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Zama wakosa
Zama is great!
Zama Alicenjela!
Michael Oguttu
Vusi Malindi
Edina Njovu
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Nkasami ke ulala bukiji ne. mbuka bukiji, mambo nakosa!
My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!
Kandume yandi takabuuka bwangu. Ine ndabuuka bwangu pantu nalicenjela!
Amiwa nsamisha mute.
I am the one who lets in the sun.
Nine njingisha akasuba mu ŋanda.
Ba maama bamba, “Wi ntanda yami ya lukelo”
“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.
Bamaayo batiila, “Uli lutanda lwandi ulwakumacaca.”
Ngowa njonse bunke. Kenkeba wankukwasha ne.
I wash myself, I don’t need any help.
Ndaisamba, nshifwaya wakungafwilisha.
Mema atala kemambo ne, nangwa sopo wakuwashila bivwalo wa blue.
I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.
Nshitiina ameenshi ayatalala nangu sopo yanunka iyamakumbi-makumbi.
Ba maama bamvulasha, kulubamo meeno ne.
Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”
Bamaayo balanjibukishako abati, “Wilaba ameeno.” Na ine nayasuka nati, “Teeti ndabe ameeno.”
Ngenapwisha kuwasha, ngimunanga bankambo bakazhi neba tata-kazhi.
After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.
Panuma yakusamba, ndaposha bamaama na bamaayo-senge, no kubashalikapo bwino.
Napwisha kwivwika,”Nakoma pano, Mama,” naamba.
Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.
Elyo panuma naifwika naati, “Ndi mukalamba nomba maayo.”
Nakonsha kwimanga matota na kuvwala nsapato
I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.
Ndamanga amabatani no kukaka intambo shapa nsapato.
Nkeba nayukisha bakolojami na byamo byonse bya pa sukulu
And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.
Nshilaba ukweba kandume yandi ificitika ku sukulu.
Mu class, ngingila byonse mumashinda yapusana-pusana
In class I do my best in every way.
Mu kalashi ndabombesha munshila shonse.
Nguba byawama bintu moba onse.Mino kyonatemwisha, kukaya ne kukaya.
I do all these good things every day. But the thing I like most, is to play and play!
Ncita fyonse ifi fisuma cila bushiku. Nomba icikulu ico natemwisha, kwangala.
Written by: Michael Oguttu
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Translated by: Edina Njovu
