tthu lhalhukw’ snuhwulh | The Flying Canoe
The story of The Flying Canoe was laid down by B.M. Cryer likely with the help of Elder Mary Rice. Cryer later published the story in her book, The Flying Canoe: Legends of the Cowichan (Parker Buckle Printing, 1949). The story was translated into Hul’q’umi’num’ by Ruby Peter in 2014 and then transcribed and edited by Donna Gerdts.
- ’u kwun’a.a.a wulh hith ’i’ ’uweelh te’ sunihwulh— ’uwu kws lumnewut thu snuhwulh.
A long time ago there were no canoes—no one had ever seen a canoe before. - ha’ stl’i’s kws nem’ shaqwul ’u tthu qa’, ’i’ nilhulh tthu qwlhey’ ni’ shhw’aalhs sus nem’ ’uw’ ’ushul shaqwul.
If they wanted to go across the water, they used logs to sit on and they would paddle them along. - ’i’ niilh hay ’ul’ ’ayum hith ’u kws nem’s ha’kwushus kws nem’s ’ula’ulh ’u tthu qwlhey’ ’i’ nanulh ’uw’ xisul’.
Travelling this way using a log was very slow, and it was very dangerous. - tun’a sxwi’em’ ’i’ nilh kwthu hwun’a.a.a’ ni’ thuyuwulh ’u tthu q’xhuw’lh, nilh sqwul’qwul’.
This story is about the very first person to ever build a canoe, so it is told. - ’u kwun’a.a.a wulh hith ’i’ ni’ tthu yey’su’lu qw’uqw’itul’ swaaw’lus, stl’ul’iqulh.
A long time ago there were two brothers. - nuw’ kwun’atul’ tthey’ qw’uqw’itul’ ni’ ’u thu lelum’s, kw’uluw’ thu lelum’s.
They lived together in a house made of skins. - kwthu tuw’ sisun’tle’ ’u kwthu swaaw’lus, ’i’ nilh snes smuqw’a’s ’i’ hay kwthu sa’suqwt, sxeetth’ tthu snes.
The eldest was called smuqw’a’ (heron) and the younger was called xeetth’ (murre). - hwswunwenum tthuw’ne’ullh stl’ul’iqulh, ’uwu te’ shhwuw’weli’s, ’uw’ t-hwhuli hay ’ul’.
These children were orphans and they lived all alone without any parents. - ’i’ ya.a.ath ’uw’ ni’ ’u tthu ti’ya’xween, mukw ’ul’ tuw’ sul’uthut-s ’i’ tl’e’ wulh ti’ya’xween.
They were always getting into a lot of mischief, doing mischievious things. - wulh lhtsiwsme’tum ’u tthu hwuhwilmuhw tthu ni’ sht’es kws yath ’uw’ ni’ ’u tthu ti’ya’xween.
The people got tired of them fooling around. - sus ’uw’ thut-stum t’a’luxwutum, “nem’ tseep huye’! ’i’ ’uwu tseep m’iihw tl’e’ hwu’alum’.
And they told them, banishing them, “You leave here and never come back! - yath tseep nuw’ ni’ ’u tthu ti’ya’xween.
You are always in trouble. - nem’ tseep kwu’elh suwq’t kwuw’ ’un’ swe’ ’un’ shni’ kw’un’s thuyuw’t-hwum ’un’ lelum’.”
Go and find another place to live.” - suw’ huya’stum tthuw’ne’ullh stl’ul’iqulh nem’ nemustum ’u tthu hwthuthiqut.
They took the boys up to the forest. - suw’ tssetum, “nem’ tseep kwu’elh huye’.”
And they told them, “Just leave now.” - suw’ huye’ tthuw’ne’ullh stl’uli’qulh sus nem’ ’uw’ yu sew’q’ kws nem’ tse’ hwu lelum’s tse’.
So the boys headed off looking for a new home. - hay ’ul’ tsakw ni’ shnem’s kwus nem’ yu ’iim’ush ’eelhtun ni’ ’u tthu hwskw’ayum’a’ smunmunut.
They walked very far away into the wilderness. - kwus yu ’iim’ush ’i’ hay tustussas kwus yu huw’tl’uts’ yu lhilhukw’shun’ ’u tthu tuw’ mukw’ ’ul’ stem.
As they walked, they were very pathethic often tripping on stuff. - ni’ qwlhey’ smunmeent ni’ yu slhilhukw’shun’s tsakw ni’s shnem’ ’eelhtun kwus yu ’iim’ush.
It was logs and rocks that they were tripping on as they were walking . - ni.i.i’ nem’ hwtsam kwus nem’ ’imush, hay ’i’ ni’ hwi’ tl’upqenum nem’ ’u tthu spe’plhxun’.
They climbed up the hills and then scrambled down into the meadows. - kwus yu ’iim’ush ’i’ wulh temutum ’u tthu sqw’ulesh.
As they were walking, they could hear a bird shouting out to them. - “nem’ tseep ’a’lu yu hwtsakwul’thut, swaaw’lus?”
“Where are you going, boys?” - “nem’ tst sew’q’ ’ukw’ shnem’ tst, hwu lelum’ tst tse’.
“We are searching for a new home. - xwum ’u ch ’i’ tth’ihwum’ ’i’ ’i’wustal’hw ’uw’ hwtselut?”
Can you please tell us which way to go?” - suw’ thut-stum, “nem’ tseep p’uw’ yu sthuthekw’ ’ul’ kwun’s yu ’i’mush.
It told them, “Walk straight ahead. - ’i’ ni’ ch tse’ ’uw’ kwunnuhw kwthu ’uy’unup ’un’ shnem’ ’un’ shni’ tse’.”
Further on you will find a good place.” - suw’ tha’ithut tthuw’ne’ullh suw’aaw’lus, ’i’ wulh lumnuhwus tthu smuyuth, xulhus ’u tthu saxwul ni’ ’u tthu tuw’ ’uy’unup.
The boys went travelling on and they saw a deer nibbling on the grass in a clearing. - suw’ putum’s smuyuth, “nem’ tseep ’a’lu yu hwtsakwul’thut, suw’aaw’lus?
