Collected by: Don Sybertz,

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey  (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Aho kale agikala munhu umo lina lwakwe Lambwe. Munhu ng’wunuyo a-oliontola nkima o chalo ja kule. Yahaiyagwa giki u Lambwe adadulile ugupanke nkima ogutola umuchalo jakwe.

Olina jika jakwe. Oli atogilwe noi ugulwa nyama. Ulushugu ulo opandikaga nyama ohagigishaga igiki aliilya pye wei ng’winikili. Lambwe wiimililaga wei ahikanza ilizugwa inyama iniyo, ku giki adizigela munhu ose ose oguikumya nulu haho itali ugupya.

Makanza gose u Lambwe ozubhulaga inyama ijitinile manofu haho yandya gupya du wandya gujidakuna bho bhulaku bho gukumya. Abhabehi abho bhikalaga bhuzenganwa na bhabyaji bha ng’wa Lambwe bhagaduma gete ugung’wambilija unsumba ng’wunuyo.

Giko, inhungwa jakwe ijabhubhi jigamanyika bhuli kuli munhu uomu chalo jinijo. Mpaga oho okula wikoma gutola, bhuli ng’wenu uyo agang’wisonga agannema.

Aho obhumana ubhubhi bho nhungwa jakwe, agiyangula gujutola kuchalo ja bhuzenganwa. Gashi nu mu chalo ja bhuzenganwa inhungwa jakwe jali jimanyikile.

Lambwe iganhadikija gusunga lugengo lo guja kule uko agwigela giki ali ngeni gete. Agakoyakoya mpaga ku si ngeni ndebhe, uko agang’wisonga ng’waniki uyo witangwa Mugoli.

Ukubhu nghana Mugoli oli ng’waniki nsoga na o likujo na nhungwa ja wiza. Bhagizunilija gwitola. U Lambwe aho oshoka umu chalo jakwe kihamo na nke okwe u nsoga, gugabhibhakija bhanhu bhingi.

Olinduhu nulu umo umu chalo jakwe uyo wiganikaga giki u Lambwe niodula guntola nkima nsoga giti Mugoli! Wikaji bho ng’wa Lambwe na Mugoli bholi bhusoga na bhanhu bhagakumya pye.

Uwikumbwa bho ng’wa Lambwe ubho guhaya gulwa inyama yose bhugendelea. “Wifunya bhukindile bhusese”, Mugoli adadililile noi inhungwa ja ngoshi okwe kulwa nguno jalinduhu jika jingi umu witogwi bhobho.

Nose bhagapandika bhana bhadatu. Bhuli ng’wana ulu okula, oshiga bhukuji bhulebhe, ochalagwa gujumanyichiwa kuli guku obho. Unimo gogubhachala abhana bhanabho goli go ng’wa Lambwe.

Lambwe obhachala bho ndima abhana bhakwe ukuli nkwiye. Inzila ya guja kunuko igabhita ng’wipolu lya ndimu nhali. Lushigu lumo, Lambwe agaja gujubhagisha bhakwiye, aho oshika koi, agamana igiki ung’wana okwe uumo alianogile ugwikala aha kaya ya ng’wa guku na mama okwe. Agandya gulila. Lambwe agiyangula gushoka nawe.

Aganomba umayu bhukwi jiseme ja gubhukija jiliwa na jifaa jingi ja ng’wanokwe. Mayu bhukwi agamegelegeja bhuli ginhu. Lushigu lo kabhili dilu, Lambwe agandya lugendo lokwe ukunu amukije ung’wanokwe ku ngongo. Ali adibhile ugubhucha inhome, ichimu ni panga.

Aho oshika ung’wiporu linilo agigwa malaka ga noni jilimba ulu luli lumengho lwa giki jabhonaga ndimu. Agogoha noi mpaga wikumbwa gushoka uko ofumaga.

Kihamo ni yiniyo adashokile inuma, kulwa nguno ulugendo lokwe lolilomala mapande adatu ga lugendo, lyalilyasaga ipande limo du mpaga ashige ku kaya.

Agendelea na lugendo lokwe na ukunu inoni jinijo jilongeja guyoganya malaka. Aho olola lwande lumo lo nzila, agibhona Mboku ilalile. Ujipeja inoni jinijo, wiyegela ndimu yiniyo.

Igwandya wiganikaga giki imboku yiniyo yaliilalile oganoga umana igiki gashi yali yamala gucha ikanza idili lihu ilo lyabhitaga. Ku yiniyo, indimu yali itali ugundya ugubhola.

Agandya gwita lusona kuti nu bhulaku bhokwe ubhobholibhomtema umu nyama. Agasola panga yakwe na gutina linofu litale iliginu, agalituula lwande. Lambwe oladamanile igiki imboku yiniyo yaliyabhulagwa na shimba.

Gashi aho likanza alitina inyama yiniyo, ishimba yaliifulile hambeho aho yamalaga gwiguta. Ninga iki yalidikule ugufuma ahenaho, aliyo u Lwambwe adibhonile.

Ninga ulu nioibhona wangu nadagemile ugwegela aha nyama ya mboku yiniyo. Ahenaho, U Lambwe agang’wicha ung’wanokwe na gung’wigasha hasi ukunu uwei ng’winikili agachola manti ga gubegesa moto. Aho obhiza kule hadoo inoni ijo jigashoka na guyoganya umu nyama na gwandya guigombagula inyama yiniyo.

Ishimba nayo igakolwa ugubhona giki inoni jinijo jiliichafula inyama yayo yiniyo. Wangu wangu, ishimba igaja gujujipeja inoni na gwendelea kuilya inyama.

Ung’wana o ng’wa Lambwe bho nduhu gumana agiyegela ishimba bho nduhu bhobha, na gwandya guibabasha giti umo umunhu agibabasijaga imbwa.

U Lambwe aho oshoka ahenaho agibhakila uguibhona ishimba yigundamilaga guidakuna inyama yiniyo. Agahugana ugumona ung’wana okwe aliibabasha ishimba ukungongo bho nduhu bhobha.

U Lambwe agading’wa na lutuga. Adamanile ijagwita. Aho ohaya gung’wegela ishimba igalunduma na gumpeja gitumo yajipegejaga inoni. Ung’wanokwe adibhakile, agendelea du uguibabasha ukungongo.

Ishimba yalidinawasiwasi bhosebhose nu ng’wana ng’wunuyo. Ishimba igendelea gumpeja u Lambwe, nanghwe odubukaga nhambo. Agabhona niyabhiza jidamu ugudula gwibhulaga ishimba yiniyo wei bhung’wene.

Aho oli kule hadoo Lambwe agandya gung’witana ung’wanokwe. Aho ung’witana kuli likanza lilihu, ung’wana agang’wigwa ubhabha okwe huna ugandya gung’wegela.

Aho obhona giki ung’wanokwe aliza, Lambwe agaigwa ingholo yakwe ilitinhinha na bhuyegi. Ikanza iguhi ung’wana agang’wegela, aganfefula na gumhucha kungongo. Wangu wangu agandya lugendo akajije wangu wangu guja kaya. Makanza gose omanaga ulabhula na gulalo inyuma kugiki gumana ulu idanondejije ishimba.

Aho oshika ikaya, unke agakumya aho omona ungoshi adina jilanga nulu jibhukijo ja ng’wana. Aho atali aleshema kubhobha ubho alinabho bhundimilile na ku bhunoge bho lugendo na nzala, Lambwe agandya kunomela unke okwe, pye iyose iyo igampandika umu legendo lokwe. Unke agading’wa na bhukoyakoi na agang’wila ungoshi alekane nu bhulaku bho gulwa nyama bho sagala giti umo yali uko numa.

Kiswahili: Tamaa/Uroho Mbaya

Hapo Zamani palikuwa na mtu mmoja, jina lake Lambwe. Mtu huyo, alikuwa amemuoa mwanamke wa kijiji cha mbali. Inasemekana kwamba Lambwe hakuweza kupata mchumba katika kijiji chake. Alikuwa na kasoro yake, Alipenda mno kula nyama. Siku akipata  nyama, alihakikisha kuwa anaila yote yeye peke yake.

