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Zama Mukali!
Zama is great!
Zama Alicenjela!
Michael Oguttu
Vusi Malindi
Chester Mwanza
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Musyoonto wangu musankwa ulaccelwa koona. Ndilafwambaana kubuka, nkaambo ndimukali.
My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!
Kandume yandi takabuuka bwangu. Ine ndabuuka bwangu pantu nalicenjela!
Ndime ndijalwida zuba.
I am the one who lets in the sun.
Nine njingisha akasuba mu ŋanda.
Baama baamba kuti, “Ulinyenyezi yangu yakubucedo.”
“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.
Bamaayo batiila, “Uli lutanda lwandi ulwakumacaca.”
Ndilasamba endike, nseyandi lugwasyo luli loonse.
I wash myself, I don’t need any help.
Ndaisamba, nshifwaya wakungafwilisha.
Ndinyina penzi ameenda atontola ansipa inunka yabbuluu.
I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.
Nshitiina ameenshi ayatalala nangu sopo yanunka iyamakumbi-makumbi.
Baama balandiyeeyezya, “Utalubi kucumba meno.” Ndaingula kuti “Peepe, kutali ndime. Nsekonzyi kuluba.”
Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”
Bamaayo balanjibukishako abati, “Wilaba ameeno.” Na ine nayasuka nati, “Teeti ndabe ameeno.”
Ndamana kusamba, ndilaanzya bahaanene amunyina baama akubaambila kuti babe abuzuba bubotu.
After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.
Panuma yakusamba, ndaposha bamaama na bamaayo-senge, no kubashalikapo bwino.
Ndamana ndalisamika, “Ndimupati lino baama.”
Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.
Elyo panuma naifwika naati, “Ndi mukalamba nomba maayo.”
Inga ndajala nkopela akwaanga mabbusu.
I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.
Ndamanga amabatani no kukaka intambo shapa nsapato.
Musyoonto wangu musankwa ndilamuzyibya makani onse aakucikolo.
And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.
Nshilaba ukweba kandume yandi ificitika ku sukulu.
Ndilabeleka canguzu lyoonse mucikolo.
In class I do my best in every way.
Mu kalashi ndabombesha munshila shonse.
Ndilacita zyintu zyoonse zyibotu lyoonse. Pele cintu nceyandisya kapati nkusobana.
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: Chester Mwanza
