Translated by Barbara Levy,
George Bryant, and Amy Miller
Jessie Webb Escalante told the story Xarathó on March 14, 1979 to an audience which included her daughter Tessy Escalante as well as Abe Halpern. Tessy Escalante later helped Halpern to review his transcript of the story.
Notes and synopsis
The main character of this story is Xwetsxwéts (Oriole), who lives happily with his two beautiful wives and their children. One day, Coyote bewitches Oriole, with the result that Oriole suddenly finds himself alone in a cold place high above the four levels of heaven. He is taken in by an old blind man (who happens to be the title character, Xarathó, although his name is not mentioned in this telling of the story) and his two daughters. Oriole teaches the family to eat deer meat and introduces them to corn, melons, beans, and pumpkins (which of course are staples of the traditional Quechan diet).
Oriole misses his home. His weeping is noticed by Buzzard. In exchange for a nice rotten deer, Buzzard carries Oriole home on his back and leaves him near his home with the instruction that he must lie face down for four days before returning to his family. Oriole tries to do as he is told, but when he sees that Coyote has taken over his family and is mistreating his wives and children, he jumps up in anger — and finds himself instantly transported back to the cold place above the four levels of heaven.
Eventually Oriole is carried to his home again, this time on Spider’s silken thread. Spider likewise instructs him to lie face down for four days. This time Oriole manages to do as he is told. After four days he gets up to find his wives and children abused and starving. The wives are pregnant with Coyote’s children. Oriole causes his wives to miscarry and cooks the fetuses into a porridge. Leaving the porridge for Coyote to eat, Oriole and his family dig a tunnel and escape. They travel across the ocean and settle on the other side.
Coyote tracks them down. He is now in bad shape himself: he is very thin, and food goes right through him. Oriole sews up Coyote’s anus so that he may retain what he eats, and he allows him to remain with the family.
This story is rich in traditional Quechan themes. The spiritual powers of the First People are vividly on display throughout. Characters love their home and are homesick when separated from it. The ritual number four occurs often in this story, as it does throughout traditional Quechan literature (see Bryant and Miller 2013 and chapters 1 and 4-6 of this volume). Even the practice of sewing up the anus occurs in several Quechan stories, including “Kukumat Became Sick” (Halpern 1976).
The character of Coyote is famous in Quechan literature (see, for instance, Emerson and Halpern 1978, Escalante 1984a,b,c, Escalanti 1984) and throughout Native America (see Bright 1993). Some say that Coyote is a symbol of mankind (Bright 1993: 22), and in the story Xarathó we see some of Coyote’s most human characteristics: he can be greedy and treacherous, yet he is also vulnerable. In the story Xarathó, Coyote is eventually forgiven — a twist not found in every Coyote story.
Nyaayúuts nyaváyk siivá. |
A creature was living over there. |
Xwetsxwéts. |
It was Oriole. |
|
|
Nyaváyk siivák, |
He lived over there, |
athúm, |
and so, |
'anyáa atspák viithíim, |
when the sun was coming up, |
nyaayúu mattxalykwáayk viiyáa. |
he went hunting for things. |
|
|
Nya'iipá nya'uutíish ashtúum, |
He picked up his bow and his arrows, |
viiyáa. |
and he went along. |
|
|
Viiyáak, |
He went along, |
'aqwáaq akyáam, |
and he shot a deer, |
awím, |
and so, |
kamíim. |
he brought it back. |
Nyaatsavéts xavíkəm nyaatsavétsk — |
He had two wives — |
pa'iipáa 'iixán nyiikwanáaməts, |
he was an extraordinarily handsome person, |
uuváak, |
there he was, |
sanyts'áak 'axúutt-tan xavíkəm nyaatsavétsk viivá. |
and he had two very beautiful women as his wives. |
|
|
Viivák, |
Here he was, |
athúm, |
and so, |
kamíim, |
he brought back (meat), |
nyuumáayk nyuutara’úyk, |
and he fed them and took care of them, |
nyuusóoy. |
he fed them meat. |
|
|
'Anyáayk viithíim, |
It was getting light, |
athúum, |
and so, |
vuuváat, |
he was here, |
nyiimán. |
and he got up. |
|
|
Uuváam, |
Here he was, |
aváts viitháawk, |
and these (two wives) were here, |
'avák atháawk viitháw, |
they were here at the house, |
'axá ayáak, |
and they went after water. |
'a'íi xalykwáak, |
and they looked for wood, |
athúm, |
and so, |
viitháw. |
here they were. |
|
|
Kamíim, |
He brought (meat), |
alyúlyk, |
and they cooked it, |
asóotsk, |
and they ate it, |
athótk vuunóot. |
(that’s how) they were. |
|
|
Nyaayáantik, |
When he went along this time, |
viiyáat. |
he went along. |
'Anyáa atspák, |
The sun came up, |
viiyáak, |
and he went along, |
nya'uutíish 'iipá tsa'úlyk viiyáa. |
he carried his bow and his arrow and he went along. |
|
|
Viiyáaxáyəm, |
He going along, when suddenly |
nyaayúuts siithíitapat. |
a creature was coming along there in the distance. |
Xatalwéts! |
It was Coyote! |
|
|
Siithíik, |
He came along in the distance, |
láw a'étk ayúut. |
and he turned his head and looked. |
“Móo, |
“Well, |
nyáav manyváyk ammavák mathútya?” |
is this where you live?” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
“Mm, |
“Mm, |
nyáav 'anyváyk,” |
this is where I live,” |
a'ím. |
(Oriole) said. |
|
|
“Nyi'mánək va'uuváak 'athótk'ash,” |
“I come from (here),” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
“ 'Anyáa atspák avathíim, |
“When the sun comes up, |
