undersea
beneath the surface of the sea
NOTES:
This is
the story of how our people learned of the undersea world.
fisherman
someone whose occupation is catching fish
NOTES:
Every day the village
fishermen went out to sea and let down their nets.
Merman
United States singer who appeared in several musical comedies (1909-1984)
NOTES:
I am Poogweese, the Merman .
potlatch
a ceremonial feast held by some Indians of the northwestern coast of North America (as in celebrating a marriage or a new accession) in which the host gives gifts to tribesmen and others to display his superior wealth (sometimes, formerly, to his own impoverishment)
NOTES:
They kept it
hidden until the next great potlatch of their people.
scraggly
lacking neatness or order
NOTES:
It had huge front teeth and long
scraggly hair.
supernatural being
an incorporeal being believed to have powers to affect the course of human events
NOTES:
Our ancestors believed there were realms in this world where
supernatural beings lived.
thunderbird
(mythology) the spirit of thunder and lightning believed by some Native Americans to take the shape of a great bird
NOTES:
In the sky lived a great clan of
thunderbirds , the birds of the winter ceremonial.
mask
a covering to disguise or conceal the face
NOTES:
"And for my thanks I will give you my mask and my song as a gift."
net
an open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together at regular intervals
NOTES:
Every day the village
fishermen went out to sea and let down their nets .
squeaking
having or making a high-pitched sound such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge
NOTES:
The creature lay there making a squeaking noise.
supernatural
not existing in nature or subject to explanation according to natural laws; not physical or material
NOTES:
Our ancestors believed there were realms in this world where
supernatural beings lived.
fish
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
NOTES:
Fishing had been poor for a
long time, and their stores of dried fish were almost gone.
loon
large somewhat primitive fish-eating diving bird of the northern hemisphere having webbed feet placed far back; related to the grebes
NOTES:
With the help of the gulls
and loons and the sawbilled ducks, I carry the will of Goomaquay
throughout his undersea domain."
fishing
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
NOTES:
Fishing had been poor for a
long time, and their stores of dried fish were almost gone.
seaweed
plant growing in the sea, especially marine algae
NOTES:
It was clothed in seaweed and
appeared to be something like a man.
realm
a domain in which something is dominant
NOTES:
Our ancestors believed there were realms in this world where
supernatural beings lived.
sea
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
NOTES:
But the richest realm of all was beneath the sea .
fateful
controlled or decreed by fate; predetermined
NOTES:
Through this fateful encounter with
Poogweese, the Merman, the people would feel kin to all the beings
within the sea forever.
cast out
throw or cast away
NOTES:
They cast out their nets and caught many fish.
retinue
the group following and attending to some important person
NOTES:
This was the home of Lord Goomaquay and all
of his retinue of sea monsters and great creatures from the depths.
let down
move something or somebody to a lower position
NOTES:
Every day the village
fishermen went out to sea and let down their nets.
canoe
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
NOTES:
One day the fishermen took their canoes off Bird Island.
goodwill
a disposition to kindness and compassion
NOTES:
They could only hope their goodwill would please Lord
Goomaquay and that he would improve the fishing and protect them from
the great storms.
squeak
make a high-pitched, screeching noise
NOTES:
The creature lay there making a squeaking noise.
flop
fall loosely
NOTES:
He flopped over the
side of the canoe and disappeared into the water.
gull
mostly white aquatic bird having long pointed wings and short legs
NOTES:
With the help of the gulls
and loons and the sawbilled ducks, I carry the will of Goomaquay
throughout his undersea domain."
tangle
twist together or entwine into a confusing mass
NOTES:
Tangled in the net was a strange being like nothing the
fisherman had ever seen before!
captor
a person who captures and holds people or animals
NOTES:
They were afraid if they let Poogweese
go he would tell Goomaquay about his captors .
lied
a German art song of the 19th century for voice and piano
creature
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
NOTES:
The creature lay there making a squeaking noise.
ancestor
someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
NOTES:
Our ancestors believed there were realms in this world where
supernatural beings lived.
song
a short musical composition with words
NOTES:
"And for my thanks I will give you my mask and my song as a gift."
ceremonial
marked by pomp or ceremony or formality
NOTES:
In the sky lived a great clan of
thunderbirds, the birds of the winter ceremonial .
