I sought beseechingly.
Ganabaj sa gaye wiin wii-wiisini.”
Perhaps, indeed, some one too wants to eat.”
Gaa-pakwezhwaad i’imaa owiininoowinid, ezhi-akwaandawed.
After slicing off a piece from a fatty part (of the caribou), then up the tree he climbed.
Mii dash iwidi awi-poozinang; (4) gaye go wiininoon ogiziindaakwishimaan.
And so there he went and placed the fat; and he put the fat in where it was creaking.
Ezhi-gichi-piidaanimadinig, ezhi-dakwamigod i’iw giziibaakwad.
When a great gust of wind came up, he was then caught fast by the creaking tree.
Ay, mii sa imaa e-indanagoozid!
Ah, and so there he hung!
Biinish igo gabeya’ii agoozi.
Even till a long while after was he hanging.
Ningoding igo inaabid iwidi wayekwaakosiw ma’iingana’ ondadaabiipa’idiwa’, mii dash ezhi-ganoonaad: “Gego wiin o’omaa bi-izhaakegon!”
The suddenly, while looking toward the other end of the meadow, (he saw) some wolves running hitherward into the meadow, whereupon he addressed them, saying: “Don’t you come this way!”
“Gegoo maawiin ogii-nitoonaadog Nenaboozhoo.
“Something doubtless must Nanabushu have slain.
A’aw, daga apa’ididaa!”
Come on, do let us run over there!”
Indigomi gii-bi-gagwejikanidiwa’.
It seemed as if they tried to race (to where he was).
Zhayiigwa bagamisewa’, ezhi-waabamaanid iniw odadikoman.
Now, when they came running up to the place, they saw his caribou.
Apane go gaa-makandinid.
Straightway did they fall upon it, grabbing it from one another.
Aiii, aaniish ge-gii-doodang mii sa apane odadikoman.
Alas! Naturally was there nothing for him to do, for entirely gone was his caribou.
Ezhi-ganoonaad: “Ni-shiimisa, gego wiin jaajiigaatig baa-inaabikegon!”
Then he addressed them, saying: “O my little brothers! Don’t you come and look round about this tree!”
“A’aw, gegoo ogii-atoonaadog!"
“Come on, something he probably has laid out (there)!”
Mii dash geget gaa-makandinid igo omama’ibimaan.
Whereupon truly they grabbed away from one another the grease (which he had boiled down).
Zhigwa waa-ani-maajiiba’idiwa’, “Gego wiin, ni-shiimisadog, ishpiming inaabikegon!”
Presently were they about to race away when, “Don’t now, O my little brothers, don’t you look up!”
Aaniish ezhi-daataganaabiwaad igiw ma’iinganag, bane go wiinin gaa-inagoodenig.
So when up the Wolves looked, nothing but fat (did they see) hanging there.
Aaniish gaye gaa-makandinid i’iw ma’iingana’.
So of course the Wolves also grabbed that away from one another.
Gaa-gidaanawenid eni-maajiiba’idinid; ezhi-bagidamigod.
After they had eaten it up, then away they went racing; then was he let loose from the grip.
Napem obagidamigon i’iw giziibaakwad.
When it was all over, he was set free by the creaking tree.
Ezhi-niisaandawed.
Then down he climbed from the tree.
Mii sa aano-gwiinawii-izhiikang, aaniish mii eta odoo-shtigwaanim etenig.
Thereupon he went in vain to see what he yet had left, for there remained only his (caribou) head.
Aaniish odaano-jiichiigwandaan i’iw odoo-shtigwaanim.
So he tried in vain to gnaw upon what was left (of the meat of) his (caribou) head.
Aaniish mii eta wiinindib e-yaanig.
Now only the brain was left.
Aaniish ogwiinawii-inaapinadoon.
Naturally he had no means of getting at it.
“Daga indawaa, ninga-kinebigoonsikaas,” gii-inendam.
“Then, therefore, I will take on the form of a little snake,” he thought.
Mii dash geget gaa-izhinaagozid, mii iwedi wiinindib wenjitood.
Thereupon truly that was the form he took upon himself, the reason he did it was on account of the brain there (in the skull).
Megwaa go dazhiikang ezhi-anishinaabewid, mii sa maajaad.