nyaayúu 'xalykwáak. |
I hunt for things. |
|
|
“Va'athótk. |
“This is what I do. |
'Anyváyk. |
I live (here). |
'Axóttk, |
It’s good, |
sanyts'áakts xavík nyiitháawk athúm. |
there are two women there. |
Xuumáarəts nyiitháwəntik athúm. |
There are children there too. |
|
|
“Nyi'mánək va'uuváak 'athósh,” |
“I come from (here),” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
Xatalwéts a'ávək viiv'áwk; |
Coyote stood listening; |
“Áa-áa, |
“Yes, |
xóttəm,” a'ét. |
all right,” he said. |
“Nyiinyaatuuqwérəly 'aaly'étk 'av'áw 'athútya,” |
“I think I would like to stay with you,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
“Móo, |
“Well, |
'axóttk. |
all right. |
'Aváts nyáasiivák siivám; |
There is a house over there; |
nyáasi mayém, |
(if) you go over there, |
nyaamayúuk, |
you’ll see it |
nyáasi. |
over there. |
|
|
“Maváam, |
“You’ll get there |
mayúuxa. |
and you’ll see it. |
'Anyaatsavéts nyáasi atháwk siitháwm,” |
My wives are over there,” |
a'ét. |
(Oriole) said. |
|
|
Av'áwk viiv'áwk. |
He was standing here. |
Xatalwényanyts — |
That Coyote — |
iithónyənyts — |
his face — |
thó kwaly'iimée vathí tsamíim, |
he put his forehead here, |
vaawée awétk — |
and he went like this — |
atháwk, |
he took it, |
ta'ora'órək vaawé 'étk atáp! |
and he rolled it into a ball like this and threw it! |
|
|
'Aqwés 'ora'órəts athót! |
It was a yellow warbler! |
|
|
Tuupák anák; |
It sat on a post; |
viivát. |
here it was. |
|
|
Láw 'étk ayúut. |
(Oriole) turned his head and looked. |
Nya'uutíish nya'iipá nyuutháwk, |
He aimed his bow and arrow, |
vaawíim, |
like this, |
viiyáa. |
and he went along. |
|
|
Viiyáatəm, |
He went along, |
Xatalwényts ayúuk viiv'áw. |
and Coyote stood here watching him. |
|
|
Véem véem a'íik aaly'éxáyk, |
He took a step and another step, and suddenly, |
'amáy athík aatsuumpáp! |
it was the four levels of heaven! |
Alyav'áw a'étk alyav'áw — |
He was standing in one (level) after another — |
viiv'áwk! |
(and then) he was standing here! |
|
|
Láw a'étk ayúum — |
He turned his head and looked — |
'amátt-ts xáam athúum — |
the place was different — |
ayúuk viiv'áw. |
and he stood here looking. |
|
|
Nyiiv'áwk, |
He stood there, |
“Ka'thómtanək 'athóm?” |
“Where exactly am I?” |
a'étk uuvá. |
he was saying. |
Anák siivát. |
He sat down and stayed there. |
|
|
A'ávək siivám; |
He sat there smelling it; |
'a'áwəts axwíivəm, |
a fire gave off an odor, |
a'áv. |
and he smelled it. |
|
|
Kwataráats axwíivəm a'áv. |
The burning gave off an odor and he smelled it. |
Siivát; |
He sat there; |
“Makyímtan a'éməm?” |
“Where exactly could it be?” |
aaly'étk a'ávək siivát. |
he wondered as he sat there smelling (the fire). |
|
|
Nyaav'áwk, |
He stood up, |
nyamkanyók viiyáatk, |
and he went following it, |
axwíivany a'ávək viiyáa, |
he went along smelling its odor, |
viiyáa. |
he went along. |
|
|
'Aváts siivám aváam. |
He came to a house over there in the distance. |
|
|
Nyaayúu, |
Well, |
'aványts xanapáatsk vuunóony, |
the house was iced over, |
nyiikwév. |
it was terrible. |
|
|
Xanapáatsk 'uuy'úuy a'étk, |
It was iced over and glassy, |
nyiikwévəm, |
it was terrible, |
nyáavily aakxávək aashmátstəka. |
and they had gone into it and gone to sleep. |
|
|
Kwara'ák tasínyməts alythík, |
An old blind man lay in there, |
'aaxwíirək aapáayk alythík, |
he lay propped up in a corner, |
xanapáats. |
(against) the ice. |
|
|
Mashtxáats xavík alytháawkəm, |
There were two girls in there, |
uushmáam nyiitháawəntik athúm. |
they were sleeping there too. |
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|
“Móo, |
“Well, now, |
pa'iipáats aváak,” a'ím. |
someone is here!” he said. |
Kwara'ákənyts a'ávək avathík. |
The old man had been listening. |
|
|
“Kaakxávəm, |
“Bring him in, |
ashmáawú,” |
so he can sleep,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
Atháwk, |
They got him, |
aakxáv. |
and they brought him in. |
Xanapáats nyiipáam, |
He lay there on the ice, |
qatsíiiwsh a'étk uuváat. |
and he was slipping and sliding. |
|
|
Apáa alya'émətək uuváat, |
He didn’t lie down, |
xatsúurtəm athúm, |
(because) it was (so) cold, |
qatsíiiwsh a'étk viiyém |
and he went slipping and sliding off |
viithíit a'étk uuváa. |
as he tried to come this way. |
|
|
“Ka'áv! |
“Listen to him! |
Pa'iipáa kwaváany alyuunéxəmpiny!” |
The new person is restless!” |
a'ét. |
(the old man) said. |
|
|
“Katháwk, |
“Get him, |
atók katsamíim, |
and put him in the middle, |
ashmáawú,” |
so he can sleep,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
Mashtxáany a'íim. |
He said it to the girls. |
|
|
Atháwk, |
They got him, |
iisháaly taxuupályk viiwáamk, |
they went along pulling him by the arms, |
atók tsamíim. |
and they put him in the middle. |
Alythík viithíkət. |
He lay here. |
|
|
Ashmáa kwa'átsk viithík. |
He lay here sleeping, just as (the old man) had said he would. |
|
|
Viithík, |
He lay here, |
'anyáayk viithíim, |
and when it was getting light, |
amánək. |
he got up. |
Atspámk. |
He went out. |
'Atsayúut, |
He saw things, |
láwaláw 'étk uuváat. |
he kept turning his head (to look). |
|
|
Nyaayúuny — |
Creatures — |
'aqwáaqənyts viithíik, |
deer were coming, |
'aványi uunóok vuunóo. |
and they were hanging around the house. |
'Aqwáaq 'uupályəny nyiináam, |
The number of deer was extraordinary, |
matt-tsapéek, |
they were numerous, |
'aqwáaqányts. |
the deer. |
|
|
Ayúutk uuváat. |
He was watching them. |
|
|
Vanyuuváak, |
Here he was, |
'ashént atháwk tapúy. |
and he got one and killed it. |
Matsáat avuuváakəm, |
