Nänabushu and the Winged Startlers (1)
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Mii sa iw ezhi-maajaad Nenaboozhoo babimosed;
Thereupon departed Nänabushu, travelling about;
gomaago apii degoshing owaabamaa’ binensa’ wadiswaning, aapiji go mooshkinewa’ i’imaa wadiswaning.
when he was come a certain distance, he saw some young ruffed rouse in a nest, and very full they filled the place in the nest.
Nenaboozhoo odonabiitawaa, aapiji ozhawenimaa’.
Nänabushu sat down beside them, very tender was his feeling for them.
Odagimaa endashinind; midaaswi-ashi-niizh dashiwa’.
He counted how many they were ; twelve was their number.
Zhigwa dash oganoonaa’:
And then he spoke to them, asking:
“Aaniin ezhinikaazoyeg?”
"By what name are you called?"
Aaniish zegiziwag igiw binensag.
Naturally afraid were the little ruffed grouse.
Gaawiin ogashkitoosiinaawaa’ ji-giigidowaad.
Not were they able to speak.
Bezhig giigido: “Gaawin ni-wiinzosiimin.”
One spoke up: "We have no name."
Nenaboozhoo niskaaji-giigidoo:
Nänabushu spoke in an angry way:
“Aaniin gegii zhinaagwag ge-wiinzosiweg?
" How is it possible for you not to have a name?
Giishpin dibaajimosiweg e-zhinikaazoyeg, ganaaniiwano’inim.”
If you do not tell me what you are called, I will club you to death."
Aaniish aapiji ozegimaa’; wiikaa giigidowa’:
Naturally much did he alarm them ; after a long while they said:
“Aaniish, goshkongeshiins mii i’iw e-zhinikaazoyaang.”
"Why, Little Frightener is the name we are called."
“Oonh,” Nenaboozhoo ikido; “mii nangwana iw!”
"Oh," Nänabushu said; "that is it!"
ezhi-pazigwiid Nenaboozhoo;
Then up to his feet rose Nänabushu ;
Ezhi-nisawawaad ezhi-miijinaad.
standing over them with legs spread apart, he eased himself upon them.
Bane go gaawasibitoonid, Nenaboozhoo oganoonaa’:
(Observing) them suddenly groping about in the slush, Nänabushu addressed them, saying:
“Naapisawogo goshkongeshiins!(2) Mwn!” inwe Nenaboozhoo ezhi-gichi-baapi’aad.
"Yes, you are a little frightener!(2) Phew!" exclaimed Nänabushu, laughing heartily at them.
“Weweni wiindamawik gi-maamaa’iwaa dagwishing.”
"Correctly inform your mother when she arrives."
Mii sa go iw e-ni-izhi-maajaad Nenaboozhoo;
And so upon his way went Nänabushu;
Besho go eni-dagwishing, bane go mishawaabaminaagwadini e-izhaad.
when a little way on his journey he was come, immediately a wide view opened out, whither he was bound.
“Onjida maawiin zaaga’igan medaabiiyaan,” inendam.
"It seems as if out upon a lake I am coming," he thought.
Geget zaaga’igan omadaabiin, aapiji sa giishkaabikaani.
In truth, out upon a lake he came, and there was a very steep precipice.
Geget naawinaagwadini i’iw nibi.
Truly distant was the sight of the water.
Geget sa onizhishinini mii i’imaa ogidaabik.
Really beautiful was it there on the summit.
Aapiji i’imaa egookiishkaabikaanig gaa-izhaad, ezhi-waaniinigaadenid Nenaboozhoo ezhi-giigidod:
When he had gone over to the very edge of the cliff, then about over the verge Nänabushu swung his leg, saying :
“Etiwe, ambegish sa ataading, maamwechi go weshkiniigid ikwe ataading, gaye go dataakojiingwaned, aapiji go gaye minogid;
" Ah, would that there were a wager, and that a particularly youthful woman were up as the prize, and that she were short from the knee to the groin, and that she were of a very handsome figure !
onjida maawiin nindaa-izhigwaashgon, awegwen ge-izhigwaashgonigwen mii a’aw ge-wiidigemaad ikidong ikwe.
if such could be, I would jump off, if it were said of the woman that whosoever would leap off would be the one to have her for a wife.
