Nanabushu and the Soaring Eagle
Mii sa wii-biboonishi megiziwaash.
Zhigwa sa wii-maajitaa giigoonyan wii-nooji’aad, mii dash i’iw ezhi-waabamaad gii-dagwishininid iniw Nenaboozhoowan. “Naabwiinaa maamawijigeyang ji-nooji’angwaa igiw giigoonyag?” “Aw, mii iw ezhi-minwendamaan omaa go bi-izhi-gozin.” Geget, Nenaboozhoo bi-gabeshi. Mii sa zhigwa maajitaawaad; giigoonyan niibiwa onisaawaan. Giigoonya’ odajidagoonaawa’. Aapiji’sh isa niibiwa onisaawaa. Zhigwa gashkadinini i’iw zaaga’igan. Mii sa ezhi-gozinid Nenaboozhoowan; gakina omaajiinaa’ giigoonya’. Mii sa pane gaawiin gegoo oga-miijisiin megiziwaash. “Aaniish ge-diyaang?” Aanawi go baatayiinowa iwe anishinaabe imaa sa endanizid. Zhigwa gii-piboonini, mii sa zhigwa bakaded. Ningoding igo, onaagoshininig aapiji wii-wiisini; gaye iniw wiiwan gaye i’iw oniijaanisa’ niizhiwa’. Goshkwaawaadiziwa’. Awiya biidweweshinoon ezhi-biindigenid. “Megiziwaash, gi-wiikomigoo” Odoonaagan gaa-odaapinang, ezhi-maajaad. Miziwe aano-piindige iniw wiigiwaaman, indawaa ezhi-giiwed. Ezhi-biindiged endaad, oganoonigoon iniw wiiwan: “Aaniin dash i’iw gii-wiikomigoowin?” “Gaawiin ningoji ni-mikanziin ji-wiikonding.” Mii sa apii ezhi-gichi-mawinid iniw wiiwan gaye oniijaanisa’ indawaa ezhi-gawishimowaad; weyaabaninig mii sa go gaawiin gegoo omiijisiinaawaa. Zhigwa miinawaa dibikadini, mii dash geget wii-wiisiniwaad. Zhigwa, ani-dibikadini, baamaa go ba-dapaabinid awiya. “Megiziwaash gi-wiikomigoo.” Gaa-oditinang odoonaagan, zaagijikwaashkoni, agaawaa go ogezakawaabamaan animibatoonid. Gichi-eyaapiisikaad omaajinizhawaan. Goniginiin, odani-gabikamii iniw wiigiwaaman; ziibi giishkaabikaanig ani-biindigesewan; mii go i’iw eni-danizid. Eni-piindigewaad, mooshkinebiwa’ waakondinid. Gichi-paapi’aa. Namegosan waakondinid, gichi-niibiwa go ashamaa. Geyaabi go ishkosewan iniw jiibaakwaanan. Zhigwa ganoonaa megiziwaash: “Mii maawiin i’iw geget ji-noondaapanishiyan. Indawaa giga-kikinoo’amaagoo ge-izhichigeyan. Waabang gi-mindimooye’imish da-biiminakwe. Gii-kiizhitood biiminakwaan, mii dash i’iw ge-izhi-kichi-dwaa’igeyan imaa wabigamaag i’iw zaaga’igan. Mii dash iw ozidaang giga-danapinaa a’aw gi-niijaanis. Ga-boodaakwewaa; mizhakiise dash mii iw ge-izhi-wiikobinad, ji-enigok ji-kijiwebinad. Mii dash imaa ji-waabamad a’aw namegos. Giin igo giga-dibaabamaag mii maawiin minik ge-debisewaad. ge-apiichi-biboong mii iw ge-izhi-shkwaataayan. Mii sa go naa iw ezhi-shawenimigooyan. Mii iw megiziwaash, izhi-giiwen. Maagizhaa aabiding giga-wiisinim, mii iw izhi-giiwen. Giiwewish namegos.” Mii dash i’iw ezhi-piindiged iw endaad, geget moojigiziwan iniw wiiwan gaye oniijaanisa’; ji-enigok wiisiniwa’. Mii sa go iw zhigwa maajitaad aw mindimooye biiminakwed gabe-dibik; weyaabaninig ogiizhitoon i’iw obiiminakwaan. Gigizheb ezhi-maajaad megisiwaash; wiiwan wiijiiwaad zaaga’iganing izhaad. Gaa-tagwishing wabigamaang i’iw zaaga’igan ezhi-dwaa’iged. Gaa-kiizhitood odwaa’igan, odakobinaan iniw oniijaanisan, ozidaaning danapinaad. Mii dash i’iw ezhi-boodaakwe’owaad. Zhigwa mizhakiisewan, enigok ezhi-wiikobinaad. Gaa-kidishkobinaad, namegosan bigijiskosewan. Megiziwaash geget minwendam. “Gaawin nindayaanashiitanzii gabe-giizhig.” Miinawaa ezhi-boodaakwewaad iniw oniijaanisan. Zhigwa mizhakiisewan ji-enigok owiikobinaan. Ezhi-gichiwebinaad, namegosan owaabamaan. Mii dash geget minwendang aw megiziwaash. Zhigwa onaagoshinini. “Ambe sa noo, mii dash eta iw ge-nisag a’aw namegos.” Geget niibiwa. “Mii maawiin i’iw minik ge-debisewaad gayapiichi-biboong. Aw mii dash eta iw bezhig ji-nisag.” Oboodaakwewaan iniw oniijaanisan. Zhigwa mizhakiisewan, owiikobidoon. Ezhi-bwaawipodood ayangwajizh, ji-enigok odaanawiikobidoon. Gegapii ezhi-pakibidood, mii sa pane oniijaanisan. Ji-enigok mawi megiziwaash, gaye