tangled
in a confused mass
NOTES:
Tangled in the net was a strange being like nothing the
fisherman had ever seen before!
messenger
a person who carries a message
NOTES:
I
am chief messenger of Goomaquay, the lord who controls all the wealth
of the ocean.
starve
die of food deprivation
NOTES:
Winter
would soon be upon them, and they might starve .
backwards
in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal
NOTES:
In another realm
far beneath the Earth, where everything was backwards , dwelled the
ghosts.
cold water
disparagement of a plan or hope or expectation
NOTES:
They let
their nets sink deeper deeper into the cold waters .
heave
move or cause to move in a specified way, direction, or position
NOTES:
It took all hands to pull the heavy net up and heave it into the
canoe.
in the beginning
with reference to the origin or beginning
NOTES:
For all time the people would cherish the mask of Poogweese, for it
reminded them of their ancestors' adventure in the beginning of time
when men and supernatural spirits talked together.
beneath
in or to a place that is lower
NOTES:
In another realm
far beneath the Earth, where everything was backwards, dwelled the
ghosts.
bubble
a hollow globule of gas (e.g., air or carbon dioxide)
NOTES:
Suddenly a shower of bubbles rose from the sea, and the mask of
Poogweese floated to the surface.
clan
group of people related by blood or marriage
NOTES:
In the sky lived a great clan of
thunderbirds, the birds of the winter ceremonial.
tug
pull hard
NOTES:
After a while there was a strong tugging at the lines.
describe
give a description of
NOTES:
The song described the great house made of copper on the floor of the
sea just off Bird Island.
maybe
by chance
NOTES:
Maybe he tricked us!"
domain
a particular environment or walk of life
NOTES:
With the help of the gulls
and loons and the sawbilled ducks, I carry the will of Goomaquay
throughout his undersea domain ."
Lord
a titled peer of the realm
NOTES:
You are thinking that
if you let me go I will tell Lord Goomaquay.
remind
put in the mind of someone
NOTES:
For all time the people would cherish the mask of Poogweese, for it
reminded them of their ancestors' adventure in the beginning of time
when men and supernatural spirits talked together.
kin
a person having kinship with another or others
NOTES:
Through this fateful encounter with
Poogweese, the Merman, the people would feel kin to all the beings
within the sea forever.
proudly
with pride; in a proud manner
NOTES:
There they
showed the mask proudly and described how it had come to them as a
gift from Poogweese and Goomaquay, the Lord of the Undersea.
ocean
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
NOTES:
I
am chief messenger of Goomaquay, the lord who controls all the wealth
of the ocean .
village
a settlement smaller than a town
NOTES:
The people of the village were fearful.
clothed
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
NOTES:
It was clothed in seaweed and
appeared to be something like a man.
bird
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
NOTES:
In the sky lived a great clan of
thunderbirds, the birds of the winter ceremonial.
dwell
inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of
NOTES:
In another realm
far beneath the Earth, where everything was backwards, dwelled the
ghosts.
described
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
NOTES:
The song described the great house made of copper on the floor of the
sea just off Bird Island.
listen
hear with intention
NOTES:
The astonished fishermen listened and stared at the strange creature.
Earth
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
NOTES:
In another realm
far beneath the Earth , where everything was backwards, dwelled the
ghosts.
cherish
be fond of; be attached to
NOTES:
For all time the people would cherish the mask of Poogweese, for it
reminded them of their ancestors' adventure in the beginning of time
when men and supernatural spirits talked together.
wrapped
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
NOTES:
Then the
fishermen carefully wrapped the mask and took it home.
dried
not still wet
NOTES:
Fishing had been poor for a
long time, and their stores of dried fish were almost gone.
trusted
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
NOTES:
I am his trusted messenger.
storm
a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
NOTES:
This mighty ruler of
the sea might get angry and send many great storms .
gift
something acquired without compensation
NOTES:
"And for my thanks I will give you my mask and my song as a gift ."
improve
to make better
NOTES:
They could only hope their goodwill would please Lord
Goomaquay and that he would improve the fishing and protect them from
the great storms.
