Stories of the Cahto Tribe
Geese Carries off Raven
(This is a line-by-line translation (within the limits of English readability)
Chipmunk took care of a small child, they say.
He had stuck a piece of bark in his belly (injuring himself), they say.
He lay down, they say.
The wife, Raven, went to get bark, they say.
Two geese had come from the north, they say.
She went around a tree, they say.
They caught the burden-basket with a wooden hook, they say.
She lifted it up to her back, they say.
Again, they hooked it, they say.
"This is a heavy one!" she said, they say.
She emptied it out, they say.
She lifted it up to her back, they say.
Again, they hooked the burden basket, they say.
Two (pieces of bark) were left, they say.
They hooked it, they say.
She lifted it up, they say.
They hooked the burden basket, they say.
Both geese caught her, they say.
They took her along to the north, they say.
"Flat mouths (geese) took me up!" she said, they say.
They took her into the dance-house, they say, at River-Mouth-of-the-World village (Nee'uuchii'din).
When it was evening there was a dance, they say.
She flew out, they say.
She flew out the door of the dance-house, they say.
She came home, they say.
Chipmunk had taken care of the baby, they say.
Chipmunk had made the baby suck on venison, they say.
The baby died, they say.
That is all.
Professor P.E. Goddard's Translation
The husband, Chipmunk, stayed at home and took care of the baby. He had stuck a piece of bark in his belly and had hurt himself so badly that he was obliged to lie down. The wife, Raven, went after bark. Two Geese had come from the north. When Raven was about to take the loaded basket upon her back the Geese reached out from behind a tree and caught the basket with a hook.
"It's heavy," she said, and threw out some pieces. As she lifted it they caught it again. She threw out more of the bark. Finally there were only two pieces left. This time when they caught the basket they seized her and led her away to the North.
"Flat mouths are taking me north," she said. They took her into the dance-house at the northern end of the world. At night they danced. She flew out the upper opening of the dance-house and returned. Chipmunk had tried to care for the baby, giving it pieces of venison to suck. The child died.
That is all.
(Based on Cahto oral traditions and beliefs)
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