Nanabushu swallowed by the Sturgeon (1)
Mii dash giiwenh a’iin daawaad Nenaboozhoo ookomisan gaye.
Ningoding giiwenh Nenaboozhoo ezhi-naanaagadawendang inendam: “Indige sa mii go niin gaa-izhi-pezhigowaanen,” inendam Nenaboozhoo. Mii dash e-nendang: “Ninga-gagwejimaa nookomis.” Aaniish inaa aadizookaan, mii dash geget e-naad ookomisan: “Nookomis,” odinaan; “mii na go giinawind eta go bimaadiziyang?” odinaan. “Gaawiin na wiikaa niin ningii-ogiisii?” odinaan ookomisan. “Mii na go ge-izhi-piinishi-bimaadiziyaan?” odinaan ookomisan. Wiikaa dash oganoonigoonigod: “Noozhis,” odigoon, “mii sa go iw gegaa ge-kidoyaambaan. Namadabin, nashke, giga-wiindamoon. Bizindawishin weweni,” odigoon. “Geget gii-anishinaabekaa; mii dash igo gii-ani-jaajaagi-onishinoowaad, biinish gaye wiinawaa igiw gi-niigii’igoog ged-inadwaaban gii-pezhigo gaye gi-sayenh,” odigoon. “Gaye wiin dash gii-wanishin. Giin dash gaye, nashke giga-wiindamoon gaa-onji-mookinaagoziyan omaa dash noongom gii-ayaayan. Awe gi-sayenh mii aw gaa-niigid, i’iw idash ishkwaach e-yaamagag anishinaabe naagishin webinigaade dash iw; mii dash e-zhinikaadeg abinoojiinh odapikweshimon, izhinikaate. Mii dash imaa giin wendaadiziyan, noozhis. Apii gaa-niigid gi-sayenh, mii dash gii-saagijigaadeg ingoji dash gii-awi-agoojigaade. Mii dash naagaj gaa-izhi-noondawind abinoojiinh madwe-mawid iwidi agoodeg iw bikweshimonens. Mii dash gaa-izhi-izhaayaan, mii dash imaa gii-mikoonaam. Mii dash niin gaa-izhi-nitaawigi’inaan,” odinaan. “Gaye wiin dash gi-ga gi-sayenh ogii-nitaawigi’aan. Mii dash ezhinikaazod aw gi-sayen’iban Nenaapaadam. Mii dash gaye giin gaa-izhi-wiinigooyan Nenaboozhoo,” odigoon ookomisan. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo gichi-naanaagadawendam, gashkendam gaye mikwenimaad nangwana gii-osayen’id. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo zhayiigwa gii-wawenendang aaniin waa-izhichiged, mii dash e-naad ookomisan: “Nookomis, maamakaadakamig wiikaa gegoo gii-izhisiwan iwi nangwana gii-izhiwebiziwaangen.” “Onjida sa gaawiin gegoo gigii-wiiwiindamawasinoon,” odigoon ookomisan, “anishaa ji-kahkendaman, gaye ji-gwii’inawi’inendanziyan,” odigoon ookomisan. “Bizaan igo ji-pimaadiziyan; enishigo waabandaman giizhig baaji-wayaaseyaagin; gaye zhayiigwa giizis ba-mooka’angin ezhi-onaanigwendaagwag, ji-izhi-onaanigwendaman. Mii i’iw wiikaa gaa-onji-kegoo-inisinowaan,” odigoon ookomisan. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo zhayiigwa inaad ookomisan: “Nookomis,” odinaan, “ninga-nandobani. Ninga-nandawaabamaag awenenan gaa-nisigowaad ni-gii’igoog gaye ni-sayen.” Mii dash e-god ookomisan: “Gego, noozhis. Ingoji gigad-inigaatoon giiyaw,” odigoon. “Gaawiin,” odinaan ookomisan, “booch igo ninga-nandawaabamaag.” Mii dash ezhi-maajaad Nenaboozhoo awi-pisa’ang wii-ozhitood bikwakoon gaye sawaanan. Mii dash giiwenh ba-izhi-kiiwed wayiiba go mii dash e-god ookomisan: “Aaniin, noozhis?” odigoon. “Gaawiin gegoo,” ikido Nenaboozhoo. “Gaawiin biigwaasesinoon ni-waagaakwad. Shkomaa siboojigan, nookomis. Niwii-kiiniboodoon waagaakwad.” Mii dash geget apagizod aw mindimooye, giiskabag idash naanikibidood siboojigan miinaad. Mii dash ezhi-odaapinang Nenaboozhoo, mii dash ezhi-maajii-asiboojiged. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo gomaa apii megwaa asiboojiged mii noondang e-god: “Goos, gi-ga,” inweweg siboojigan. “Wegonen wenji-ikidod?” inendam. “Maagizhaa nookomis onjida niwii’ik gigaa-gwejimag,” inendam. Miinawaa ezhi-maajii-siboojiged mii miinawaa e-nitang: “Goos, goos, goos, gi-ga, gi-ga, gi-ga.” Aapiji Nenaboozhoo nishkaadizi. “Na, nashke e-goyaan iw waagaakwad!” odinaan ookomisan. “Anishaa gosha gid-initam apane iw izhi-kizhibendaman,” odinaan. “Gaawiin,” odinaan Nenaboozhoo, “anishaa go ninga-gaanjigidemigon.” Mii dash Nenaboozhoo geget nishkaadizid. Mii dash ezhi-odaakinang miinawaa siboojigan. Siboodood waagaakwad, mii go miinawaa e-god: “Goos, goos, gi-sayenh, gi-sayenh,” odigoon. Mii dash ezhi-pazigonjised; mii dash ezhi-nawajibidood waagaakwat; ezhi-kichi-pabakiteowaad asiniin enaabidagaawaninig. Mii dash geget gichi-ozhiitaad wii-maajaad; niibiwa ogii-ozhitoonan obikwakoon osawaanan gaye. Anishinaa aadizookaan, gaawiin dibaajigaadesinoon wegonen gaayoogwen gii-ozhitood gichi-niibiwa obikwakoon gaye odasawaanan, iw giikiizhkaabidesidood owaagaakwad; mii eta go debaajimind gii-kiizhiitaa’idizod. Mii dash giiwenh Nenaboozhoo ezhi-maajaad. Ishte, mii gaye iwe e-naajimind! Gii-ozhitood jiimaan; Gii-wiimbikawaad mitigoon; eniginid igo ogii-inikokwaadoon inaa. Mii dash gii-mawinewaad mishi-namegwen. Mii dash giiwenh Nenaboozhoo ezhi-maajaad, boozhoo’aad(2) ookomisan. Mii dash giiwenh e-god: “Ayaangwaamizin, noozhis,” odigoon; “ingoji gigadi-nikaadoon giiyaw,” odigoon ookomisan. “Gaawiin, nookomis, ninga-dagwishin miinawaa omaa,” odinaan. Mii sa Nenaboozhoo zhayiigwa ezhi-pakobiinang ojiimaan, maajaad gwayak gichi-mishawagaam; gegaa dash nenaawagaam degoshing, mii ezhi-piibaagid, nagamod: “Mishi-namegwedog, mishi-namegwedog, Wiikwanzhishin, wiikwanzhishin!” Naagaj igo zhayiigwa maadaagamishkaa gichi-gami; dibishkoo baawitig ezhi-pi-njiwang, mii epiitijiwang. Mii dash geget Nenaboozhoo enigok nagamod: “Mishi-namegwedog, wiikwanzhishig! Giinawaa gaa-jaagi’egwaa ni-niigi’igoog, gaye niin dash wiikwanzhishig!” Bijiinag igo gaa-ishkwaa-kidod, mii zhayiigwa waabamaad mishi-namegwen wiikwanigod. Nitam igo gagizhibaa’aaboodeni iw jiimaan, mii dash e-nishikondaayaaboozod, ani-gomigod mishi-namegwen, gigi jiimaan. Apane go giiwenh gaa-saaswenig otawagan; miinawaa mikawid, biindaagiiyaw giingoonyan ayaa. Mii dash bizaan ayaad iwidi; mii dash giiwenh zhayiigwa gikenimaad iniw giigoonyan ani-maajiinigod. Mii dash a’aw ogimaa-giigoonh giiwed endaawaad anaamibiing anaawaya’ii gichi-gaming. Mii dash giiwenh madwe-kichi-sagaswe’idiwaad, madwe-kichi-gaye aanimitaagozinid; maamayawenid iw gii-komind. Ningoding dash giiwenh megwaa nandodang, gegoo owaabandaan Nenaboozhoo bishaagiwiinigod. Anishinaa aadizookaan. Amanj ezhi-waabigobanen! Nenaboozhoo owaabandaan giiwenh gegoo bishaagibidenig, mii nangwana aw mishi-namegwe ode benga’aninig. Mii dash giiwenh bekaa ezhi-mamaajiid naanikinang odasawaan; mii dash ezhi-pabazhiba’ang. Mii dash giiwenh naagaj noondawaad madwe-ikidonid: “Aataa, geget sa naa ni-maazhide’e.”(3) Mii dash medwe-izhi-nandodamawaad wiiwan ji-mina’igod gegoo ge-onji-shigagowed. Mii dash zhayiigwa aano-wiikwodood ji-shishigagowed, gaawiin dash ogaskitoosiin. Mii dash medwe-ikidod: “Gaawesa, Nenaboozhoo ni-maanikaag,” ikido. Aanawi geget gichi-anokii Nenaboozhoo ji-shashigagowaanaasiwind; mii gaa-izhi-pimidaakwanang omitigwaabiin, mii dash iniw menjimaakwiid Nenaboozhoo. Mii dash miinawaa mishi-namegwe e-kidod: “Gaawesa. Ni-maanikaag Nenaboozhoo,” ikido. Mii dash wayiiba gii-nibod, gii-nisaad Nenaboozhoo. Aaniish aanawi gakina minik waadetoowaad gii-wiikondiwag ji-wii-pimaajii’aawaad odoogimaamiwan, aaniish gaawiin; aaniish awiya ged-izhi-pimaadizid ode gii-pi-giishka’igaadenig? Mii dash gaa-onji-nibonid. Mii dash wiin Nenaboozhoo, imaa ayaad. Mii dash geget gichi-izhichigewaad manidookaazowaad. Aaniish aazha gii-nibo gichi-giigoonh. Mii dash giiwenh waa-izhi-pagidenimaawaad, aanawi ginwenzh ogii-kanawenimaawaan; maagizhaa da-aabijiibaa, gii-inendamoog. Mii dash indawaaj giiwenh zhayiigwa bagidenimaawaad, nawaj naawij aandi aapiji dimiiyaag gichi-gami mii imaa awi-pagidenimaawaad. Aapiji