And while busied with the brain he became a human being, whereupon off he started.
Mii dash ezhi-odeshkaniimagadinig, ay, aaniish ge-izhichiged!
And so when there were horns (upon his head), ah, what was then to do!
Ezhi-pidaakwishing, “Giidawenenaatigoo, ni-shiimisa?”
When he bumped against a tree, “What sort of a tree are you, my little brother?” (he asked.)
“Eye’, niin isa go bagwadakamig gaa-naaniibawiyaan.”
“Ay, in the deep solitude of the forest ever do I stand.”
“Oon, ni-shiimisa, gi-mina’igoowim iizan.”
“Then really, my little brother, you must be a tamarack.”
“Eye’,” ogii-igoon.
“Yes,” he was told.
Miinawaa ezhi-pidaakwishing, “Gidawenenaatigo, ni-shiimisa?”
When he bumped against another tree, “What kind of a tree are you, my little brother?” he asked.
“Niin isa go wajiwing gaa-naaniibawiyaan.”
“Always upon the mountain do I stand.”
“Oon, gi-shingwaakoowim iizan.”
“Then, indeed, you must (then) be a pine.”
Miinawaa ezhi-pidaakwishing, “Gidawenenaatigo?”
When he bumped against another tree, “What kind of a tree are you?” (he asked.)
“Niin isa go gaawaawaasanakigaabawiyaan ningoji zaaga’igan dayebinaakwakin.”
“Continually do I stand with glistening top for one that comes in sight of a lake anywhere.”
“Ni-shiimisa, gii-wiigwaasiwim iizan.”
“My little brother, you then must be a birch.”
Eni-izhi-maajaad.
Then on his way he went.
Miinawaa ezhi-pi-daakwishing, “Gidawenenaatigo, ni-shiimisa?”
When he bumped against another tree, “What kind of a tree are you, my little brother?” (he asked.)
“Niin isa go ningoji zaaga’igan eyaagin noomag noopiming gaa-naaniibwiyaan.”
“Wherever there is a lake, then a short way back in the forest is where I always stand.”
“Oon, ni-shiimisa, gida-asaadiiwim iizan.”
“Really, my little brother, you then must be a poplar.”
“Eye’.”
“Yes.”
Miinawaa eni-izhi-maajaad.
Then on his way he continued.
Miinawaa ezhi-pidaakwishing, “Gidawenenaatigo, ni-shiimisa?”
When he bumped against another tree, “What kind of a tree are you, my little brother?” (he asked.)
“Niin isa go zaaga’iganing eko-giishkakamigaag gaa-naaniibawiyaan.”
“Always by the bank of a lake do I stand.”
“Oon, ni-shiimisa, gi-giizhikiiwim iizan.”
“Oh, my little brother, then you must be a cedar.”
“Eye’,” odigoon.
“Yes,” he was told.
Eni-izhi-maajaad, bijiinag igo eni-oda’amiid ezhi-pakobiidakokiid.
Then on his way he started, and the instant he made another step he walked into the water.
Aaniish mii go ezhi-panakiinang ezhi-maajiiyaadagaad.
Well, he then began wading out into the water, then he began swimming.
Babimaadagaad, ningoding igo awiya onoondawaa: “Eyiiye, adik bemaadagaad!” ikidowa’.
While swimming along he suddenly heard the sound of somebody (saying): “Halloo, there goes a caribou swimming along!” they said.
Aaniish, “A’aw, maawinada-ok!”
Then, “Come on, go after it!”
Aaniish mii sa geget mawinada-ond.
So thereupon they truly started after it.
Aaniish gaawiin nandagenimosii bimaadagaad.
Now, with all his power he swam.
Eshkam beshwewidamo, gaawiin nandagenimosii.
As nearer he heard the sound of them, then with all his speed did he go.
“Eyii’ii. Gi-mishaganigonaan!”
“Halloo, we shall be beaten to the shore!”
“Mii nangwana zhigwa aanawi beshwaabadamowaanen,” inendam.
“It is possible that I surely must be getting close (to the shore),” he thought.
Aaniish gaawiin nandagenimosii bimaadagaad.
Yet with all his might he swam.
Eshkam bi-giigidowa’, “Da-baapiniziwaagan, mii sa mishaganinang!”