Gwayak igo nindaa-izhigwaashgon.”
Actually would I jump off."
Mii go miinawaa ezhi-waaniinigaadenid.
And so again he swung his leg out over the cliff.
“Onjida nindaa-izhigwaashgon.”
"For a purpose would I leap off."
Zhigwa dash iwidi bine obiidawaa’ ge-miijinid oniijaanisa’, aaniin ge-izhinawaad oniijaanisa’!
And when at yonder place the Ruffed Grouse was come, fetching home to her children some food for them to eat, how was she to find her children !
Etawaa, wendago gaawosibitoonid.
Oh, they were completely submerged in it.
“Awenesh gaa-inigaa’ineg.”
"Who has done you the injury?"
“Nenaboozhoo.”
"Nänabushu."
“Gegoo na gidigoowaaban?”
"Were you told something?"
“Aaniin e-zhinikaazoyeg? ikido.
“By what are you called?’ he asked.
‘Goshkongeshiins,’ nindinaanaaban, mii dash i’iw gaa-izhi-miijishiiyangid.
‘Little Frightener,’ we said to him, and thereupon was when we were eased upon.
Apii dash eni-maajaad gichi-baapi’igonaan.
And when he started away, we were very much laughed at.
Ningii-kanoonigonaan dash: ‘Weweni wiindamawik gi-maama’iwaa dagwishin.’
And we were told : Correctly inform your mother when she arrives.
Mii dash i’iw gaa-ani-zhi-maajaad ezhi-giigidod.
And so when he was setting out, he then said:
‘Nepisane goshkongeshiins!’ nindigonaan.”
Yes, you are a little frightener! we were told."
Ataaya, bine onawadamaan bezhig gaye odoodebinaan bezhig;
Well, the Ruffed Grouse took up one with her mouth and another with her claws ,
Ezhi-bazigo’od, zaaga’iganing odizhiwinaan giziibiiginaad.
then, flying up, to a lake she carried them to wash them.
Mii sa iw gaa-izhi-biini’aad,
And when she had made them clean,
mii sa gwa pane gaa-toodawaad biinish ashi-niizh dashinid.
then the same thing she did to the rest until (she had finished with) the twelve.
Oniijanisa’ gakina gaa-izhi-gisiibiiginaad, abaapish gaa-kiizhiitaad, ezhi-giigidod:
When she had made all her children clean, and by the time she was done with her work, then she said:
“Ambe sa, ninga-noosone’waa a’aw Nenaboozhoo, gaye wiin wawiyazh niwii-doodawaa.”
"Now, then, I am going to follow up Nänabushu, and I intend doing him a trick too."
Ezhi-maajaad omaada’anaan.
When she started, she followed his trail.
Ningoding igo mii i’imaa dayoozh odebitawaan medwe-gaagiigidoonid iniw Nenaboozhoowan.
So by and by she came within hearing distance of Nänabushu, who still could be heard talking.
Diwe, onjida gosha inaabid na’idaa bimiwaaniinigaadenowan.
Ah, it was precisely at the moment she looked when he was swinging his leg out over (the precipice).
Bine inendam: “Wiikaa ge miinawaa da-doodam.”
The Ruffed Grouse thought: "Would that he might do it again !"
Nawaj besho ani-izhaa.
Nearer to the place she went.
