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Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde
Tom the banana seller
Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde
Humphreys Odunga
Zablon Alex Nguku
Sandra Mulesu
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Tom alasenda ulupe lwa nkonde ishapya.
Tom carries a tray of ripe bananas.
Tom alasenda ulupe lwa nkonde ishapya.
Tom alaya ku maliketi mu kushitisha inkonde.
Tom goes to the market to sell bananas.
Tom alaya ku maliketi mu kushitisha inkonde.
Abantu pa maliketi baleeshita ifitwalo.
People at the market are buying fruit.
Abantu pa maliketi baleeshita ifitwalo.
Nomba tapali nangu umo uuleshita kuli Tomu.
But no one is buying
Tom’s bananas.
They prefer to buy fruit from women.
Nomba tapali nangu umo uuleshita kuli Tomu.
“Mu mushi wesu, banamaayofye ebashitisha ifitwalo,” efilanda abantu. “Mwaume wa musango shani uyu?” efyo bepusha.
“In our community, only women sell fruit,” people say. “What kind of a man is this?” people ask.
“Mu mushi wesu, banamaayofye ebashitisha ifitwalo,” efilanda abantu. “Mwaume wa musango shani uyu?” efyo bepusha.
Nomba Tomu taleka. Aleeta abantu, “Shiteni inkonde shandi! Shiteni inkonde shandi ishapya kabili ishalowa!”
But Tom does not give up.
He calls, “Buy my bananas!
Buy my sweet ripe bananas!”
Nomba Tomu taleka. Aleeta abantu, “Shiteni inkonde shandi! Shiteni inkonde shandi ishapya kabili ishalowa!”
Namaayo umo asendapo inkonde shimo pa lupe. Ashilolekesha bwino-bwino.
One woman picks up a bunch of bananas from the tray.
She looks at the bananas carefully.
Namaayo umo asendapo inkonde shimo pa lupe. Ashilolekesha bwino-bwino.
Uyu namaayo ashita inkonde.
The woman buys the bananas.
Uyu namaayo ashita inkonde.
Abantu abengi baisa pali Tomu. Balashita inkonde shakwa Tomu no kushilya.
More people come to the stall.
They buy Tom’s bananas and eat them.
Abantu abengi baisa pali Tomu. Balashita inkonde shakwa Tomu no kushilya.
Ukwabula ukupoosa inshita, inkonde shapwa mu lupe. Tomu apenda indalama apanga.
Soon, the tray is empty.
Tom counts the money he earned.
Ukwabula ukupoosa inshita, inkonde shapwa mu lupe. Tomu apenda indalama apanga.
Tomu ashitamo isopo, shuga no mukate. Afibiika mu lupe.
Then Tom buys soap, sugar, and bread.
He puts the things in his tray.
Tomu ashitamo isopo, shuga no mukate. Afibiika mu lupe.
Tomu alaatengeseela ulupe lwakwe pa mutwe no kubwelela ku ŋanda.
Tom balances the tray on his head and goes home.
Tomu alaatengeseela ulupe lwakwe pa mutwe no kubwelela ku ŋanda.
Written by: Humphreys Odunga
Illustrated by: Zablon Alex Nguku
Translated by: Sandra Mulesu