Deer asked, “Where are you going, boys?” - “nem’ tseep yu hwtsakwul’thut kwun’s ’i yu sti’ti’ya’xw?”
“Where are you going in such a hurry?” - “nem’ tst p’e’ yu huy’u nem’ tst hwtsukwi.i.ilum.
“We are going far away to make a new home. - ’i’ xwum ’u ch ’i’ tth’ihwum ’i’ ’i’wustal’hw ’uw’ hwtselut?”
Can you please tell us which way to go?” - suw’ thut-s tthu smuyuth, “nem’ tseep p’uw’ yu sthuthukw’ ’ul’ kwun’s yu ’i’mush, ’i’ ni’ tseep tsuw’ tus ’u kwthu ’uy’unup ’i’ nilh tse’ ’un’ shni’.”
And Deer said, “Walk straight ahead and you’ll arrive at a good spot.” - sis ’uw’ huye’ tse’tstl’im’ tthu smuyuth.
And then the deer hopped away. - ni-i-i’ nem’ tuw’ hwtsakw ’i’ wulh tus ’u tthu hay ’ul’ ’uy’uy’mut shni’s tthu hay ’ul’ ’uy’uy’mut thuthiqut, xatsa’, thi xatsa’.
Further on, the boys came to a beautiful place with beautiful trees and a lake, a big lake. - suw’ thut-s tthu na’nuts’a’, “nem’ yuhw tst p’e’ t’itsum shaqwul.”
One of the brothers (Heron) said, “We should swim across.” - sis ’uw’ qwsuthut ’eelhtun, nem’ t’itsum shaqwul ’u tthu xatsa’.
The boys went into the water to swim across the lake. - ’i’ yu tsukwul’etum’ ’u thu kw’suts kwus nem’ yu t’it’utsum’ ’eelhtun.
And a trout was swimming along with them. - suw’ putum’s tthu kw’suts, “nem’ tseep ’a’lu yu hwtsakwul’thut?
And Trout asked, “Where are you going, boys? - ni’ tse’ stsekwul’ tsakws kw’unsh nem’?
How far are you going?” - “’i tst p’e’ t’itsum shaqwul, nem’ tst hwlhq’a’thum kws nem’ tst ’imush.”
“We are swimming across to the opposite shore in order to walk further. - xwum ’u ch ’i’ tth’ihwum ’i’wustal’hw ’uw’ hwtselut?”
Can you please tell us which way to go?” - “nem’ tseep p’e’ t’itsum hwlhq’a’thum ’un’s nem’ ’uw’ tsam ’u thu smeent.”
[Trouts says to them,] “Swim across and then climb up the mountain.” - ’uw’ hay ’ul’ sqwals tthu kw’suts sis ’uw’ huye’.
The fish spoke and then he swam away. - kwus wulh hun’shaqw tthuw’ne’ullh swaaw’lus, suw’ lemutus thu thi.i.i smeent ni’ shtusth.
When the boys got across, they looked up and saw that they had arrived at a big mountain. - sis ’uw’ huye’ tthuw’ne’ullh swaaw’lus, nem’ tsam ’u thu thi smeent.
They started climbing up the mountain. - ’i’ hay ’ul’ tsilhus.
They got up to the very top. - hay ’ul’ lhtsiws kwus wulh tus ’u tthu tsa’luqw.
They were really tired when they got up the mountain. - hay ’ul’ hith kwus nem’ yu ’ii’mush ’eelhtun.
They were walking for a long time. - suw’ lhaq’uthut ’eelhtun nem’ ’u tthu sht’enuqun ni’ ’u tthu q’uts’i’ kwus t’aanthut sis ’uw’ lhaq’uthut, lhaq’uthut qewum.
So they lay themselves down on some moss in the shade, taking shelter to lay down and rest. - suw’ hwiineem’ ’eelhtun kwus slhelhuq’, ’i’ ’uwu te’ ste.e.em kwlh ni’ ts’elhum’utus.
They listened but there were no sounds. - ’uwu kwus ts’i’ts’ulhum’utus kw’ sqw’ulesh.
There were no birds singing. - ’i’ tl’uw’ ’uwu te’ ’u tthu ha’putiil’.
There were no crickets chirping. - ’uwu te’ stem ni’ ts’elhum’utus ’eelhtun.
They heard nothing. - hwun’ xut’u ’i’ ni’ wulh nuqw tthuw’ne’ullh swaaw’lus, ’itut.
Soon the boys drifted off to sleep. - tuw’ hith ’i’ ni’ wulh ts’elhum’utus kw’u’i st’e ’uw’ ’iis xat’q’thut.
A little bit later they heard a noise. - hwun’ xut’u ’i’ ni’ wulh hwe’luqup thu sqw’ulqw’ulesh, ni’ wulh t’ilum.
And then the birds started singing loudly. - tth’uykw’thut tthuw’ne’ullh swaaw’lus, smuqw’a’ ’i’ sxeetth’, suw’ hwu’aam’ut.
The boys, Heron and Murre, got startled awake and they sprang to their feet. - “stem ’a’lu kwthey’?” thut smuqw’a’. “nii ch ts’elhum’ut?”
“What was that?” said Heron. “Did you hear that?” - suw’ thut sxeetth’, “ssshh, ’uwu ch kwuyxthutuhw?”
Murre said, “Shhh! Don’t move!” - se’tus tthu t’eluw’s sus nem’ ’uw’ t-suthut ’u tthu shuyulhs.
He held up his hand and moved close to his older brother. - suw’ kweel ’eelhtun nem’ ’u tthu q’uts’i’.
And they hid in the moss. - suw’ ’unuhwst-hwus ’eelhtun tthu slhekw’um’s, hwiiyuneem’ ’u kwthu ni’ ts’elhum’utus.
And they held their breath listening for the sound. - “aaa, nii ch ts’elhum’ut kwthey’?”
“Ahh! Do you hear that?” - ni’ tl’e’ wulh ts’elhum’utus ’eelhtun.
