Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

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

Waliho ngosha umo lina lyakwe Jiji, wali nguhi no. Ubhuguhi wenubho bhukang’wenheleja kwitanwa Jiji (kanoni kado). Nose akabyala bhana bhingi bhali bha mimili mitale na bhalihu, huna lulu ulu bhitanwa bha ng’wa Jiji, bhabhi bhucha Soni.

Nose bhuhaya, hambu hambu tusame henaha. Namhala alitugola no, alituponda Soni. Bhusama na gusama. Aho bhasegendela bhukamanwa, bha ng’wa Jiji ng’washikile nanali ukunu?

Bhandya kwiwila, “Kunu twamanwa, tusamagi tujagi, bhongeja lugendo lwabho kuja ipande lingi. Bhahayushika nu kwene bhukamanwa, bha ng’wa Jiji ng’washikile nanali?” Nose bhiwila giki, bhagosha tushokagi kaya tulinoga dalali. Tuli bha ng’wa Jiji nulu tuje hali tuli bha ng’wa Jiji.

Kiswahili: Hata Uenda Wapi Ni Wa Jiji

Alikuwepo mwanamume mmoja jina lake aliitwa Jiji. Alikuwa mfupi mno. Ufupi huo ulimsababishia yeyé kuitwa Jiji (ka ndege kadogo).

Mwishowe alizaa watoto wengi wa miili mikubwa na warefu. Wakawa wanaitwa watoto wa jiji, nao walijisikia aibu.

Mwishowe wasema afadhali wahame hapo. “Mzee anatutunza mno, lakini anatuaibisha.” Walihama pale. Walipofika mbali walitambuliwa, na watu wakaauliza, “Wa Jiji mmefika lini huku?”

Wakaanza kuambiana, “Huku tumetambuliwa, tuhameni twendeni.” Wakaongeza mwendo wao kwenda upande mwingine. Walipofika na huko wakatambuliwa, “Wa Jiji mmefika lini?”

Mwishowe, wakaambiana hivi, “wanaume turudi nyumbani tunachoka bure. Sisi ni wa Jiji hata tuende wapi ni wa Jiji.”

WHEREVER YOU GO, YOU ARE OF JIJI

There was a man named Jiji. He was very short. His shortness made him to be called Jiji (a type of a small bird).

Eventually he gave birth to many children who were tall and had well-built bodies. These children were called sons of Jiji.They felt embarrassed because of their father’s height.

Finally, they decided to leave and move to somewhere else where no one knew them. “Our father takes care of us very well, but he shames us.” Then, they left the place. When they were far off, they were recognized, and the people asked, “When did you of Jiji arrive here?”

They began to say to one another, “We have been identified, let us move on. Let us go.” They went to the other side. When they got there, they were recognized, “Sons of Jiji when did you come here?”

Finally, they said to each other, “Men,let us go back home.We are tired. We are of Jiji.Wherever we go, we are of Jiji. ”

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

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

Bhaliho bhanhu bhabhili, uungi mboku uungi Jishegena bhalibhazengile jijiji jimo. Lushiku lumo bhumanyiwa guwinga nkilo ya mongo. Ubhuka gwandya ujishegena aho ogashika ha mongo usanga mongo ng’wingi gete uduma ugubhita alu winga bhononaga bhanhu bhalimba, bhaliyunja na jose jamalagagubhejiwa ijawiza.

Nyango guligulolelile guko ali jose jilinung’hila okalalagwa no. Ikanza ido ushiga nang’hwe umboku nu nang’ha gokwe. Jishegena umuja, “Ginehe nkoyi ujile he?” Mboku uhaya, “Namanyiwe guwinga niyo naliohagati gete unene, aliyo lulu mongo gokalaga gete nadum agukila nkilo, udiyigwaga iyombo nubhunung’hu bho shiliwa.

Mboku ushosha, “Naligwa noyi niyo.” Hanuma lulu dite ginehe dubhone gubhita duje uko jiza jili? Umboku ung’wila ujishegena giki, “Ubhebhe nkoyi ulina miso, lelo amagulu nduhu. Unene nane nalina magulu amiso nadinago.”