He was hungry, and so, |
'ashént atháwk tapúy. |
he got one and killed it. |
Kamíim, |
He brought it back, |
ayóovək viitháw. |
and they were watching him. |
Mashtxáanyts ayóovək viitháw. |
The girls were watching him. |
|
|
“Kaa'émk a'ím uuváak, |
“I wonder why he is doing this |
mattatéeyəny. |
to a friend. |
Tapúyk vuuthíik awím,” |
He has killed him, brought him here,” |
a'ét. |
they said. |
|
|
Nyáany asóotsk athúulya'émək, |
They didn’t eat that, |
'qwáaqa. |
deer meat. |
Shatmatháavək. |
They didn’t know about it. |
|
|
Xaalyíists a'íim, |
(There was a plant) called xaalyíis, |
'amátt nyiipáam viithík, |
it was lying on the ground, |
xavashúuk viithíkəm, |
it was green, |
nyáava ashtúum alyúlyk amátst, |
and this is what they gathered and boiled and ate, |
nyaanymáamtəka. |
that’s all. |
Vuunóot. |
Here they were. |
|
|
Vanyuunóok, |
Here they were, |
'aqwáaq avány kamíim, |
and he brought that deer, |
alyúlyk vuunóo. |
and he went about cooking it. |
Uushák nyiinyáay: |
He pierced a piece and gave it to them: |
'a'íi atháwk, |
he picked up a stick, |
uushák vaawíim, |
and he pierced it like this, |
avány áayk, |
and he gave it to that one, |
avány áayk awíma. |
and he gave it to that one. |
|
|
Amáam a'ávəny, |
They ate it and tasted it, |
manyéem a'áv. |
and it tasted good. |
|
|
Vathány vaawétk uuváat. |
This is what he was doing. |
|
|
'Anyáa atspák avathíim, |
The sun was came up, |
nyáany ayáak. |
and he went after that (deer). |
Tapúyk, |
He killed it, |
kamíim, |
and he brought it, |
alyúly, |
and he cooked it, |
nyuusóoyk awétk vuunóot. |
and he went about feeding it to them. |
|
|
Nyamáam, |
That’s all. |
manyéem uu'áav. |
They found that it tasted good. |
Kwara'ákəts siithík alyaskyíim, |
The old man was still lying there, |
'a'íim uushák áaytsəm, |
and (Oriole) pierced it with a stick and gave it to him, |
asóok a'áv. |
and he ate it and tasted it. |
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|
“Pa'iipáa kwaváanyts mattatéeyəny awépatəm; |
“The new person has done it to our friend; |
ka'ávək” a'í, |
taste it,” they said, |
aaíim áaytsəm asóok a'áv. |
and they just gave it to him and he ate it and tasted it. |
Mattkwiisháayəm a'ávk 'ét. |
It tasted delicious, they say. |
Manyéetanək 'ét. |
It was really good, they say. |
|
|
Viithíkt. |
He lay here. |
|
|
Uuváak, |
(Oriole) was there, |
viiyáak, |
he went along, |
'amáttəny láw 'ím ayúum; |
and he turned his head and looked at the land; |
'amáttənyts mattkwiisháay. |
the land was wonderful. |
'Atsnyiitsuuváwxats athúum. |
It was a place where he could plant things. |
|
|
Ayúuk viiv'áw. |
He stood here looking at it. |
|
|
Siiv'áwk, |
He stood there, |
nyáasi aa'ámpək. |
and he fell face down, over there. |
Nyáasi athík, |
He lay there, |
amétk siithíkt. |
he lay there weeping. |
|
|
“Kaathomtank av'uuváak?” a'étk, |
“Why am I here?” he said, |
athók aaly'étk, |
and he thought about what had happened, |
amétk, |
and he wept, |
siithíkt. |
lying there. |
|
|
Siithík, |
He lay there, |
kór alynyaayémək suuváa. |
he stayed there for a long time. |
'Anyáa atspák viithíim, |
The sun came up, |
viiyáak, |
and he went along, |
nyáasi athík amétk athótk, |
and he lay there in the distance and wept, |
uuváat. |
there he was. |
|
|
Kór alynyaayémək, |
A long time passed, |
vanyuuváam, |
and as he was here, |
nyaayúuts ayúuk suuváa. |
a creature was watching him. |
'Aqáaq. |
(It was) Crow. |
Ayúuk suuváa. |
He was watching him. |
'Amáyəm áamək ayúuk uuváa. |
He was passing by overhead and watching him. |
|
|
“Athótk, |
“So, |
kaawítstanəts athúum |
just what is it |
'atsaváwəm 'axóttxas athósh?” |
that would be good for me to plant?” |
a'íim, |
(Oriole) said, |
alynyiithúutsk siithík. |
and he lay there thinking. |
|
|
Vanyaayáantim, |
As he went along again, |
'amáyəm áamək — |
(Crow) passed by overhead — |
ayóqt. |
and he threw up. |
|
|
Ayóq. |
He threw up. |
Tathíts ayóq. |
He threw up corn. |
|
|
Nyaayúu xáam kwuuthúts tsáamək awét, |
He did it with all different kinds of things, |
áay. |
he gave them (to Oriole). |
'Amáttəny aapáx. |
He dropped them on the ground. |
|
|
Tathíts athótk, |
There was corn, |
tsam'iitóts athótk, |
there were melons, |
'axmátts athótk athót. |
and there were pumpkins. |
|
|
Ashtúum, |
He gathered them up, |
'amáttnyi, |
off the ground, |
awíim amánək ashtúum tsaváwk uuvát. |
he got up and gathered them and went about planting them. |
'Amáttəny axwélyk alyaapáx aapáx awétk, |
He dug in the ground and dropped them in, |
viiwáam. |
he went along (doing it). |
|
|
Uuváatk uutara'úytək. |
He stayed there and took care of (the crops). |
'Anyáa atspák avathíim, |
The sun came up, |
nyáasily uuváak, |
and there he was in that distant place, |
'anyáaxáv, |
and the sun set, |
nyáasily athík, |
and he lay there, |
amétk siithíktək. |
he lay there weeping. |
Uuváa. |
There he was. |
|
|
Uuváak, |
There he was, |
kór alynyaayém, |
and a long time went by, |
'atsaamáatsənyts nyamáam lyavíik. |
and the food was finally ready. |
Tathítsənyts nyamáam athíitsk 'ét. |
The corn had finally gone to seed, they say. |
|
|
Tsam'iitóny nyamáam 'axwéttk, |
The melons were finally red, |
'axmáts athúum, |
and there were pumpkins, |
nyáalyvíik athót. |
and they were ready. |
Ayúutk suuváa. |
He stood there looking at them. |
|
|
Tathítsəny xiipúk ashtúu vuuthíitk kamíim. |
Corn was the first thing he gathered and brought back. |
Aatsuuyóoyəm ayúuk. |
He showed it to them and they saw it. |
Shatmatháavət, |
They didn’t know about it, |