duck
small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
NOTES:
With the help of the gulls
and loons and the sawbilled ducks , I carry the will of Goomaquay
throughout his undersea domain."
shower
a brief period of precipitation
NOTES:
Suddenly a shower of bubbles rose from the sea, and the mask of
Poogweese floated to the surface.
wealthy
having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
NOTES:
It reminded them
why their fishermen were successful and safe upon the sea and why
their village was wealthy .
encounter
come together
NOTES:
Through this fateful encounter with
Poogweese, the Merman, the people would feel kin to all the beings
within the sea forever.
copper
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
NOTES:
The song described the great house made of copper on the floor of the
sea just off Bird Island.
monster
an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
NOTES:
This was the home of Lord Goomaquay and all
of his retinue of sea monsters and great creatures from the depths.
endure
undergo or be subjected to
NOTES:
Then Poogweese explained that if the fisherman would release him to
his ocean home he would talk to his master about the fisherman's
kindness and about the poor fishing they had endured .
afraid
filled with fear or apprehension
NOTES:
They were afraid if they let Poogweese
go he would tell Goomaquay about his captors.
fearful
experiencing or showing fear
NOTES:
The people of the village were fearful .
release
grant freedom to; free from confinement
NOTES:
Then Poogweese explained that if the fisherman would release him to
his ocean home he would talk to his master about the fisherman's
kindness and about the poor fishing they had endured.
astonished
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
NOTES:
The astonished fishermen listened and stared at the strange creature.
winter
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
NOTES:
In the sky lived a great clan of
thunderbirds, the birds of the winter ceremonial.
ruler
a person who rules or commands
NOTES:
This mighty ruler of
the sea might get angry and send many great storms.
bargain
an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
NOTES:
I can understand how you
might be afraid of my master, but let us strike a bargain .
pull
apply force so as to cause motion towards the source of the motion
NOTES:
It took all hands to pull the heavy net up and heave it into the
canoe.
please
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
NOTES:
They could only hope their goodwill would please Lord
Goomaquay and that he would improve the fishing and protect them from
the great storms.
thinking
endowed with the capacity to reason
NOTES:
"I know what you are thinking ," said Poogweese.
wrap
cloak that is folded or wrapped around a person
NOTES:
Then the
fishermen carefully wrapped the mask and took it home.
great
a person who has achieved distinction and honor in some field
NOTES:
In the sky lived a great clan of
thunderbirds, the birds of the winter ceremonial.
realize
be fully aware or cognizant of
NOTES:
"When Lord Goomaquay realizes that you have freed me and that you know
of his existence perhaps life will be better for you," said Poogweese.
people
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
NOTES:
This is
the story of how our people learned of the undersea world.
forever
for a limitless time
NOTES:
Through this fateful encounter with
Poogweese, the Merman, the people would feel kin to all the beings
within the sea forever .
strange
not known before
NOTES:
Tangled in the net was a strange being like nothing the
fisherman had ever seen before!
ghost
the visible disembodied soul of a dead person
NOTES:
In another realm
far beneath the Earth, where everything was backwards, dwelled the
ghosts .
another
any of various alternatives; some other
NOTES:
In another realm
far beneath the Earth, where everything was backwards, dwelled the
ghosts.
tide
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
NOTES:
The weather was fair and the tides were
right.
kindness
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
NOTES:
Then Poogweese explained that if the fisherman would release him to
his ocean home he would talk to his master about the fisherman's
kindness and about the poor fishing they had endured.
luck
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
NOTES:
The fishermen
would never have any luck fishing again.
trick
a cunning or deceitful action or device
NOTES:
Maybe he tricked us!"
astonish
affect with wonder
NOTES:
The astonished fishermen listened and stared at the strange creature.
long time
a prolonged period of time
NOTES:
Fishing had been poor for a
long time , and their stores of dried fish were almost gone.
hidden
not accessible to view
NOTES:
They kept it
hidden until the next great potlatch of their people.
float
be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
NOTES:
Suddenly a shower of bubbles rose from the sea, and the mask of
Poogweese floated to the surface.
catch
take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
NOTES:
They fished and
fished but caught nothing.
thanks
an acknowledgment of appreciation
NOTES:
"And for my thanks I will give you my mask and my song as a gift."