Nearer came the sound of their voices, near by he heard them saying: “Too bad, he is landing ahead of us!”
Gaa-ikidonind.
(Such) was what they said.
Ezhi-debakiinang, wayiiba go debakiinang.
Then he came to where he could touch bottom, soon was he where he could touch bottom.
Aaniish mii nangwana zhooshkwaanaabikaanig i’imaa gaa-izhi-agwaasibatood.
Now, it happened to be a slippery bank where he ran up out of the water.
Megwaa go eni-babimipatood ezhi-ozhaazhaabikishing ezhi-biigosidood i’iw odoo-shtigwaanim.
And while he was running along, he slipped and fell upon a rock, bursting open his (caribou) head.
Inaabiwaad igiw anishinaabeg, Nenaboozhoowan ani-onji-giigidowan: “Geget igo adik bemaadagaad, geget igo adik bemaadagaad,” ani-ikidowan Nenaboozhoowan, ani-gagawaapiwan.
As the people looked, (they saw) Nanabushu, who said as he went running from there: “Truly it was a caribou swimming along, truly it was a caribou swimming along,” said Nanabushu as he went, as he fell headlong laughing.
Gaawiin ganage bi-yaapimigaabawisiiwan, bane mii sa ani-babimosed.
Not did he stop in his career to look back at them, ever straight ahead he continued his way.
Thereupon he continued steadily on his way.
Ningoding igo ani-babimosed, ji-mishawashkosiwagaani wedidang.
Now, once while he was walking along, to a wide field of high grass he came.
Ezhi-inaabid i’iwidi wayekwaashkosiw gichi-ayaabe adikwan gii-pimadaabiishkosiwewan.
As he looked toward the other end of the meadow, (he saw) a big bull Caribou come walking out upon the stretch of grass,
Geget sa omisawenimaan.
and so he (Nanabushu) wanted to get him.
“Amanj igo’sh ge-inaapinanaawagipanen?”
“Wonder how can I get hold of him!”
Ezhi-waabamigod, “Indash iidog ge-pasemid,” inendam aw adik.
When (Nanabushu) was seen, “Without fail he will have something to say to me,” thought the Caribou.
“Daga ndawaa ninga-ashimaa,” ani-maajiibatoo a’aw adik.
“I think I will draw him on.” Off running started the Caribou.
Zhigwa geget omadwe-kanoonigoon: “Ai, ni-shiimisa, amanj wiin i’iw gii-doodaman ningoji wayaabaminaanin?
The truly the voice of Nanabushu was heard saying to him: “Hey, my little brother, would that I knew why you act so whenever I see you anywhere!
Akawe, giwii-dibaajimotawin!
Wait, I wish to tell you something!
Geget gichi-inakamigad o’owidi wendoseyaan,” odinaan.
Truly, a great time is going on over there from whence I have come,” he said to him.
“Awawa, ondaas, bi-izhaan!
“Ay, hither, come here!
Gaawiin gidaa-naniizaanenimisii.”
You have no cause to fear me.”
Mii dash geget gaa-bi-izhi-izhaanid i’imaa ayaad.
It was true that he went to where (Nanabushu) was.
“Diwe, geget igo gichi-inakamigad bijiinaago, gii-nisidiwag; gichi-waawiiyag gii-onji-nanidiwag; gipishkwatagiinodaadiwag.”
“Ah, but there truly was a great time going on yesterday, they were killing one another; for no reason were they slaying one another; they shot one another indiscriminately with arrows.”
Aaniish mii go imaa epiichi-danaajimotawaad ezhi-ikwateshkawaad iniw omitigwaabiin.
Now, while he was telling him the story, he was stringing his bow.
“O’ow isa go doodamobaniig.”
“This was the very way they did at the time.”
Ezhi-nanimaakwiinoodawaad i’imaa waashepiinid.
All the while he kept aiming there at his (2) side.
“Mii sa o’ow endoodamowaapan,” odinaan.
“This was just the way they did,” he said to him.
Ezhi-bimwaad i’imaa waashepiinid.
Then he shot him in the side.
“Mishanim Nenaboozhoo!
“Confound Nanabushu!
Geget aana gii-nenimagiban.”