pa'iipáanyanyts. |
these people. |
Mashtxáanyts shatmatháavət. |
The girls didn’t know about it. |
|
|
“Kaawíts athúum mawíim mawéməm?” |
“What is it you’ve managed to do?” |
a'étk; |
they said; |
ayóovxa. |
they were going to look. |
|
|
Alyúlyək vuunóok, |
He went about boiling it, |
taamáatsk nyuumáay. |
he got it ready to eat and fed it to them. |
Kwara'ák kwatasínyməny áayk awím. |
He gave some to the blind old man. |
'Axótt-təm a'ávək, |
It tasted good, |
amátst. |
and they ate. |
'Ashíintəm awétk vuunóot. |
He went on (introducing the foods), one by one. |
Tsam'iitó awétk, |
He did melon, |
matuuqwés awétk, |
he did canteloupe, |
awétk vuunóot. |
he went on doing it. |
Nyiáayəm amátst. |
He gave it to them and they ate it. |
'Axmáts a'íim awíim, |
He did what’s called pumpkin, |
maaríikts a'íim awíim, |
he did what’s called beans, |
awét. |
he did. |
|
|
Vuunóom; |
He kept at it; |
siitháaw, |
there they were, |
nyaamáam shatuupáwk siitháaw. |
and they finally came to know about these things. |
“Móo, |
“Well, |
'anyáa vathám, |
today, |
'aayáam mayúuxa,” |
we will go and you will see,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
Nyiishtúum viitsawé. |
He gathered them and took them. |
Kwapárək tsatssháattk nyaatsuuyóoyəm. |
He stood them at the edge (of the field) and showed them. |
“Kayúuk! |
“Look! |
Vatháts athúum! |
This is it! |
|
|
“Vathány kashtúum, |
“Gather this up, |
kamáam!” |
and eat it!” |
a'ím. |
he said. |
“Vathány vakawíim,” |
“Do it like this,” |
a'ím, |
he said, |
aatsuuyóoyəm, |
and he showed them, |
ayúuk viiv'áw. |
and they stood there watching. |
|
|
“Xwóott! |
“Oh, my! |
Mattkwiisháay kwa'átsk,” |
It’s delicious, just as you said,” |
a'ím, |
they said, |
ashtúum, |
and they gathered it up, |
uukyéttk ashtúum, |
they picked it and gathered it up, |
'avá tsakayáak. |
and they took it home. |
|
|
Vuunóo. |
Here they were. |
Nyáava athótk uuváat. |
This (is what) he was doing. |
|
|
“Vathány vamawíim muunóo. |
“Keep on doing this like this. |
Vatháts nyaarúvəm, |
When this is dry, |
mashtúum, |
you gather it up, |
matsáam. |
and you put it away. |
|
|
“Muukavék mashtúum, |
“You will pick it up again later, |
'amátt matsakxávəm, |
and put it back in the ground, |
atspáam, |
and it will grow, |
nyáalyavíitəntim mayúuxa,” |
and you’ll see it like this again,” |
a'íim, |
he said, |
nyuukanáavək vuunóom, |
he went on explaining it to them, |
a'ávətsək siitháw. |
and they sat there listening. |
|
|
Siitháwk. |
There they were. |
Kór alynyaayéməm, |
A long time passed, |
nyáamínyəm'áshk uuváa. |
and once again he was weeping. |
|
|
Nyaayúuts siiv'áwm, |
A creature was standing there in the distance, |
nyáany maxák athík, |
and (Oriole) lay under that (thing), |
amétk suunóot. |
and he was weeping. |
|
|
Amétk vuunóo, |
He went on weeping, |
'anyáanyts axávət, |
and the sun set, |
'anyáanyts axávtək uuváa. |
the sun went on setting (each day). |
|
|
'Anyáa axávəm, |
The sun set, |
'avá kayáak viithíik a'étk awím. |
and he came straight back to the house. |
|
|
Uuváak, |
There he was, |
kór alynyaayémk, |
a long time passed, |
uuváam, |
and there he was, |
ayúuk. |
and (someone) saw him. |
|
|
'Ashéets 'amáy alyuuváak, |
Buzzard was up in the sky, |
ayúuk uuváat. |
and he was watching. |
Aakwíin. |
He made a turn. |
Aa'óoyvək uuváa. |
He went circling around. |
|
|
Uuváak, |
He stayed there, |
kór alynyaayém. |
and a long time passed. |
|
|
“Móo, |
“Well, |
pa'iipáa vatháts, |
this person, |
nyáaviithík viithíkəm, |
he lies here and lies here, |
'uuyúuny 'uuyúuny |
and I have been seeing him and seeing him |
kór alynyaayémt. |
for a long time. |
|
|
Apúyk nyaathúum, |
If he were dead, |
asháxəm 'a'ávxa 'aaly'íim 'uuváany, |
I would smell him rotting, I think, |
nyiiríish a'étk viithík. |
(but) he has been lying here (doing) nothing. |
'Ayúutk 'uuváat,” a'ét. |
I have been watching him,” (Buzzard) said. |
Suuváat. |
There he was. |
|
|
Atsénək viithíik, |
He came down, |
makórəny ta'úur a'étk |
he landed right on top of him, |
anákt. |
and he sat down. |
|
|
“Móo, |
“Well, now, |
Pa'iipáa! |
Person! |
Máanyts nyáavəm mathík ammathík. |
You have been lying here. |
Mapúyk nyaama'íim, |
If you were dead, |
masháxəm 'a'ávxa 'aaly'íim. |
I would smell you rotting, I think. |
'Ayúuk 'uuváa. |
I have been watching you. |
Nyiiríiish a'étəm 'a'áv. |
I have noticed nothing. |
'Uuváa. |
(Here) I am. |
Va'thíik 'athótk'ash,” a'ét. |
That’s why I came here,” (Buzzard) said. |
|
|
“Kaawítstan kamathómək viimuuváak, |
“Why are you doing here, |
nyiimamán mathúum?” |
if you come from there?” |
a'étəm. |
(Buzzard) said. |
|
|
“Áa-á, |
“All right, |
'anyáats matt'akanáavəm ma'ávxa.” |
I will explain myself and you’ll hear it,” (said Oriole). |
|
|
“ 'Anyáats nyáavi 'anyváyk, |
“I live here, |
'a'axóttk, |
and I’m all right, |
nyáasi 'uuváak sa'uuváatk 'athútya. |
but I (used to be) over there. |
|
|
“ 'Uuváak. |
“I was there. |
Xuumáar 'awíim nyi'tsáam. |
I had children. |
'Anyaatsavéts xavíkəm; |
And two wives; |
'anyaatsavétsk 'athúm. |
I had wives. |
|
|
“Sa'uuváak 'athótəny, |
“There I was, |
pa'iipáats aváamk, |
and someone came along, |
vaawítsəm. |
and he did this. |
|
|
“Nyaayúu nyaatsuuyóoyk, |
“He showed me something, |
awíik a'étk, |
he was going to do it, |
awítstəm; |
and he did it; |
láw 'a'étk 'ayúuxayk, |
I turned my head and looked, and all of a sudden |
avíly 'av'áw 'a'étk, |
I found myself standing here, |
av'uuváat. |
and here I am. |
|
|
“Av'uuváatk, |
“Here I am, |
'atkuuvékxəny, |