depth
the extent downward or backward or inward
NOTES:
This was the home of Lord Goomaquay and all
of his retinue of sea monsters and great creatures from the depths .
know
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
NOTES:
The fishermen
knew something very large must be in the net.
island
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
NOTES:
One day the fishermen took their canoes off Bird Island .
adventure
a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
NOTES:
For all time the people would cherish the mask of Poogweese, for it
reminded them of their ancestors' adventure in the beginning of time
when men and supernatural spirits talked together.
teeth
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
NOTES:
It had huge front teeth and long
scraggly hair.
waters
the serous fluid in which the embryo is suspended inside the amnion
NOTES:
They let
their nets sink deeper deeper into the cold waters .
water
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
NOTES:
They let
their nets sink deeper deeper into the cold waters .
look at
look at carefully; study mentally
NOTES:
The fishermen looked at one another.
free
able to act at will; not hampered; not under compulsion or restraint
NOTES:
"When Lord Goomaquay realizes that you have freed me and that you know
of his existence perhaps life will be better for you," said Poogweese.
faint
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
NOTES:
Then they heard a faint sound.
noise
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
NOTES:
The creature lay there making a squeaking noise .
home
where you live at a particular time
NOTES:
Then Poogweese explained that if the fisherman would release him to
his ocean home he would talk to his master about the fisherman's
kindness and about the poor fishing they had endured.
spirits
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
NOTES:
For all time the people would cherish the mask of Poogweese, for it
reminded them of their ancestors' adventure in the beginning of time
when men and supernatural spirits talked together.
successful
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
NOTES:
It reminded them
why their fishermen were successful and safe upon the sea and why
their village was wealthy.
accepted
generally approved or compelling recognition
NOTES:
So they accepted his
offer.
angry
feeling or showing anger
NOTES:
This mighty ruler of
the sea might get angry and send many great storms.
weak
wanting in physical strength
NOTES:
It was weak at
first, but they listened and listened, and soon the song of Poogweese
filled their ears.
tooth
hard bonelike structures in the jaws of vertebrates; used for biting and chewing or for attack and defense
NOTES:
It had huge front teeth and long
scraggly hair.
master
a person who has general authority over others
NOTES:
I can understand how you
might be afraid of my master , but let us strike a bargain.
disappear
become invisible or unnoticeable
NOTES:
He flopped over the
side of the canoe and disappeared into the water.
wealth
property that has economic utility: a monetary value or an exchange value
NOTES:
I
am chief messenger of Goomaquay, the lord who controls all the wealth
of the ocean.
huge
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
NOTES:
It had huge front teeth and long
scraggly hair.
choice
the act of choosing or selecting
NOTES:
They knew they had no choice but
to send this powerful creature back to the deep.
stare
look at with fixed eyes
NOTES:
The astonished fishermen listened and stared at the strange creature.
carefully
taking care or paying attention
NOTES:
Then the
fishermen carefully wrapped the mask and took it home.
throughout
from first to last
NOTES:
With the help of the gulls
and loons and the sawbilled ducks, I carry the will of Goomaquay
throughout his undersea domain."
mighty
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
NOTES:
This mighty ruler of
the sea might get angry and send many great storms.
protect
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
NOTES:
They could only hope their goodwill would please Lord
Goomaquay and that he would improve the fishing and protect them from
the great storms.
surface
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
NOTES:
Suddenly a shower of bubbles rose from the sea, and the mask of
Poogweese floated to the surface .
powerful
having great power or force or potency or effect
NOTES:
They knew they had no choice but
to send this powerful creature back to the deep.
world
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
NOTES:
Our ancestors believed there were realms in this world where
supernatural beings lived.
weather
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
NOTES:
The weather was fair and the tides were
right.
pleased
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
NOTES:
The fishermen were pleased .
poor
having little money or few possessions
NOTES:
Fishing had been poor for a
long time, and their stores of dried fish were almost gone.
existence
the state or fact of existing
NOTES:
"When Lord Goomaquay realizes that you have freed me and that you know
of his existence perhaps life will be better for you," said Poogweese.
might
physical strength
NOTES:
Winter
would soon be upon them, and they might starve.
safe
free from danger or the risk of harm
NOTES:
It reminded them
why their fishermen were successful and safe upon the sea and why
their village was wealthy.
