Nenaboozhoo really liked the Anishinaabek for the way that they conducted themselves. He liked the way they dressed, the way they lived, how their families were, and how they kept their lodges nice and clean. And he liked that there was no infighting amongst them. He really respected the Anishinaabek for how they were as a nation. At that time, the Anishinaabek didn't have fire. So Nenaboozhoo told them, "I think I know what you need. I'm going to go look for it. But if I don't come back, if I perish in my quest to bring you this, I want you to remember me and sing songs about me."Nenaboozhoo gii bshigendamaan Anishinaaben gaa zhi zhichigewaad. Gii bshigendaan gaa zhi nookniiyewaad, gaa zhi maadziwaad, miinwaa dash wiinwaa da Dodemowaan, miinwaa aaniish gaa zhi gnawenmowaad Wiigwaaman, gnaajwang miinwaa biinchigaadek. Miinwaa gii bshigendaan gaawiin gii miigaandisiiwag. Gii maamiikwendmaan Anishinaaben gaa zhi maadiwaad. Wi pii, Anishinaabek gaawiin gii yaaziinaawaa shkode. Mii dash Nenaboozhoo gii wiindamoowaad, "nda nendam ngkendaan eminezyeg nga doowaabmdaan. Giishpin bi bskaabiiswaan, giishpin tpineyaan maanda zhichigeyaan wii biidoowaan maanda, nda ndoowendaan mkwendmiiyeg miinwaa wii ngamyeg Nenaboozhoo ngamwinan." Excerpted from The Trail of Nenaboozho: And Other Creation Stories All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