owiiwan. Indawaa, gaa-ishkwaa-mawid, ogiigoo’imiwa’ ogiiwewinaawaa gakina endaawaad. Gaa-izhiwinaawaad i’iw giigoonya’, maajaa awi-gagwedwed; mii dash izhaad iniw nigigwan. Zhigwa oganoonaan: “Mii sa iw gii-nisangid a’aw ni-niijaanisinaan.” Ezhi-ganoonind megiziwaash: Ambe sa, nawaj niibiwa ogawa-zhitoon gi-mindimoowemizh biiminakwaan. Gii-kiizhitood, mii dash i’iw ge-izhi-maajaayan, giga-izhaa. Megiziwaash, giga-izhaa imaa gii-pakibinad aw gi-niijaanis? Ozaam niibiwa gigii-nisaag igiw giigoonyag. Gii-nishki’aa a’aw mishinamegwe. Mii aw gaa-odaapinaad gi-niijaanisan. Giga-gashki’aa. Nandawaabamad, mii naasaab ge-izhichigeyan, ji-dakobizoyan imaa gi-zidaang.” Megiziwaash mii zhigwa maajaad. Dwaa’ibii. Gaa-ishkwaa-dwaa’ibiid ezhi-pakobiid. Mezhakiised owaabandaan miikana bimamonig. Ezhi-maajaad, maada’odood miikana. Gomaa go apii degwishing, onoondawaa awiya bi-baapinid. Owaabamaa’ ikwewa’; Ezhi-ganoonaa’: “Aaniin enanokiiyeg wabigamaag?” “Nindawi-nishi-baapinodawaanaan wiisaande.” Asabiin miiwan iniw e-zhaawaad. Mii dash i’iw biida’amowaad miinawaa aanind. Owaabamaa’. “Aaniin e-nanokiiyeg?” “Nindawi-paapinodawaanaan bebaamidagoodeg okanaab.” (3) Eni-zhi-maajaad, besho owaabandaan oodena. Bezhig owaabamaan; oganoonaan: “N-niijaanis ba-onji-izhaayaan.” “Mii omaa ayaad a’aw gi-niijaanis. Gaawiin gidaa-miinigosii. Mii aw nindoogimaaminaan e-yaawaad iniw gi-niijaanisan. Indawaa akamaw ji-saaga’ang; onaagoshig mii apii ji-saaga’ang.” Zhigwa onaagoshinini. Madwe-giigido bezhig inini: “Esh, mii sa miinawaa miimiisiwag zhigwa ji-amwangwaa.” Zhigwa bimi-saaga’amoon; geget mindidoowan mishinamegwen. Waasa zhigwa ani-dagwishinoon biindigese endaanid; ogii-waabamaan oniijaanisan. Ezhi-oditinaad, ji-enigok odootookaabiigibatoo i’iw biiminakwaan. Gichi-enigok owiikobidoon a’aw mindimooye. Bekish enigok maajaa Megiziwash. Zhigwa odebaabandaan odwaa’igan. Aabanaabid biidaawaniwan wii-nawadamigod iniw mishinamegwen. Mii dash geget enigok ezhi-maajaad, ezhi-gichi-pizod imaa odwaa’ibaaning. Gaakijibisod, inaabid, odwaa’iganing bi-saagikwesewan mishinamegwen, ezhi-gichi-pizonid. “A’aw, mindimooye, gi-waagaakwad mamoon! Niiwana’!” Mindimooyen odoodaapinaan owaagaakwad; oniiwanawaan iniw mishinamegwen. Ataa, geget mindidoowan! “Mindimooye, giiwewinaadaa.” Gaawesa ogashki’aasiiwaawaan aanawi odoodaabaanaawaan. Anishinaabe’ onaadamaagowaa’, mii bijiinag gashki’aawaad. Mii sa iw zhigwa gii-tagwishimaawaad. “Geget, giga-ashamaanaan wa’aw nigig gaa-shaweniminang.” Geget minwendamoog ashamidwaa igiw nigigwag. “Megiziwaash, mii iw gaawiin wiikaa giga-pakadesii.” Geyaabi waawii’igooyan gichi-onizhishin ge-izhichigeyan. A’aw Nenaboozhoo giinitam giga-pakade’aa. Awi-gimoodim iniw ogiigooniman.” Geget ezhi-maajaad Megiziwaash. Ezhi-gashkitood ogii-izhi-gimoodimaan iniw Nenaboozhoowan. Geget, ogii-kashkitoon gakina gii-gimoodimaad. Mii sa wiin nitam Nenaboozhoo gii-pakaded. Geget minwendam Megiziwaash bakadenid iniw Nenaboozhoowan. Mii sa binewijiid egoodeg. |
And now Soaring-Eagle was planning to go into camp for the winter.
And in a while he intended to set about to get some fish, whereupon he then saw Nänabushu, who now arrived (at his place). “Would it not be well for us to go together to get the fish?” (said Nänabushu). “Very well, and in that case I should be pleased if you would move your belongings over to this place.” Sure enough, hither came Nänabushu to camp. So thereupon they set to work; many fish they killed. They hung the fish upon racks, with the heads down. Ever so many they killed. In time frozen became the lake. Thereupon Nänabushu moved camp; all the fish he took away with him. And so not a single thing was left for Soaring-Eagle to eat. “What will become of us?” Yet, for all that, many were the people at the place where he was. In