Lambwe alisimamia wakati inapikwa nyama ile, ili asiwepo mtu ye yote wa kuigusa hata kabla haijaiva. Daima Lambwe alichopoa vipande vya nyama mara tu inapoanza kuiva na kuitafuna kwa uchu wa ajabu.

Jamaa wakiokuwa wanaishi jirani na wazazi wa Lambwe walishindwa kabisa kumsaidia kijana huyo. Hivyo, tabia yake mbaya ilijulikana na kila mmoja katika kijiji.

Hata alipopata umri wa kuoa, kila liyemchumbia alimkataa. Lambwe alipotambua utovu wa tabia yake, aliamua kwenda kuoa kijiji cha jirani. Kumbe hata katika vijiji vya jirani habari zake zilisambaa.

Lambwe ilimpasa kufunga safari ya mbali ambako ataonekana ni mgeni kabisa. Alihangaika hadi nchi ngeni fulani, huko alimchumbia msichana mzuri aliyeitwa Mugoli.

Kwa kweli Mugoli alikuwa mrembo na mwenye adabu na tabia nzuri. Wakakubaliana na kuoana. Lambwe aliporejea kijijini kwake pamoja na mke wake mrembo, kuliwashtusha watu wengi. Hakuna hata mmoja pale kijijini alifikiri kuwa Lambwe angeweza kumwoa mwanamke mzuri kama Mungoli! Maisha kati ya Lambwe na Mugoli yalikuwa mazuri na yakawastaajabisha wote.

Tamaa ya Lambwe ya kutaka kula nyama yote iliendelea. Hiari yashinda utumwa, Mungoli hakujali sana tabia ya mumewe kwa sababu vinginevyo hapakuwa na kasoro nyingine katika mapenzi yao.

Hatimaye, walijaliwa kupata watoto watatu. Kila mtoto alipofikisha umri fulani, alipelekwa kutambulishwa kwa babu yake, jukumu la kuwapeleka watoto  hao lilikuwa la Lambwe.

 Lambwe aliwapeleka kwa zamu watoto wake kwa mkwewe. Njia ya kwenda huko ilipita katikati ya pori lenye wanyama wakali. Siku moja, Lambwe  alikwenda kuwasalimia wakwe zake, alipofika  huko, aligundua kuwa mtoto  wake mmoja alikuwa amechoka kuishi nyumbani kwa babu na bibi. Alianza kumlilia, Lambwe akaamua kurudi naye.

Akamwomba mama mkwe chombo cha kubebea chakula na vifaa vingine vya mwanae. Mama mkwe alimtayarishia kila kitu. Siku ya pili asubuhi, Lambwe alianza safari yake akiwa amembeba mwanae mgongoni. Aidha, hakusahau kubeba rungu, mkuki na upanga.

Alipokuwa katika pori lile alisikia sauti ya ndege wakiimba ikiwa ishara kuwa walimwona mnyama. Aliogopa sana hata akatamani kurudi alikotoka. Hata hivyo hakurudi nyuma, kwani safari yake ilikuwa imefikia robo tatu na ilibakia robo moja tu hadi awasili nyumbani.

Aliendelea na safari yake na huku wale ndege wakiongeza kupaza sauti. Alipoangalia upande mmoja wa njia, alimwona Pofu amelala. Akawafukuza wale ndege, akamsogelea yule mnyama.

Awali alifikiri kuwa pofu yule alikuwa amelala, lakini baadaye  aligundua kuwa kwa kweli alikuwa amekufa si muda mrefu umepita. Kwa hiyo nyama yake ilikuwa bado kuoza.

Mate yakaanza kumdondoka kama uchu wake ulivyomtawala akiona tu nyama. Alichukuwa upanga wake na kukata kipande kikubwa sehemu iliyonona, akaiweka kando.

Lambwe hakufahamu kuwa yule Pofu alikuwa ameuawa na simba. Kumbe wakati akiwa anakata ile nyama, simba alikuwa amejipumzisha kivulini baada ya shibe. Ingawa hapakuwa mbali kutoka pale, lakini Lambwe hakumwona. Laiti angemwona mapema asigethubutu kuusogelea ule mzoga wa pofu.

Hapo, Lambwe akamteremsha mtoto wake na kumkalisha chini huku yeye mwenyewe akienda kutafuta vijiti vya kupekechea moto. Alipokuwa mbali kidogo wale ndege wakarejea na kupiga kelele kwenye ule mzoga na kuanza kudonoa ile nyama. Simba naye alikasirika kuona kuwa wale ndege wakiichafua ile nyama yake. Haraka, simba alikwenda kuwafukuza wale ndege na kuendelea kula nyama.

Mtoto wa Lambwe bila  kujua alimsogelea Simba bila woga, na kumpasapasa kama vile binadamu anavyompapasa Mbwa. Lambwe aliporejea pale alishitushwa kumwona simba ameinamia kutafuna ile nyama.

Alichanganyiwa alipomwona mtoto wake anampapasa Simba mgongoni bila woga. Lambwe akashikwa na kiwewe. Hakufahamu la kufanya. Alipotaka kumsogelea, Simba aliunguruma (alifoka) na kumfukuza kama alivyofukuza ndege.

Mtoto wake hakushituka, bali aliendelea tu kumpapasa mgongoni. Simba hakuwa na wasi wasi wowote na yule mtoto. Aliendelea kumfukuza Lambwe, naye alikuwa akifyatua mbio.

 Aliona ingekuwa vigumu kuweza kumwua yule Simba peke yake. Alipokuwa mbali kidogo Lambwe alianza kumwita mtoto  wake. Baada ya kumwita kwa muda mrefu, mtoto alimsikia baba yake ndipo alipoanza kumsogelea.

Alipomwona mtoto wake akija, Lambwe aliusikia moyo wake ukimdunda kwa furaha. Mara mtoto alipomkaribia, alimyakua na kumbeba mgongoni. Hima akaanza safari chapuchapu kwenda nyumbani. Daima alikuwa akigeuka na kuangalia nyuma ili kuona kama Simba alimfuata.

Alipowasili nyumbani, mkewe alishangaa alipomwona mumewe hana silaha wala mbeleko. Akiwa bado anahema kwa hofu iliyomwandama pamoja na uchovu wa safari na njaa, Lambwe alianza kumweleza mkewe kisa chote kuhusu yale yaliyowapata katika safari yao. Mkewe alishikwa na mfadhaiko na akamkanya mumewe kuachana na uchu wa kula nyama kwa pupa kama ilivyokuwa huko nyuma.

English: Bad Desire/Greed

 

BAD DESIRE/GREED KILLS

In the past, there was one man whose name was Lambwe. Such a man had married a woman from a far away village. It is said that Lambwe could not find a girl in his home village. He had his one defect. He loved meat very much. Whenever he found meat, he made sure that he ate all of it alone.

Whenever meat was cooked, Lambwe was in charge. He could closely observe so that no one could touch the meat even before it was cooked. Lambwe always handled the pieces of meat as soon as it began to be cooked. He could grab it with a strange desire.

Relatives living near Lambwe’s parents were unable to help the boy deal with that greed. This strange behaviour was known to everyone in the village.

When he wanted to get married, everyone refused him. When the Lambwe realized his behavior was not accepted, he decided to go to a nearby village. Even in the neighbouring villages his bad news about him spread.

Lambwe had to travel to a distant place where he was a stranger. He struggled until he finally married a beautiful girl named Mugoli.

Mugoli was beautiful and courteous and well behaved.. When Lambwe returned to his village with his beautiful wife, he shocked many people. No one in the village thought that Lambwe could marry a beautiful woman like Mugoli! The life of Lambwe and Mugoli was beautiful and wonderful.

Lambwe’s desire to eat all the meat continued. Optionally conquered slavery, Mugoli did not care about her husband’s behaviour because otherwise there were no other defects.

Finally, they were blessed with three children. When each child reached a certain age, he was taken to the village to be introduced their grandfather. The responsibility of taking the children to the village was Lambwe’s.

Lambwe took his children to his mother-in-law in shifts. The way to the village went through a a big forest with wild animals. One day, Lambwe went to greet his parents–in- law. When he got there, he found out that one of his children had been tired of living with grandparents. He started crying. Lambwe decided to bring him back.