Nalulu nzugu nagusesele iki ubhebhe ulina miso, ugumanubhona aho hiza. Bhose bhizunilija, ujishegena useselwa nu mboku.
Ujishegena wandya ung’wila umboku bhitaga gumoso, imaga lyashiga isanzu, kajaga lizile igogo, uja nkono gonila. Bhanhu bhenabho bhukila mongo nabhuja kuwinga bhukalya malya chiza.

Kiswahili: Kiwete Na Kipofu

Kuliwepo na watu wawilli, mwingine kipofu na mwingine kiwete waliokuwa wakiishi kijiji kimoja. Siku moja waliaalikwa kwenda kwenye harusi ng’ambo ya mto.

Kiwete alikuwa wa kwanza kuianza safari, alipofika kwenye mto, alikuta mto una maji mengi kabisa akashindwa kupita. Wakati huo harusi ilikuwa imependeza sana, watu walikuwa wakiimba na kucheza vizuri, pia vyakula vizuri vilikuwa vimekwisha tengenezwa tayari.

Mlango ulikuwa umeangalia kule alikokuwa kiwete huyo, vyakula vyote vilikuwa vinamnukia na kumtamanisha mno. Kwa muda mfupi kipofu alifika naye akiwa na fimbo yake.

Kiwete alimuuliza, “Vipi rafiki unaenda wapi?” Kipofu alisema, “Nimealikwa kwenda kwenye harusi, tena mimi nilikuwa wa katikati kabisa, lakini mto umejaa kabisa nimeshindwa kuvuka ng’ambo, husikii kelele na kunukia kwa vyakula?”

Kipofu alijibu, “Nasikia tena sana.” Wakaulizana, “Sasa tufanye nini ili tupate kuvuka kwenda kule ambako vizuri vipo?” Kipofu alimwambia kiwete hivi, “Wewe rafiki una macho, lakini huna miguu. Mimi nami nina miguu lakini sina macho.”

“Basi njoo nikubebe mabegani kwa vile wewe una macho, utakuwa unaona pale ambapo ni pazuri.” Wote wakakubaliana, kiwete akabebwa mabegani na kipofu.

Kiwete alianza kumwambia kipofu “pita kushoto, simama kinakuja kichaka cha miiba, wahi linakula gogo, uende mkono wa kulia.” Watu hao walivuka mto na wakaenda kwenye harusi wakala vyakula vizuri.

ENGLISH: THE DISABLED AND THE BLIND

There were two people.One was blind and other was disabled.They lived in one village. One day, they were invited to go to the wedding ceremony on the other side of the river.

The disabled was the first to start the journey. When he got to the river, he found the river flooded. It had so much  water that he could not go. At that time, the wedding had reached a very interesting stage. People were singing and playing well.At that time, good and delicious food was already prepared.

The door of the house where the wedding was taking place was facing to the side where he was limping. A short time later,  the blind came at him with his stick.

The man with physical disability asked, “How is it my friend? The blind one said, “I was invited to go to the wedding, and I was to be a very important person, but because the river is flooded, I was not able to cross over. Poor us! Hear the noise and the smell of food!”

Then the two men asked each other, “Now what can we do to get across to the wedding?” The blind man said, “You friend have eyes, but you have no feet. I have legs but I have no eyes.Then come let me carry you on my shoulders because you have eyes, you will see where it is good.” They agreed.The crippled was carried on the shoulders of the blind.

Then the  crippled man took the lead. He could  tell the blind “Turnleft, stop the thorny bush is passing, hurry up, a logis coming, turn right.” Finally the two people crossed the river and got to the wedding party.

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

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

Aho kale waliho ngosha umo uyo o1ihang’wakwe weyi na nke na ng’wana wabho nyanda. Ngosha ng’wenuyo olina milimo ng’wanza mjini. Numba yabho yalinsumba gete mukaya, bholiho bhumeme chiza ng`hana.

Nkima alamanilile gufuma hanze makanza ga bhujiku bhuli lushiku aliyo aladabhachaga tala, ofumaga giti. Nose ngoshi agang’wila nke wane bhuli utogilwe gufuma hanze yaya gubhacha tala mkaya, udamanile giki bhupe ginhu jiza gete?
Mayu ng’wene aganshokeja ngoshi giki unene nabhiza ng’wenyeji noyi munumba yeniyi, nduhu aho najimililwe na hado. Nkima agakija gwigwa mihayo ya ngoshi. Agaduka alifuma gitumo amanililile.