time the winter came, whereupon he then lacked food. Now, one evening he craved exceedingly for some food to eat; so too (did) his wife, and his children, two in number. They were living quietly (there). They heard the footsteps of somebody approaching, who then came inside. “Soaring-Eagle, you are invited to a feast.” Taking up his bowl, he then departed. In every wigwam he entered, but to no purpose, for he did not find the place (of the feast); accordingly, when into all the wigwams he had entered in vain, he then went back home. On entering into the place where he dwelt, he was addressed by his wife saying: “Where is the food you got when invited?” “Nowhere did I find the place of the feast” Thereupon then bitterly wept his wife and his children. Accordingly went they to bed; in the morning there was nothing for them to eat. In time it was night again, whereupon truly did they yearn for food to eat. Now, it was beginning to grow dark, when of a sudden some one came up (and) peeped in. “Soaring-Eagle, you are invited to a feast.” Seizing his bowl, out of doors he leaped, and scarcely did he catch sight of him who went running away. As fast as he could go he pursued after him. Lo, the other sped past the wigwams; into the falls of a river the other ran, whereupon in he rushed. As they went on in, (he found) the place filled up with guests. He was made much fun of. (It was to eat) trout that the invitation was given, and with a great deal of it (Soaring-Eagle) was fed. There yet remained some more of the food that had been cooked. Presently Soaring-Eagle was spoken to: “It is indeed quite possible that you may starve before the winter is over. Therefore you will be taught what you shall do. To-morrow your old woman shall make some twine. After she has finished the twine, then you shall make a large hole in the ice over at yonder narrows of the lake. Accordingly, then by its feet shall you tie your child with the cord. You shall put it down into the hole; and when it has reached the bottom then you shall draw it out, with all your power shall you pull on it. And then there shall you see the trout. And you yourself shall see when you think that (the fishes) are enough. At the end of the winter then shall you cease. And this is the way that you shall be blessed. Therefore, Soaring-Eagle, do you return home. Perhaps for once you (and your family) will have food (enough) to eat, therefore do you go on back home. Take back some trout.” And so when he entered his home, truly pleased were his wife and his children; with great eagerness did they eat. Thereupon then did the old woman set to work weaving twine all night long; when it was morning, she finished the twine. In the morning then departed Soaring-Eagle; along with his wife, he went on his way to the lake. When he got to the narrows of the lake, then he made a hole in the ice. After finishing the hole in the ice, he then bound one of his children; by its feet was where he bound it. Thereupon they put it down into the hole. When it got to the bottom, then with all his might he drew it out. After he had pulled it out, then the trout came out of the ice. Soaring-Eagle was really happy. “I will not stop throughout the whole day.” Then another of his children he put down through the hole. When it got to the bottom, with all his power he pulled upon it. When he gave it a great throw, a trout he saw. And then truly pleased was Soaring-Eagle. In a while the evening was drawing in. “Behold, just one more trout I will kill.” To be sure, (there were) many trout. “It may be that they are now enough to last through the winter. Therefore only one more will I kill.” Down into the hole he put one of his children. As soon as it got to the bottom, he drew it back. As he