He asked his mother-in-law something for carrying food and other items for his son. His mother-in-law prepared everything for him. The next morning, Lambwe started his journey,carrying his son on his back. In addition, he did not forget to carry a club, a spear and a sword as was the custom.

When he was in the wilderness, he heard the voice of the birds singing as a sign that theyhad seen a beast. He was so frightened that he wished to go back where he came from. However, he did not go back, as his journey had reached three quarters and only one quarter remained for him to  arrive home.

He went on his way with the birds singing even more loudly. As he looked on one side of the rpath, he saw an eland lying.  He drove out the birds, and came to the beast.

At first, he thought that the animal was asleep. But sooner or later he found that it was actually dead not long ago. So his flesh had not yet decayed.

Lambwe started salivating. He took his sword and cut a piece of that fat eland, and put it aside.

Lambwe did not know that the eland had been killed by the lion. But when Lambwa cut the meat, the lion had rested in the shade after eating enough. Although it was not far from there, but Lambwe did not see it. If he had seen it before, he would not have dared to move to the carcass of the eland.

There, Lambwe dropped his baby and laid him down while he was looking for fire sticks as he wanted to make fire in order to roast the eland’s meat. From a distance the birds returned and shouted at the carcass and began to draw the meat. The lion was also angry to see that the birds were defiling its flesh. Immediately, the lion went to chase the birds and continued to eat meat.

Lambwe’s child did not know to approach the lion with fear, and he kept touching the lion as he touches a dog. When Lambwe came back, he was shocked to see the lion chewing the meat.

He was confused when he saw his son touching the lion on the back without fear. He was caught in trauma. He did not know what to do. When he wanted to move, the lion roared ( angrily) and dismissed him as he drove away the birds.

His child did not panic, but he just kept touching the lion on its back. The lion had no trouble with the baby. The lion continued to chase Lambwe whenever he came closer.

 Finally, Lambwe realized that it would be impossible for him to kill the lion alone. Lambwe then decided to call his son from a far. After calling him for a long time, the child heard his father and he slowly approached oblivious of the danger that surrounded them.

When he saw his son coming, Lambwe felt his heart beating with joy. As soon as the child reached him, he snatched him and carried him on his back. He hurriedly started going home. As he walked home, he was always turning back and looking behind to see if the lion was following him.

When he got home, his wife was surprised to see him without weapons and without  a piece of cloth for carrying the child with. While he was still filled with the fear and the fatigue of the journey, Lambwe started to tell his wife all about what had happened on the journey back home. His wife was depressed and she warned her husband that he should stop his excessive desire for eat meat.

Collected by: Don Sybertz,

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey  (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Ikale iyo oliho msumba umo witanagwa Kisho. Unsumba uyo olina bhumani (maarifa) noi. Bhabha okwe oliamanyikile mu lina lwa Mapali, agantogwa noi u Kisho.

Aganchala ung’wanokwe agandye shule kugiki asome. Kisho agayega noi ugupandika wasa bhunubho bho guja gujelimiaka ku shule. U Kisho aho omala chiza ielimu ya msingi agachagulwa guja ku sekondari.

Agita chiza umu masomo gakwe mpaka agamala jidato ja kane. Hangi ulinsumba uyo agitogwa noi ku bhutalamu bho mubhusafi bho mili na myenda. Makanza gose aliabhelelile gete gete. Oli na nhungwa ja gudilila bhutalatibhu bho afya bhose ya gwikala na afya ya wiza na wikaji bhulihu.

Lushugu lumo, aho bhalyaga aganomba ntumami okwe ang’wenhele minzi ga gung’wa. Untumami uyo agamana hape gete igiki Kisho alatogilwe gung’wa minzi umo glasi uyo ilinsafi na idina jika.

Umtumami agang’wenhela minzi umu glasi nsafi noi. Aho Kisho omala ugung’wa aminzi, agabhulucha ginhu jilebhe jigasagila umugati ya glasi yiniyo.

U Kisho agajikisia giki iginhu jinijo jali ighi lwa ngoku, wangu wangu agaja ku kusitali gujumhona Daktari. “Bhebhe daktari, nagang’wa minzi mabhi. Naliganikila giki nang’waga maghi ga ngoku. Hambo hambo naligulomba ugafunye wangu wangu amaghi genayo gafume umunda yane.

Udaktari agakumya noi ugwigwa mihayo yiniyo. Aganomela u Kisho. “Udizubhiza na bhuhangayiki. Nadiganikaga igiki uguding’wa na bhusatu bhose bhose.

Ulu ulading’we na bhusatu bhosebhose nzugu aha wangu wangu kugiki upandika bhulaguzi!” UKisho adazunije ubhulomeji bho ng’wa Daktari. Agang’wila u Daktali, “Bhuli nagalangwa kushule ihatari ya maghi ga ngoku. Ku yiniyo, nadizunilijaza nu bhebhe. Hambo hambo daktari itaga iyoudulile ugugafunya amaghi genaya ni lelo iyi, badala ya gulindila mpaga ntondo nandya gusata.”

“Nahene, jijaha ijidonge ja gung’wa, jibhili lushulu mara gadatu. Udulile guja kaya.” Agayomba udaktari.

Aho alimunzila ajile ikaya, u Kisho agiigwa giki umunda jigandwa gulunduma. Uding’wa wibhakizu. Bhukoyakoyi bhugendelea mpaga adahayile ugulwa ijiliwa ija mhindi yiniyo, nulu gung’wa minzi adagemile.

Aho oja gujulala adapandikile itula bhujiku pe alimiso. Aho wela du, Kisho agaja hangi kusitali. Aho daktari opandika ubhulomeji bhulihu gufuma kuli Kisho, agamana giki unsumba ng’wunuyo alina wibhakizu (hofu) noi.

“Jaga ugenhe kalishi (choo) na mine kugiki dudule gujipima, daktari aganomela u Kisho. Udaktari agakomeleja giki opimaga, gashi adapimile josejose.

Agashoka ukunu odimaga glasi yina ighi giti ilo ololibhona u Kisho uko kaya yakwe. Udaktari agang’wolekaja u Kisho iglasi yiniyo na gung’wila, “Lolaga aha ni lighi linilo ilo uliolibhona ilikanza ilo ong’waga minzi. Lwafumaga kunguno ya bhugota ubho ubhumilile. Ihaha udizubhiza na wibhakizu (hofu) hangi.  Jaga gukaya yako na bhuyegi.” “Lo! Obheja noi daktari,” agalumbilija u Kisho ukunu abhizile na bhuyegi bhutale. Agashoka kaya na gwendelea gwikala guti kawaida bho nduhu wibhakizu (hofu).

Udaktari uyo ulu nadatumilile maarifa ga gung’wingija ihofu, Kisho niwendelea gusata ikanza ilihu mpaga gwenheleja nulu gucha kulo hofu.

Kiswahili: Hofu Huleta Mauti

Zama hizo kulikuwa na kijana mmoja aliyeitwa Kisho. Kijana huyo alikuwa na maarifa sana. Baba yake alijulikana kwa jina la Mapali, alimpenda sana Kisho. Alimpeleka mwanaye shule ili apate kusoma.

 Kisho aliifurahia sana nafasi ya kwenda kuelimika shuleni. Alipohitimu vizuri elimu ya msingi alichaguliwa kujiunga na elimu ya sekondari. Alifanya vizuri katika masomo yake hadi alipohitimu kidato cha nne.

Aidha alikuwa ni kijana aliyejipenda sana kwa usafi wa mwili na mavazi, daima alikuwa mtanashati kweli kweli. Alikuwa na tabia ya kuzingatia kanuni zote za afya kwa ajili ya kuishi na afya bora na maisha marefu.

Siku moja, wakati anapata chakula, Kisho alimwomba mtumishi wake ampatie maji ya kunywa. Yule mtumishi alifahamu wazi kabisa kuwa Kisho alipenda kunywa maji katika glasi safi isiyo na doa.

Mtumishi huyo alimletea  maji katika glasi safi sana. Baada ya Kisho kuyanywa aligundua kitu fulani kilibaki ndani ya ile glasi. Alihisi kuwa kile kitu kilikuwa ni yai la konokono,  haraka akaenda hospitali kuonana na daktari. “Bwana daktari, nilikunywa maji machafu. Nahisi nimemeza mayai ya konokono. Tafadhali nakuomba uyatoe haraka mayai hayo kutoka tumboni mwangu.”

