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Beaver Story (TSA’ TS'UTSAEDE) a poem from the Ahtna Athabaskan language of Alaska
Translation by John E. Smelcer
I want to tell you a strange but true story.
You may think beavers eat only trees and wood, but
I’ve seen them eat meat.
I’ve seen them eat salmon.
I was fishing for salmon on Clearwater Creek.
Just then, I heard a loud noise.
I walked along toward the noise.
A beaver was eating the heads of dead, spawned salmon.
Only their heads!
I don’t know what it means.
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- About the translation:
- » Read translator's notes
- Translator:
- John E. Smelcer
- Original language:
- Ahtna Athabaskan (Alaska)
- Issue:
- Series 3 No. 13 - Transplants
Original poem
About the authors
Translator
John E. Smelcer
John Smelcer is the award-winning author of over 40 books, published in an eclectic range of interests and disciplines. Aside...
» Read moreBeaver Story (TSA’ TS'UTSAEDE) a poem from the Ahtna Athabaskan language of Alaska
Sii idzii hwdzaxgu ts'utsaede.
Nuhc'ezet tsa k'on ts'aebeli 'eł decen
Sii 'aen tsa’ k'on c'etsen'.
Sii 'aen tsa’ k'on łuk'ae.
Sii t'aa łuk'ae gha Una' Tsaas C'ilaen Na'.
Xonagu, dahwdetnes.
Ghayaał ts'en lae.
Tsa’ k'on dadzaasi tsi.
K'axonadze' tsi!
U'eł 'sdade' estniige.
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