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Ama himutu wakulikwachisa!
Zama is great!
Zama Alicenjela!
Michael Oguttu
Vusi Malindi
Masho Kaloza
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Songo yami walunga echi kusavala nge kwatoko chikuma, momo nguli wakulikwachisa!
My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!
Kandume yandi takabuuka bwangu. Ine ndabuuka bwangu pantu nalicenjela!
Yami ngwechi kulingisanga musana wingile.
I am the one who lets in the sun.
Nine njingisha akasuba mu ŋanda.
“Wuli katanganyika wami wakuchimene, “Mama ahanjikile.
“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.
Bamaayo batiila, “Uli lutanda lwandi ulwakumacaca.”
Ngwechi kulisanyisa yami lyavene, kangweshi nakutonda wukafoko.
I wash myself, I don’t need any help.
Ndaisamba, nshifwaya wakungafwilisha.
Ngunakwijilila meya atuta na sopo yakalivumba.
I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.
Nshitiina ameenshi ayatalala nangu sopo yanunka iyamakumbi-makumbi.
Mama nangwanukisa, kanda muvulyama kulikumbako.”ngwakumbulula, “kweka, keshi yamiko!”
Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”
Bamaayo balanjibukishako abati, “Wilaba ameeno.” Na ine nayasuka nati, “Teeti ndabe ameeno.”
Halutwe lwakukosa, ngwameneka kaka yami wapwevo na tata pwevo, nakuva lweza kupwa na likumbi lyamwaza.
After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.
Panuma yakusamba, ndaposha bamaama na bamaayo-senge, no kubashalikapo bwino.
Kaha ngwalivwalisa, “ngwakolo wunonyi mama, “ngwahanjika.
Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.
Elyo panuma naifwika naati, “Ndi mukalamba nomba maayo.”
Nguna hase kupata chikovelo chami nakukasa jisapato jami.
I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.
Ndamanga amabatani no kukaka intambo shapa nsapato.
Kaha ngwechi kulwekanga songo yami walunga mijimbu yosena yakushikola.
And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.
Nshilaba ukweba kandume yandi ificitika ku sukulu.
Mushikola ngwechi kulikwachisa mujila yosena.
In class I do my best in every way.
Mu kalashi ndabombesha munshila shonse.
Ngwechi kulinganga evi vyamwaza vyosena makumbi osena. unonyi vyuma ngwazanga chikuma, kuhema kaha cheka kuhema!
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