The boys heard the sound again. - ’uwu kwsus ’unuhw kwus st’e ’ukw’ ni’ shishupul’s.
They kept on hearing a carving sound. - suw’ lumtsunum ’eelhtun ni’ ’u tthu ni’ shni’s, ’i’ ’uwu te’ stem ni’ lumnuhwus.
They looked around, but they didn’t see anyone. - sus ne.e.em’ ’uw’ ts’tem ’eelhtun nem’ yu tl’itl’uts’ul’s yu sew’q’ ’u kwthu ni’ ts’elhum’utus, nem’ xwte’ ’u tthu ni’ tuw’ hwskw’ayuma’.
So, the boys crawled forward, sneaking along to find where the sound was coming from and they approached some woods. - st’e ’uw’ nem’us telshus kwthu ni’ ts’elhum’utus ’eelhtun.
They went along following the sound. - hwun’ xut’u ’i’ ni’ wulh tus ’u tthu spulhxun nem’ yul’ew’ ’u tthu hwthuthiqut.
They ended up at a big field at the edge of the woods. - wulh lumnuhwus tthu hay ’ul’ ’uw’ nets’, ’uwu kwlh lumnuhwus ’eelhtun, sus nem’ ’uw’ wi’ul’thut—
And there they saw the strangest sight they had ever seen— - tthu ni’ lumnuhwus ’eelhtun ’i’ s’eluhw swuy’qe’.
What they saw was an old man. - wulh tl’li.i.im’ ’uw’ ’ulh s’eluhw, ni’ wulh hwu slhulhel’p’ tthu s’athusth, wulh hwu st’kwas ’uwu te’ shtsle’lum’s.
He was very old and face was wrinkled, and he was blind and couldn’t see. - kwun’etus tthu ni’ kwun’etus, nilh ’uwu kwlh lumnuhwus tthu swaaw’lus.
He was holding in his hand something the boys had never seen before. - “stem yuhw ’a’lu tthey’?
“Whatever is that thing? - stem yuhw ’a’lu kw’uni shhwha’kwushs?
What is it used for? - niihw ’a’lu tsukwsta’mut tsekwust-hwus?”
How come it makes that noise? [asked Murre]. - ’i’ hay ’ul’ thi ’i’ ’iya’thqsun, nilh kwun’etus tthu s’eluhw.
The elder had a large sharp thing. - xi’xlhem’utus ’eelhtun tthu swuy’qe’ ni’ lhxi’lush stutes ’u tthu qwlhey’ ni’ ’u tthu tumuhw.
They were watching the man who was standing next to a log laying on the ground. - ’i’ ni’ kwukwun’utus tthuw’nilh swuy’qe’ tthey’ thi smeent ’i’ nem’ shiputus tthey’ qwlhey’.
And the man drew this stone along the log, cutting pieces off of it. - wulh putnuhwus nilh ni’ ts’elhum’utus ’eelhtun, nilh niilh si’si’me’tus ’eelhtun.
And they realized this was making the sound, and it startled them. - nilh tl’uw’ ni’ tthu nuts’a’ qwlhey’ ni’ ni’ ’u tthu slhulhaal’we’lhs tthu swuy’qe’, slhelhuq’ ni’ ’u tthu tumuhw.
Behind the man was another tree lying on the ground. - niilh yuhw ’uw’ ’ulh t’umuw’ulhtum tthu qwlhey’, sis ’uw’ hwu shhwuhwul’i’wun’ tthu qwlhey’.
The inside had been cut out so that the log was hollow in the middle. - “stem tse’ ’a’lu tu’inulh qwlhey’?” suw’ ptem’s tthu smuqw’a’.
“Whatever can that log be for?” asked Heron. - “nutsim’ ’u shus yeq’utus tthu thqet?
“How come he knocked down that tree? - ’uwu niis tth’aqw’um tthu thqet.
It is not old and rotten. - na’ut ’uw’ hwun’ xew’s ’ul’ hwun’ tsqway.”
It is still young and green.” - “nutsim’ ’a’lu shus yu t’ut’um’utus yu t’umuw’ulh ’u tthu qwlhey’?” putum’s sxeeth’.
“Why did he pound out that log?” asked Murre. - hith kwus nem’ st’et’un’ tthuw’ne’ullh swaaw’lus, xi’xlhem’utus tthu s’eluhw.
For a long time, the boys stayed hidden, watching the old man. - tthu ni’ slhelhuq’ stutes ’u tthu sxun’us tthu s’eluhw ’i’ shupqsun smeent.
Lying near the man’s foot was another sharp stone. - qux kwus nuts’tul tthey’ ni’ ha’kwushus.
This one was different. - ’i’ mukw’ ’uw’ tskwunsti’mun’ tthu ni’ ha’kwushus.
It was attached to a long handle. - “stem ’a’lu tthey’?” suw’ putum’s smuqw’a’.
“What is that?” asked Heron. - “’uwee kwu’elh ’uy’us ’uw’ nem’ut qe’unt?
“Why don’t we steal it? - skw’ey p’e’ kws lumnal’hws, ’uwu te’ stslelum’s.”
After all, he can’t see us, as he is blind.” - sis nem’ ’uw’ huye’ nem’ numnusus m’i kwunutus.
They snuck forward to grab the tool. - tl’lim’ ’uw’ yu tl’itl’uts’ul’s kws ’uwu ts’elhum’utewut.
They were sneaking up not making a sound. - wulh m’i xul’ts’thut tthu s’eluhw, xwum kwus xul’ts’thut.
But the old man suddenly turned his head. - nuw’ shtatul’st-hwus kwus nele’ tthu swaaw’lus.
He knew the boys were there. - “stem kwthu ni’ ts’elhum’uteen’?
“What do I hear? - nuwa’lu lhwet?”
Who are you?” - sis ’uw’ ’almutsun tthuw’nilh s’elhuhw, hwiine’.
He waited, listening. - sis ’uw’ kweel tthuw’ne’ullh swaaw’lus nem’ tl’ip’uthut nem’ ’u tthu tumuhw, suw’ ’un’e.e.ehw ’ul’.
