The Death of Nenabosho’s Nephew, the Wolf (1)

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Aatayaa, geget minwendam Nenabosho.

Wayaabaninig goziwag(i).

Bezhig igo odoozhiman gaye wiinawaa ingoji igo izhi-maajaawag. 

Oganoonigoon iniw(ii) odoozhiman: “Nenabosho, besho go giga-nibaamin.”

Mii sa ena’anaad odoozhiman.

Gomaa go apii zhigwa owaabamaan anidewaninig*(iii) namadabinid.

“Noos, mii omaa ji-nibaaying,” Nenabosho odigoon.


Gaa-ishkwaa-wiisiniwaad, aweningwaami.*

Gii-zhi-gii-nibaad (gii-zhi-nibaad?).

Megwaa go nanaamadabid baamaa go wenjimawinid Nenaboshoowan.

Azhijiizhaabinaad.*

“Shii, indashkaa niin nimaanaabamigodog,”(iv) odinaan.


Zhigwa dayenibaanid,(v) goshkoziwan.

Aaniish, danakamigizi a’aw ma’iingan.

“Aaniin enaabandaman(vi) gii-mawiyan?”

“Edawaa, nindoozhim gi-maanaabamin. 

Waabang a’aw mooz wii-bimi-nazhawad.(vii)

Ambe sa noo, gego ishkwaa pagidooken i’iw mitigoons ziibiinsing mii sa wa go zhigwa debaabamad a’aw mooz. 

Mii go iw wii-izhi-minjimendan.”

Zhigwa sa waabanini.

Gigizheb maajaawan wii-biminizha’igenid, Nenabosho ani-maajaa, odoozhiman bima’anaad.


Zhigwa sa ezhikawenid i’iw ozhikawenigobanen(viii) iniw moozoon. 

Aaniish aapiji ziigwanini.

Mii sa iw ena’anaad gaye mii iwe iw ezhi-nametoonid iniw odoozhiman; mitigoons ani-apagidoonid i’imaa bangii ziibiinswakamigaanig;


Zhigwa sa debaabamaanigoban iiniw moozoon;


Mii dash geget gichi-enigok maajaanigobanen iiniw odoozhiman; 

Mii dash i’iw zhigwa debibinaanigobanen(ix) a’aw ma’iingan aapiji bangii ziibiinswakamigaanig.

Mii go miinooj aazhawigwaashkwanigobanen, gaa-izhi-dishkiikaag i’iw ziibiins, mii dash imaa naanaawagaam gaa-izhi-bangishing.

Pane go gaa-saswenig(x) iiniw otawagan.

Mii sa go i’iw gaawiin gii-mooshkamosig.

Aaniish mii sa gii-wanendang ji-apagidood iw mitigoons.


Nenabosho zhigwa odebaabandaan ziibi bimitigweyaanig, pane odoozhiman bekobiikawenid.


“Edawaa! Mii maawiin iniw gii-nisaabaawed(xi) a’aw nindoozhim.”

Eni-izhi-aazhawa’od; miziwe niisaajiwan aano-izhaa.


Mii sa gaawiin ingoji oname’aasiin.

Gichi-enigok ezhi-mawid Nenabosho; mii sa gabe-giizhik babaamawid, aano-nandonewaad iiniw odoozhiman. 

Shkwaach midaasogon aano-nandone’iged, mii sa gaawiin omikawaasiin.

Aapiji sa zhigwa gawanaandam (gwanaandam).

Ningoding igo niisaajiwan izhi-maajaad i’iw ziibi, ningoding sa babimaazhagaamed owaabamaan ogiishkimanisiin agoozinid i’imaa nibiikaang imaa inaabinid.

Wegoneniiwinen ogaagiimaa’aan;(xii) besho odoodisaan.

Aanawii-izhi-nawadinaad, bangii igo obishkobinaan.(xiii)

Mii dash i’iw gaa-ipinaagobanen, mii iw gii-niishkaweyaandibed* a’aw ogiishkimansii. 

Ezhi-ganoonigod ogiishkimansiin: “Ojiideyaab Nenabosho niwii-wiindamowaaban wiin iiniw odoozhimaan.”

“Diwe, nishiimisaa! Wegonen waa-wiindamawiyan?”

“Kaa, gidoozhim. Ninganawaabamaa imaa nibiikaang gii-inaabiyaan; mii aw genawaabamag.