Lushiku lumo ngosha aho alalile tulo nhale, nkima agafuma, gashi agana galimiso nago gika gunondeja uninago mumo giti mpaga ha nyango gudumagufuma hoi. Ninago aho ashogile mukaya aho oshiga hanyango ubhona ginhu jilisula hoi. Wibhuja ilelo yiyi, ngoshi wane waniwila ugubhacha tala aliyo nalema gwigwa lishinu ki ilyenili?

Ushogashoga ubhona ilang’ha ulisola na uja alikunga bhomakono abhili utula ahenaho na nguzu jose mpaga kabhili, ng’wana adalilile. Mayu ng’wene ubhita guja mkaya na gumisha ngoshi.
Haho adinabhacha bhumeme, ngosha aho wamishiwa, nke aling’wila, “Nene nali nkali gete nalinafumaga, aho nashogile nansanga muna shinu aho nyango nantula mpaga numulaga, bhachaga tala ugalole.”

Ngosha moyo guchenuka, ng’hana ubhacha wangu wangu, numba yela gete ufuma gushiga aho nyango unsanga ng’wana wakwe achile, ung’witana nkima nzugu ulole iyo obhejaga, unene naguwila giki ubhacha tala. Wabhona lulu, bhose bhandya kulila, ngosha umpeja nkima. Gashi ili chiza gutumila bhupe gukila giti.

Kiswahili: Mwanamume Alikuwa Na Mke Wake

Hapo zamani alikuwepo mwanamume mmoja ambaye alikuwa nyumbani kwake na mke na mtoto wao mvulana. Mwanamume huyo alikuwa na kazi Mwanza mjini. Nyumba yao ilikuwa nzuri kweli kwa ndani, ulikuwepo umeme mzuri kweli.

Mwanamke alikuwa amezoea kutoka nje wakati wa usiku kila siku lakini alikuwa hawashi taa, alikuwa na anatoka nje giza likiwepo. Mwishowe mme wake alimwambia, “mke wangu kwa nini unapenda kutoka nje bila kuwasha taa ndani, hujui kwamba weupe ni kitu kuzuri kabisa?

“Mimi nimekuwa mwenyeji mno kwenye nyumba hii, hakuna pale nilipopasahau hata kidogo.” Mwanamke aliacha kusikia maneno ya mme wake. Alibaki akiwa akitoka kama alivyozoea.

Siku moja wakati mwanamume akiwa amelala usingizi mzito, mwanamke alitoka, kumbe mtoto alikua macho, naye akashuka kumfuata mama kwa nyuma kwenye giza mpaka mlangoni akashindwa kutoka pale.

Mama yake alipofika mlangoni akiwa anarudi ndani aliona kitu kinachungulia pale. Akajiuliza, leo haya, “mme wangu aliniambia kuwasha taa lakini nilikataa kusikia lidudu gani hili?”

Alirudi nyumba akaona fimbo akachukua na kuja akinyemelea kwa mikono miwili akapiga hapo kwa nguvu zote mpaka mara mbili, mtoto hakulia. Mama huyo alipita kwenda ndani na kumuamsha mme wake.

Akiwa hajawasha umeme, mme wake alipoamshwa, mke wake alimwambia, “Mimi ni mkali kweli nilikuwa nimetoka, nilipokuwa narudi nimelikuta lidudu pale mlangoni nimelipiga mpaka nikaliua, washa taa ukaangalile.”

Mme wake moyo ukashituka, kweli akawasha taa haraka haraka, nyumba ikawa nyeupe kabisa, akatoka, alipofika pale mlangoni akamkuta mtoto wake akiwa amekufa, akamwita “mwanamke njoo uangalie ulichotengeneza, mimi nilikuambia kwamba uwe unawasha taa. Umeona sasa!!” Wote wakaanza kulia, mwanamume alimfukuza mwanamke. Kumbe ni vizuri kutumia weupe kuliko giza.

ENGLISH: THE MAN HAD HIS WIFE

In the past, there was a man who lived with his wife and a son. The man had a job in Mwanza city. Their house was really good inside, there was really good electricity.

The woman had been used to get out at night every day, but she did not put on lights, she had come out of the darkness to be there. Finally her husband said to her, “Why would my wife like to go out without  the lights on? Don’t you know that light is the most beautiful thing?”