The boys hid on the ground and kept still. - qwal tthu s’eluhw, “’ii tseep qelun’qun’?
“Are you thieves? - ’ii tseep m’i ’ewu kwun’s qe’un’th ’u tthu ha’kwushun’ kwunus yaay’us?
Did you come to steal my tools? - ’aaa shaa, ’aaa! nuwa’lu lhwet?
Shucks! Whoever you are? - ’uwu tseep qequn’uthuhw ’u tthu ha’kwusheen’, nu stl’i’.
Don’t steal my precious things. - skw’ey kw’un’s hakwush ’uw’ ’uweehw shtatul’st-hw ’un’ sul’uthut.
They are of no use to you because you do not know how to use them. - hay ’ul’ nihw ’uw’ stutul’na’mut yelhs ’uy’s.
How about you learn their proper use. - m’i ’ewu! m’i ’ewu ’u tu’i?
Come over here. - xwum tsun ’i’ hw’uw’tsusthamu kwun’s yeq’ut kw’ thqet ’i’ hwuni’ ’u tthu tumuhw.
I will teach you how to knock a big tree to the ground. - hw’uw’tsusthamu tsun kwun’s xute’um ’ukw’ snuhwulh tun’ni’ ’u tthu thqet, tun’ni’ ’u tthu qwlhey’.
I will teach you how to make a canoe out of the log from the tree. - ’i’ ni’ nilh tse’ ’un’ suw’ hwu ’ula’ulh nem’ yu lhtsitsulh ’u tthu qa’.
And then you can ride on top of the water. - ’i’ xwum tsun ’i’ hw’uw’tsusthamu kwun’s xte’um ’ukw’ tth’uxtun’.
Also, I can show you how to make poisons. - ’i’ tl’e’ tsun ’uw’ xwum ’i’ hw’uw’tsusthamu kwun’s xte’um ’ukw’ slhexun’ ’i’ thuythut kwthu nuw’ wulh tsulel ’i’ sq’aq’i’.”
I can show you how to make a medicine that will make the dead live again.” - ni’ wulh tus ’u tthu shqwaluwuns tthu swaaw’lus sis nem’ ’uw’ nem’ ’u tthu s’eluhw.
The boys were very curious, so they went over to the old man. - suw’ ptem’ smuqw’a’, “ha’ tst ’uw’ kwi’kwu’etul’ tthu ha’kwushuhw kwun’s yaay’us, ’i’ ’uw’ thu’it xwum ’u ch ’i’ hw’uw’tsustal’hw ’u tthuw’ mukw’ stem ni’ syaays.”
Heron asked, “If we leave your tools alone, will you teach us everything ?” - hwtulqun tthu s’eluhw, “xwum tsun ’i’ ’uw’ thu’it ’uw’ ’i tseep ’ul’ ’un’s ’uw’ ts’ewutham’sh.” ’i’ nilh tse’ nus ’uw’ hw’uw’tsusthamu ’u tthuw’ mukw’ stem ni’ shtatul’st-hween’.
The old man answered, “Oh, yes, yes. Just stay and help me and I will teach you everything I know. - ha’ ch tse’ kwu’elh ni’ hwu saay’ kwun’s nem’ huye’, ’i’ nem’ ch tse’ ’uw’ yu huye’stuhw tthu snuhwulh.
When you are ready to leave, you can take along the canoe. - ’i’ ’amusthamu tsun tse’ ’u kwthu she’luptun, nilh tse’ hakwushuhw ’uw’ niihw kwintul.
Also, I can give you knives to fight with. - ’amusthamu tsun ’u kwthu tth’uxtun’, ’i’ hwun’ tsun tl’uw’ ’amusthamu ’u kwthu slhexun’ kwun’s hulit kwthu mustimuhw.”
I can give you poisons, and I can give you medicine to bring people back to life.” - “hee’, hee’, ’i tst tse’ p’uw’ ’i ’ul’,” thut sxeetth’.
“Yes, yes, of course we’ll stay,” said Murre. - “nilh tse’ kwu’elh suw’ ’untsus kw’ shni’ tst?
“But where are we going to live? - stem kw’ s’ulhtun ni’ ni’ ’u tthu tsa’luqw?”
What is there to eat up here on the mountain?” - suw’ thut-s tthu s’eluhw, “ni’ p’uw’ sthuthi’ ’uw’ niihw m’i hwu’i ’utl’ ’een’thu, nuw’ ’uy’ kwthunu lelum’, ’i’ qux kwthu smuyuth s’ulhtun ni’ ni’.
“You can come live with me,” said the old man. “I have a nice house and lots of deer meat to eat. - nan ’uw’ ’uy’ nu shqwaluwun kwun’s ’ilup hwu’i.”
I am so happy that you have come.” - kwunutsustum tthuw’ne’ullh suw’aaw’lus ’uw’ yey’sul’u kwus kwunutsustum.
He took the hand of each boy and shook them up and down. - “o.o.o nan ’uw’ ’uy’ smuyuth, smuyuth ts’u kw’u ni’.” hwtumqinum smuqw’a’ ’i’ sxeetth’ ’uw’ yey’sul’u kwus thut, “’ilhe!”
“Oh boy! Deer meat!” shouted Heron and Murre together. “Let’s go!” - sus ’uw’ huye’ xwchenum ’eelhtun yuw’an’thut ’u tthu s’eluhw tuw’ yu ti’ti’ya’xwutus ’eelhtun.
And they ran ahead of the man, trying to get him to hurry. - ni’ wulh lhtsiwsme’tus ’eelhtun kwsus ha’s ni’ ’itut ’i’ nuw’ stutes ’ul’ ’u tthu qwlhey’, p’lhiq’thut ’ul’ ’u tthu qwlhey’.
They were very tired of sleeping under logs. - ’i’ tl’uw’ulh hwenuts ’eelhtun.
They were quite hungry. - nuw’ shtatul’st-hwus kwus ni’ tse’ hwu tl’ehwum’ tthu ni’ shni’s, ’i’ kwus tse’ qux s’ultun, smuyuth s’ultun.