talk
use language
NOTES:
Then Poogweese explained that if the fisherman would release him to
his ocean home he would talk to his master about the fisherman's
kindness and about the poor fishing they had endured.
will
the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention
NOTES:
"You do not know me, so I will tell you.
sink
fall or descend to a lower place or level
NOTES:
They let
their nets sink deeper deeper into the cold waters.
being
the state or fact of existing
NOTES:
Our ancestors believed there were realms in this world where
supernatural beings lived.
sky
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
NOTES:
In the sky lived a great clan of
thunderbirds, the birds of the winter ceremonial.
go out
move out of or depart from
NOTES:
Every day the village
fishermen went out to sea and let down their nets.
store
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
NOTES:
Fishing had been poor for a
long time, and their stores of dried fish were almost gone.
soon
in the near future
NOTES:
Winter
would soon be upon them, and they might starve.
all
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly')
NOTES:
But the richest realm of all was beneath the sea.
lord
a person who has general authority over others
NOTES:
I
am chief messenger of Goomaquay, the lord who controls all the wealth
of the ocean.
dry
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
NOTES:
Fishing had been poor for a
long time, and their stores of dried fish were almost gone.
tell
narrate or give a detailed account of
NOTES:
"You do not know me, so I will tell you.
out to
fixed in your purpose
NOTES:
Every day the village
fishermen went out to sea and let down their nets.
then
at that time
cast
put or send forth
NOTES:
They cast out their nets and caught many fish.
floor
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
NOTES:
The song described the great house made of copper on the floor of the
sea just off Bird Island.
lie
be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position
NOTES:
The creature lay there making a squeaking noise.
send
cause to go somewhere
NOTES:
This mighty ruler of
the sea might get angry and send many great storms.
filled
(usually followed by `with' or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
NOTES:
It was weak at
first, but they listened and listened, and soon the song of Poogweese
filled their ears.
why
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase `the whys and wherefores'
NOTES:
It reminded them
why their fishermen were successful and safe upon the sea and why
their village was wealthy.
learned
having or showing profound knowledge
NOTES:
This is
the story of how our people learned of the undersea world.
trust
the trait of believing in the honesty and reliability of others
NOTES:
I am his trusted messenger.
finally
as the end result of a succession or process
live
have life, be alive
NOTES:
Our ancestors believed there were realms in this world where
supernatural beings lived .
hide
prevent from being seen or discovered
NOTES:
They kept it
hidden until the next great potlatch of their people.
beginning
the act of starting something
NOTES:
For all time the people would cherish the mask of Poogweese, for it
reminded them of their ancestors' adventure in the beginning of time
when men and supernatural spirits talked together.
ear
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
NOTES:
It was weak at
first, but they listened and listened, and soon the song of Poogweese
filled their ears .
accept
receive willingly something given or offered
NOTES:
So they accepted his
offer.
control
power to direct or determine
NOTES:
I
am chief messenger of Goomaquay, the lord who controls all the wealth
of the ocean.
nothing
in no respect; to no degree
NOTES:
They fished and
fished but caught nothing .
heavy
of comparatively great physical weight or density
NOTES:
It took all hands to pull the heavy net up and heave it into the
canoe.
thank
express gratitude or show appreciation to
NOTES:
"And for my thanks I will give you my mask and my song as a gift."
hair
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
NOTES:
It had huge front teeth and long
scraggly hair .
rich
possessing material wealth
NOTES:
But the richest realm of all was beneath the sea.
explain
make plain and comprehensible
NOTES:
Then Poogweese explained that if the fisherman would release him to
his ocean home he would talk to his master about the fisherman's
kindness and about the poor fishing they had endured.
spoke
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
fair
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
NOTES:
The weather was fair and the tides were
right.
cold
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
NOTES:
They let
their nets sink deeper deeper into the cold waters.
off
from a particular thing or place or position (`forth' is obsolete)
NOTES:
One day the fishermen took their canoes off Bird Island.
there
in or at that place
NOTES:
Our ancestors believed there were realms in this world where
supernatural beings lived.
part
one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole
NOTES:
I am part man and part fish.