and as for returning home some day, |
nyam'uuthíitxəny, |
as for going home some day, |
'ashmathíitk 'uuváak 'athótk'ash,” |
I (just) don’t know how to do it,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
“Nyáava 'iiwáanyts 'alyáaytəm 'athótk'ash,” |
“This is what I am sad about,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
“ 'Axótt-ta, |
“It is good, |
muu'ítsa. |
what you said. |
'A'ávək 'avák.” |
I heard it,” said Buzzard. |
|
|
*** *** *** |
*** *** *** |
|
|
'Ashéenyts aváamək ayúuk, |
Buzzard got there and watched him, |
vaa'íim, |
and he went like this, |
mattkanáavək vuunóok, |
he went about explaining his idea |
pa'iipáany. |
to the person. |
|
|
Kanáavək vuunóom nyaa'ávək, |
He went about explaining it to him, and he heard it; |
“ 'Anyáats 'a'íim ma'ávxa,” |
“I will say it and you will hear it,” |
a'ím. |
he said. |
|
|
“Máanyts, |
“You, |
'aqwáaq katapúyk avík katsamíim. |
kill a deer and lay it here. |
Viithík viithík, |
It will lie here and lie here, |
asháx ta'axánək, |
and get good and rotten, |
'amaa'íilykəv ta'axánəm |
it will be really wormy |
'aváak. |
(by the time) I get there. |
|
|
“ 'Aallyéerəqək va'uunóok, |
“I will slurp it up, |
'atóo ta'axánək, |
and get really full, |
nyáava, |
and at that (point), |
'a'íim ma'ávxa,” |
I will say (something) for you to hear,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
“Xóttk,” |
“All right,” |
a'íim. |
(Oriole) said. |
|
|
A'íim, |
So, |
ayáa kwa'átsk, |
he went after it, just as he had been told, |
'aqwáaqəny ayáak. |
he went after a deer. |
Tapúyk, |
He killed it, |
kamíim, |
and he brought it back, |
nyiitsamíim, |
and he put it down, |
viithík. |
and there it was. |
|
|
Shamáts tsuumpáp táx nyaa'íim, |
When it was exactly four nights (later), |
asháxk 'amaa'ílyk kwa'átsəm, |
it was rotten and wormy, just as he had said, |
matt-tsapéem a'áv. |
and (the smell) was overwhelming. |
Uuváak, |
There he was, |
'Ashéenyts 'amáyəny uuváak, |
Buzzard was up in the sky, |
aa'óoyk uuváa. |
and he was circling. |
|
|
Vanyuuváak, |
There he was, |
atsénək vanyaathíik, |
and he came down, |
nyiináak a'ét. |
and he settled there, they say. |
|
|
Nyiináak a'étk awím, |
He settled there, they say, and so, |
asóo kwa'átsk uuváa. |
he was eating it, just as he had said. |
Vuunóony vuunóok, |
He went on and on, |
atsáavək, |
and he ate it up, |
nyiinyép. |
and it was all gone. |
|
|
Anák, |
He sat up, |
malyxóny 'amáyly tséek, |
and he raised up his wings, |
llyép llyép llyép llyép a'étk vanyaawét. |
and he went flap-flap-flap-flap like this. |
|
|
Uuváam ayúuk awím. |
There he was, and Oriole saw him. |
|
|
“Móo,” |
"Well,” |
a'ét, |
(Buzzard) said, |
vanyaathíik aváak. |
and he came back and got there. |
Nyaamínym'áshk siithík a'ím. |
(Oriole) was lying there weeping again. |
|
|
“Kayúukíi! |
“Look! |
Máanyts, |
You, |
kamánək nyaakayúuk! |
get up and look! |
'Iisháalyəny matt'aashlíilək, |
I’ll let my arms hang down, |
'awíim, |
and so, |
nyáanyəm katslyuuvévək, |
you line (yours) up even with them, |
miimény 'aa'ártsəm katslyuuvévək kawíim. |
and make your legs even with my tail. |
Kuunóok, |
Go on doing it, |
kaavíirək, |
and finish, |
alykathíkəm nyatháwk, |
lie there and I will take you, |
nyatatsénú,” |
I will take you down,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
“Xóttk,” |
“All right,” (he said), |
athúu kwa'átsk. |
and he did it, just as he had been told. |
|
|
Axtáttəly nyaa'órək alythík kwa'átsk, |
He lay on top of (Buzzard’s) back, just as he had been told, |
iisháalyəm nyamtsalyuuvévək. |
and he made his arms even (with Buzzard’s arms). |
Atháwk vuuthíik, |
(Buzzard) brought him this way, |
ayérək yáash a'étk, |
he flew downward through the air, |
tatsénk vuuthíit. |
and he brought him down. |
|
|
Aakwíiin aakwíiin a'étk, |
He went around and around in circles, |
vuuthíi. |
and he brought him this way. |
|
|
Vuuthíik, |
He brought him this way, |
nyavá 'avuumáktan shátt awét. |
and precisely in back of his house he set him down. |
|
|
Láwaláw a'étk ayúuny. |
(Oriole) turned his head from side to side and looked. |
|
|
Nyaványts viivát. |
His house was there. |
|
|
Apéttk nyiithíkəm. |
He was lying in the brush. |
|
|
“Móo, |
“Well, now, |
nyáavi mathík viimathíktəxa,” a'ét. |
you must lie here,” (Buzzard) said. |
|
|
“Nyáavi kaa'ámpək viikathík. |
“Lie here, face down. |
Máan ka'íilyka'ém. |
Don’t get up. |
Nyáavi kathík viikathíkəny, |
Lie here, and lie here, |
viikathík. |
and lie here. |
Shamáts tsuumpáp táx a'íim, |
In exactly four nights, |
nyamáam, |
finally, |
mamán, |
you may get up |
manyvány makayáamma. |
and go straight to your house. |
|
|
“Nyaayúuts anáwəm ma'ávəs, |
“You might hear something make noise, but |
mamán alyma'émətəxa. |
you must not get up. |
Viimáthíktəxa. |
You must lie here. |
Máan ma'éxayk, |
If you were to get up, then |
matkavéktəxa.” |
you would go back to where you were.” |
A'íim vuunóok aavíirəm, |
He went on saying it and he finished, |
a'áv. |
and (Oriole) heard him. |
|
|
“ 'Athóxa.” |
“I will do it.” |
|
|
Vuunóok aavíirəm, |
He went on and he finished, |
aa'ámpətk aa'ámp, |
and (Oriole) lay there and lay there, face down, |
nyaayúuk, |
and (Buzzard) watched him |
takavék viithíit. |
and he turned around and went back. |
|
|
Siithík kwa'átsk, |
(Oriole) lay there, just as he had been told, |
'anyáa nyamnyaaxávəm, |
and when the sun set, |
Xatalwényts aváak avuuváak. |
Coyote arrived and hung around. |
|
|
Nyaayúu 'anyóyəm awíim. |
He did unpleasant things. |
|
|
Viiyém — |
He went off — |