gichi-manidookaazowag. Gakina dash wiin Nenaboozhoo ogikendaan enakamigadinig, wiin dash gaawiin awiya ogikenimigosiin imaa ayaad bimaadizid gaye. Ogikenimaawaan gii-komimind, gaawiin dash wiin ogikenimaasiwaawaan bimaadizinid. Mii dash gaa-ishkwaa-pagidenimaawaad, gii-bi-kiiweyaawanidiiwaad miinawaa. Aapiji gii-paatayiinowag, miziwe e-nigokwaag iw gichi-gami gii-onjiwag gii-awi-pagidenimaawaad odoo-gimaamiwaan. Mii dash giiwenh wiin Nenaboozhoo endazhi-wawenendag aaniin ged-izhi-kashkitood ji-saaga’ang imaa biinjaya’ii giigoonying gaye gii-ningwa’omind. Mii dash zhayiigwa Nenaboozhoo gikendang aaniin ge-doodang, mii dash e-kidod: “Aaw, ambe sa noo da-wii-kichi-izhiwebag wiikaa gaa-izhiwebisinog!” Mii dash Nenaboozhoo gii-sagaswe’aad niiwing inakakeyaa wendabinid manidoo’. Mii dash gii-nakomigod. Mii dash geget gaa-izhi-kichi-nooding, gakina gegoo gii-pakodaamikaa’an imaa gii-kichi-gaming inaamaya’ii etegini. Mii dash gaye wiin Nenaboozhoo, gii-moonaadaawangaa’ininig i’imaa ayaad; mii dash aw giigoonh gaa-izhi-ogichibiiskaad. Midaasogon gii-kichi-noodin, mii dash miinawaa gaa-izhi-kichi-anwaatin, mii dash gii-mooshkanjid aw mishi-namegwenh. Mii dash ningoding igo Nenaboozhoo ayaad imaa anaamaya’ii giigoonying onoondaan gegoo aapiji minotaagodinig; mii dash aazhi andodang, mii e-nidang: “(cry of gulls).” Aapiji minotaagoziwan awiya; mii nangwana gayaashkwag. “Ambe,” mii dash e-nendang Nenaboozhoo, “ninga-kanoonaag,” inendam. Mii dash geget zhayiigwa miinawaa onoondawaa’ biidwewinaminid, mii go miinawaa baa-inwenid: “(cry of gulls).” Mii dash ezhi-kanoonaad: “Ishte, ni-shiime sa!(4) shkomaa naa bagwanejiganaanandamawishiyok aw giigoonh!” Mii dash gayaashkwag ezhi-pazigwa’owaad, gaye ani-noondaagoziwaad gagwaanisagakamig e-nitaagoziwaad. Mii Nenaboozhoo gaa-izhi-nawadinangin otawagan, gaa-izhi-kipitenidisod. Naagaj dash miinawaa gii-andodam, mii’sh miinawaa gii-kanoonaad: “Aaw, nishiim(5), bagwanejiganaanandamawishiyok aw giigoonh!” odinaa’. Mii dash geget ezhi-pisaanayaawaad. Miinawaa dash oganoonaan: “Bagwanejiganaandamawishiyok aw giigoonh!” odinaan. “Meshkod giga-sasegaa’ininim.” Mii dash gayaashkwag ezhi-kanoonidiwaad: “Nenaboozhoo imaa ayaa.” Gakina gonda awiya gii-kikenimigoon aw Nenaboozhoo. Mii’sh miinawaa ezhi-kanoonaad: “Aaw, ni-shiimidog, bagwanejiganaandamawishiyok. Meshkod giga-sasegaa’ininim; niigaan wenizhishid bebaamised gigad-izhi-onizhishi’inim,” odinaa’. “Gaawiin gosha nindaa-kashki’aasiiwaanaan,” odigoo’. “Awaw” odinaa’. “Giga-kashki’aawaa!” Mii dash geget ezhi-maajitaawaad bagwanejiganaamawaad; wiikaa dash ogashki’aawaan. Mii dash Nenaboozho gaa-izhi-saagidooded, gaye zaagiji-daabaadang ojiimaan mitigoon gaa-wiimbigawaapan. Mii dash bijiinag weweni waabamaad iniw mishi-namegwen gaa-gomigod e-nigininid; indigo minis e-gondeg ezhi-naagozinid agwanjininid. Mii dash gaa-izhi-odaapinaad bezhig iniw gayaashkwan; mii dash gaa-izhi-wawezhi’aad. Mii dash gaa-izhi-waabishki’aad, dibishkoo gooning gii-zhi’aad. Mii dash gaa-inaad: “Giin wiin gayaashk gigad-ani-izhi-wiinigoo ji-ani-akiiwang.” Mii dash geget gichi-minwendang waabandizod aw gayaashk ezhi-onizhishid. “Aaw,” odinaan, “mii dash izhi-pazigo’iyok.” Mii dash aaniish inaa aadizookaan, mii eta go bezhik dagimimind gii-odaapinaad gayaashkwan. Mii dash booch gaa-izhi-onizhishiwaad gakina minik apii gakina bezigo’owaad. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo gaa-izhi-maajitaad gii-pi-giishkizhwaad iniw giigoonyan. Mii dash apii gaa-ishkwaa-nanawizhwaad, mii gii-ikidod gaye bekish gii-saswewebinaad: “Giigoonh gigad-ani-zhi-wiinigoom ji-ani-akiiwang. Gigad-amogowaag gaye anishinaabeg ji-ani-akiiwang. – Giin dash,” odinaan mishi-namegwen: “Gaawiin miinawaa wiikaa gigad-iniginisii ji-ani-akiiwang, gaawiin awiya daa-pimaadizisii,” odinaan. Mii dash geget gaa-izhiwebadinig giigoonyensa’ gichi-niibiwa gii-onji-ozhi’aad imaa mishi-namegweng. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo ezhi-kiiwe’od nandawaabamaad ookomisan. Eni-dagwishing idash omikawaan ookomisan aapiji gawendaminid. Mii dash eni-zhi-dapaabid, mii’sh e-naad: “Nookomis, nindagwishin,” odinaan. “Aay, wegodogwen sa pane wenji-izhi-waagwenoko, aya aawashensag!” “Gaawiin, nookomis. Niin gosha, Nenaboozhoo, goozhis, ba-dagwishin.” Mii dash eni-zhi-piindiged. Mii dash owaabamaad ookomisan agaawaa onzaabinid, apane iidog gii-mawinid. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo aapiji zhawenimaad ookomisan. Mii dash nawaj gaa-izhi-aanji-oskiniigi’aad. |
And so it is said that Nanabushu and his grandmother continued living there.
Once on a time they say that while Nanabushu was meditating, he thought : "I am curious to know if I was the only one," thought Nanabushu. Thereupon he thought: "I will ask my grandmother." So, according to the story, he then truly said to his grandmother : "My grandmother," he said to her, "is it possible that you and I are the only ones living?" he said to her. "Have I never had a mother?" he said to his grandmother. "Is it possible that simply without cause I came into being?" he said to his grandmother. So after a long while he was given reply, he was told : "My grandson," he was told, "it was almost like that, (as you will see from what) I shall say. Be seated, listen, I shall inform you. Listen to me with care," he was told. "Verily, there were some people living; but then as time went on they gradually passed away one by one, till at last also went they whom you would call your parents. And there was also one that was your elder brother," he was told. "And he too disappeared. Now about you, listen, (and) I will explain to you from what source you came, and why now you are here. After that elder brother of yours was born, then that which is the last to come when one is born was thrown away ; for it is called a place-for-the-babe-to-rest-its-head, such is its name. So it was from that source that you came, my grandson. At the time when your elder brother was born, it was then taken somewhere out of doors and hung up. And so after a while there was heard the cry of a babe at yonder place where hung the little-rest-for-the-head. Thereupon I went to the place, and there I found you. Therefore it was I who reared you," she said to him. "And your mother herself brought up your elder brother. And the name of your elder brother was Nanapatam. And so the name Nanabushu was what you were called," he was told by his grandmother. Thereupon Nanabushu seriously began pondering, sad too he became at the thought that forsooth he had an elder brother. And then Nanabushu straightway made up his mind what he would do, and so he said to his grandmother : "My grandmother, it is strange that never did you say anything to me concerning what had actually happened to us." "It was for a purpose that I told you of nothing," he was told by his grandmother, "that for no cause you should be sad, and that you should not be disturbed in your peace of mind," he was told by his grandmother. "And that in peace you should live; that you should behold with a feeling of contentment the light of day when it comes ; and that whenever the sun comes forth, when a sense of gladness pervades all things, you should be joyful too. Now, that was why I never imparted any thing to you," he was told by his grandmother. Thereupon Nanabushu presently said to his grandmother : "My grandmother," he said to her, "I am going to