about
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
NOTES:
They were afraid if they let Poogweese
go he would tell Goomaquay about his captors.
suddenly
happening unexpectedly
NOTES:
Suddenly a shower of bubbles rose from the sea, and the mask of
Poogweese floated to the surface.
front
the side that is forward or prominent
NOTES:
It had huge front teeth and long
scraggly hair.
fill
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
NOTES:
It was weak at
first, but they listened and listened, and soon the song of Poogweese
filled their ears.
deep
having great spatial extension or penetration downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or laterally or outward from a center; sometimes used in combination
NOTES:
They knew they had no choice but
to send this powerful creature back to the deep .
take
get into one's hands, take physically
NOTES:
One day the fishermen took their canoes off Bird Island.
may
thorny Eurasian shrub of small tree having dense clusters of white to scarlet flowers followed by deep red berries; established as an escape in eastern North America
NOTES:
Winter
would soon be upon them, and they might starve.
time
the continuum of experience in which events pass from the future through the present to the past
NOTES:
Fishing had been poor for a
long time , and their stores of dried fish were almost gone.
one
the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
NOTES:
One day the fishermen took their canoes off Bird Island.
rose
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
NOTES:
Suddenly a shower of bubbles rose from the sea, and the mask of
Poogweese floated to the surface.
kept
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
NOTES:
They kept it
hidden until the next great potlatch of their people.
but
and nothing more
NOTES:
But the richest realm of all was beneath the sea.
many
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `as' or `too' or `so' or `that'; amounting to a large but indefinite number
NOTES:
This mighty ruler of
the sea might get angry and send many great storms.
long
primarily spatial sense; of relatively great or greater than average spatial extension or extension as specified
NOTES:
Fishing had been poor for a
long time, and their stores of dried fish were almost gone.
strike
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
NOTES:
I can understand how you
might be afraid of my master, but let us strike a bargain.
chief
the head of a tribe or clan
NOTES:
I
am chief messenger of Goomaquay, the lord who controls all the wealth
of the ocean.
strong
having strength or power greater than average or expected
NOTES:
After a while there was a strong tugging at the lines.
offer
present for acceptance or rejection
NOTES:
So they accepted his
offer .
life
the organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms from nonliving ones
NOTES:
The sea seemed without life .
sound
mechanical vibrations transmitted by an elastic medium
NOTES:
Then they heard a faint sound .
gone
no longer retained
NOTES:
Fishing had been poor for a
long time, and their stores of dried fish were almost gone .
making
the act that results in something coming to be
NOTES:
The creature lay there making a squeaking noise.
held
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
NOTES:
The fishermen pulled the mask from
the water and held it.
spirit
the vital principle or animating force within living things
NOTES:
For all time the people would cherish the mask of Poogweese, for it
reminded them of their ancestors' adventure in the beginning of time
when men and supernatural spirits talked together.
wait
time during which some action is awaited
learn
gain knowledge or skills
NOTES:
This is
the story of how our people learned of the undersea world.
within
on the inside
NOTES:
Through this fateful encounter with
Poogweese, the Merman, the people would feel kin to all the beings
within the sea forever.
man
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
NOTES:
It was clothed in seaweed and
appeared to be something like a man .
story
a record or narrative description of past events
NOTES:
This is
the story of how our people learned of the undersea world.
together
in contact with each other or in proximity
NOTES:
For all time the people would cherish the mask of Poogweese, for it
reminded them of their ancestors' adventure in the beginning of time
when men and supernatural spirits talked together .
look
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
NOTES:
The fishermen looked at one another.
believe
accept as true; take to be true
NOTES:
Our ancestors believed there were realms in this world where
supernatural beings lived.
understand
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
NOTES:
I can understand how you
might be afraid of my master, but let us strike a bargain.
carry
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
NOTES:
With the help of the gulls
and loons and the sawbilled ducks, I carry the will of Goomaquay
throughout his undersea domain."
perhaps
by chance
NOTES:
"When Lord Goomaquay realizes that you have freed me and that you know
of his existence perhaps life will be better for you," said Poogweese.
help
give help or assistance; be of service
NOTES:
With the help of the gulls
and loons and the sawbilled ducks, I carry the will of Goomaquay
throughout his undersea domain."