Daktari alishangaa sana kusikia maneno yale. Akamweleza Kisho, “Usiwe na wasiwasi. Sidhani kuwa utashikwa na ugonjwa wowote. Endapo utashikwa na ugonjwa wowote njoo hapa haraka ili upate matibabu!” Kisho hakuamini maelezo ya daktari. Akamwambia yule daktari, “Mbona nilifundishwa shuleni hatari ya mayai ya konokono. Kwa  hiyo, sikubaliani nawe. Tafadhali daktari fanya kila unaloweza kuyatoa mayai hayo leo hii, badala ya kungojea hadi nimeanza kuumwa.”

“Haya, hapa ni vidonge vya kumeza, viwili kutwa mara tatu. Unaweza kwenda nyumbani.” Alipokuwa njiani kurejea nyumbani, Kisho alisikia tumbo lake likianza kuunguruma. Akashikwa na hofu.

Wasiwasi huu uliendelea hata hakutaka kula chakula jioni ile, wala kunywa maji. Alipokwenda kulala, hakupata lepe la usingizi usiku kucha. Kulipokucha tu,  Kisho alikwenda tena hospitalini. Baada ya daktari kupata maelezo marefu kutoka kwake, alitambua kuwa kijana huyo alisongwa sana hofu.

“Nenda kalete choo na mkojo ili tuweze kuvipima,” daktari alimwelekeza Kisho. Daktari alisingizia kuwa amepima, kumbe hakupima chochote. Akarudi huku ameshika glasi yenye yai kama lile aliloliona Kisho kule nyumbani kwake. Daktari alimwonyesha Kisho ile glasi na kusema, “Tazama hapa ni lile yai ulilolimeza wakati ukinywa maji. Limetoka kwa sababu ya zile dawa ulizomeza. Sasa usiwe na hofu tena. Nenda nyumbani kwako kwa furaha.” “Lo! Asante sana daktari,”  Alishukuru Kisho huku akiwa na furaha kubwa. Akarudi nyumbani na kuendelea kuishi kama kawaida bila hofu.

Kama daktari yule asingetumia maarifa ya kumtoa hofu, Kisho angeendelea kuugua muda mrefu hata kusababisha kufa kwa hofu.

FEAR CAUSES DEATH

There was a young man named Kisho. Such a young man had a lot of knowledge and skills. His father was known as Mapali. The father loved Kisho very much. When school going age, his father took Kisho to school.

 Kisho enjoyed the opportunity for going to school very much. When he completed primary education, he was selected to join secondary education. He did well in his studies until he graduated at Form Four level of education.

In addition, Kisho was a very young man who loved being smart and clean. He was always smart. He had a tendency to adhere to all health principles. He liked health living and long life.

One day, when he got food, Kisho asked his servant to give him a drink of water. The servant knew very well that Kisho liked to drink water in clean glasses.

The servant brought water in very clean glasses. After Kisho drank, he found something left in the glass. He felt that something was like the snail’s egg, quickly went to hospital to see a doctor. “SDoctor, I drank dirty water. I feel screaming snail eggs in my stomach. Please, hurry up, take these eggs from my stomach.”

The doctor was very surprised to hear the words. Then he told Kisho, “Don’t worry. I don’t think you will get any disease. If you get any illness, come here quickly for treatment!” But he did not believe the doctor’s explanation. He said to the doctor, “I have been taught at school the danger of snail eggs. So, I disagree with you. Please do whatever you can to remove these eggs today, rather than waiting until I get ill.”

“Here, here are tablets for swallowing, two to three times. You can go home”, the doctor instructed him. On his way home, Kisho heard his stomach starting to ache. He was very terrified.

This concern continued. In the evening, he did not want to eat food.  He did not want to drink water either. When he went to bed, he could not sleep all night. Just before dawn, Kisho went back to hospital. After the doctor had received a long explanation from him, he realized that Kisho was only scared.

“Go to the toilet and bring your urine so that we can examine it,” the doctor told Kisho. The doctor pretended to have tested the urine. He came back holding a glass containing egg mixed with water. The doctor showed Kisho the glass and said, “Look, here is the egg you swallowed when you drank water. It has come out because of the medication you are taking. Now don’t be afraid again. Go home happily.” “Oh! Thank you very much doctor,” he thanked Kisho, with great excitement. He returned home and continued to live as usual without any fear.

If the doctor did not use the knowledge of giving fear, Kisho would continue to be sick for a long time even causing death.

 ENGLISH: FEAR BRINGS DEATH (FEAR LEADS TO DEATH)

Collected by: Don Sybertz,

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey  (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Jaliho chalo jimo umo wikalaga munhu na nke okwe. Bhanhu bhingi bhagantogwa unke okwe ku kajile kakwe ka wiza nihanga lwakwe isumba. Uwikaji bho bhanhu abhabhili bhenobho bholi wiza na bho nduhu jika jose jose.

Unhimo gobho ugutale guli ilima, kihamo na nhimo uyo, abhanhu bhenabho bhasugaga mitugo na, hangi bhali na nhimo go bhulingi umu makanza malebhe aga ng’waka.

Umayu agaja kungunda gujulimila, ungoshi agaja ng’wipolu gujulinga. Bhuli lushugu oshokaga ahakaya na nyama na yagutosha gulila. Ku yiniyo, numba yabho idagaiwe jiliwa ja nyama nulu kamo.

Lushugu lumo dilu, bhabha agafuma guja gujulinga kudi na kadijile kakwe. Agalinga na gubhulaga nyama, aho obhiza alishoka ku kaya yake, agatung’wana na Shimba umunzila.

Ku bhuhodari bhokwe agikenya ni shimba yiniyo kwi kanza lilihu. Shimba igaminya na gung’witila malonda mingi umumili. Aliyo ku bhuhodari bhokwe umunhu ng’wunuyo agadula gwibhulaga ishimba yiniyo. Mininga mingi gagafuma, mpaga agaduma uguja, agaduma mpaga uyoganya. Agachola lwande bihi na henaho wilaja na gulwala.

Unke okwe aho obhona giki mhindi yingila na ngoshi okwe adigelaga agabhiza na mashaka, ubhitana abhazenganwa na gubhawila inhulu ja ngoshi okwe.

Bhanhu pye bhagikuminga bhandya gunchola. Bhagafuata inzila iyo oyibhitilaga bhuli lushugu. Aho bhashiga aho aliwikeneja ni shimba, bhandya gubhona mhengho ja mininga, bhadasegenelile, bhibhona ishimba ilalile umimba goyo ha lwande na nzila.

Bhagiyegela ku bhobha, bhaliganika giki ili mhanga. Aho bhayiyoganija ishimba igendelea kulala du na idibhakilile, nose bhumana igiki yali ichile.

Hali yiniyi igabhatinbya ngholo, bhagandya gunchola ung’wichabho. Hamhelo hadoo ya shimba yiniyo bhagansanga ung’wichabho ali nsatu gete. Aho bhagema ugunyombya, agaduma ugubhashogeja mhayo.

Bhagamhucha gunchala kuli nfumu. Unfumu agikomeja gunhagula, aliyo agaduma. Umunhu ng’wunuyo nu lushugu lunulo agazumalika. Unke agasunduhala noi na agalia ku jisoji jitale.

Ijililo jakwe jigakula ku nguno agalekwa alinchilwa umu hali ya bhudito. Ku nguno ya bhusunduhazu bhunubho, unkima ng’wunuyo agaduma uguyomba na munhu oseose.

Abhazenganwa bhagagema ugunyombya aliyo he! Adayombile hangi, bhuli ikanza aho ohayaga gulomba ginhu jilebhe otumilaga makono bho ishara du. Mpaka aho wifungula ng’wana okwe ngosha adayombile na munhu oseose nulu adayombile mhayo gose gose.

Wandikala ilina lwa ng’wanokwe agang’witana Nhekwa (mpina). Mpina agalanghanwa mpaga ubhiza ntale. Aho oshikila ikanza lwa kusoma shule, agachalwa agasome kihamo na bhana abhangi abho bhalibha mzengo gunuyo.

