Just as relevant now as it was a couple thousand years ago, today I have another short translation. This time, I’m looking at Phaedrus, which is to say we’re really looking at one of Aesop’s fables. I’m thinking this could be series- we’ll see if there’s interest.
The spelling follows transliterated chinuk pipa.
Although the original was in metre, my translation is not really poetic. That said, I hope it is enjoyable and understandable. It is quite heavy on ‘Northern’ vocab and constructions, so keep that in mind.
The Wolf and the Sheep
wolf pi ship chako kopa tanas stalo.
A wolf and a sheep came to a small river
klaska tiki makmak chok; wolf mitlait sahali,
They wanted to drink; the wolf was upstream
ship mitlait kikuli. iawa ukuk masachi
the sheep was downstream. Then that evil
wolf iaka chako saliks.
wolf became angry.
iaka wawa “ikta mamuk maika mamuk
He said “why are you
kanawi mikst ukuk chok pus naika makmak.”
mixing this water all up while I am drinking it.”
ukuk ship chako kwash pi wawa
that sheep became scared and said
“pi kata naika? ikta mamuk maika saliks?
“and how should I act? Why are you angry?
ukuk chok klatwa kikuli kopa maika pi k’o kopa naika.”
This water flows downwards from you then it arrives at me.”
ilo iaka iskom ukuk drit wawa.
He (the wolf) did not heed these true words
“siks mun alta maika kaltash wawa naika.”
“six months ago you spoke badly of me.”
pi ship wawa “ilo illi naika siks mun alta.”
Then the sheep said “I wasn’t alive six months ago.”
wolf wawa “maika papa kaltash wawa naika.”
The wolf said “your father talked badly of me.”
pi ukuk wolf iskom pi mamuk mimlus ukuk ship.
Then the wolf grabbed and killed him.
klaksta tiki mamuk masachi kopa tlus tilikom,
Whoever wants to do evil to good people,
kwanisim klaska iskom tomtom pus mamuk kakwa.
they will always decide to do this.
The Kaltash Wawa 