war. I am going to seek those who slew my parents and my elder brother." And then he was told by his grandmother: "Don't, my grandson. Somewhere will you bring ruin upon yourself," he was told. "No," he said to his grandmother, "I am determined to look for them." So then off went Nanabushu, he went to seek (for a small straight tree, easy) to split, to the end that he might make some arrows and some spears. And now it is said that on his early return to his home he was then told by his grandmother : " What now, my grandson ?" he was told. "Nothing," said Nanabushu. "My axe does not cut. Please let me have the whetstone, my grandmother. I want to sharpen the axe." It was true that over leaned the old woman, and from the meeting-place of the wall and the ground she drew forth a whetstone and gave it to him. Whereupon over reached Nanabushu, taking it, and then he began the work of sharpening (the axe). And so later on, while Nanabushu was at work with the whetstone, he then heard that which he was told: "Your father, your mother," was the sound of the whetstone. "Why does it say that?" he thought. "Perhaps my grandmother for some reason is deceiving me about what I had asked her," he thought. Once more as he began using the whetstone, so again he heard it: "Your father, your father, your father, your mother, your mother, your mother." Exceedingly angry was Nanabushu. "Hark, listen to what the axe is saying to me!" he said to his grandmother. "Simply are you hearing the sound of what you are always revolving in your mind," she said to him. "No," to her said Nanabushu, "simply am I chided to anger." Thereupon Nanabushu truly was angry. And so he once more took up the whetstone. While whetting the axe, then again was he told: "Your father, your father, your elder brother, your elder brother," he was told. Thereupon he leaped to his feet thereupon he grabbed and fastened down the axe ; he thoroughly pounded it with a stone right on the sharp edge. Thereupon truly was he fully prepared to go ; many arrows and spears had he made. So far as the story goes, it is not told what he used when he made the great number of his arrows and spears, for he had dulled his axe ; it is only told of him how that he had made himself prepared. And so it is said that Nanabushu started away. By the way, this too was what was told of him ! He made a canoe ; he hewed it out of a log ; the measure of himself was the size he made it, so it is told of him. Thereupon he went to assail the Great Sturgeon. And so they say that Nanabushu set out, bidding farewell to his grandmother.(2) And then they say he was told : "Be careful, my grandson," he was told; "somewhere will you bring harm upon yourself," he was told by his grandmother. "No, my grandmother, I shall return again to this place," he said to her. And as Nanabushu now shoved his canoe into the water, he proceeded straight out to sea; and when almost at the middle part of the sea he was come, then he cried with a loud voice, singing : "O ye Great Sturgeons, O ye Great Sturgeons, Come one of you and swallow me, come one of you and swallow me !" And in a little while was the sea set in motion ; like rapids when the current is strong, so was the flow of the waves. Thereupon truly Nanabushu sang aloud : "O ye Great Sturgeons, come swallow me ! Ye that have slain my parents, come swallow me too!" As soon as he had finished speaking, then immediately he saw a great sturgeon coming to swallow him. At first round in a whirlpool spun the canoe, and then down into the water he was drawn, swallowed by the Great Sturgeon, canoe and all. All the while they say there was a hissing- sound in the ears , and when he recovered his