10. The Lynx

Bizhiw.

The Lynx.

from Ojibwa Texts collected by William Jones (1919).

(1) Ningoding isa giiwenh, ayindaagoban bizhiw.

Now, once on a time, they say, there used to live a Lynx.

(2) Mii imaa endazhi-nandawenjiged, anooji gegoon onitoon - waaboozoon binewan gaye zhiishiiban gaye ningoding onisaan.

There at the place where he hunted, every kind of things he killed, - hares and ruffed grouse and ducks he sometimes killed.

(3) Ningoding idash ogii-odisigoon wiiji-bizhiwan, mii dash enajimotaagod: "Bezhig wajiw iwidi ayaamagad, giishkaabikaa, geget sa gichi-onizhishin inaabing waasa aki debaabaminaagwad. Nashke izhaan ga-waabandaan."

Now, once he was visited by a fellow-Lynx. And this was what he was told: "There is a mountain off yonder, it has steep sides, and truly a very fine view of distant country can be seen. Better go and see it."

(4) "Enh', ningad-izhaa," ikido a'aw bizhiw.

"Yes, I will go," said Lynx.

(5) Mii dash wayaabang gii-maajaad bizhiw.

And so on the morrow away started Lynx.

(6) Apii dash gaa-zaagajiwed mii iw gii-waabandang waasa aki debinaagwadinig.

And when he came out upon the mountain, he thereupon saw afar the country that could be seen at a distance.

(7) Mii dash gaa-izhi-onabid inaabid, bekish niiskiingwenid.

And so, after he was seated, he looked, and at the same time he was squinting,

(8) Mii sa ekoozid.

That is as far as (the story) goes.