was losing his pull on it the longer (he held on), then with all his power he tried drawing it back. At last he broke the line, and then gone was his child. (1) Very bitterly wept Soaring-Eagle, and also his wife. Accordingly, when he had ceased crying, they carried all their fish back to where they lived. After they had dressed the fish, he departed thence to make inquiry; and so he went to where the Otter was. In time he spoke to him, saying: “Therefore now have we slain our child.” Then was Soaring-Eagle addressed by him saying: “Behond, let your old woman make some more cord. When she has finished it, then shall you depart, you shall go to the place where you broke the line (that held) your child. Soaring-Eagle, do you know why your child was taken from you? Too many of the fishes have you slain. You have angered the Great Stugeon. He is the one that has seized your child. You can obtain (your child). When you seek for it, you should follow the same method that (you did) before, by having yourself bound by your feet.” Soaring-Eagle then departed thence. He made a hole in the ice. After he had finished the hole in the ice, he then went down into the water. When he got to the bottom, he saw a path that led off (in a certain direction). Then he started forth, following along the path. When at a certain distance he arrived, he heard some one coming along laughing. He beheld some women; to them he spoke saying: “With what are you busied at the narrows?” “We intend to meddle with the deadened pine.” (2) It was to a net that they were going. Accordingly then came some others singing. He saw them. “What are you busied with?” “We are going to meddle with the cord that hangs across.” As he started on, not far away he saw a town; a certain one he saw; to him he spoke, saying: “It is on account of my child that I have come.” “In this place is your child. It will not be given to you. In is our chief that has your child. Therefore you would better wait till he comes out; in the evening is when he comes forth.” In time it was evening. There came the voice of a man saying: “Well, so then we shall have some more mayflies to eat.” Then (he beheld the chief) come forth; truly big was the Great Sturgeon. When a long way off (he saw that the chief) was come, he flew into where (the chief) live; he saw his child. Then grabbing it up, with all his might he ran, jerking upon the cord. As hard as she could the old woman pulled upon it. At the same time with speed went Soaring-Eagle. In time he came in sight of the hole. On looking back, (he saw) the Great Sturgeon coming with mouth open to devour him; whereupon truly at full speed he went, out through the hole he flew. After he had flown through, he looked, (and saw) the Great Sturgeon with his head out of the hole in the ice, then out upon the ice he leaped. “Now, old woman, get your axe! Pound him to death!” The old woman picked up her axe; she clubbed the Great Sturgeon. Ah, truly big he was! “Old woman, let us carry him home!” Not even were they able to drag him. By the people were they helped to drag him, and that was when they were able to handle him. Thereupon they then got him home “In truth, we will feed the Otter that has blessed us.” Truly pleased were the Otters to be fed. “Soaring-Eagle, therefore never shall you be in want of food. Something very much better is yet to be told you to do. It is now your turn to make Nänabushu hungry. Go rob him of his fishes.” Truly thence departed Soaring-Eagle. As much as he could did he rob Nänabushu. In truth, he was able to steal them all from him. Accordingly it was Nänabushu's turn to be hungry. Truly pleased was Soaring-Eagle to have Nänabushu in need of food. And so now the buttocks of the ruffled grouse hang aloft. |