Zhigwa miinawaa oniinigeniwan wegoneniiwinen ezhi-bazigo’od;
When again he was making ready (to swing his leg), she happened then to fly up ;
aapiji i’imaa jiigidawag ani-izhisewan, baamaa go Nenaboozhoo gaa-initang: “D!”(3)
ever so near past his ear she flew, and suddenly Nänabushu heard the sound of “T!"(3)
Aataa, Nenaboozhoo dabazi, etawaa ezhi-kakaabikised, anishaa go gaa-shookaanig iniw otawagan.
Well, Nänabushu dodged, but unfortunately over the precipice he fell, going so fast that the wind went whistling past his ears.
Aataa, ezhi-pangishing nibiikaang, “Dshamw,” inwewegamishin.
Ah, when he fell into the water, "Tcam" was the sound of his fall there.
Aataa, gichi-wiikaa bapimagoojing mizhakiised.
Oh, for a great while was he falling through the water.
Mii dash iw gaa-mizhakiised, gichi-enigok gii-ziinjigamii;
And so when he got up to the surface ;
Agaawaa mooshkamo, aapiji gegaa wayekwaanaamo.
barely was he able to reach the surface, to the bottom, all his strength he used in pushing back almost was he on the very point of losing his breath.
Aaniish mii i’iw bine namadabid ganawaabamaad Nenaboozhoowan.
Naturally there was the Ruffed Grouse seated watching Nänabushu.
Zhigwa mooshkamowan, deye, mii go iwidi gaa-pi-inaabinid giigidowan:
When he came to the surface, ah, then up from where he fell he looked, saying:
“Iii, geget sa goshkongeshi.”
"Well, (that) really is a little frightener."
Aataa, Nenaboozhoowan madwe-baapiwan.
Oh, how Nänabushu could be heard laughing!
“Bine, mii gwayak doodawiyan gii-miijinagwaa igiw gi-niijaanisag.
"Ruffed Grouse, it was right what you did to me for easing upon your children.
Gaawiin wiikaa miinawaa ninga-izhichigesii.”
Never again will I do so."
Mii sa ezhi-agwaataad Nenaboozho, ezhi-maajaad babimosed.
And so when out of the water came Nänabushu, then off he started walking about.
Thereupon departed Nänabushu, travelling about;
gomaago apii degoshing owaabamaa’ binensa’ wadiswaning, aapiji go mooshkinewa’ i’imaa wadiswaning.
when he was come a certain distance, he saw some young ruffed rouse in a nest, and very full they filled the place in the nest.
Nenaboozhoo odonabiitawaa, aapiji ozhawenimaa’.
Nänabushu sat down beside them, very tender was his feeling for them.
Odagimaa endashinind; midaaswi-ashi-niizh dashiwa’.
He counted how many they were ; twelve was their number.
Zhigwa dash oganoonaa’:
And then he spoke to them, asking:
“Aaniin ezhinikaazoyeg?”
"By what name are you called?"
Aaniish zegiziwag igiw binensag.
Naturally afraid were the little ruffed grouse.
Gaawiin ogashkitoosiinaawaa’ ji-giigidowaad.
Not were they able to speak.
Bezhig giigido: “Gaawin ni-wiinzosiimin.”
One spoke up: "We have no name."
Nenaboozhoo niskaaji-giigidoo:
Nänabushu spoke in an angry way:
“Aaniin gegii zhinaagwag ge-wiinzosiweg?
" How is it possible for you not to have a name?
Giishpin dibaajimosiweg e-zhinikaazoyeg, ganaaniiwano’inim.”
If you do not tell me what you are called, I will club you to death."
Aaniish aapiji ozegimaa’; wiikaa giigidowa’:
Naturally much did he alarm them ; after a long while they said:
“Aaniish, goshkongeshiins mii i’iw e-zhinikaazoyaang.”
"Why, Little Frightener is the name we are called."
“Oonh,” Nenaboozhoo ikido; “mii nangwana iw!”
"Oh," Nänabushu said; "that is it!"
ezhi-pazigwiid Nenaboozhoo;
Then up to his feet rose Nänabushu ;
Ezhi-nisawawaad ezhi-miijinaad.
standing over them with legs spread apart, he eased himself upon them.
