The Ponca Myth Series, where I created six (6) new bronze works three (3) free standing and three (3) Wall Plaques. A very interesting view into my tribe and culture of the Ponca, American Indians from long ago. The first of the series was Monkey of the trickster class of mythological characters.
|
|
 |
|
HOW ISHTINIKE CAUGHT THE TURTLE
1) When Ishtinike saw the Turtle by the water, he thought to himself,
Ishtinike aka, ke thin ni eshan a’hi te danba, e’xchi, wa’thi’gthan ga’xai,
2) “I will make this turtle my meal, I am very hungry.”
“Ke thinke, btha’te tamike, nanpanhi te, a’ta’shan bthin.”
3) Ishtinike became very quiet as he walked a short distance.
Ishtinike aka xthe’azhi xti, manthinte he’ba’di nanshtan, biama.
4) Then he raised his voice and said to the Turtle,
Ganki hu te, tha’he’ga zhi xti, ke thin u’ki’e gantha, te
5) “Aho, you over there.”
“Aho, thi she’ta u’wi ki’e.”
6) “What is the matter, venerable man” said the Turtle.
“E’atanwa? niashinga ni-ke, abiama, ke aka.”
7) “You are in great danger,” said Ishtinike
“Thi u’thinanka ta’nike, abiama Ishtinike aka
8) “The maker has decided to make a great flood,
Wakanda aka nidan tanga ga’xe ta’ka,
and the ground will be covered with water
a’di tande bthuga nidan aka a’bi’nantha ta’ka
and you will be drowned.”
a’di, ni’u’t’e ta ta’ni’ke
9) Turtle said, “But I can live in the water.”
Ke’aka e”githan, thanzhan, ni kedi u’ki a’bthin.
10) “This time the danger is to great for you” Said Ishtinike.
Thanzhan, u’thi’nan ka te, a’tanshan ta’ka, abiama Ishtinike aka.
11) “This time you cannot live in the water”
“A’di, ni u’ki thi thinge ta’ni’ke”.
12) After the two, had talked for a long time,
Wi’dan ka’shi u’ki’kiai’ te,
13) Ishtinike convinced Turtle to leave the water,
I’shtinike aka, ke thin, ni-ke ga’shi’be hi’te, u’ketan, biama
and go to the hills.
Ganki pa’he ta, the a’gazhi, abiama.
14) Ishtinike went ahead and hid himself.
Ishtinike aka pa’hanga a’thai bi’dan, I’kinanxthai te.
15) After a long time, the Turtle came crawling up the hill.
Ka’shi itha’pai, ganki ke’ aka minde pa’he than a’hi ite.
16) Ishtinike caught the Turtle by surprise and captured him.
Ishtinike aka, ke thin sabazhi ga’xai u’than i’te.
17) He then prepared himself for a meal to satisfy his hunger.
Ki haha kithai te, ke than tha’te gantha biama, nanpehin te
A’tashan biama.
“HOW ISHTINIKE CAUGHT THE TURTLE”
Original Version by Chief White Eagle
Revised Version and Translation
HENRY A. LIEB, JR.
Edited by Kinsel V. Lieb
SaSuWeh 