Nenabosho, ambe sa noo, giga-wiindamoon gaa-izhiwebizid a’awe menjinawesiyan.(xiv)

Mii giniin i’iw gaa-izhi-ayaad a’aw gidoozhim: ogimaa mishibizhii ogii-wodaapinaan iiniw gidoozhiman.

Imaa dash zaagidawaag iw ziibi mii imaa ayaag i’iw minisinadaawangaa; mii dash imaa endazhi-gii-zhigishing(xv) a’aw ogimaa mishibizhi giishpin mizhakwadinig.

Aapiji minogiizhigadinig mii bijiinag agwaataad i’imaa minisinadaawangaang. 

Nenabosho, giishpin babizinidawisiwan,(xvi) gidaa-waabamaa a’aw gidoozhima’iwayaan, gii-pakonaa gosha a’aw gidoozhim. 

Mii go i’iw ge-zhi-debwetawiyan gaa-izhiwebizid i’iwe gaa-onji-wani’ad gidoozhim. 

Baataniinowan genawenimigod.

Giishpin idash wiin noondawiyan i’iw ge-ininaan, mii go iw waa-doodawad igo, ji-doodawadiban.(xvii)


Ambe sa noo mitigwaab giga-ozhi’aa.

Gii-kiizhi’ad idash, miinawaa giga-ozhitoon i’iw bikwak i’iwe ge-yaabajitooyan.

Giiga-miinin i’iw ge-naaba’igeyan.”(xviii)


Nenabosho omiinigoon bezhig iiniw oshkazhiini. 


Ezhi-ganoonigod: “Nenabosho, mii awe ge-naaba’igeyan i’iw gi-bikwak.

Memwech idash apashkweshkway mii aw ge-odajaabiiyan.

Apii dash, Nenabosho, wii-pimwad, gego wiin wiiyawing bimwaaken.

Ji-naateshing(7)(xix) mii’idinong* ge-pimwad.


Ayaangwaamizin wii-pizindawishin.

Gaye i’iw aanosaagan(xx) ji-ozhitooyan, aapiji go giiga-michaatoon i’iw aanosaagan. 

Aa, giishpin eta manidoowiyan, mii eta gegoo ji-naabinanad.(xxi) 

Manidoowi ogimaa mishibizhii.

Mii sa go i’iw minik ezhi-kikino’amoonaan. 

Ayaangwaamizin, gego aanwedawishiken(8).”(xxii)

“Ooh, miigwech waandamawiyan. 

Meshkod, ji-pishigendaman giiyaw giiga-izhi’in.”


“Miigwech, Nenabosho, i’iwe ekidoyan.”

Mii sa zhigwa Nenabosho maajitaad wawezhi’aad ogiishkimanisiin.

Zhigwa sa gaagiizhi’aad, “mii iw izhi-waabandizon,(xxiii) ogiishkimanisii,” odinaan.

Mii sa geget ezhi-waabandizod, geget bishigenimo a’aw giishkimanisii.

“Mii sa iw ge-zhinaagoziyan ji-ani-akiiwang,”(xxiv) ikido Nenabosho.

Mii sa Nenabosho ezhi-maajaad, niisaajiwan izhaad.


Besho go degoshing, geget owaabandaan zaaga’igan.


Wegoneniiwinen odoozhitoon i’iw aanosaagan, aapiji go michaatoon. 

Gaagii-zhitood, ezhi-boozid ezhi-izhaad imaa minisinadaawangaanig.

Wegoneniiwinen ezhi-gabaad imaa mitaawangaang.


Aatayaa awiya bimikawewa, anooj awiya bimikawewa. 


Mii sa zhigwa neyaab ezhi-boozid, ingoji idash ogaadoon i’iw ojiimaan.

Mii sa zhigwa maajitaad omitigwaabiin ozhi’aad gaye i’iw obikwak; ozhitood gaye i’iw genaaba’ang, odooshkazhiiman naaba’igaaged.

Waawiinge(xxv) gaa-giizhitood, zhigwa dibikadini.


Mii sa zhigwa ezhi-waabaninig, Nenabosho ezhi-giigidod: “Ambe sa noo, dawi-anwaatin gabe-giizhik, gaye go ji-wii-mizhakwak.” 

Nenabosho omaa nawaj igo noopiming ezhi-zaadiisagokaazod.

