Nanabushu is Miraculously fed Bear-Grease (1)
Ningoding isa ani-pabimosegoban Nenaboozhoo, mii dash apii wedisaad ajidamoon daanid; gii-piindige dash endaanid.
Mii dash enendang ajidamoo: “Ningad-ashamaa Nenaboozhoo.” Mii dash baate-wiiyaas gii-atood onaaganing, miinawaa dash bezhig onaagaans ogii-mamoon wii-atood bimide. Mii dash gaa-izhi-adaapinaad odisiniiman, mii dash mookomaan ezhi-pazhiba’odizod. Mii dash imaa bimide wenjijiwaninig, bekish noondaagozi: “Jii ji ji jii ji jii, mako-bimide!” Mii dash gii-ashamaad Nenaboozhoon. Gaa-ishkwaa-wiisinid Nenaboozhoo, “Gaye niin ningad-ashamaa ajidamoo,” inendam. Mii dash mookomaan odoopinang, [daapinang?] mii dash ezhi-odaapinaad odasiniiman. Mii dash gaa-izhi-pazhibawaad odasiniiman, mii iw gii-nisidizod. Ajidamoo dash ogii-paapoodaanaan Nenaboozhoon, mii iw gii-pimaaji’aad. |
Now, once upon a time on his way went Nänabushu walking, and it was then that he came where a squirrel lived; and he went into where (the squirrel) lived.
Now, this thought the squirrel: “I will feed Nänabushu.” And so when some dry meat he had placed into a bowl, he next took a small vessel in which to put some fat. Accordingly, taking hold of his stone (2), he then pierced himself (there) with a knife. Whereupon from thence flowed some grease, at the same time he was heard saying: “Tci tci tci tci tci tci, bear-grease!” Thereupon he fed Nänabushu. After Nänabushu had finished eating, “So will I too feed the squirrel,” he thought. Thereupon taking a knife, he reached hold of his stone. And so when he had pierced his stone, he accordingly killed himself. (3) Now, the squirrel breathed upon Nänabushu, whereupon he fetched him back to life. |