Agasomishiwa na gulipilwa ada na mayu okwe ku nguno ya ng’wa mayu ng’wunuyo ya gulugala uguyomba, aginhiwa lina lwa mayu njomba. Bhuli uyo agahaya gunomba ginhu, otongejaga lina lwa mayu njomba…Umayu ng’wunuyo agikala wikaji bhokwe kudi munhu ungi oseose. Ijika jakwe jali gukija guyomba du. Ung’wanokwe ulu ohaya ginhu otumilaga ishara du.

Bhuli lushugu aho otung’wana na bhiye ukushule bhanomelaga mihayo mingi higulwa bhamayu bhabho. Bhangi bhagahaya, mayu aganibhuja mambo mbalimbali ayo dugilanga ukushule, nagabhabhila pye na bhagayega noi.

Adamanile inguno iyo yang’wita umayu okwe abhize njomba. Bhuli ikanza aho agalomelwa ijenheleja ja ng’wa mayi okwe gubhiza na jika jinijo adishangile na guzunya gete.

Mpina ohayaga giki umayu okwe oladahayaga du uguyomba nawe, hangi wiganikaga giki umayu okwe adantogilwe. Bhuli ikanza aho oshoka gufuma kushule wikalaga na bhupina, na oladinabhuyegi nulu hado. Umayu unjomba ningiki obhizaga adayombaga, aliyo agagema kung’wolekeja ung’wana okwe hali ya bhuyegi. Ung’wanokwe agaduma uguimana ihali ya ng’wa mayu okwe.

Lushugu lumo umpina agiganika na gwiyangula giki hambohambo gucha gukila ugwikala umu hali ya jina chiniko. Aho wiganika noi agahaya gwinija, aliyo agabhona idichiza, halafu agagubhona nti nhihu na hangi gutale noi uyo golibihi na lilonga lilihu noi.

Agagulola unti gunuyo agabhona giki gusoga noi. Bhasi agiyangula gugulinha na halafu gwiponya mulilonga gufuma kwigulwa yaho. Aho agulinhaga, abhiye bhagamona kulwa nguno yali mhindi na pye bhalibhashokile kaya gufuma kushule. Hangi ku bahati ya wiza unti gunuyo guligudikule sana gufuma ku nzila iyo bhaibhitilaga, bhagamuja, “Mpina, ulita ki umunumo nti?” Umpina agashosha ku jilaka ja bhukali, “Nalihaya gwiponya mulilonga na gucha.”

“Kulwa nguno ki?” Bhagamuja. Ushosha, “Umayu one adanitogilwe, bhuli hene aho nahaya gung’wila ya kushule, guti umo bhalitila abhichane, adushoshaga ginhu, aliyo gwidika bho ntwe du. Ihali yiniyo ilinidacha noi, ihaha nalihaya nibhulage du.”

Abhiye bhagibhakila bhandya gushoka kuja gujung’wila ung’walimu obho. Ung’walimu oliatali ng’widalasa alimalija gusahihisha milimo ya bhana. Oli atali uguja ikaya, “jigela kiyi bhaning’wi?” Agabhuja.

Abhana bhanabho bhagang’wila, giki umpina ulinhaga munti nhihu alihaya gwiponya ng’wikolongo ache. “Nibhuli alihaya gwita chiniko?” Agabhuja. Oyombaga angu opelanaga kulwa nguno umayu okwe adantogagwa, adahayile uguyomba nawe. “Lo! Lo! Yikoye ili, nahene dujagi wangu wangu,” ung’walimu agayomba na kunu alihangaika ku bhobha na wasiwasi.

Habhali jigabhitiwa wangu wangu kubha ng’walimu bhose, ng’walimu úntale na bha ng’walimu bhiye, kihamo na bhana aho bhigwa, bhagapela bho wangu wangu noi bhajile ku nti gunuyo.

Aho bhashika ahenaho bhagabhasanga bhanhu bhingi noi bhikumingaga na bhuli umo obho olakalalile miso gwigulwa ya nti. Ung’walimu agishepeleja mpaka agashiga aha ishina lwa nti. Adegelile sana kulwa nguno ililongo linilo lwalilwagohya.

Ahasi ya lilonga linilo galihoi mawe mingi noi na gali mugi sana. “Mpina hambohambo ikaga wangu wangu ng’wanone,” ng’walimu okwe agang’wikumbilija.

Unene nadikaga nulu hado, niyangulaga gucha, na lelo hi nhalikilo yane. “Ehe, nalina ukunuko nti kugiki uniwile ilikoye lwako?” Ulu ulina du, unene niponya haho na haho! Hambo hambo ukije ugulinha, mpina agashosha.

Ung’walimu ng’wunuyo agikanika wangu wangu, agabhatuma bhana wangu wangu kujung’witana umayu okwe Mpina. Abhana bhanabho bhagapela  sana, bhagashika bhaganomela umayu njomba, inhulu jose. Nanghwe adadilile, aginga lukangala lumo.

Aho oshika ahenaho, agalangamila kwigulwa agamona ung’wana okwe, umpina. Amiso gabho aho galumana umayu njomba agalila jisoji, ningeki agamona Mpina, adayombile mhayo gosegose.

“Aha! Mayu nubhe wiza, ilelo ugwibhonekeja lufu lone guti umo ugibhonekeja ulufu lo ng’wa bhabha one,” Mpina agang’wila umayu okwe ku bhupina.

Umayu njomba adavumiliye, “Ng’wa—Ng’wa—na-na—ng’wanone, ika—ika—ikaga.” “Lo! Umayu njomba aliyomba,” abhana abhangi ahenaho hasi ya nti, bhashangilia ku yomba ningi. “Mayu uliyomba?” Mpina agabhuja ku bhuyegi. “Ehe, nalikulomba wike wangu wangu duje kaya.” Mayu ihaha nagwika wangu wangu.

“Unene nadufumula hangi.” Umayu unjomba, aganyegela u Mpina. U Mpina aho wigwa ilaka lwa mayu okwe, ku wangu wangu lukangala lo gwandya agika wangu wangu.

Aho oshika ahasi agampelela na gunkumbatila umayu okwe na kunu jisoji jilidika. Umayu okwe aganfumuja na bhagaja bhose kukaya yabho na bhuyegi. Bhanhu bhose bhagabhona ja gukumya ja ng’wa Mulungu. Gwandija lushugu lunulo Mpina agikala nu mayu okwe guti bhiye.

Kiswahili: Mama Bubu Na Mwanawe

Kulikuwako na  kijiji kimoja alichoishi mtu na mkewe. Watu wengi walimpenda mke wake kwa tabia yake nzuri na pia kwa uzuri wake wa sura. Maisha ya watu hawa wawili yalikuwa mazuri na yasiyo na kasoro yoyote.

Kazi yao kubwa ilikuwa ni kilimo, pamoja na kazi hiyo watu hawa walifuga wanyama na pia walishughulika na kazi ya kuwinda katika nyakati fulani za mwaka.

Mama anapokwenda shambani kupalilia, mumewe alikwenda mwituni kuwinda. Kila siku alirudi nyumbani na nyama ya kutosha kwa kitoweo. Kwa hiyo nyumba yao haikukosa chakula cha nyama hata mara moja.

Siku moja asubuhi Baba alitoka kwenda kuwinda kama kawaida yake. Aliwinda na kuua mnyama, alipokuwa anarejea nyumbani kwake, alikutana na Simba njiani. Kwa uhodari wake alipigana  na Simba yule kwa muda mrefu. Simba alimuumiza na kumtia majeraha mengi mwilini. Lakini kwa uhodari wake mtu yule alifanikiwa kumuua Simba yule. Damu nyingi zilimtoka hata akashindwa kwenda, alishindwa pia hata kupiga kelele, alitafuta mahali karibu na pale akajilaza na kuugua.

Mkewe alipoona kuwa jioni iliingia na Bwana wake hakuonekana alijawa na hofu akaalika majirani na kuwaeleza habari za mumewe. Watu wote walikusanyika wakaanza kumtafuta.

Waliifuata njia aliyokuwa akiitumia kila siku, walipofika mahali alipokuwa akipigana na Simba, walianza kuona alama za damu, na punde tu wakamwona Simba amekufa kando ya njia. Walimsogelea kwa woga, wakidhani kuwa yu hai. Walipompigia kelele Simba aliendelea kulala tu na wala hakushituka, mwisho walitambua kuwa amekufa.