Zhigwa bii-ishpagoojinoon iiniw giizisoon, owaabandaan gagiizhibaajiwaninig(xxvi) i’iw zaaga’igan.

Nitam omakakiin mooshkamowan, gaye go anooj igo i’iw isa manidoo, gakina awiya mii go i’iw bemizh[i]gwaadaanid i’imaa minisinadaawangaanig.

Mii go iw bimi-nibaanid aanind.

“Ambe sa noo, ayaangwaamizin,” ikido aw makwa.

“Indigo gosha Nenabosho gii-ganawaabamigonaan, nindinendam.

Amanj isa naa ge-ikidogwen a’aw gidoo-gimaaminaan.”

Inaabid Nenabosho, pane go gaawaasaadigosenig.(xxvii)

Ningoding sa baamaa go naawagaam wenji-mooshkamonid; goniginiin, mishibizhiin! 


Geget mindidoowan, bi-naabiwan madwe-giigidoowan: “Nenabosho awedi gaa-niibawid, azaadiisagong gii-izhinaago’o.”(xxviii)

Aanind igo madwe-giigidoowa: “Gayad(xxix) ayaaban a’aw azaadiisag.”

“Gaawiin, mii go a’aw gaa-izhinaagwa’od.”

Aanind idash ikidowag: “Baakajige* nanda menidoowid daa-izhinaago’o nashke gosha, mishi-ginebig, awi-didibinaakwaabiigaw.”

Geget bi-maajaawan ginebigoon.

Zhigwa sa odoodisigoon, mii sa ezhi-kashkaabigidaanid(xxx) enigok. 

Aaniish gibanaamo Nenabosho.

Gwej igo waa-pagidanaamod, ezhi-aanawenjigenid.


Ani-giigidoowan: “Mitig a’aw! Aaniin ge-gii-izhinaagozid Nenabosho ge-yaawid?”

Mii sa gaawiin debwe’andazii(xxxi) a’aw ogimaa. 

“Daga, giin makwa awi-baazagobish. Mii gosha aw Nenabosho.”

Zhigwa bi-ayaawan iiniw gichi-makwan.

Zhigwa sa odoodisigoon, ezhi-baazagobinigod.

Wiiba go obooni’igoon,(xxxii) eni-zhi-maajaanid.


“Aaniin ge-giizhinaagwak Nenabosho ge-yaawid? - Mii iw izhi-agwaadan.”

Geget bimi-agwaadaawan.

Aapiji naawaya’ii gawishimoowan.

Nenabosho ezhi-kanawaabamaad, geyaabi go wenji-mayaawikweninid.

“Wiikaa ge sa aapiji dawi-boozaangwaami, gakina go gaye i’iw odooshkinawema dawi-boozaangwaamiwa.”

Geget gakina nibaawa.

Zhigwa sa Nenabosho neyaab anishinaabewi, ezhi-izhaad odaanosaaganing.

Niminaawekii’o(10) ezhi-oodoodidang i’imaa endazhi-nibaanid.

Ezhi-gabaad, anaasawaya’ii ani-dadakokii i’iw manidoo. 

Zhigwa sa odoodisaan iniw ogimaan.

Aapiji waa-zhebiinid* obimwaan.

Gaawiin ganage goshkobagizosiiwan. 

Babaapiniziwaagan!

Geyaabi bezhig odayaan i’iw bikwak ezhi-mamood.

Mii dash i’imaa bijiinag ajinaateshininid, ezhi-bimwaad.


Etawaa, goshkobagizowan.

Aatawaa gichi-baawitigoowanini,(xxxiii) agaawaa go odooditaan iw odaanosaagan.

Mii sa go iw zhigwa ani-nikibiinig(xxxiv) i’iw zaaga’igan gaye iw wajiwan. 

Edawaa, zegizi Nenabosho.

Zhigwa imaa bibooniiwan iniw ogiishkimanisiin ezhi-ganoonigod: “Nenabosho, mii sa iw inigaa’ad a’aw bemaadiziban o’omaa akiing.”


Pane go gaawanaadagaanid, anooj awiya.


Gwej igo nekibiinid i’iw mitigoo mii apii ezhi-noogi-mooshka’aninig.(xxxv)

Goniginiin, neyaab ani-iskateni.