“I am now very familiar in this house. I have never forgotten anything.” The woman could not heed the advice of her husband. She continued behaving as she was accustomed.

One day, when the man was in a deep sleep, the woman went out. As she did that, her child woke up. He came down to follow his mother in darkness. The child remained standing still near the door.

When his mother came to the door, she saw something looking at her.  She wondered what that was. Then she said, “What is that I am seeing again? My husband told me to switch on the lights but I refused to heed the advice?”

She looked around and saw the stick. She picked it and held it with both hands and bounced all the strength twice.The child did not cry. After hitting her own child unknowingly, the woman went to wake her her husband up.

 All this time, the woman had not switched on the lights. When her husband got up, his wife said to him, “I am so strong that I hit something and killed it as I met it on the way when I was coming back from outside.Switch on the lights.

After hearing that, her husband was shocked. He switched on the lights.All the house became bright. Then he went to the door and found his dead son. He called his wife“Woman come and look at what you have done. I have been repeatedly tellingyou to switch on the lights. Now see what you have done!”They both started crying.The man then warned, “It is is always important to remember that light is better than darkness.”

Collected by: Don Sybertz,   Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

With special thanks to Rev Joe Healey <a href=”http://www.afriprov.org/”(African proverbs,Sayings and stories)

Bhalangwa bhadatu bhang’wa shetani ntale. Bhali na lubhanza lobhulingisilo na nimo gwabho, gwagubhahubya bhanhu bha musi.

Aho bhamala jigasho jabho jenijo, aha bhatali kubhuka lugendo lwabho lwa kwiza musi kubhakoya bhanhu. Ntale wa bhashetani agabhitana abhalangwa bhakwe na gubhabhuja higulya ya milimo yabho ya gubhalemba lemba bhanhu na gubhajimija umusi.

Nangwa wa kwandya agabhujiwa nilishetani ilitale, “Ee alu bhebhe wina nzila ki?” Agashosha, “Unene nina nzila ja gubhawila abhanhu uko Welelo giki, uMulungu atiho.”

Ushetani ntale ushosha, “Uko nzila yako yeniyo ugubhapandika bhanhu bhagehu duhu, kulwa nguno amaganiko gabhanhu gakubhamanyikijaga giki uMu1ungu aliho ng’hana.”

Agamuja uwa kabhili, “Alu bhebhe wina nzila ki?” Agashosha, “Nagubhawila giki, umoto gwa welelo na welelo nduhu, ili mihayo ya bhulomolomo gete.”

Untale wakwe aganshogeja. “Ku nzila iyi ugubhalemba lemba bhagehu duhu. Kulwa nguno hihi pye abhanhu umukwiganika gwabho, bhamanile giki, bhanhu bhagulamulwa gulenganila na shitwa shabho.”

Ha ng`halikijo, agabhujiwa nu nangwa wa kadatu. “Alu bhebhe ginehe?” “Unene nagubhawila abhanhu giki, Wangu wangu nduhu. Iti hadi ukulumva lelo, nulu ikanza linili, nulu ntondo bhungi, nulu ng’waka uyo guliza.

Nduhu Wangu Wangu.” Ntale wa mashetani akayejiwa no nilishosho lyakwe, uyomba, “Ijigasho jeniji jingilaga muntwe gwako ng’hana, ukunzila yeniyi ugubhapandika bhalangwa bhingi no.

Swahili: Mafundisho Ya Shetani – Hakuna haraka

Wanafunzi watatu wa shetani mkubwa. Hao walikuwa na kikao cha kupanga mikakati ya kutekeleza lengo lao, la kuwakosesha watu wa duniani.

 Walipomaliza kikao chao hicho, wakiwa bado hawajaanza safari yao ya kuja duniani kuwasumbua watu. Mkuu wa mashetani aliwaita wanafunzi wake na kuwauliza juu ya kazi yao ya kuwadanganya watu na kuwapoteza duniani.

Mwanafunzi wa kwanza aliulizwa na shetani mkubwa, “Wewe una njia ipi?” Alijibu, “Mimi nina njia ya kuwaambia watu hivi ulimwenguni, Mungu hayupo.”

Shetani mkubwa alijibu, “Kwa njia yako hiyo utawapata watu wachache tu, kwa sababu mawazo ya watu yanawajulisha hivi, Mungu yupo kweli.”