Hali hii iliwatia moyo wakaanza  kumtafuta mwenzao. Kando kidogo ya Simba yule walimwona mwenzao yuko hoi kabisa. Walipojaribu kumsemesha, alishindwa kuwajibu neno. Walimbeba wakampeleka kwa mganga wa jadi.

Mganga alijitahidi kumtibu, lakini alishindwa. Na yule mtu siku ile ile akafariki. Mkewe alisikitika sana na kulia kwa machozi  makuu. Kilio chake kiliongezeka kwa sababu aliachwa mjane katika hali ya uja uzito. Kwa ajili ya huzuni zile, yule mwanamke alishindwa kusema na mtu yeyote.

Majirani walijaribu kumsemesha lakini wapi! Hakusema tena, kila alipotaka apewe kitu fulani alitumia ishara tu. Hata alipojifungua mtoto  wake wa kiume hakusema na mtu wala hakusema neno lolote. Aliandika jina la mtoto wake akamwita Mkiwa.

Mkiwa alilelewa mpaka akawa mkubwa. Alipofikia makamo ya kusoma shuleni, alipelekwa kusoma pamoja na watoto wengine waliokuwa wakitoka katika kijiji chao.

Alisomeshwa na kulipiwa ada na mama yake, kwa kuwa yule mama alifunga kusema, alipewa jina la mama bubu. Kila aliyetaka kumwomba kitu alitanguliza jina lake na kusema, mama bubu, naomba….

Mama yule aliendesha maisha yake kama mtu mwingine yeyote, kasoro yake kubwa ilikuwa ni kutosema tu. Mtoto wake alipomtaka kitu alitumia ishara tu.

Kila siku alipokutana na wenzake shuleni walimweleza mambo mengi kuhusu mama zao. Wengine walisema, mama aliniuliza mambo mbalimbali tuliyojifunza shuleni, nilimweleza yote na alifurahi sana.

Mkiwa hakujua sababu iliyomfanya mama yake awe bubu. Kila alipoelezwa kisa kamili cha kasoro hiyo hakuridhika wala hakuamini kabisa. Mkiwa alidhani kuwa mama yake hakutaka tu kuzungumza naye, pia alidhani hakupendwa na mama yake.

 Kila aliporudi  kutoka shuleni alikuwa mwenye huzuni na asiye  na raha hata kidogo. Mama bubu ingawa hakuwa anasema, lakini alijaribu kumwonesha mtoto wake hali ya furaha, mwanawe alishindwa kutambua hali ya mama yake.

Siku moja Mkiwa aliwaza na kukata shauri kuwa heri kufa kuliko kuishi katika hali ya namna ile. Baada ya kufikiri sana alitaka kujinyonga, lakini akaona si vema. Baadae aliuona mti mrefu na tena mkubwa sana uliokuwa karibu na genge refu sana.

Aliutazama mti ule akaona kuwa ni mzuri sana. Basi alikata shauri kuupanda na halafu kujitupa gengeni toka juu yake.  Alipokuwa anaupanda, wenzake walimwona kwa sababu ilikuwa jioni na wote walikuwa wanarudi nyumbani kutoka shuleni. Tena kwa bahati nzuri mti ule haukuwa mbali sana kutoka njia waliyokuwa wakipita, walimuuliza,  “Mkiwa, unafanya nini humo mtini?” “Nataka kujitupa gengeni na kufa.” Mkiwa alijibu kwa sauti  ya ukali. “Kwa sababu gani?” Walimuuliza, “Mama yangu hanipendi, kila ninapotaka kumweleza mambo ya shuleni, kama mnavyofanya wenzangu, hajibu kitu bali huitika kwa kichwa tu. Hali hii inaniudhi sana, sasa nataka nijiue tu.” Alieleza.

Wenzake walishituka wakaanza kurudi kwenda kumwambia mwalimu wao, mwalimu alikuwa bado yungali darasani anamalizia kusahihisha kazi za watoto. Alikuwa bado  hajaondoka kwenda nyumbani, “shauri  gani vijana?” Aliuliza. Watoto wale walimweleza, “Mkiwa amepanda mti ule mrefu anataka kujitupa  gengeni afe.” “Kwa nini anafanya hivyo?” Mwalimu aliuliza. “Amesema ati amekasirika kwa sababu mama yake hampendi, hataki kusema naye.” Watoto walieleza. “Lo! Lo! Hatari hii, haya twendeni upesi,” mwalimu alisema na huku akihangaika kwa woga na wasiwasi.

Habari zilipitishwa upesi upesi kwa walimu wote, Mwalimu mkuu, walimu wenzake pamoja na watoto waliposikia, walikimbia kwa haraka sana kuelekea kwenye mti ule.

Walipofika pale waliwakuta watu wengi sana wamekusanyika na kila mmoja wao alikuwa kakazia macho juu ya mti. Mwalimu alipenyapenya mpaka akafika shinani mwa mti, hakusogea zaidi maana genge lile lilikuwa linatisha.

Chini ya genge lile palikuwa na mawe mengi sana tena yenye ncha kali sana, “Mkiwa tafadhali shuka haraka mwanangu,” Mwalimu wake alimsihi. “Mimi sitashuka hata kidogo, nimekata shauri la kufa, na leo ndiyo mwisho wangu.” Mkiwa alijibu. “Je nipande huko mtini ili uniambie shida zako?” Mwalimu aliuliza. “Ukipanda tu,  mimi nitajitupa mara! Afadhali  usipande.” Mkiwa alijibu.

Mwalimu yule hodari alifikiri upesi, akawatuma watoto haraka kumwita Mama yake Mkiwa. Watoto wale walikimbia sana, walipofika walimweleza mama bubu habari zote.

Naye hakuchelewa, aliondoka mara. Alipofika mahali pale, aliangalia juu akamwona mtoto wake Mkiwa, macho yao yalipogongana Mama bubu alilia machozi, ingawa alimwona Mkiwa, hakusema neno lolote.

“Aha! Mama nawe umekuja, leo utashuhudia kifo changu kama ulivyoshuhudia kifo cha baba yangu,” Mkiwa alimwambia Mama yake kwa uchungu. Mama bubu hakuvumilia, Mwa- – – – Mwa- – – -na – na- – mwana- – ngu, shu – – shu- -shuka. “Lo! Mama bubu anasema,” watoto wengine pale chini ya mti walishangilia kwa kelele nyingi. “Mama unasema?” Mkiwa aliuliza kwa shauku, “ndiyo ninakuomba shuka haraka twende nyumbani.” Mama bubu alisema. “Mama sasa nitashuka haraka.” Mkiwa alisema.

“Mimi sitanyamaza tena.” Mama bubu alimhakikishia Mkiwa. Mkiwa aliposikia sauti ya Mama yake kwa haraka mara ya kwanza alishuka haraka. Alipofika chini alimkumbatia mama yake na huku machozi tele yakimtoka, Mama yake alimtuliza na wakaenda wote nyumbani kwa furaha. Watu wote waliona maajabu ya Mungu. Tangu siku hiyo, Mkiwa aliishi na mama yake kama wenzake.

ENGLISH: THE DUMB MOTHER AND HER SON

There was one village where a man lived with his wife. Many people loved his wife for her good conduct and also for her beauty of shape. The lives of those two people were good and free from any defect.

Their main occupation was farming. Together with that, they raised animals. They were also involved in hunting activities at certain times of the year.

When the mother went to the garden for weeding, her husband went to the forest for hunt. Every day he came home with enough meat as relish. Their house never missed meat.

One morning, the man went out for hunting as was the custom. He hunted and killed some animal. On his way home, he met a lion. He bravely fought with the lion for a long time. The lion hurt him and caused him many wounds in the body. But, with great courage, the man managed to kill the lion. A lot of blood gushed out of his body until he could not walk. He could not even shout. He found a place nearby where he lay down and fell seriously ill.

As the evening approached, his wife saw got filled with fear.  Her husband was nowhere to be seen.  She decided to seek assistance from neighbors to tell them that she could not know her husband’s whereabouts. Many people were gathered and started to look for him.

