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Zama Wakosa
Zama is great!
Zama Alicenjela!
Michael Oguttu
Vusi Malindi
Edina Njovu
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Nkasami wamulume kechi ulaala bukiji ne. Mbuuka 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 yami nswisha mute kutwela mukachi.
I am the one who lets in the sun.
Nine njingisha akasuba mu ŋanda.
Ba maama bamba amba, “Yobe ntanda wami wakumakya.”
“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.
Bamaayo batiila, “Uli lutanda lwandi ulwakumacaca.”
Neovwa amiwa mwine, kechi nkebapo bukwasho ne.
I wash myself, I don’t need any help.
Ndaisamba, nshifwaya wakungafwilisha.
Amiwa nakonsha kukwanyisha kowa meema amunyango nangwa aji nasopo wanunka kabiji wafituluka.
I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.
Nshitiina ameenshi ayatalala nangu sopo yanunka iyamakumbi-makumbi.
Ba maama bamvulula amba, kweseka kulubako meeno ne. Amiwa nebabula namba, “Kechi kikobiwapoakyo kwiamiwa ne!”
Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”
Bamaayo balanjibukishako abati, “Wilaba ameeno.” Na ine nayasuka nati, “Teeti ndabe ameeno.”
Inge napwisha kuchapa, ñimuna ba nkambo babalume ne ba taata-kazhi, kabiji mpesha ne juuba jabo jonse.
After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.
Panuma yakusamba, ndaposha bamaama na bamaayo-senge, no kubashalikapo bwino.
Nebabuula ba maama namba, “nevwika amiwa mwine mambo nakoma,”
Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.
Elyo panuma naifwika naati, “Ndi mukalamba nomba maayo.”
Nakonsha kwimanga mabatani kabiji nekuvwala nsapato.
I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.
Ndamanga amabatani no kukaka intambo shapa nsapato.
Kabiji mona kuuba amba namubuula nkasami wamulume masawakya onse akusukuulu.
And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.
Nshilaba ukweba kandume yandi ificitika ku sukulu.
Mukalasi, ñingila nangovu mumashinda apusana-pusana.
In class I do my best in every way.
Mu kalashi ndabombesha munshila shonse.
Ñingila bintu byawama moba onse. Bino kintu kyonatemwisha, ke 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