wits, inside of a fish he was. Thereupon quietly he remained there ; and they say that now he knew that the fish was carrying him away. And so the chief of fishes returned to the home under water on the floor of the sea. And now they say that (Nanabushu) heard them holding a great smoker among themselves, and he also heard them holding forth with much talk ; they were giving thanks for that he was swallowed. Now, once they say that while he was listening, some thing Nanabushu saw that caught his attention. Well, on with the story. Wonder how he could see ! (Nevertheless) they say that Nanabushu saw something in motion, and it happened to be the heart of the Great Sturgeon that was beating. Thereupon they say that softly he moved (and) pulled out a pointed arrow ; and then he began pricking it. Whereupon they say that in a little while he heard the voice of him saying: "Oh, truly indeed but I am feeling sick at heart."(3) And then he heard him asking his wife to give him a drink of something to make him vomit. And so presently did he begin trying to vomit, but he was not able to do it. And then he heard him saying: "Impossible, for Nanabushu is making me sick at my stomach," he said. True was it, indeed, that hard worked Nanabushu to keep from being cast out; so then crosswise he placed his arrows, and so by them he held on. Thereupon again the Great Sturgeon spoke: "No hope. I am in distress inside on account of Nanabushu," he said. And so in a little while he was dead, him had Nanabushu slain. Even though all that were living there had come together by invitation for the purpose of bringing their chief back to life, [but] (it was) not (to be) ; for how could any one live with his heart cut to pieces? And that was why he had died. And as for Nanabushu, there he remained. Thereupon truly they were doing wonderful things as they conjured for a miracle. It was no use, for already dead was the great fish. And so it is said that they were going to bury him, for really a long while had they kept him; perhaps he might come back to life, they thought. And so accordingly they say that when they were burying him, farther out upon the sea, where it was deep, they went to bury him. Ever so mightily they conjured for a miracle. Now, Nanabushu knew everything that was happening, but yet by no one was it known that he was there and alive. They knew that he had been swallowed, but yet they did not know that he was alive. And so after they had finished burying (the chief of fishes), then back they came together to their home again. Exceedingly numerous they were, from every part of the sea had they come to be at the burial of their chief. In the mean while they say that Nanabushu had been thinking out a plan how he might succeed in getting out from the inside of the fish which now was also lying buried. And so, now that Nanabushu knew what he would do, he thereupon said: "Oh, I would that there rise a mighty storm the like of which there has never been before!" Whereupon Nanabushu made a smoke offering toward the four directions where sit the manitous. And so his prayer was answered. Thereupon truly there rose a mighty wind, everything that was on the floor of the sea came to the surface by force of the waves. And as for Nanabushu, the sand (of the mound) where he had been was washed away ; and then afterwards the fish came to the surface of the water. For ten days the wind raged, and afterwards there was another great calm, whereupon to the surface (came) the Great Sturgeon. Now once, when Nanabushu was inside of the fish, he heard something that sounded very pleasantly; and as he listened, he then heard: "(cry of gulls)." Very pleasant was the