Stories of the Cahto Tribe
Turtle's Exploit
(This is a line-by-line translation (within the limits of English readability)
Turtle was throwing a stone up into the air, they say.
When he threw the stone he up he did like this with his arm (letting the stone bounce of his shoulder), they say.
He threw the stone up with his shoulder, they say.
He caught it with his shoulder, they say.
Then there were other people there, they say.
They were afraid of (doing) it, they say.
"Hah-hah-hah," Coyote said, they say.
"Ok, I'll try it," he said, they say.
"Yes," Turtle said, they say.
Coyote picked up the stone, they say.
He threw it up in the air, they say.
It fell in the middle of his back, they say.
It pounded into the ground with him, they say.
When he threw up the stone and it struck his back, they say.
That is all.
Professor P.E. Goddard's Translation
Turtle was throwing up a stone and letting it bounce off his shoulder when it fell. He threw it with his shoulder and caught it again. The others were afraid to try it.
Tehehe," laughed Coyote, "I will try that."
"Very well," replied Turtle.
Coyote took the stone up and threw it into the air. It fell in the center of his back and drove him into the ground.
That is all.
(Based on Cahto oral traditions and beliefs)
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