“Eh, eh, eh” odigoon ogiishkimanisiin, “Nenabosho gaawiin gi-nisaasii ogimaa mishi-bizhii!”

Ah, truly pleased was Nenabosho.

On the morrow [morning] they moved camp.

And with one of his nephews he went off in another direction.

He was addressed by his nephew saying: “Nenabosho, not far away shall we stop for the night.”

And so he followed the tracks of his nephew.

Some distance on the way he saw (his nephew) seated in a spot free from snow.

“My father, here is a place for us to sleep,” Nenabosho was told.

After they had finished eating, he made ready to sleep.

He then had a nap.

And while (the wolf) was yet sitting up, all of a sudden into weeping burst Nenabosho.

Then he waved to him with the hand.(2)

“Foh, (I) fancy that he probably is having a bad dream about me,” he said of him.

When (Nenabosho) had sleep enough, he then woke up.

Now, busy at work was the wolf.

“What were you dreaming about, that you should weep?”

“Ah, my nephew, I had a bad dream about you.

Tomorrow you will pursue a moose.

Please don’t you delay throwing a stick into the brook, even though you are then in sight of the moose.


Now, do try to keep that in mind.”

Now the morrow was at hand.

In the morning, when (the Wolf) departed to go in pursuit (of game), Nenabosho set out; in the trail of his nephew he followed.

Now, by the trail he made, (the Wolf) was stalking the moose.(3)

By the way, it was well on towards spring.

That was how he trailed up (his nephew), and that was how he could tell by the trail (what) his nephew was doing; (he saw) that (his nephew) had flung a small stick ahead on going down into the dry bed of a little brook;

(He saw) where (the Wolf) had come in sight of the moose at the time;

and then really with great speed was his nephew going at the time;

And then now was the Wolf overtaking (the moose) at where there was a dry bed of a very small brook.

But in an unguarded moment, when he tried to take it with a leap, apart spread the brook, and so far out yonder in the middle of the stream he fell.(4)

And at once there was a ringing in his ears.

And then he did not come up to the surface.

Well, this was because he had forgotten to throw the little stick (ahead of him).

Nenabosho then came into sight of a river that went flowing by, straight on down to the water he trailed his nephew.

“Alas! It is possible that that nephew of mine has drowned.”

Then on over to the other side he went; everywhere downstream he went, but in vain.

And so nowhere saw he a sign of him.

With great affliction then wept Nenabosho; whereupon all day long he wandered weeping, as he sought in vain for his nephew.

For full ten days he sought, but without result, for he did not find him. 

Completely now was he starving.

Now once while down the course of the river he was going, once while he was walking along the shore, he saw a kingfisher perched aloft (and) looking down into the water.

What should he do but slip stealthily up to it; nigh up to it he came.

In an attempt to grab it he just missed catching it.

And the place where the kingfisher was seized (handled) at the time was by the tuft on its head.

Then he was addressed by the kingfisher saying: “About the anal gut of his nephew was I going to tell Nenabosho.”

O my little brother! What were you going to tell me?”

“Why, about your nephew. I was watching for him yonder, where I was looking into the water; he was the one I was watching for.

Nenabosho, listen! I will declare to you what happened to him for whom you have a longing.

Now, this was what became of your nephew: the chief of the big lynxes(5) has seized your nephew.

Now, yonder, where the river flows out into the open, is an island of sand; and it is there that the chief of the big lynxes whiles the day away when the sky is clear.


When the day is very pleasant, then from the water he proceeds out upon the sandy island.

Nenabosho, if you [do not] heed what I say, you can behold the skin of your nephew, for flayed was that nephew of yours.

Therefore shall you believe me concerning what befell your nephew when you lost him.

By many is he guarded.

Now, if you harken to what I say to you, then whatsoever you may wish to do to (the chief of the big lynxes), that you may do to him.

Therefore a bow do you make.

And when you have finished it, you shall next make the arrow which you are to use.

I will give you what you shall use for a point (on your arrow).”

Nenabosho was then given one of the claws (of the kingfisher).

Then he was addressed: “Nenabosho, that is what you shall use for a point on your arrow.

And of all things, it is from flag-reed(6) that you shall obtain your bowstring.

And when, Nenabosho, you are ready to shoot him, do not shoot him in the body.

Where he casts his shadow is the place for you to shoot him.

Do you be careful that you heed my words.

