“That’s not something I can explain to you at this time,” answered Nanabozhu, “It’s something you’ll have to figure out for yourself as we go along. But if you will open the eyes of your understanding and ponder what you are seeing, you will learn to recognize them. Think of this as a trial run.”
So Wootihu started wading down Mud River. Nanabozhu had turned into a Wabizheshii (a Pine Marten), so he could more easily move among the willows,
and grasses,
and fallen trees,
that lined or fell into the river,
all the while talking to Wootihu.
The information about the Bagwajiwininiwug came out sparingly, interspersed with the conversations the two had about many things.
“The Bagwajiwininiwug have become small in stature…”began Nanabozhu.
“Of course, that’s why they are called the Little People.” said Wootihu.
“But it’s not what you think.” Nanabozhu corrected as they wound their way downstream. Wootihu waited for more on this but it was not forthcoming. Instead, Nanabozhu transformed into an Otter and gestured to a place where the otters slid down a hillside into Mud River, talked about otters, and then he would change into a human again and say, “The Bagwajiwininiwug of long ago are much different from those of today. Then, one could turn a lake of water into earth, just by commanding it.”
Then they would be quiet for a while as Wootihu splashed and waded down a difficult stretch of the river. Or climbed over or through downed trees. And then Nanabozhu would get a faraway look in his eyes and he would say, “Help another Bagwajiwikwei (or Little woman) obtain a mustard seed and she could command the mountains to move and the mountains would flee out of their place.”
And then Nanabozhu would point out a High Bush Cranberry hanging out of reach over the river and talk about them for a while, change into a Robin, fly over and eat a few, and then change back, and say, “The Bagwajiwininiwug could talk to the animikii face to face– who delivered messages to them straight from the Creator”.
“They could do all of that?”
“Yep,” answered Nanabozhu, “watch out for that swift running water. You could knock your head against a partially submerged tree in it and drown.”
**** To be continued ****
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