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Zama ngwenya
Zama is great!
Zama Alicenjela!
Michael Oguttu
Vusi Malindi
Ruthgela Shawanga
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Minange gho mungaghu mbadi ghararanga wangu. Ame kupinduka wangu yoyishi, ame ne no ngwenya.
My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!
Kandume yandi takabuuka bwangu. Ine ndabuuka bwangu pantu nalicenjela!
Ame yame mutokerithi diyuwa.
I am the one who lets in the sun.
Nine njingisha akasuba mu ŋanda.
“Yowe katumwedhi kange”, ame wa nawe.
“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.
Bamaayo batiila, “Uli lutanda lwandi ulwakumacaca.”
Ame kukuyogha nothinda, mbadi nanyanda maghamweno.
I wash myself, I don’t need any help.
Ndaisamba, nshifwaya wakungafwilisha.
Mbadi nayapa meyu gho matenda ngambi murora gho kunuka.
I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.
Nshitiina ameenshi ayatalala nangu sopo yanunka iyamakumbi-makumbi.
Nawe kuni vurukitha, “Wa vurama mayegho.” Ame ko kuhutha eshi, “Norofotji temba, ngwa mbadi yame!”
Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”
Bamaayo balanjibukishako abati, “Wilaba ameeno.” Na ine nayasuka nati, “Teeti ndabe ameeno.”
Pa kumana kuyoghana, ame kumorora mama ghomukafumu na naweghana no kuwa fiyera diyuwa dyo diwa.
After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.
Panuma yakusamba, ndaposha bamaama na bamaayo-senge, no kubashalikapo bwino.
Munyima kokuvata nothinda, no kughamba eshi “Nomukuru keho me nawe.”
Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.
Elyo panuma naifwika naati, “Ndi mukalamba nomba maayo.”
Kukona nikukopere mancanu ghange no kukughanga tukanda twange.
I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.
Ndamanga amabatani no kukaka intambo shapa nsapato.
Kehepa nakonekanga eshi minange ghomumbiru gha dimuke mbudhi dhodhihe dho kushure.
And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.
Nshilaba ukweba kandume yandi ificitika ku sukulu.
Mu ngonda ne kehepa kukondja nirughane thikuma mu kehe thirughana.
In class I do my best in every way.
Mu kalashi ndabombesha munshila shonse.
Ame kutenda eyi yinu yoyiwa kehe diyuwa. Ene thinu ethi na haka thikumenena ne kupepa!
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: Ruthgela Shawanga