They thought about the warm house and the dear meat and wanted to get there right away. - ’i’ stl’i’s ’eelhtun kws ’uw’ ’ulh nilhs ’ul’ snem’s ’uw’ nem’s tus.
And they wanted to get there right away. - thut tthu s’eluhw, “na’uth thunu lelum’.”
“There’s my house,” said the man. - ’iiw’ustus thu lelum’ ni’ slhulhaal’we’lh ’u tthu thuthiqut.
He pointed to the house through the trees. - hay ’ul’ hwu sts’uts’eq’ tthu swaaw’lus, hwuw’e lumnuhwus kw’ st’e ’u tthey’ lelum’.
The boys stopped and stared. - hay tthu ni’ shtatul’st-hwus ’u tthu hulelum’.
They had never imagined such a house. - ’i’ nilh tthu kw’uluw’ ni’ thekw’tum, st’i’am’ ’u tthu tse’lumun ’i’ tsakw nets’ tthu lelum’s tthu s’eluhw.
They were used to houses made of dried skins stretched over sticks. - nilh tthu luplaash tthu lelum’s tthu s’eluhw.
But this house was made of wood. - hay ’ul’ thi.i.i lelum’.
It was really, really big. - tse’lumun tthu ni’ ’u tthu shtth’ul’ts’unus thu lelum’.
There were large poles at the corners of the house. - ’i’ hay ’ul’ thithu lhelhq’ut tthu luplaash, ni’ st’i’am’ ni’ t’amuns.
There were large planks of wood fastened along the side of the house. - hay ’ul’ ni’ tsitsulh, tsitsulh thuw’ nilh lelum’.
They went up high, higher than they could reach. - ’i’ luplaash tthu ni’ ’u tthu stslhe’ultuhw.
There were boards on top to make the roof. - hay ’ul’ ’uy’uy’mut thu lelum’.
It was a really beautiful house. - nem’ sel’ts’ tthuw’ne’ullh swaaw’lus kwus le’lum’utus thu lelum’.
They walked around and around outside the house looking at it. - suw’ yu xut’us, “tl’lim’ nan ’uw’ ’uy’uy’mut.”
How beautiful!” they said. - hay ’ul’ ’uw’ hith tse’ lelum’.
This house will last forever.” - suw’ thut-stum ’u tthu s’eluhw, “m’i tseep nuw’ilum.”
“Please come in,” said the man. - ni’ thu huy’qw ’u tthu ’unwulh ’u thu lelum’, suw’ qw’uqw’ulum’s thu sta’lusth tthuw’nilh s’eluhw.
Inside, the man’s wife was cooking on a fire that was burning in the middle of the floor. - wulh qwal thu slheni’, “’iich m’i t’ukw’stuhw kwun’ siiye’yu?
And the woman spoke, “Did you bring home some friends? - ’a.a.a nan ’uw’ ’uy’! ’i tst tse’ tuw’ hwu tsq’a’namut qwiil’qwul’st-hwut.
That’s good! Now we will have someone to talk to! - ’i’ nan tse’ ’uw’ ’uy’ ’uw’ niis ts’ewuthaam lhits’utus yeq’utus kwthu thuthiqut.”
They can help you cut down the trees.” - ’i’wustus thuw’nilh slheni’ ’uw’ nem’us ’umut stutes ’u thu huy’qw, tthu sxeetth’ ’i’ smuyqw’a’.
She told Murre and Heron to sit by the fire and served them some food. - ’amustus ’u tthu smuyuth ni’ wulh sqw’uqw’il’, sts’uy’hw smuyuth.
She gave them some smoked deer meat to eat. - qul’et ’i’ hwi’ ’amustus ’u tthu slhap’ sq’uq’a’ tthu sqewth.
And she served them some soup made with potatoes. - ’o.o.o hay ’ul’ ’uy’ s’ulhtuns tthu suw’aaw’lus, tl’lim’ nuw’ muq’ ’eelhtun.
The food was very delicious, and the boys ate until they were full. - niis kw’inus lhqel’ts’ kwus ni’ ’eelhtun ’u tthu s’ul’eluhw ’i’ thu sta’luststh.
For many months the boys stayed with the old man and his wife. - hay ’ul’ ’uy’ shqwaluwuns tthuw’ne’ullh suw’aaw’lus ’u tthu qe’is ni’ hwu shni’s.
The boys were very happy in their new home. - ’uw’ hay ’ukws ts’uhwle’s ’i’ ni’ hekw’ ’u tthu niilh shni’s ni’ ’u kwthu tsuwmun.
But sometimes they thought about their home down on the beach. - ts’uhwle’ ’i’ sul’sul’qwme’tus kwthuw’ swe’s mustimuhws.
Somes they missed their people. - mukw’ skweyul ’i’ wulh nem’ huye’stum tthuw’ne’ullh ’u tthu s’ul’eluhw, hw’iiw’tsustum’ kws hakwushs tthuw’ mukw’ kwus yaay’us.
Everyday they went out with the old man, and he taught them how to use the tools. - hw’uw’tsustum kwsus xte’um ’u tthu snuhwulh.
They learned how to make canoes. - ni ’aalh ’u tthu snuhwulh sus nem’ ’uw’ ’i’shul’, ts’uhwle’ ’i’ ’uw’ ’i’mush ’ul’.
They would get on the canoe and paddle and sometimes they would go walking around. - ni’ tl’uw’ hw’uw’tsustum ’eelhtun kws xte’ums ’u tthu tth’uxtun’.
He also showed them how to make the poisons. - we’ kwus hulit tthu mustimuhw ’i’ ni’ tl’uw’ hw’uw’tsustewut slhexun’s sm’is hulitus tthu mustimuhw kws thuythut-s.
They could even save people with what he also showed them, medicine that could save people and make them better. - tthu swe’s snuhwulh tthuw’ne’ullh suw’aaw’lus ni’ wulh shuqnehwus.
Finally, their canoe was finished. - hay ’ul’ ’uy’uy’mut.