'atsxalykwáak athúuk a'ím, |
he was going to hunt for things, |
viiyémək, |
and off he went, |
nyaayúu, |
well, |
xam'aqatháashk awétk, |
he did water beetles, |
'atsíi apúy awétk a'ím, |
he did dead fish, and so, |
'aavée apúy awétk, |
he did dead mice, |
xam'aavíir, |
a gopher snake, |
kaawíts viikwáam tsáam, |
everything that was in the area, |
xamuulól. |
(even) crickets. |
|
|
Ashtúum, |
He gathered them, |
kamíim, |
and he brought them, |
sanyts'áakəny a'ím, |
and he said to the women, |
“Muká, |
“Now, |
kamátsk!” |
eat!” |
a'éta. |
he said. |
|
|
Amáts alya'émt. |
They didn’t eat. |
Xuumáar uumáay, |
He fed the children, |
amáa alya'émək athót. |
and they didn’t eat. |
|
|
Masharáy. |
He got angry. |
'A'íi atháwk, |
He picked up a stick, |
nyiaatsqwíttk uuváa, |
and he went along beating them, |
Xatalwényányts. |
Coyote (did). |
“Kamátsk! |
“Eat! |
kamátsk!” a'étk uuváa, |
Eat!” he kept saying, |
nyiitatavíirək vuunóo. |
and he was chasing them around. |
|
|
Xuumáarənyts aatsqwéttk viiwém, |
He went along beating the children, |
'aványm uukatskwénək vuunóo. |
he went around and around the house. |
Tsavakyév matsats'íim, |
They ran weeping, |
viiwáamək, |
going, |
nyuuthíik. |
and coming. |
|
|
Vatháts 'avuumák aa'ámpək viithík, |
This (Oriole) was lying face down in back of the house, |
xalyapántan nakwíin. |
and they made a turn right next to him. |
Xalyapántan nakwíinək vuunóotk, |
They were making a turn right next to him, |
a'ávək avathík. |
and he lay there listening. |
|
|
“Móo, |
“Okay, |
'ayáak, |
I will go after him, |
'a'íim a'ávxa,” a'étk, |
and I will say (a thing or two) for him to hear,” he said, |
máan a'ét. |
and he got up suddenly. |
|
|
Iiwáa atháam, |
He was angry, |
máan a'étk, |
and he got up suddenly, |
athúuk a'étk: |
and it happened, they say: |
'amáyəly av'áw a'ét — |
he was standing in the heavens, they say — |
takavék! |
he went back! |
|
|
Takavék aváamtək. |
He went back and got there. |
|
|
Siithíkt, |
He lay there, |
nyuuthík vanyaathíkəm'ashk amétk siithík. |
once again he lay weeping in his bed. |
'Anyáa atspák viithíi. |
The sun came up. |
|
|
“Kamathóm maváalyma'émətəm? |
“Why weren’t you here? |
'Ayúutk av'atháwəny,” |
We were looking,” |
a'ét. |
(the girls) said. |
|
|
“Áa, |
“Oh, |
av'uuváas 'athótk,” a'ét. |
I might have been around,” he said. |
Kanáav alya'émtək. |
He didn’t tell them (what had happened). |
|
|
Xanapáats matt-tsapéem, |
The ice was overwhelming, |
alynyaathúun, |
and they slipped him inside, |
nyaashmányəm'ashtək siithíkt. |
and once again he slept. |
|
|
Tók tsamítsəm, |
They put him in the middle, |
nyiithík ashmátk siithík. |
and he lay there sleeping. |
|
|
'Anyáa atspákəm, |
The sun came up, |
amán. |
and he got up. |
*** |
*** |
Nyuuthík siiyémək, |
He left his bed, |
amétk suunóo, |
and he went around weeping, |
'anyáa nyaaxáv — |
and when the sun set, |
nyaathúnym'ashtək uuváat. |
it happened again. |
|
|
Aváamək ayúut. |
He got there and looked. |
'Ashéenyts aváamək ayúut. |
Buzzard got there and looked. |
“Nyuukanáapa ma'ám! |
“You heard what I told you! |
'Anyáats ammathóxa 'a'íim! |
I said what would happen to you! |
Nyuukanáav 'awét! |
I told you! |
Nyaamáamtək athútya! |
That’s all! |
'Awíntixats alyathómək,” a'ét. |
I can’t do it again,” (Buzzard) said. |
|
|
A'ávək, |
He heard him, |
amétk siithík. |
and he lay there weeping. |
|
|
Siithík, |
He lay there, |
'akór alynyaayémək, |
and a long time passed, |
suuváa. |
and there he was. |
|
|
Suuváam, |
There he was, |
nyaayúuts aváamək ayúut. |
and a creature got there and saw him. |
|
|
Xalytótt-ts. |
It was Spider. |
Aváamək ayúut. |
He got there and saw him. |
|
|
“Móo, |
“Well, |
kaawíts kamathúum?” a'íim. |
what is it you are doing?” he said. |
“Aví kamathúum?” |
“What are you doing here?” |
a'étəm. |
he said. |
|
|
Kanáavək vuunóot. |
(Oriole) told him (what had happened). |
“Nyáasi 'amánək va'thúum va'thíiny. |
“I started out over there and I came here. |
|
|
“ 'Atkuuvékxany 'ashmathíik, |
“I don’t know how to get back, |
nyáavi 'uuváatk va'uuváatk 'athót,” |
that’s why I’m staying here,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
“Nyayúuk va'uuváak. |
“I’ve been watching you. |
Ammathúum nyayúuk va'uuváakəm, |
I’ve been watching what you do, |
nyáavəm mathíkəm 'ayúutəntik, |
I’ve watched you lying here again, |
nyáavəm mathíkəm 'ayúutəntik va'uunóo, |
I’ve been watching you lie here again, |
'a'étka,” |
and I (have something to) say,” |
a'ét. |
(Spider) said. |
|
|
“Xóttk nyaathúm. |
“It’s all right. |
'Anyáa atspák viithíim, |
When the sun comes up, |
'aváaxá. |
I will get here. |
Va'thíik 'aváak. |
I will come and get here. |
Nyatháwk nyatatsénxa. |
I will take you down (to your home). |
'Anyáats.” |
I am the one.” |
|
|
“Xóttk.” |
“All right.” |
|
|
Nyaawíi kwa'átsk: |
He did it, just as he said he would: |
aváam, |
he got there, |
nyiinákəm, |
he sat down, |
axtáttəny taxpíly, |
and (Oriole) clung to his back, |
atháwk, |
and he took him, |
lóoooq awétk vuuthíit. |
and he brought him down (on his spider’s thread). |
Uukwíiiin uukwíiiin a'étk vuuthíit, |
He took him around and around in circles, |
nyavá 'avuumák shátt awét. |
and in back of his house he set him upright. |
|
|
“Móo, |
“Well, |
nyáavi kathík viikathík. |
lie here and lie here. |
Viikathík, |
Lie here, |
shamáts tsuumpáp táx a'ím, |
and in exactly four nights, |
nyamáam, |
that’s all, |
mamánək, |
you may get up, |
manyvá makayáamma,” |
and go straight to your home,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
