Long ago, when it was long ago, behind the islands near a brook, dwell
Marten and Moose. They each occupy a wigwam here and their grandmother
looks after the house. This (fellow) Moose is clever and he hunts; this
(fellow) Marten is lazy just like those who plant corn and are pleased
when the sun smiles pleasantly. So that when they call for the preserved
meat, he (Marten) is always present.
* * * * *
Now it chances one day that Moose killed a bear; he brings back (only)
one load, (as) he does not wish to feed those who do not feed him nor
thank him. He says to himself and he says to his grandmother: "Let it be
that Marten shall not see it, not smell it, not taste it; let no one
tell him of our good luck." "Yes, indeed," replies the old woman, "my
son, I understand very well."
* * * * *
"Our kettle is broken. I will take his kettle; when we have cooked in
it, I shall wash it and wipe it, so that he may not know what we have
cooked in it; then I shall return it." So she does this, but the lazy
one, who frequents feasts like a hunter of beasts, knows well from a
small indication that it is a large load and that, when one borrows
kettles, one cooks food.
* * * * *
He is always a wizard; he just steps into his friend's house; he only
peeps in; he sees lying there a bear-skin. Then comes Moose's
grandmother to return the kettle. When she enters the wigwam there
arises a smell from it of well cooked meat. When she looks in it, it is
full of well cooked meat. Abistanooch gently thanks her. She, put to
shame, flees to the wigwam. So, on the morrow they go to the woods
together. Everything is well.
* * * * *