Truly, that was the very thing I thought he would do.”
Aaniish mii sa gaa-izhi-nisaad, ezhi-maajiikawaad.
So after he had killed (the Caribou), he then set to work flaying (and) cutting him up.
Bapenaginange ikaamoowan; ezhi-pabimagoodood iniw owiininoman; ezhi-gabaashimaad gakina.
Exceedingly fat was (the Caribou); then he went (and) hung up his fat; then he boiled it all.
Gaa-izhi-giizizwaad, ogiidashkwemag ogii-agwaawaan.
After he had finished cooking it, then out upon a sheet of birch-bark he dipped the meat.
Mii dash gaa-ikidod apii gaa-onabiitawaad: “Dibigizh ge-ondamaawagen?” gii-ikido.
And this was what he said when he came to where it lay: “Wonder from what part of the body I shall take (what I am to eat)!” he said.
“Indawaa sa oshtigwaaning ninga-ondamaa.
“I think that from the head I will take what I am to eat of him.
Gaa maawiin nindaa-minochigesii, nindaa-paapi’igoog niinimooshenyag (3) ogii-ashewebamaan,” gii-inendam.
– Perhaps it would not be proper for me to do that, for I should be made fun of by my loves on account of my having begun at the opposite end,” (thus) he thought.
“Nindaa-baapi’igoog niinimooshenyag,” gii-nendam.
“I should be laughed at by my loves,” (thus) he thought.
“Amanj isa wiin i’iwidi obikwanaang ondamag?
“Wonder if it would be well for me to eat of him at the back!
Gaawiin sa, ganabaj nindaa-baapi’igoog.
– No, indeed, for probably I should then be laughed at.
Ganabaj ogii-kaanjwebamaan gichi-ayaabe-adikwan, nindaa-igoog maawiin niinimoshenyag.
‘Perhaps he shoved the big bull Caribou forward while eating upon him,’ would be said of me perhaps by my loves.
Amanj isa wiin bimichaya’ii ondamag?” gii-inendam.
– Wonder if it would be well for me to eat of him at the side!” (thus) he thought.
“Gaawiin sa, ganabaj nindaa-paabi’igoog.
“No indeed, for perhaps I should be laughed at.
Ogii-pimijwebamaan nindaa-igoog gichi-ayaabe-adikwan, niinimooshenyag nindaa-igoog.”
- ‘He tried to push a great bull caribou sidewise when eating upon him,’ would be said of me by my loves.”
Megwaa go danwewetood miziwe jiigaatig ogii-babaa-atoon omama’ibimaan.
And while engage in this talk, he laid round about the foot of a tree all the grease (which he had boiled down).
Mii dash apii ezhi-noondaagwadinig giziibaakwad, “Geget sa nin-gichi-sasiskimigon.
And so when the creaking of trees rubbing (together) was heard, “Truly by some one am I sought beseechingly.
Ganabaj sa gaye wiin wii-wiisini.”
Perhaps, indeed, some one too wants to eat.”
Gaa-pakwezhwaad i’imaa owiininoowinid, ezhi-akwaandawed.
After slicing off a piece from a fatty part (of the caribou), then up the tree he climbed.
Mii dash iwidi awi-poozinang; (4) gaye go wiininoon ogiziindaakwishimaan.
And so there he went and placed the fat; and he put the fat in where it was creaking.
Ezhi-gichi-piidaanimadinig, ezhi-dakwamigod i’iw giziibaakwad.
When a great gust of wind came up, he was then caught fast by the creaking tree.
Ay, mii sa imaa e-indanagoozid!
Ah, and so there he hung!
Biinish igo gabeya’ii agoozi.
Even till a long while after was he hanging.
Ningoding igo inaabid iwidi wayekwaakosiw ma’iingana’ ondadaabiipa’idiwa’, mii dash ezhi-ganoonaad: “Gego wiin o’omaa bi-izhaakegon!”
The suddenly, while looking toward the other end of the meadow, (he saw) some wolves running hitherward into the meadow, whereupon he addressed them, saying: “Don’t you come this way!”
“Gegoo maawiin ogii-nitoonaadog Nenaboozhoo.
“Something doubtless must Nanabushu have slain.
A’aw, daga apa’ididaa!”
