Nenabosho and the Cranberries
Mii sa Nenabosho eni-izhi-maajaad, eniwek ogashkitoon ji-mino-bimosed.
Gomaa go apii degoshing ziibiins omadaabiin; inaabid pane go aniibiminan; gaa-miskwaakobaanig mii go iw eniizhinaazikang (eni-zhi-naazkang). “Ediwe, geget igo niibiwa ninga-miijinan; baamaa go aapiji giide-wiisiniyaan ninga-boonitoonan.” Wikwetigweyaanig Nenabosho ozhigaabawi ziibiins; inaabid anaambiig mii dash geget waabandang aniibiminan i’iwidi agawaatebiigisininig. Nenabosho ezhi-giigidod: “Daga, miwaniwedi ge-miijiyaanan.” Ezhi-jiigakwebagizod; aano-nandoobiiginiged, mii sa gaawiin omikanziinan. Indawaa ekwanaabaawed ezhi-mooshkamod agwaasiid, mii go bimi-anwaatiniikamisenig. Inaabid, ediwe, mii sa onjida aniibiminan waabandang anaambiig; mii go miinawaa jiigakwebagizod, ediwe Nenabosho ezhi-gichi-giizhkiingweshing. Gchi-enigok ezhi-gashkitood izhi-mawi. Aaniish naa giiwashkweshin. Megwaa go mawid gegoo omaanaazhaabishkaagon. Ezhi-baakadawaabid megwaa mawid, goniginiin aniibiminan naanaazhaabishkaagod. Tayaa, geget aapiji sa minwendam. Mii sa zhigwa maandanjiged; aapiji sa gaade-wiisinid geget minwendam. Mii dash geget weweni gashkitood bimosed. |
Accordingly, when Nenabosho departed on his way, hardly was he able to walk with any comfort.
After he was come a certain distance, he came upon a brook; while looking about, (he saw) nothing but high-bush cranberries, and that they were of red kind of bush. “Ah, surely a heap will I eat; and not till I am thoroughly satisfied with eating will I leave them alone.” By the bend of the brook Nenabosho went and took his stand; while looking into the stream, he then of course saw high-bush cranberries reflected yonder in the water. Nenabosho then spoke up: Why, these are the ones I will eat.” Then he dived into the water; in vain he tried to feel for them in the water, but he could not find them. Accordingly, when he was out of breath, then to the surface he rose (and) came on out of the stream; whereupon the water became smooth (again). As he looked, why, he was bound to see high-bush cranberries down in the water; and so when he again dived into the water, poor Nenabosho fell upon his face, cutting a great gash. As hard as it was possible for him did he weep. To be sure, he was knocked out of his wits when he alighted. Now, while he wept he felt something rubbing softly against his eyes. When he opened his eyes while crying, he was surprised to see that he was being gently rubbed across the eyes by high-bush cranberries. Ah, truly was he pleased. And so he then began eating; after he was thoroughly satisfied with the eating, he was truly pleased. Thereupon he was truly able to travel comfortably. |