It was a very beautiful. - tl’lim’ ’uw’ yu sthuthi’st-hwus tthuw’nilh s’eluhw kwus hw’uw’tsustum.
The old man showed them how to fix it up quite nice. - kwthu s’ulqsuns kwthu snuhwulh ’i’ hay ’ul’ ni’ yu sthuthi’stum’, sus ’uw’ yu ni’ kwthu ni’ yu stl’itl’uts.
The ends were fixed up with a design on them. - sus tl’uw’ xte’um ’eelhtun ’u tthu yuse’lu sq’umul’ ’uw’ hwu swe’s ’eelhtun tahw ’uw’ stl’atl’um’.
They also made two paddles that were just right for them. - ’uwu niis tl’eqt ’i’ ’uwu niis tl’utl’iits’, kw’am’kw’um’ ’i’ ’uwu hwutusus.
neither too long nor short, strong but not too heavy. - sht’eewun’ ’eelhtun, “’o.o.o, nan ’uw’ ’uli’uy’mut tthu sq’umul’s.”
They thought, “Oh, these paddles are very beautiful.” - nuts’a’ skweyul ’i’ qwiil’qwul’tul’ tthuw’ne’ullh suw’aaw’lus.
One day the boys were talking to each other, saying, - “tl’lim’ tst wulh sul’sul’qw ’u kwthu s’aa’lh mustimuhw ni’ ’u kwthu tsuwmun.
“We really miss our people down at the beach. - wuwa’ stl’atl’um’ kws nem’ tst lemut, nem’ ’u kwthu tsuwmun.”
Maybe we should go visit them down at the beach.” - sus ’uw’ thut ’eelhtun kws thuythut-s kws nem’s wulh huye’.
So, they decided to get ready to leave. - ptem’s sxeetth’, “ni’ tse’ kwu’elh yu stsekwul’ kws nem’ tst hun’tsuwnuhw’u tthu qa’ tthu snuhwulh tst.
“How are we going to get the canoe down to the water?” asked Murre. - nutsim’ yuhw ’a’lu shutst hwi ’i’ ’u tsa’luqw kwutst thuyt.”
“Why did we build it on top of the mountain!” - “hee’, ’uw’ thu’it tl’lim’ tst nuw’ t’ux,” thut smuqw’a’.
“Yes, we are very stupid,” said Heron. - “hay ’ul’ ’uy’uy’mut tthu ni’ thuytut snuhwulh, ’i’ ’e’ut hwi’ ’i’ ’u tun’a tsa’luqw ’u thu smunmunut!
“It’s a beautiful canoe that we made, but here it is on top of the mountain! - ’uwu te’ ’ul’ shhw’uy’s kwus ’i ’u tun’a tsa’luqw.
It’s no good for us up here! - niihw tsa’lu kwu’elh yu stsekwul’ kws nem’s tusnehwus ’u tthu qa’, tsuwmun qa’.”
How are we going to carry it down to the beach?” - “tstamut yuhw tst tse’ ’a’lu?”
“Whatever are we going to do?” - tl’lim’ ’uw’ hwu sqiqul’us tthuw’ne’ullh suw’aaw’lus, wulh tsulel ’i’ xeem.
The boys were so sad they were nearly crying. - wulh yunyuntum ’u tthu s’eluhw.
The old man started laughing at them. - “’aa.aa.aalhee’ ’i’ hw’uw’tsusthamu tsun tse’ kwun’s t’ilum, t’ilumstuhw tthun’ snuhwulh.”
“You all get aboard and I will teach you how to sing to your canoe!” - kway’xthut tthu swaaw’lus sis nem’ ’uw’ se’tus tthu snuhwulhs.
The boy went over and lifted up the canoe. - nem’ nemust-hwus ’u tthu tuw’ spe’plhxun, tun’ni’ ’u tthu hwthuthiqut.
The boys carried the canoe to a little field/clearing in the woods. - lheq’utus susuw’ tsunutus ’u tthu tuw’ thithus smeent, kws ’uwus wapthutus.
They propped it up with big stones on each side so it wouldn’t be wobbly. - ni’ wulh hwu sthuthi’ sus nem’ ’uw’ ’aalh.
Then very carefully they got on board. - nem’ tthu sxeetth’ ’u tthu yuw’a’nus, ’i’ hay tthu smuqw’a’ nem’ ’u tthu ’ile’uq.
Murre was in the front and Heron in the back. - ni’ wulh hwu ’aam’ut ’eelhtun ’ula’ulh ’u tthu snuhwulh, ’i’ hwi’ nilh tthu s’eluhw ni’ ’aalh, sis ’uw’ ’umut ni’ ’u tthu ’unwulh ’u tthu snuhwulh.
When they were seated in the canoe, the old man got in and sat in the middle of the canoe. - wulh thut-stum ’eelhtun, “tl’lim’ tseep ’uw’ ’un’nehw ’ul’!
Then the old man told the,“Be very still! - ’uwu tseep kway’xthutuhw! ’uwu tseep qwaqwul’uhw.
“Don’t move! Don’t talk!” - tl’lim’ tseep ’uw’ hwiin’eem’ ’utl’ ’een’thu.
Listen to me! - stl’atl’um’ kwun’s ta’ult tu’i nu sul’uthut, ’i’ nilh tse’ tl’uw’ ’un’ sul’uthut.”
You must learn to do as I do.” - kwunutus tthuw’nilh s’eluhw tthu sq’umul’.
He took a paddle in his hands. - sus nem’ ’uw’ kwun’etus ’i’ ni’ t’um’utus ’uw’ si’amut ’ul’ ’u tthu snuhwulh.
He took a paddle in his hands, and put it over the side, and he began to go tap, tap, tap on the edge of the canoe. - sisuw’ t’ilum, t’ilum ’u thu st’ilum ’i’ yu sli’luxw.
He sang a song, a flowing song. - ’i’ nilh tthu snuhwulh ni’ shnu’asth thu st’ilum.