sound of the creature ; it turned out to be some gulls. "Well," thus thought Nanabushu, "I will speak to them," he thought. It was true that soon again he heard the sound of them coming hitherward, whereupon again they came with the cry: "(cry of gulls)." And then he said to them : " Hark, O my younger brothers(4)! Please peck an opening for me into the belly of this fish!" Thereupon the gulls flew up , and as they went, they could be heard uttering a frightful cry, for such was the sound they made. Whereupon Nanabushu seized his ears (and) closed them with the hands (to keep from hearing the din). And in a little while again he listened, where upon again he spoke to them, saying: "O my younger brothers(5)! peck an opening for me into the belly of this fish!" he said to them. Thereupon truly they became silent. And so again he spoke to them, saying: "Peck an opening for me into the belly of this fish!" he said to them. "In return I will adorn you." Thereupon the gulls spoke one with another, saying: "Nanabushu is there." Indeed, by every creature was Nanabushu known. And so again he spoke to them, saying: "Come, my younger brothers, peck an opening for me into the belly (of this fish). In return I shall adorn you ; as beautiful as the creature of the air that surpasses (all others in beauty) is how beautiful I shall make you," he said to them. “We surely could not (make an opening into) him," he was told. "Yea, (you can)!" he said to them. "You can do it!" Thereupon truly they began pecking an opening into (the fish) ; and after a long while they succeeded. And then afterwards Nanabushu crawled out, and he drew out his canoe which he had hewn from a log. And then was the time that he took a careful look to see how big was the great sturgeon which had swallowed him ; like an island afloat upon the water was how it looked as it lay upon the deep. Thereupon he took up one of the gulls in his hands ; and then he adorned it. And then he whitened it, (white) like snow he made it. Thereupon he said to it : " You shall be called a gull from now till the end of time." It was true that exceedingly happy was the gull when it looked upon itself and saw how beautiful it was. "Now, then," he said to them, "now fly away!" Now, according to the story, there was mentioned but a single gull that he took up in his hands. Yet nevertheless just as beautiful were all the rest when they all started to fly away. And then afterwards Nanabushu began cutting up the fish with a knife. And so when he had finished cutting it up, then he said, at the same time that he was flinging the pieces in every direction: "Fishes shall you be called till the end of time. And you shall be eaten by the people till the end of the world. - - And you," he said to the Great Sturgeon, "never again so large shall you be as long as the world lasts, else nobody would ever live," he said to him. Therefore it truly came to pass that he created little fishes in great numbers from that Great Sturgeon. Thereupon Nanabushu paddled home in his canoe to find his granmother. And when he got there, he discovered his grandmother grievously sad in her thoughts. And as he peeped into the lodge, he said to her: U O my grandmother ! I have now come home," he said to her. "Oh, I should like to know why they continually say this to me, these little animal-folk!" "Nay, my grandmother. It is really myself, Nanabushu, your grandson, who has now come home." And then into the lodge he went. Thereupon he saw that his grand mother was barely able to see, (showing) that perhaps all the while she had been weeping. So then Nenaboozhoo really pitied his grandmother. And then afterwards he had made her younger. |