Likewise a raft shall you build, and very large shall you make the raft.

Oh, if you were only a manitou, then would you be able to get him under your power!

A manitou being is the chief of the big lynxes.

Now, that is as much as I shall impart to you.

Take pains, do not fail to follow my words.”

Oh, (I) thank (you) for what you have told me.

In return, I will make you so that you will be proud of yourself.”

“(I) thank (you), Nenabosho, for what you say.”

And so then Nenabosho set to work painting the Kingfisher.

When he was done with him, “Now look at yourself Kingfisher,” he said to him.

It was true that when he looked at himself, really proud was the Kingfisher.

“And this is the way you shall look till the end of the world,” said Nenabosho.

Thereupon Nenabosho started away, down the stream he went.

And when a short way he was come, sure enough, he beheld a lake.

What should he do but build a raft, and very large he made it.

When he finished it, he then got aboard (and) went over yonder sandy island.

What should he do but go ashore upon yonder sandy beach.

Lo, living beings left the signs of their footprints, all kinds of living creatures left the marks of their tracks.

Thereupon then back on his raft he went, in a certain place he hid away his float.

Thereupon he set to work making his bow and arrow; he also fixed what he was to have for a point, his claw he used for the point.

When all his work was entirely done, by that time it was night.

Thereupon, when it was day, Nenabosho spoke, saying: “Now, let there be a calm throughout the whole day, and may there be a very clear sky!”

Nenabosho then, in this place but towards the woods, became a poplar.

When high the sun was risen, he beheld moving circles upon the water of the lake.


First a toad came up to the surface, and then the various manitous, every living being then came forth from water out upon that island of sand.

And as fast as some of them came, they went to sleep.

“Please be careful,” said the bear.

“It surely seems that by Nenabosho are we being observed, thus do I feel.

(I am) curious to know what our chief may have to say.”

While Nenabosho was looking, everywhere was there splashing of water.

By and by all of a sudden far out upon the water something came up to the surface; behold, (it was the) Big Lynx!

Truly big was he, hitherward he looked as he came, he could be heard saying: “Nenabosho is the one standing yonder, the form of a poplar has he taken.”

And some could be heard saying: “Long since has that poplar been there.”

“No, it is really he who has taken on its form.”

And some said: “He is not so powerful a manitou as to take on such a form, why Big Serpent, do you go coil round about him.”

Truly hitherward came the Big Serpent.

When (Nenabosho) was reached, then did (the Serpent) squeeze him tight.

Of course Nenabosho held his breath.

Just as he was about to breathe, then the Serpent thought it a fruitless task.

Away he went, saying: “A tree that! How is it possible for Nenabosho to become such a thing?”

But the chief did not believe (what the Serpent said).

“I say you, O Bear! Go claw him. It surely is Nenabosho.”


Then hither came the Great Bear.

When Nenabosho was reached, he was clawed by it.

And in a little while he was let alone, then away started (the Bear).

“How is it possible for Nenabosho to become so? - Therefore come you out of the water.”

Truly on out of the water it came.

In their very midst it lay down to sleep.

As Nenabosho was watching it, every once in a while it would lift up its head to look around.

“Would that it might fall into deep sleep, and that all its youths might sleep soundly too!”(9)

Sure enough, all went to sleep.

In a while Nenabosho became a human being again; then he went over to his raft.

He poled it along as he went over to where they were asleep.

When he went ashore, in among the manitous he stepped as he went along.

Presently he came to where the chief was.

Squarely in the side he shot him.

No surprise whatever did (the manitou) display. 

Too bad (for him)!

He had yet one other arrow which he took.

And so there, where (the manitou) then was casting a shadow was where he shot him.

Behold, then was (the manitou) startled with surprise.

Oh! But there was a mighty rushing of water, and barely did he reach his raft.

Thereupon then under water went lake and mountain, one after the other.

Oh, afraid was Nenabosho!

Then yonder where he was, alighted the Kingfisher by whom he was addressed: “Nenabosho, therefore now have you done injury to them that have been living upon this earth.”

Oh, everywhere were they swimming about, beings of every sort!

And as the trees were about to disappear under the flood, then was when the water ceased rising.

Lo, the water receded, leaving (the earth) as dry as before.

“Well, now” he was told by the Kingfisher, “Nenabosho, you did not kill the chief of the big lynxes!”