He sang to the canoe. - hwun’ xut’u ’i’ ni’ wulh nem’ xwumthat kwus t’ut’um’utus tthu snuhwulh.
Eventually, the tapping got faster and faster. - sus nem’ tuw’ hwu hwthiqun thu st’ilums.
And his song got louder and louder. - wulh nem’ xwumthat kwus yu t’it’ulum’.
His singing got faster. - wulh nem’ hwu hwthiqun, st’e ’uw’ niis nem’ tl’lim’ ’uw’ wuwulaam’ ’u tthu hwthuthiqut.
His song got louder and it seemed to fill up the woods. - hwun’ xut’u ’i’ ni’ wulh ’unuhw tthuw’nilh s’eluhw.
Suddenly, the old man stopped. - suw’ thut, “’uy’. ’uwu te’ p’e’ tl’e’ nu shhw’uw’tsustalu.
And he said, “Good! I cannot teach you anything more. - ni’ p’e’ wulh hwu saay’ kwun’s huye’ulup.
You are ready to leave. - t’ilutst tseep thun’ snuhwulh, st’e ’u kwthu ni’ nu shhw’uw’tsustalu”.
Just sing to your canoe as I have taught you.” - yelh sus qw’im tthuw’nilh s’eluhw ’u tthu snuhwulh.
He climbed out of the canoe. - kwuy’xthut sus ’uw’ ’amustum ’u thu ’e’uhwiin’ shhw’uw’kwelu, kw’uluw’ shhw’uw’kw’elu.
Then he gave them two little pouches made out of skin. - hay thu nuts’uqun hay tth’uxtun’ tthu yu sun’iw’.
In one bag was the poison. - ’i’ tthu nuts’uqun, nin’ts’uqun’ hay slhexun’ ’i’ nilh slhexun’ kwun’s m’i qul’et hulit tthu q’ay mustimuhw.
And in the other bag was the medicine to bring people back to life. - wulh teem smuqw’a’ ’i’ sxeetth’, “hey’ewulh, hey’ewulh.”
And Heron and Murre cried, “Goodbye! Goodbye!” - wulh huye’ ’i’ nilh tthu sq’umul’ ni’ sht’ul’q’usth, “hay ch q’a’ si’em’ ’u kwthu mukw’ niin’ shhw’uw’tsustal’hw.
They were waving their paddles. “Thank you, sir, for all you have taught us! - hay ch q’a’ ’u kwthu mukw’ ni’ ’un’ s’amustal’hw.
Thank you, sir, for all you have given us! - nuts’a’ tse’ skweyul ’i’ m’i tst tse’ hwu’alum’.”
One day we will return.” - “hey’ewulh, hey’ewulh,” hwtulqun tthuw’ne’ullh s’ul’eluhw, tthu swuy’qe’ ’i’ thu slheni’.
“Goodbye! Goodbye!” answered the old man and his wife. - “’uwu tseep me’mul’qtal’hwuhw.
“Don’t forget us! - m’i tseep ’uw’ hwun’ hwu’alum’ ’i’ tl’e’ tst tse’ wulh qul’et xte’um ’ukw’ sunihwulh!”
Come back soon and we’ll make more canoes!” - wulh nilh ’ul’ sus ’uw’ tel ’u kwthu ni’ shhw’uw’tsustewut.
Then the boys did as they had been taught. - kwunutus tthu sq’umul’ sus ’uw’ t’um’utus tthu snuhwulh ’u kw’uw’ si’amut ’ul’.
They took their paddles and softly tapped on the canoe. - sisuw’ thu’it ’uw’ nemust-hwus lhu ’uy’uy’mut st’ilum, ni’ shhw’uw’tsustewut.
And they started to sing the beautiful song they had been taught. - ’uw’ si’amut ’ul’ kwus t’ilum ’u thu ’uy’uymut st’ilum.
And they sang the beautiful song quietly. - hwun’ xut’u ’i’ ni’ wulh nem’ tuw’ hwu hwthiqun, ’i’ nem’ tl’uw’ tuw’ hwu xwum tthu q’uwut-s.
As the song started to swell louder, and the tapping grew faster. - wulh nem’ kwey’uxum’ tthu snuhwulh.
The canoe began to move. - wulh nem’ ts’unum tthu snuhwulh.
The canoe began to tremble. - hwun’ xut’u, ni’ wulh nem’ lhakw’ st’e ’uw’ niis ’uw’ xt’e ’ukw’ sqw’ulesh kwus nem’ lhakw’.
And eventually it began to fly, just as a bird flies. - t’a’thut lemutus tthuw’ne’ullh suw’aaw’lus kwthu s’ul’eluhw ’i’ ni’ wulh tsulel ’i’ tthuw’ kwus nan ’uw’ hwu tsitsulh.
The boys tried to look down, but they could barely see the old people. - ’i’ nilh nuw’ sht’es kwus yu q’uwutum’ ’eelhtun.
Then they beat hard with their paddles. - ’i’ nuw’ hwu hwthiqun ’ul’ kwus yu t’it’ulum’ nuw’ hwu kw’am’kw’um’ thu st’ilum.
And their song got louder and stronger. - ’i’ nilh nuw’ sht’es kwes nem’ yu kw’ukw’i’ ni’ wulh hwu tsi.i.itsulh thu snuhwulh kwus nem’ yu lhalhukw’.
The canoe flew higher and higher, until it was hovering way above the treetops. - t’ilutstum ’u thu sqw’uqw’ul’ush.
The birds sitting on the branches sang out to them. - “nem’ tseep ’a’lu yu hwtsakwul’thut kwun’s ’ilup yu lhalhukw’, ’u suw’aaw’lus.
“Where are you flying, boys? - stem ’a’lu tthu ’i’ ’un’ yu shhw’ul’a’ulhulup sqw’ulesh ’e’ut yu lhalhukw’?”
Whatever are you sitting on that’s flying like a bird?” - huye.e.e’ nem’ yu lhalhukw’ tthuw’ne’ullh yul’ew’ ’u tthu smunmunut, nem’ yul’ew’ ’u tthu xa’lutsa’.