“Xóttk,” |
“All right,” |
nyaa'ét. |
(Oriole) said. |
Nyavá 'avuumák nyaathíkəm'ashk siithíkt. |
Once again he lay there in back of his house. |
|
|
Nyaawínyəm'ashtək vuunóok, |
Once again, (Coyote) was doing things, |
aatsqwíttk vuuthíik, |
he was beating them, |
viiwáak vuunóot. |
he was going along. |
|
|
A'ávək siithík. |
(Oriole) lay there listening. |
|
|
Siithík, |
He lay there, |
siithík, |
and he lay there, |
uumánxa matt-tsapéem a'ávəs athótk |
he felt an overwhelming (desire) to get up, but |
alyathík, |
he lay there, |
alyaskyíik siithík. |
he was still lying there. |
|
|
Siithík, |
He lay there, |
shamáts nyaatsuumpápəm, |
and (after) four nights, |
“Móo, |
“Well, |
nyamáam!” |
at last!” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
Máan a'étk, |
He got up suddenly, |
amánək a'áv. |
he got up and (tried to) be careful. |
Takavékəntik kaathúu aaly'étk viithíixayk, |
He came this way, thinking that he might go back again, |
xótt-təm, |
(but) it was all right, |
vanyaathíik vanyaathíik, |
he came came and came this way, |
nyavá aváat. |
and he got to his house. |
|
|
Nyaayúuny, |
When he saw them, |
nyaatsavétsənyts, |
his wives, |
akwérvək vuunóonyk nyiikwévək, |
they were terribly thin, |
iimáatt tsanályk vuunóony nyiikwévtan. |
they had been losing weight just terribly. |
|
|
Nyiitháwk viitháw; |
There they were; |
matsáam apóoy. |
they were starving. |
|
|
Matsats'étk siitháw. |
They were weeping. |
|
|
Xuumáarəts nyaalyvéek athót. |
The children were the same. |
Ayúut siiv'áw. |
He stood there looking. |
|
|
'Aványənyts — |
That house — |
'atsíipúy kwashént, |
a dead fish was the only thing (there), |
kaawíts xam'aavíir, |
a gopher snake or something, |
kaawíts viikwáam, |
whatever was in the area, |
kwasháxənyts kaa'éepəm, |
and the stench was overwhelming, |
ayóovək siiv'áw. |
and he stood there looking. |
|
|
Siiv'áw. |
He stood there. |
“Xwóott, ” aaly'étk, |
“Oh my,” he thought, |
ayúuk siiv'áw. |
and he stood there looking. |
|
|
'Atsaayúu nyaaxalykwáantik viiyém, |
(Coyote) went off hunting for things again; |
viitháawəm, |
here they were, |
ayúmək a'ét. |
and he intended to keep an eye on them. |
Xatalwévəts. |
This Coyote (did). |
|
|
Nyiiríish a'étəm ayóov, |
(Oriole) saw that (Coyote) was gone, |
sanyts'áakəts avatháwəm ayóov. |
and he saw that the women were there. |
Ayúuk siiv'áw. |
He stood there looking. |
“Kamuuvíly ta'axánk! |
“Hurry up! |
Tathíts katawáam!” |
Grind corn!” (he said). |
|
|
Tathíts tawáam vuunóo. |
They went about grinding corn. |
Xuuvíkəly awítsk suunóokəm, |
Both of them went about doing it, |
aavíir. |
and they finished. |
|
|
Tashkyén atháwk nyiitáp. |
He took a pot and put it down there. |
“Alykashuuvíik!" |
“Make it into porridge!” (he said), |
alyshuuvíik vuunóo. |
and they went about making porridge. |
|
|
Xuumár ayóov a'étk viitháawk athót, |
They were expecting children, |
xuuvíkəly, |
both of them, |
Xatalwé nyaxuumáar. |
Coyote’s children. |
|
|
Uutóoyətk uuvát, |
They were pregnant, |
xuuvíkəly. |
both of them. |
Ayúuk siiv'áw. |
He stood there looking. |
|
|
“Móo, |
“Well, |
avík kakav'órək! |
step in there! |
Avík kakav'órək kathúum! |
Step in there!” |
a'étəm, |
he said, |
avík kav'órək, |
and (one of the women) stepped in there, |
avík kav'órək, |
and (the other one) stepped in there, |
shuuvíiny. |
in the porridge. |
|
|
Axtáttəny sqám sqám awétəm, |
He went pound! pound! on his wife’s back, |
xuumáarənyts alyanály. |
and the child fell out. |
Llyóq a'étk anályvəm. |
It disengaged and fell out. |
Aváts avány avawíntik vuunóok, |
He did it again to that (other wife), |
aavíirək awét. |
and he finished. |
|
|
Alyshuuvíik vuunóok vuunóok vuunóok, |
He cooked them in the porridge, going on and on and on, |
aavíirək, |
and he finished, |
nyiiyápk anamák. |
and he threw it down there and left it. |
“Móo, |
“Well, |
nyamáam, |
that’s all, |
'astuukyáany!” |
let’s get out of here!” |
nyaa'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
Nyiinyaashtúum, |
He gathered up his wives, |
'avá kwaaxwíirək, |
and in a corner of the house, |
axwélyk vuunóok, |
he went about digging a tunnel, |
nyáanyəm uupúuv. |
and they went into it. |
|
|
Uupúuvək, |
They went in, |
nyaayúu nyamtsapéttk vuunóok, |
and they went about covering it with something, |
aavíirək, |
and they finished, |
viiwétsk, |
and they went along, |
maxák náamək viiwéts. |
they went along under (the ground). |
Axwílyk vanyaawéts. |
They went digging their way along. |
|
|
'Atátt a'ím tsapéttk. |
They covered it with what are called thorns. |
|
|
Nyaayúu nyamtsapéttk, |
They covered it with things, |
'amátt kaawíts nyamtsapéttk, |
they covered it with dirt or whatever, |
viiwétsənyk, |
and they went this way, |
viiwéts, |
they went this way, |
'akór nyayémtan, |
and after a really long time, |
nyáasily uutspám. |
they came out over there in the distance. |
|
|
Vanyaawétsk, |
They went along, |
xaasa'íly katánmək, |
and they reached the ocean, |
uuv'óok suuv'óo. |
and they stood there and stood there. |
|
|
Suuv'óok, |
They stood there, |
amáam, |
and finally, |
'axá nanák viiwétsk. |
they went floating on the water. |
|
|
Vatháts 'anyáa nyamaxávəm nyaaváak, |
When this (Coyote) got home at sundown, |
ayúuny, |
he looked, |
nyiirísh a'étəm ayúut. |
and he saw that they were gone. |
|
|
Shuuvíivats viivám atháwk, |
He took this porridge that was sitting there, |
amáam vuunóony, |
and he went about eating it, |
atsáav. |
and he ate it up. |
|
|
Nyaxuutsamáarəny, |