Come on, do let us run over there!”
Indigomi gii-bi-gagwejikanidiwa’.
It seemed as if they tried to race (to where he was).
Zhayiigwa bagamisewa’, ezhi-waabamaanid iniw odadikoman.
Now, when they came running up to the place, they saw his caribou.
Apane go gaa-makandinid.
Straightway did they fall upon it, grabbing it from one another.
Aiii, aaniish ge-gii-doodang mii sa apane odadikoman.
Alas! Naturally was there nothing for him to do, for entirely gone was his caribou.
Ezhi-ganoonaad: “Ni-shiimisa, gego wiin jaajiigaatig baa-inaabikegon!”
Then he addressed them, saying: “O my little brothers! Don’t you come and look round about this tree!”
“A’aw, gegoo ogii-atoonaadog!"
“Come on, something he probably has laid out (there)!”
Mii dash geget gaa-makandinid igo omama’ibimaan.
Whereupon truly they grabbed away from one another the grease (which he had boiled down).
Zhigwa waa-ani-maajiiba’idiwa’, “Gego wiin, ni-shiimisadog, ishpiming inaabikegon!”
Presently were they about to race away when, “Don’t now, O my little brothers, don’t you look up!”
Aaniish ezhi-daataganaabiwaad igiw ma’iinganag, bane go wiinin gaa-inagoodenig.
So when up the Wolves looked, nothing but fat (did they see) hanging there.
Aaniish gaye gaa-makandinid i’iw ma’iingana’.
So of course the Wolves also grabbed that away from one another.
Gaa-gidaanawenid eni-maajiiba’idinid; ezhi-bagidamigod.
After they had eaten it up, then away they went racing; then was he let loose from the grip.
Napem obagidamigon i’iw giziibaakwad.
When it was all over, he was set free by the creaking tree.
Ezhi-niisaandawed.
Then down he climbed from the tree.
Mii sa aano-gwiinawii-izhiikang, aaniish mii eta odoo-shtigwaanim etenig.
Thereupon he went in vain to see what he yet had left, for there remained only his (caribou) head.
Aaniish odaano-jiichiigwandaan i’iw odoo-shtigwaanim.
So he tried in vain to gnaw upon what was left (of the meat of) his (caribou) head.
Aaniish mii eta wiinindib e-yaanig.
Now only the brain was left.
Aaniish ogwiinawii-inaapinadoon.
Naturally he had no means of getting at it.
“Daga indawaa, ninga-kinebigoonsikaas,” gii-inendam.
“Then, therefore, I will take on the form of a little snake,” he thought.
Mii dash geget gaa-izhinaagozid, mii iwedi wiinindib wenjitood.
Thereupon truly that was the form he took upon himself, the reason he did it was on account of the brain there (in the skull).
Megwaa go dazhiikang ezhi-anishinaabewid, mii sa maajaad.
And while busied with the brain he became a human being, whereupon off he started.
Mii dash ezhi-odeshkaniimagadinig, ay, aaniish ge-izhichiged!
And so when there were horns (upon his head), ah, what was then to do!
Ezhi-pidaakwishing, “Giidawenenaatigoo, ni-shiimisa?”
When he bumped against a tree, “What sort of a tree are you, my little brother?” (he asked.)
“Eye’, niin isa go bagwadakamig gaa-naaniibawiyaan.”
“Ay, in the deep solitude of the forest ever do I stand.”
“Oon, ni-shiimisa, gi-mina’igoowim iizan.”
“Then really, my little brother, you must be a tamarack.”
“Eye’,” ogii-igoon.
“Yes,” he was told.
Miinawaa ezhi-pidaakwishing, “Gidawenenaatigo, ni-shiimisa?”
When he bumped against another tree, “What kind of a tree are you, my little brother?” he asked.
“Niin isa go wajiwing gaa-naaniibawiyaan.”
“Always upon the mountain do I stand.”
“Oon, gi-shingwaakoowim iizan.”
“Then, indeed, you must (then) be a pine.”
Miinawaa ezhi-pidaakwishing, “Gidawenenaatigo?”
When he bumped against another tree, “What kind of a tree are you?” (he asked.)
“Niin isa go gaawaawaasanakigaabawiyaan ningoji zaaga’igan dayebinaakwakin.”
