The Post, the Nails, and the Marks That Remain

(((*∞*)))

(A borrowed Lakota‑Style Version (with Literal + Phonetic Translations) 

First version I found from a YouTube video titled “Better Living Through Kindness | Graham Greene” From The Walrus Talks National Tour: We Desire a Better Country. Recorded April 22nd, 2017 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pqpFdkBIkU&t=6s) 

Lakota‑Style Version (with Literal + Phonetic Translations)

In the days when the people followed the buffalo and the old ways were strong, a father saw his young son strike a tied dog in anger. He stopped him with a quiet hand and said:

“Čhéši kiŋ héčhanuŋ… my son, listen.  

The world remembers our actions.  

Even the wind carries them.”

- Čhéši kiŋ héčhanuŋ  

  - Literal: “My son, listen / pay attention.”  

  - Phonetic: CHAY‑shee keen HAY‑cha‑noon

He brought the boy to a wooden post beside their lodge. Into the boy’s small hand he placed a pouch of iron nails.

“When your heart turns dark,  

when you act without thought,  

drive a nail into this post.  

When your heart turns good again,  

when you walk in a better way,  

pull one out.”

The moons passed.

One morning the boy came to his father, tears running down his cheeks.

“Até… there is no more room.  

The post is full.”

- Até 

  - Literal: “Father.”  

  - Phonetic:* **ah‑TAY

The father looked at the crowded wood, heavy with nails, and placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“Then fill your days with good deeds.  

Let your hands learn wówačhaŋtognake — compassion.  

Let your heart learn wóohola — respect.”

- Wówačhaŋtognake  

  - Literal: “Generosity of heart / compassion.”  

  - Phonetic: WOH‑wah‑CHAN‑toh‑GNAH‑kay

- Wóohola 

  - Literal: “Respect / reverence.”  

  - Phonetic: WOH‑oh‑hoh‑LAH

So the boy tried.  

He helped the old ones.  

He fed the dogs before himself.  

He spoke softly when anger rose like a storm inside him.  

And little by little, the nails came out.

One day the father found his son crying again beside the post.

“My son, why do you weep now?”

The boy pointed to the wood.

“Até… the nails are gone,  

but the holes remain.”

The father nodded slowly, as if listening to something older than himself.

“Héčhetu yeló… yes, it is so.  

This is the way of the world.  

Harm leaves a mark, even when we make things right.  

Walk gently, my son.  

Let your life be a path where fewer holes are made.”

- Héčhetu yeló  

  - Literal: “It is so / that is correct.”  

  - Phonetic: HAY‑cheh‑too yay‑LOH  

  - (“yeló” is the masculine ending; a woman would say “ye”).

And the boy carried that teaching into his manhood,  

as the people say:  

“Wówačhiŋ tȟaŋka — a great intention makes a good life.”

- Wówačhiŋ tȟaŋka  

  - Literal: “A great intention / a strong purpose.”  

  - Phonetic: WOH‑wah‑CHEENG TAHN‑kah  

  - (tȟ = an aspirated “t,” like “t” with a puff of air)

Credit Line

“A Lakota‑style ceremonial teaching story.”

Robbie Robertson Contact from the Underworld of Redboy, Full Album