They followed the way that he used every day. When they came to the place where he was fighting with the lion, they could see blood stains, and soon they saw the lion lying dead along the way. They came to it in fear, thinking that it could alive. When they shouted at the lion and got no response, they confirmed that it was dead.

This encouraged them to continue looking for the man. A short distance from the lying lion, they saw him lying. He was very weak. When they tried to speak to him, he failed to answer a word. They took him to a traditional healer.

The healer tried to treat him, but he failed. Eventually, the man died. His wife was full of grief and sadness.  She cried madly. Her cry was intensified by the fact that she was left a widow in pregnant state. Because of grief, the woman failed to speak to anyone.

Neighbors tried to talk to her but in vain. She did not talk again. Every time, she wanted something, she used signs. Even when she gave birth to her son, she did not speak to anyone. She wrote the name of his son and called him Mkiwa.

Mkiwa grew up until he became big. When he started going to  school, he was in the company of other children from the village.

Mkiwa’s education expenses were paid for by his mother.  Since Mkiwa’s mother could only scream and not speak, he was named  the dumb mother. Everyone who wanted to ask for something from her, had to address her as, “Dumb mother, I ask….”

Mkiwa’s mother lived just like anyone else. Her only defect was remaining silent. When her child wanted something, he used signs.

Every day, when Mkiwa met his schoolmates,  they told him many things about their mothers. Some said, their mother asked them  about the things they had learned at school.  They also said that they narrated to their mothers what they had learned at school and their mothers were very happy.

Mkiwa did not know the reason why her mother was mute. When he was told a full story of what had happened as to make his mother mute, he was neither satisfied nor did he really believe it. Mkiwa thought her mother just wanted not to talk to him. He also thought his mother did not love him.

 Every time he came home from school, he was sad and unhappy. The dumb mother still did not say, but tried to show her child a happy state face. Her son failed to recognize situation in which  his mother was.

One day, Mkiwa decided to commit suicide rather than to live in such a situation. After thinking a lot about the matter, he made a resolution that he wanted to kill himself.  As he walked around, Mkiwa saw a large and tall tree that was close to sharpen pointed stones.

He looked at the tree that he thought was very good for his purpose. So he decided to climb it and in order to throw himself out of it. When he was climbing, his friends saw him because it was evening and they were all going home from school. Luckily, the tree was not very far from the road, they asked, “What are you doing in the fig tree?”  “This situation makes me very sad, I have decided to kill myself and this is what I want to do now.” He explained. “Why?” they asked him. “My mother does not love me, every time I want to talk to her as you do to your mothers, she does not answer anything. She only nods. This situation has made me to be fed up. I now only want to kill myself.” He explained.

His fellows were shocked and went back to school to tell their teacher. Luckily, the teacher was still in the class marking children’s exercise books. When he saw the pupils, the teacher askedwhat had brought them back. . The children told him, “Mkiwa has climbed that tall treelong tree he wants to throw himself down and die.” “Why does could he do that?” asked the teacher. “He says he is angry because his mother does not like him. She does not want to talk to him.” The children explained. “Oh!  This danger, we should go quickly”,the teacher said and whispering to fear and anxiety.

The news was quickly passed on to all the teachers, the head teacher, his colleagues and the children heard, they ran very fast towards the tree.

When they got there, they found so many people gathered and each one was staring at the tree. When the teacher saw it, he forced the way until he reached the tree. He did not move any more because the pointed stones were was terrifying.

“Mkiwa, please, please come down quickly, my child”, the teacher begged Mkiwa. “I am  not going down. I have decided to die, and today is my end.” “Should I climb the tree  for you to tell me your problems?”, asked the teacher. “If you climb, I will throw myself! You shouldn’t go.” He replied.

The teacher thought quickly, and he sent the children quickly to call Mkiwa’s mother. The children went quickly. When they arrived at Mkiwa’s mother, they told her all the news.

She did not delay, she left immediately. When she got to that place, she looked up and saw his son Mkiwa. Their eyes met. The mother started crying. All this time, she did not say anything.

“Ah! Mother, I can see you have come. Today you will witness my death as you witnessed the death of my father,” he said to her dumb mother bitterly. The dumb mother did not tolerate, ‘Mwa- – na –na- – – Mwa – –nangu’ (My son, my son)’. Then the dumb mother said. The other children under the tree cheered with a lot of noise. “You dumb mother, you can speak?” Then she asked with enthusiasm, “Yes, I beg you to come down and let us go home.” “Mother I will soon come down.” Mkiwa said.

“I will not keep quiet again.”, Dumb mother confirmed to Mkiwa. When Mkiwa heard the voice of her mother speaking, he quickly came down. When he came down he hugged his mother and with tears of joy flowing from him, he went home with his mother. All the people who were around, regarded what they witnessed as the wonders of God. Since that day, Mkiwa lived with her mother as his fellow pupils did with their mothers.

Collected by: Don Sybertz,

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey  (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Aho kale oliho munhu umo uyo uli na bhana bhatandatu. Aliyo, oli nhabhi na munhu o wikaji bho makoye. Mpaga ng’waka gumo ikaya yakwe igagaiwa imyenda ya guzala. Hangi nzala igabhisonga. Abhanhu abhangi bhamonaga kudi hali ya kawaida du ugubhiza na wikaji bhunubho.

Lushugu lumo umbehi ng’wunuyo agiyangula gujumana kugiki alekane na makoye ganayo. Agashiga ng’wipolu, agalinha mliti liliihu mpaga mumatambi galwo. Ghafula agilekala gugwa mpaga hasi kugiki ache.

Umbehi ng’wunuyo agagwa hasi puuu! Agasaga henaho ku likanza idoo, halafu agibhuja: “Naminyika?” Agashosha, yaya! Agakumya nibhuli adachile.

Aho wibhona giki atali alimpanga, agagungumka na gulina hangi mpaka hi gulwa ya matambi ga higulwa gete, na gwiponya hasi. Agagwa hangi puuu! Ni chiniko, adaminyikile nulu gucha gitumo aliwiyangulila.

Ohayimanila wigela munhu uyo obhizaga aguyelaga ng’wipolu linilo. Agamona alihaya gulina lukangala lo kadatu, agamuja, “Wina bhulingisilo ki ung’wigulwa ya nti nhihu gunuyo?

“Unene nalinhabhi na wikaji bhone bhuli bho makoye noi. Nalihaya gwibhulaga umu namalaga gulina mpaga ng’wigulwa ya nti gunuyo na gwiponya mpaga hasi na kucha.”

“Naligwikumbilija ndugu one, udizita chiniko gete nulu hadoo. Bokelaga ihela iji, udulile nulu gwita bhusuluja na gupandika matwajo, na giko ugwipandikila jako kihamo na bhana bhako.

Aliyo izukaga giki aho ulasabhe, nagwiza gusola untaji uyo nalinagwina bho nduhu kulomba jagongeja jose jose.

Ahanaho umunhu ng’wunuyo aganumbilija noi unfazili okwe na agaleka gete ubhulingisilo bhokwe ubho gwibhulaga. Aho alibhiza agushokaga kukaya yakwe alinago nu ntaji, agandya gwita bhusuluja.

Nanhana ubhusuluja bhokwe bhugazunya wangu wangu na agabhiza nsabhi. Huna agazenga numba nsoga na gugula ng’ombe. Agasabha noi.

Aho yabhita miaka ikumi, mfazili okwe agaja kugiki adule gunshokeja ihela jinijo ijo agang’winha kugiki wandije bhusuluja. Aliyo, adinhilwe. Unfazili ng’winuyo agendelea kunhomba mpaga igabhita miaka makumi abhili.

Naho yashika imyaka makumi abhili yiniyo, agendelea hangi, aliyo alatali alendelea guntula tarehe. Huna bhagishisha kumabhanza. Ubhulamuji ahabhofunyiwa iganhadikija gunshokeja ihaki yakwe kunhingo lwande.

 

 Kiswahili: Je, Umaskini Ni Wangu?

Hapo zamani palikuwa na mtu mmoja aliyekuwa na watoto sita. Lakini, alikuwa maskini na mtu mwenye maisha ya shida. Hata mwaka moja familia yake ilikosa nguo za kuvaa, pia waliandamwa na njaa. Watu wengine walimwona ni kama kawaida yake tu kuwa na maisha hayo.