Bane go gaawasibitoonid, Nenaboozhoo oganoonaa’:
(Observing) them suddenly groping about in the slush, Nänabushu addressed them, saying:
“Naapisawogo goshkongeshiins!(2) Mwn!” inwe Nenaboozhoo ezhi-gichi-baapi’aad.
"Yes, you are a little frightener!(2) Phew!" exclaimed Nänabushu, laughing heartily at them.
“Weweni wiindamawik gi-maamaa’iwaa dagwishing.”
"Correctly inform your mother when she arrives."
Mii sa go iw e-ni-izhi-maajaad Nenaboozhoo;
And so upon his way went Nänabushu;
Besho go eni-dagwishing, bane go mishawaabaminaagwadini e-izhaad.
when a little way on his journey he was come, immediately a wide view opened out, whither he was bound.
“Onjida maawiin zaaga’igan medaabiiyaan,” inendam.
"It seems as if out upon a lake I am coming," he thought.
Geget zaaga’igan omadaabiin, aapiji sa giishkaabikaani.
In truth, out upon a lake he came, and there was a very steep precipice.
Geget naawinaagwadini i’iw nibi.
Truly distant was the sight of the water.
Geget sa onizhishinini mii i’imaa ogidaabik.
Really beautiful was it there on the summit.
Aapiji i’imaa egookiishkaabikaanig gaa-izhaad, ezhi-waaniinigaadenid Nenaboozhoo ezhi-giigidod:
When he had gone over to the very edge of the cliff, then about over the verge Nänabushu swung his leg, saying :
“Etiwe, ambegish sa ataading, maamwechi go weshkiniigid ikwe ataading, gaye go dataakojiingwaned, aapiji go gaye minogid;
" Ah, would that there were a wager, and that a particularly youthful woman were up as the prize, and that she were short from the knee to the groin, and that she were of a very handsome figure !
onjida maawiin nindaa-izhigwaashgon, awegwen ge-izhigwaashgonigwen mii a’aw ge-wiidigemaad ikidong ikwe.
if such could be, I would jump off, if it were said of the woman that whosoever would leap off would be the one to have her for a wife.
Gwayak igo nindaa-izhigwaashgon.”
Actually would I jump off."
Mii go miinawaa ezhi-waaniinigaadenid.
And so again he swung his leg out over the cliff.
“Onjida nindaa-izhigwaashgon.”
"For a purpose would I leap off."
Zhigwa dash iwidi bine obiidawaa’ ge-miijinid oniijaanisa’, aaniin ge-izhinawaad oniijaanisa’!
And when at yonder place the Ruffed Grouse was come, fetching home to her children some food for them to eat, how was she to find her children !
Etawaa, wendago gaawosibitoonid.
Oh, they were completely submerged in it.
“Awenesh gaa-inigaa’ineg.”
"Who has done you the injury?"
“Nenaboozhoo.”
"Nänabushu."
“Gegoo na gidigoowaaban?”
"Were you told something?"
“Aaniin e-zhinikaazoyeg? ikido.
“By what are you called?’ he asked.
‘Goshkongeshiins,’ nindinaanaaban, mii dash i’iw gaa-izhi-miijishiiyangid.
‘Little Frightener,’ we said to him, and thereupon was when we were eased upon.
Apii dash eni-maajaad gichi-baapi’igonaan.
And when he started away, we were very much laughed at.
Ningii-kanoonigonaan dash: ‘Weweni wiindamawik gi-maama’iwaa dagwishin.’
And we were told : Correctly inform your mother when she arrives.
Mii dash i’iw gaa-ani-zhi-maajaad ezhi-giigidod.
And so when he was setting out, he then said:
‘Nepisane goshkongeshiins!’ nindigonaan.”
Yes, you are a little frightener! we were told."
