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Tom the banana seller Tom the banana seller Tomu kashitisha wa Nkonde

Written by Humphreys Odunga

Illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku

Read by Darshan Soni

Language English

Level Level 2

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Tom carries a tray of ripe bananas.

Tom carries a tray of ripe bananas.

Tomu alasenda ulupe lwa nkonde ishapya.


Tom goes to the market to sell bananas.

Tom goes to the market to sell bananas.

Tomu alaya kumaliketi mukushitisha inkonde.


People at the market are buying fruit.

People at the market are buying fruit.

Abantu kumaliketi balashita ifinsabwa nsabwa.


But no one is buying Tom’s bananas. They prefer to buy fruit from women.

But no one is buying Tom’s bananas. They prefer to buy fruit from women.

Nomba tapali nangu umo uuleshita kuli Tomu


“In our community, only women sell fruit,” people say. “What kind of a man is this?” people ask.

“In our community, only women sell fruit,” people say. “What kind of a man is this?” people ask.

“Mumushi wesu, banamayofye ebashitisha ifinsabwansabwa”, efilanda abantu. “Mwaume wamusango shani uyu?”


But Tom does not give up. He calls, “Buy my bananas! Buy my sweet ripe bananas!”

But Tom does not give up. He calls, “Buy my bananas! Buy my sweet ripe bananas!”

Nomba Tomu taleka. Aleta abantu, “shiteni inkonde shandi! Shiteni inkonde shandi ishapya elyo ishalowa!”


One woman picks up a bunch of bananas from the tray. She looks at the bananas carefully.

One woman picks up a bunch of bananas from the tray. She looks at the bananas carefully.

Namayo umo asendapo umusemo umo palupe. Bashilolekesha sana.


The woman buys the bananas.

The woman buys the bananas.

Banamayo bashita inkonde.


More people come to the stall. They buy Tom’s bananas and eat them.

More people come to the stall. They buy Tom’s bananas and eat them.

Abantu abengi balesa kwituka. Balashita inkonde shakwa Tomu nokushilya.


Soon, the tray is empty. Tom counts the money he earned.

Soon, the tray is empty. Tom counts the money he earned.

Panonofye ulupe lwapwa. Tomu epakupenda indalama apanga.


Then Tom buys soap, sugar, and bread. He puts the things in his tray.

Then Tom buys soap, sugar, and bread. He puts the things in his tray.

Tomu ashitamo isopo, insukale no mukate. Abika ifintu fyakwe palupe.


Tom balances the tray on his head and goes home.

Tom balances the tray on his head and goes home.

Tomu alatengesela ulupe lwakwe pa mutwe nokubwekela kung’anda.


Written by: Humphreys Odunga
Illustrated by: Zablon Alex Nguku
Read by: Darshan Soni
Language: English
Level: Level 2
Source: Tom the banana seller from African Storybook
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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