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Zama lyatwila!
Zama is great!
Zama Alicenjela!
Michael Oguttu
Vusi Malindi
Masho Kaloza
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Songo yami walunga eji kukotokela chikuma kusavala nge kunatoko. Ami ngweji kuhindukanga washi mwomwo ngwapwa wakulikwachisa!
My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!
Kandume yandi takabuuka bwangu. Ine ndabuuka bwangu pantu nalicenjela!
Yami ngweji kunehesanga musana kwingila.
I am the one who lets in the sun.
Nine njingisha akasuba mu ŋanda.
Mama ahanjikile ngwenyi, “Wapwa uthanganyika yami wakuchimene.”
“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.
Bamaayo batiila, “Uli lutanda lwandi ulwakumacaca.”
Ngweji kulisanyisa yami yavene, kangwechi kutonda wakungukafwakoko.
I wash myself, I don’t need any help.
Ndaisamba, nshifwaya wakungafwilisha.
Ngunahase kusana meya atuta nasopo yakalivumba kamwaza.
I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.
Nshitiina ameenshi ayatalala nangu sopo yanunka iyamakumbi-makumbi.
Mama mwangwanukisa, “Kanda nauvulyama mazoko.” Nangukumbulula, “Kwekha, kechi yamiko!”
Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”
Bamaayo balanjibukishako abati, “Wilaba ameeno.” Na ine nayasuka nati, “Teeti ndabe ameeno.”
Kukumisa kukosa, ngweji kumeneka khaka natataphwevo, nakuvalweza vatwame kanawa lize likumbi.
After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.
Panuma yakusamba, ndaposha bamaama na bamaayo-senge, no kubashalikapo bwino.
Kaha nangulivwika ami yavene. Nanguhanjika ngwami, “Ngunakolo jino mama.”
Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.
Elyo panuma naifwika naati, “Ndi mukalamba nomba maayo.”
Ngunahase kusoka jimota jami nakukasa mihya yajisapato jami.
I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.
Ndamanga amabatani no kukaka intambo shapa nsapato.
Kaha nangumona ngwami songo yami walunga nathachikiza mijimbu yosena yakushikola.
And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.
Nshilaba ukweba kandume yandi ificitika ku sukulu.
Mushikola ngweji kulikwachisa mujijila josena.
In class I do my best in every way.
Mu kalashi ndabombesha munshila shonse.
Ngweji kulinganga evi vyamwaza vyosena kumbi hikumbi. Oloze chuma ngwazanga chikuma, chapwa kuhema hema!
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: Masho Kaloza