Siku moja bwana huyo alijishauri kwenda kujiua ili aondokane na taabu hizo. Alipofika porini, akapanda juu ya mti mrefu mpaka kwenye matawi yake. Ghafla akajiachia na kuanguka hadi chini ili afe.

Bwana huyo alianguka chini puuu! Akabaki palepale kwa muda kitambo, halafu akajiuliza: ‘Nimeumia?’ Akajijibu, La! Alishangaa kwa nini hakufa. Baada ya kujiona kuwa bado yu hai, akainuka na kupanda tena hadi juu kwenye matawi ya juu kabisa, na kujitupa chini. Alianguka tena puuu!

Hata hivyo, hakuumia wala kufa kama alivyonuia. Mara alitokea mtu aliyekuwa anatembea mule porini. Alimwona anataka kupanda safari ya tatu, akamwuliza, “Una malengo gani  juu ya mti mrefu huu?’

“Mimi ni maskini na maisha yangu ni ya shida sana. Nakusudia kujiua baada ya kupanda hadi juu ya mti huu na kujitupa hadi chini na kufa. “Chonde sana ndugu, kamwe usifanye  hivyo hata kidogo. Pokea hapa fedha hizi Unaweza kuanzisha biashara na kupata faida, na hivyo kujipatia riziki yako pamoja na wanao.

Lakini kumbuka kwamba baada ya kutajirika, nitafika kuchukua mtaji niliokupatia bila ya kudai riba yoyote. Hapo yule mtu akamshukuru sana mfadhili wake na akaacha kabisa lengo lake la kujiua. Alipokuwa anarudi nyumbani kwake akawaza kuwa, alifika porini akiwa maskini lakini anarejea nyumbani akiwa na mtaji.

Akaanza kufanya Biashara. Ni kweli biashara yake ilichanganya na haraka akanza kuwa tajiri. Ndipo alijenga nyumba nzuri na  kununua ng’ombe. Akatajirika sana.

Baada ya miaka kumi kupita, yule mfadhili wake akaja ili aweze kumrudishia zile fedha alizomwezesha kuanzisha biashara. Lakini hakupewa.

Yule mfadhili aliendelea kumdai hadi ikapita miaka ishirini. Hata ilipofika miaka ishirini alimwendea tena, lakini bado aliendelea kumpiga tarehe. Ndipo wakafikishana mahakamani. Hukumu ilipotolewa, ilimpasa kumrejeshea haki yake kwa shingo upande.

ENGLISH: IS POVERTY MINE?

Once upon a time, there was one man who had six children. He was poor and  had hard life. One year, his family missed clothes to wear. The family also starved. People considered the situation to be normal. They regarded hardship to have been part of his life.

One day, the man decided to go to commit suicide so that he could get rid of those problems. When he got to the bush. He climbed a tall tree to as high as the branches. Suddenly, he threw himself and fell down to die.

He landed ‘puuu!’ He remained lying for a while, and then he asked himself: “Have I been hurt?” He wondered why he did not die. After realizing that he was alive, he rose up and climbed up back to the top of the top branches and threw himself down again. He fell again ‘puuu!’

However, he did not hurt or die as he intended. Soon, there was a man who was walking in the wilderness. The man saw him as he wanted to climb the tree for the third trip. The other man asked, “What are your goal in this long tree?”

The man responded, “I am poor and my life is very hard. I intend to commit suicide by throwing myself down  this tree.” Then the man said, “Please, brother, never do that. I will give you the money.  You can start business and get  profit out of it. In that way, you will earn your livelihood with your children.”

“However, you should remember that after making wealth from this money, I will get my capital back without claiming any interest.”  Then the man who wanted to kill himself thanked his donor and abandoned his intention to commit suicide. When he returned to his home, he thought how miraculous the whole thing was. He had come to the bush as poor man and now he was going home  with capital.

He started doing business. His business went well and he quickly became rich. Then, he built a beautiful house and bought some cows. Indeed, he became very rich.

After ten years, his donor came to be repaid. He wanted the money that he had given to the then poor man to start such business. Strangely, the poor man did not pay back.

The donor continued to claim for his money for ten more years! Twenty years after he had given his money to the poor man,he came back to him.  The now rich man, still told his donor to come another day. Then they took their dispute to court. When the judgement was given, the was forced to repay the debt.

 Collected by: Don Sybertz,

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey  (African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

100. Hotubha Ya Ng’wa Mt. Leo Papa O 440-Lushigu Lo Gubyalwa Yesu Kristo

Bhatogwa, dunumbilije Mulungu Bhabha gubhitila kuli ng’wana okwe Yesu Kristo mu Moyo Ng’wela (Moyo Ntakatifu), kulwa nguno ya bhutogwa bhokwe bhutale kubhiswe.

Agadubhonela isungu aho dalidacha kunguno ya shibhi jise. Agadita dubhize na bhupanga kihamo nu Kristo, kugiki dubhize jisumbwa jipya muli wei.

Dubhuponeji kule ubhumunhu wise ubho kale na nzila ja muyiniyo jose. Na gitumo dalidabhalilwa bhupya muli Kristo, dugaleme amabhi gose aga musi iyi.

Ubhebhe nzunya izukaga umuhimu bhoko na giki obhiza ihaha ulumanyiwe mu hali ya jimulingu. Udizushokela hali yako imbi ya shibhi (ya kugwita dhambi).

Gashinaga ni nani alintwe goko, nu bhebhe ulibheja mhili gokwe. Udizibha igiki ofuma mugiti na wenhwa mulisana lwa bhutemi bho Mulungu, mu sakramenti ya bhubatizo, umo ugabyalwa ku minzi na Moyo Ng’wela.

Obhizaga ikelesia lwa ng’wa Mulungu. Udizumpeja ungeni oko úntale, ku mambo ayogadafaile na kubhiza hangi nsese o shibhi, ku nguno uwiyabhi (uhuru) bhoko bhugigela ku damu ya ng’wa Yesu Kristo.

Kiswahili: Hotuba Ya Mt. Leo Papa  Wa  440-Siku Ya Kuzaliwa Yesu Kristo

Wapendwa, tumshukuru  Mungu Baba kupitia kwa mwanaye Yesu Kristo katika Roho Mtakatifu, kwa sababu ya upendo wake mkubwa kwetu. Alituonea huruma na tulipokuwa tumekufa kwa sababu ya makosa ya dhambi zetu, alitufanya hai pamoja na Kristo ili tuwe viumbe vipya katika yeye.

Tuutupilie mbali utu wetu wa zamani na njia zake zote mbaya. Na kama tulivyozaliwa upya katika Kristo, na tuyakatae mabaya ya dunia hii. Wewe! Mkristo kumbuka umuhimu wako na kwa kuwa sasa unashiriki hali ya Kimungu usirudie hali yako mbaya ya dhambi.

Kumbuka, ni nani aliye kichwa chako na wewe ndiwe kiungo cha mwili wake. Usisahau umetokea gizani na kuletwa katika mwanga wa ufalme wa Mungu, katika sakramenti ya ubatizo umezaliwa kwa maji na Roho Mtakatifu.

Umekuwa hekalu la Mungu. Usimfukuze mgeni wako mkuu kwa mambo yasiyofaa na kuwa tena mtumwa wa dhambi, kwa kuwa uhuru wako umepatikana kwa damu ya Yesu Kristo.

 

ENGLISH: SPEECH/HOMILY OF ST. LEO POPE, THE 440TH. ON THE BIRTHDAY OF JESUS CHRIST.

Beloved, we thank God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit, because of His great love for us. He showed us mercy and when we died because of our sins, He made us alive with Christ to become new creatures in Him.

Throw away our old personality and all its evil ways. And as we have been born again in Christ, let us reject the evil of this world. You! Christian remember your importance and now that you are involved in the divine nature do not return to your sinful state.

Remember, who is your head and you are a part of his body. Do not forget you have come from the darkness and have been brought into the light of the kingdom of God, in the sacrament of baptism you have been born of water and the Holy Spirit.

You have been made the temple of God. Do not expel your great guest for things that are wrong and become a slave to sin, for your freedom has been acquired through the blood of Jesus Christ.