On and on they flew, over the mountain, over the lakes. - hwun’ xut’u ’i’ ni’ wulh nem’ tl’pil, nem’ ’u tthuw’ swe’s tsuwmuns.
And then they flew down, down, down onto their own beach. - wulh nem’ lhakw’ tthuw’ne’ullh swaaw’lus yul’ew’ ’u tthu swe’s shni’s tthu hulelum’s tthu siiye’yus.
They flew over the village of their relatives. - wulh m’i xwulun’chenum’ ’utl’qul.
They came running out of their houses. - teem tthuw’ne’ullh, “lemut lhu tthu yu lhalhukw’.
They looked up and called, “Look at the ones who are flying. - nilh kwthu yey’sul’u suw’aaw’lus niilh t’a’luxwutut.
There are those two boys we banished. - lemut!’e’ut yu lhalhukw’ st’e ’ukw’ sqw’ulesh.”
Look! They are flying through the air just like birds!” - ni’ hwi’ palusutum tthu snuhwulhs ’u tthu smunmeent.
They took stones and threw them at the canoe. - suw’ kwunutus tthuw’ne’ullh suw’aaw’lus tthu ni’ s’amustewut tth’uxtun’.
But the boys took out their bag of poison they had been given. - sus ’uw’ lhultustus kwthu ni’ yu papusut.
And they sprinkled it on the people - sus ’uw’ ’uye’q hwu smeent.
And they turned into stone. - sus nem’ ’uw’ tha’ithut nem’ ’u tthuw’ swe’s shtun’ni’s, lelum’s.
They flew onward until they came to their own home. - mukw’ stem nuw’ nats’thut ni’ ’uye’q.
Everything was changed. - mukw’ kwthu hulelum’s, kw’uluw’ hulelum’s, nuw’ yixwutum sus ’uw’ yuqwtum.
All the little houses of skins had been torn down and burned. - hay ’ul’ qux ni’ wulh hwts’iima’ ’u tthuw’ mukw’ stem.
Everything was overgrown. - thut smuqw’a’, “hay ’ul’ qux tse’ syaays tst.
Heron said, “We have a lot of work to do. - stl’atl’um’ kwsuw’ ’ulh nilhs ’ul’ suw’ yaays tst.
We’d better get busy working. - qux tse’ syaays tst ’i ’u tun’a.”
There’s lots to be done here.” - hakwushus ’uw’ mukw’ kwthu ni’ s’amustewut ni’ thuytus.
They used the tools that had been given to them and they built it. - sus ’uw’ ye’luq’utus tthu thuthiqut, ’i’ ni’ xte’um ’u tthu luplaash.
They chopped down some trees and split them into planks. - thuytus kwthu tse’lumun sus ’uw’ t’uyum’tus kwthu luplaash.
They made the poles and attached the planks. - ni’ hwu saay’ kwthu t’amun sis ’uw’ nem’ ’u kwthu stslhe’ultuhw.
They got the walls ready and then added a roof. - hay ’ul’ ’uy’uy’mut lelum’ ni’ hwu saay’!
They built a beautiful house. - kwus wulh hwu saay’ thu lelum’ sus nem’ ’uw’ ’imush ’eelhtun.
When the house was finished, they wandered about. - nem’ lemutus kwthu ni’ hwu smeent mustimuhw.
They were looking at the people they had turned into stone. - thut smuqw’a’, “’ilhe nem’ lemut kwthu ni’ hwu smeent mustimuhw ’i’ m’i tst tse’ hulit.
Then Heron said, “Let’s make some of these people come back to life. - ’i’ ha’ tse’ lumnuhwus kwthu ni’ thuythut hulelum’, ’i’ wuwa’ ’uwu tse’ t’aluxwutal’hwus.”
When they see how adept we are at building houses, they will not drive us away.” - nem’ ti’ya’xw nem’ ’u tthu snuhwulhs suw’s kwunutus thu slhexun’ kws m’is hwu’alum’st-hwus kws hwuys tthu mustimuhw.
They hurried back to the canoe, and took out the medicine that would bring people back to life. - nem’ sus ’uw’ phwastus tthu mustimuhw ’i’ ’uw’ thu’it wulh nilh ’ul’ sus ’uw’ hwuy, m’i hulithut ’eelhtun.
And they shook it on the people and quickly they came to life again. - lumst-hwus ’eelhtun ’u tthu hay ’ul’ ’uy’ s’iiltuhw ni’ thuytus.
They showed them the beautiful plank house that they had built. - ’i’ tl’uw’ lumst-hwus ’u tthu ni’ ha’kwushus kwus yeq’utus tthu thuthiqut.
And they showed them the tools that could knock down trees. - mukw’ tthu mustimuhw nuw’ ’iyusum, t’it’ulum’, hay ’ul’ ’uw’ s’iilukw ’eelhtun.
And all the people laughed, and sang, and were very happy. - “hw’uw’tsustal’hw ch kw’us yeq’ut tthu thuthiqut,” teem ’eelhtun.
“Teach us how to knock down big trees,” they shouted. - “’uw’ ’i tseep ’ul’ ’i’ hw’uw’tsustal’hw ch.”
“Stay with us and teach us!” - susuw’ thu’it ’nuw’ ’unuhw, sxeetth’ ’i’ smuqw’a’.
So, Heron and Murre stayed with their people. - suw’ hw’uw’tsustus tthey’ swe’s mustimuhws ’u tthuw’ mukw’ stem ni’ shhw’uw’tstewut ’u kwthu s’eluhw niilh shni’s ’eelhtun.
And they showed them everything the old man had taught them. - hw’uw’tsustus tthu siiye’yus kws xte’um’s ’u tthu snuhwulh, ni’ tse’ yu hakwushus ’u tthu qa’.
Best of all, they taught them how to make canoes that would ride on top of the water. - qwal tthu yuw’i’na’qw suw’ thut-s, neetum ’eelhtun ’ukw’ they’uw’ulh ’u tthu snuhwulh.
The chief of the tribe named them, “Canoe makers.” - ni’ hay.
The End.