Ataaya, bine onawadamaan bezhig gaye odoodebinaan bezhig;
Well, the Ruffed Grouse took up one with her mouth and another with her claws ,
Ezhi-bazigo’od, zaaga’iganing odizhiwinaan giziibiiginaad.
then, flying up, to a lake she carried them to wash them.
Mii sa iw gaa-izhi-biini’aad,
And when she had made them clean,
mii sa gwa pane gaa-toodawaad biinish ashi-niizh dashinid.
then the same thing she did to the rest until (she had finished with) the twelve.
Oniijanisa’ gakina gaa-izhi-gisiibiiginaad, abaapish gaa-kiizhiitaad, ezhi-giigidod:
When she had made all her children clean, and by the time she was done with her work, then she said:
“Ambe sa, ninga-noosone’waa a’aw Nenaboozhoo, gaye wiin wawiyazh niwii-doodawaa.”
"Now, then, I am going to follow up Nänabushu, and I intend doing him a trick too."
Ezhi-maajaad omaada’anaan.
When she started, she followed his trail.
Ningoding igo mii i’imaa dayoozh odebitawaan medwe-gaagiigidoonid iniw Nenaboozhoowan.
So by and by she came within hearing distance of Nänabushu, who still could be heard talking.
Diwe, onjida gosha inaabid na’idaa bimiwaaniinigaadenowan.
Ah, it was precisely at the moment she looked when he was swinging his leg out over (the precipice).
Bine inendam: “Wiikaa ge miinawaa da-doodam.”
The Ruffed Grouse thought: "Would that he might do it again !"
Nawaj besho ani-izhaa.
Nearer to the place she went.
Zhigwa miinawaa oniinigeniwan wegoneniiwinen ezhi-bazigo’od;
When again he was making ready (to swing his leg), she happened then to fly up ;
aapiji i’imaa jiigidawag ani-izhisewan, baamaa go Nenaboozhoo gaa-initang: “D!”(3)
ever so near past his ear she flew, and suddenly Nänabushu heard the sound of “T!"(3)
Aataa, Nenaboozhoo dabazi, etawaa ezhi-kakaabikised, anishaa go gaa-shookaanig iniw otawagan.
Well, Nänabushu dodged, but unfortunately over the precipice he fell, going so fast that the wind went whistling past his ears.
Aataa, ezhi-pangishing nibiikaang, “Dshamw,” inwewegamishin.
Ah, when he fell into the water, "Tcam" was the sound of his fall there.
Aataa, gichi-wiikaa bapimagoojing mizhakiised.
Oh, for a great while was he falling through the water.
Mii dash iw gaa-mizhakiised, gichi-enigok gii-ziinjigamii;
And so when he got up to the surface ;
Agaawaa mooshkamo, aapiji gegaa wayekwaanaamo.
barely was he able to reach the surface, to the bottom, all his strength he used in pushing back almost was he on the very point of losing his breath.
Aaniish mii i’iw bine namadabid ganawaabamaad Nenaboozhoowan.
Naturally there was the Ruffed Grouse seated watching Nänabushu.
Zhigwa mooshkamowan, deye, mii go iwidi gaa-pi-inaabinid giigidowan:
When he came to the surface, ah, then up from where he fell he looked, saying:
“Iii, geget sa goshkongeshi.”
"Well, (that) really is a little frightener."
Aataa, Nenaboozhoowan madwe-baapiwan.
Oh, how Nänabushu could be heard laughing!
“Bine, mii gwayak doodawiyan gii-miijinagwaa igiw gi-niijaanisag.
"Ruffed Grouse, it was right what you did to me for easing upon your children.
Gaawiin wiikaa miinawaa ninga-izhichigesii.”
Never again will I do so."
Mii sa ezhi-agwaataad Nenaboozho, ezhi-maajaad babimosed.
And so when out of the water came Nänabushu, then off he started walking about.