“Continually do I stand with glistening top for one that comes in sight of a lake anywhere.”
“Ni-shiimisa, gii-wiigwaasiwim iizan.”
“My little brother, you then must be a birch.”
Eni-izhi-maajaad.
Then on his way he went.
Miinawaa ezhi-pi-daakwishing, “Gidawenenaatigo, ni-shiimisa?”
When he bumped against another tree, “What kind of a tree are you, my little brother?” (he asked.)
“Niin isa go ningoji zaaga’igan eyaagin noomag noopiming gaa-naaniibwiyaan.”
“Wherever there is a lake, then a short way back in the forest is where I always stand.”
“Oon, ni-shiimisa, gida-asaadiiwim iizan.”
“Really, my little brother, you then must be a poplar.”
“Eye’.”
“Yes.”
Miinawaa eni-izhi-maajaad.
Then on his way he continued.
Miinawaa ezhi-pidaakwishing, “Gidawenenaatigo, ni-shiimisa?”
When he bumped against another tree, “What kind of a tree are you, my little brother?” (he asked.)
“Niin isa go zaaga’iganing eko-giishkakamigaag gaa-naaniibawiyaan.”
“Always by the bank of a lake do I stand.”
“Oon, ni-shiimisa, gi-giizhikiiwim iizan.”
“Oh, my little brother, then you must be a cedar.”
“Eye’,” odigoon.
“Yes,” he was told.
Eni-izhi-maajaad, bijiinag igo eni-oda’amiid ezhi-pakobiidakokiid.
Then on his way he started, and the instant he made another step he walked into the water.
Aaniish mii go ezhi-panakiinang ezhi-maajiiyaadagaad.
Well, he then began wading out into the water, then he began swimming.
Babimaadagaad, ningoding igo awiya onoondawaa: “Eyiiye, adik bemaadagaad!” ikidowa’.
While swimming along he suddenly heard the sound of somebody (saying): “Halloo, there goes a caribou swimming along!” they said.
Aaniish, “A’aw, maawinada-ok!”
Then, “Come on, go after it!”
Aaniish mii sa geget mawinada-ond.
So thereupon they truly started after it.
Aaniish gaawiin nandagenimosii bimaadagaad.
Now, with all his power he swam.
Eshkam beshwewidamo, gaawiin nandagenimosii.
As nearer he heard the sound of them, then with all his speed did he go.
“Eyii’ii. Gi-mishaganigonaan!”
“Halloo, we shall be beaten to the shore!”
“Mii nangwana zhigwa aanawi beshwaabadamowaanen,” inendam.
“It is possible that I surely must be getting close (to the shore),” he thought.
Aaniish gaawiin nandagenimosii bimaadagaad.
Yet with all his might he swam.
Eshkam bi-giigidowa’, “Da-baapiniziwaagan, mii sa mishaganinang!”
Nearer came the sound of their voices, near by he heard them saying: “Too bad, he is landing ahead of us!”
Gaa-ikidonind.
(Such) was what they said.
Ezhi-debakiinang, wayiiba go debakiinang.
Then he came to where he could touch bottom, soon was he where he could touch bottom.
Aaniish mii nangwana zhooshkwaanaabikaanig i’imaa gaa-izhi-agwaasibatood.
Now, it happened to be a slippery bank where he ran up out of the water.
Megwaa go eni-babimipatood ezhi-ozhaazhaabikishing ezhi-biigosidood i’iw odoo-shtigwaanim.
And while he was running along, he slipped and fell upon a rock, bursting open his (caribou) head.
Inaabiwaad igiw anishinaabeg, Nenaboozhoowan ani-onji-giigidowan: “Geget igo adik bemaadagaad, geget igo adik bemaadagaad,” ani-ikidowan Nenaboozhoowan, ani-gagawaapiwan.
As the people looked, (they saw) Nanabushu, who said as he went running from there: “Truly it was a caribou swimming along, truly it was a caribou swimming along,” said Nanabushu as he went, as he fell headlong laughing.
Gaawiin ganage bi-yaapimigaabawisiiwan, bane mii sa ani-babimosed.
Not did he stop in his career to look back at them, ever straight ahead he continued his way.