His children, |
alyshuuvíik vuunóok kwavíirəny, |
the ones that had been made into porridge, |
amáam vuunóok, |
he went about eating them, |
atsáav. |
and he ate them up. |
Nyáany atsáavəntik awét. |
That’s what he ate. |
|
|
Nyaamáam, |
At last, |
nyiixalykwáak, |
he looked for them, |
axwíitsk awáamək, |
he went sniffing for them, |
nyaayúuny axwíits aaly'étk suuváa. |
and he thought he smelled something. |
|
|
“Vathám axávəta,” |
“They went through here,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
“Vathám ayémta,” |
“They went this way,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
Viiyáat. |
He went after them. |
|
|
Vanyaayáak, |
He went, |
vanyaayáak, |
and he went, |
vanyaayáak, |
and he went, |
xaasa'íly vakamée a'étk siiv'áw. |
and he stood there at the edge of the ocean. |
Nyiiríish a'étəm ayúuk. |
He saw that they were gone. |
|
|
Aváts'axá nanák viiwétsk, |
They had travelled over the water, |
xaasa'íly 'axkyéely nyaváytsək, |
and they were living on the other side of the ocean, |
siitháw. |
there they were. |
|
|
'Aqwáaq nyaayáanyəm'áshk awím, |
(Oriole) went after a deer again, and so, |
ashílyk, |
and they fried it, |
alyúlyk, |
they cooked it, |
asóotsk siitháw. |
and they sat there eating it. |
|
|
Vatháts, |
This one, |
Xatalwényts, |
Coyote, |
nyiixalykwáak uuváak. |
he was looking for them. |
|
|
'Axá tuunák viiyáak, |
He went travelling over the water; |
alyvák, |
he sat in something, |
iixúuny tsatspátsk; |
and he stuck his nose out; |
alyvák, |
he sat in it, |
kó kó kó kó kó awíi viiyáany. |
and he went paddle-paddle-paddle-paddle-paddle. |
'Anyaaxávíi, |
Maybe it was sunset, |
qwalayéwíi, |
maybe it was dawn, |
'anyaxávíi a'étk viiyáa. |
maybe it was sunset, but (still) he went along. |
|
|
Vatháts, |
This (Oriole), |
'aqwáaq wée qalyamáa atháwk, |
he took some deer gut, |
'a'áw atápəm, |
and he threw it in the fire, |
axwíivək. |
and it gave off an odor. |
|
|
Xatalwéva aqásk, |
He summoned this Coyote, |
awíim, |
and so, |
iixúuny aapáayv a'étəm, |
with his nose up at an angle, |
a'ávək; |
Coyote smelled it; |
axwíivəts. |
(the deer gut) gave off an odor. |
|
|
“Viitháwəta! |
“Here they are! |
Nyáavik atháwk viitháwəta!” |
Here they are, right here!” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
'Ashúts nyáavik nyaváyk viiváta,” |
“My little brother is living here,” |
a'étk, |
he said, |
iixúu nyiktathómpək a'áv. |
and with his nose facing that way he smelled them. |
Viiyáat. |
And he went after them. |
|
|
Vanyaayáak, |
As he went along, |
'axá sa'íly atónyi avák, |
he was sitting in the middle of the ocean, |
amíim vuunóot. |
and he was weeping. |
|
|
Amíim, |
He was weeping, |
“Wóoow,” a'étk vuunóo. |
he was saying “Wóooow.” |
|
|
“Móo, |
“Well, |
aviithíit! |
he’s coming! |
Ka'áv!” |
Listen!” |
a'ét. |
(Oriole) said. |
|
|
“Avathíita!” |
“He’s coming!” |
a'étk, |
they said, |
siitháw. |
there they were. |
|
|
A'áv a'ím awétk awím, |
He did it so that Coyote would smell them, |
nyaayúu, |
well, |
'aqwáaq wée xalyamáany 'a'áw atápəm, |
he threw the deer guts on the fire, |
kwaxwíivənyts iixúusily aváam, |
and the smell reached Coyote’s nose, |
a'ávək siiyáak, |
and he smelled it, as he went along, |
nyáanyi. |
there. |
|
|
Kanyótk siiyáat. |
He went along following (the odor). |
|
|
Nyaayáak aváam. |
He went along and got there. |
|
|
Nyiináak a'ét. |
He settled down there. |
|
|
“ 'Aváak, |
“I have come, |
matt'aaxavík,” a'étəm; |
my friend,” he said; |
“Áa” |
“Oh,” |
a'ét. |
(Oriole) said. |
|
|
Ayúutəm, |
He saw him, |
siivát, |
there he was, |
akwérpak vuunóony, |
he was very thin, |
pa'iipáats alyathóm, |
he wasn’t even human, |
iithóony, |
and as for his eyes, |
nyiikwalaxúyk nyiikwévəm, |
they were terrible empty holes, |
siivát. |
there he was. |
|
|
Siivám, |
There he was, |
nyaayúu uutáap, |
and they threw him something, |
áaytsəm, |
they gave it to him, |
tsapóxtək siivá. |
and he sat there munching it. |
|
|
'Aqwáaq awím, |
They used deer meat, |
áaytsəm, |
they gave it to him, |
amáam — |
and he ate it — |
asóok siivák. |
he was eating meat. |
|
|
Av'áwxaym, |
And as soon as he stood up, |
llyóq a'étk anályta. |
it disengaged and fell out. |
“ 'Uunyíi 'atsanályəm athósh,” |
“It’s because I’ve lost a sister-in-law,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
Tuuwámp a'étk atháwk, |
He took what are called leftovers, |
amátk athótk siivát. |
and he sat there eating them. |
|
|
Ayúutk siivát, |
He sat there looking, |
Xwetsxwéts aváts ayúuk siivák. |
that Oriole sat there looking. |
“Móo, |
“Well, |
kamathúum muuváam? |
what is the matter with you? |
'Atsmuumátsənyts análytək, |
The things you eat fall out, |
análytək athótəm 'ayúut. |
I’ve seen them fall out. |
'Ashkwílyt 'a'íi 'avák 'athútya,” |
Maybe I’ll sew it up,” |
a'étəm; |
he said. |
“ 'Axóttk,” |
“All right,” |
a'étəm. |
(Coyote) said. |
|
|
Aa'ámpəm, |
He bent over, |
shakwílyk vuunóok aavíirtsəm, |
and (Oriole) sewed him up and finished, |
siivát. |
and there he was. |
|
|
Nyuuváatk suuváat. |
He stayed there. |
"Móo, |
“Well, |
ma'axótt-tanək, |
if you are really good, |
'anymaataqwérək muuváaxa, |
you may keep company with us, |
vathí amán,” |
from here on,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
“Kuutara'úy ta'axánəm, |
“Behave yourself, |
nyaayúu 'awítsk, |
and we’ll do things together, |
nyaa'uunóok 'uunóowa,” |
now that we’re here,” |
a'ét. |
he said. |
|
|
“Áa, |
“Yes, |
'athóxa.” |
I’ll do it.” |
|
|
A'étk, |
And so, |
siivák athúuk a'étk. |
there they were, they say. |