Akamuuliza wa pili, “Na wewe una njia ipi?” Alijibu, “Nitawaambia kwamba, moto wa milele haupo, ni maneno ya uongo kabisa.”

Mkubwa wake alimjibu, “Kwa njia hii utawadanganya wachache tu. Kwa sababu karibu watu wote katika kufikiri kwao, wanajua hivi, watu watahukumiwa kulingana na matendo yao.”

Mwishoni, alimuuliza na yule wa tatu, “Na wewe una njia ipi?” Alijibu, “Mimi nitawaambia watu hivi, hakuna haraka. Siyo lazima kuungama leo, au muda huu, au kesho kutwa, au mwaka ujao. Hakuna haraka.”

Mkuu wa mashetani alifurahishwa mno na jibu lake, alisema, “Kikao hiki kimeingia kichwani mwako kweli, kwa njia hii, utawapata wanafunzi wengi mno.”

THE ENGLISH TITLE OF THIS SUKUMA STORY IS “THE HEAD DEVIL TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES”

Collected by: Don Sybertz, Scanned by: Cephas Yao Agbemenu

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

Yaliho kaya imo yalina bhana bhadatu bhayanda na nkima okanne, bhuwilwa ubhujiku aho jikome, nkima ubhawila, bhing’we bhayanda gashigaga malima, dujagi dugahambe mbiyu jise dugalime. Aho jazwa bhandya guhamba. Aho bhamala uguhamba bhigasha.

Umumpunga gupya, aho gopya, bhiwila ubujiku aho jikome ubhebhe nzuna wise intondo udime indama unyanda ohagati uwilwa gudima ng’ombe, unkulu obho uja kumpunga gujulola ulu jidulyaga inoni.

Usanga jigulyaga wandya gulinda gufuma saa imo. Aho yashiga saa inne lyushiga inoni ilo ligalyaga lyita kwa kwa. Aho olibhona itale no ogoha no na gupela uyomba unene nadulinda hangi. Uja kaya ugabhawila bhazunaye na mayu okwe, natalalinda hangi.

Uyomba uungi, nkulu wise ummpunga gushile, unene naguja ugujulinda. Aho wela uja ugalinda, gufuma saa imo, aho yashiga saa inne lyushiga inoni ilo ligalyaga umupunga lyita kwa kwa. uyomba noni ki iyi, nadulinda hangi uja kaya ugabhawila nkulone uyomba unene naguja nagalinde.

Aho wela uja ugalinda gufuma saa imo, aho yashiga saa inne lyushiga inoni iloligalyaga umupunga lyita kwa kwa. Wima du unyanda uyomba nashoge kaya nagadose lugoye. Aho oshiga ikaya ung’wila unina na bhakuluye nalibhonaga ilinoni na lulu nadose lugoye. Aho wela uja na lugoye ugatega na gulindila na yushiga inoni yupujiwa upela guja ho.

Aho oshiga ho yuyomba udizunibhulaga nunene nalagupija. Ukumya no, noni ki iliyomba, nalilomba unilekeje nadalalya umpunga. Lyung’wila injaga uloya ulohagati ululihu, uiitaligulila winja uloya lyung’wila lujanage kaya ugalutule umupunga. Aho guma bhugesa bhakaja amabhelele, bhugaiwa aho bhagutule.

Nzuna wabho ubhawila bhakuluye agateme ngito. Mayu obho uyomba bhebhe nyanda ulindo no bhawilage bhakuluyo bhagateme. Uyomba unyanda nulu nene natoshije, bhakulu bhane bhadamanile gusuma mabhelele.

Nahene jaga, uja lokwandya limi buu, wela hangi uja limi buu, hangi wela uja hangi ugajimila mpaga shigu idatu aling’wipolu. Umona nkima umo makanza ga saa idatu, dilu alinajisabho alidaha minzi unsanga ho ungisha. Ulomba minzi winhwa, aho wang’wa umuja mayu utolilwe, nang’hwe uyomba natolilwe, nalilomba uganizugile shiiiwa, hamo ngoshi oko agudaka.

Nang’hwe uyomba ngoshi one ihaha alinduhu akizaga makanza ga saa kumi na mbili, nulu saa imo, duje kaya uganizugile, unkima uyomba ngoshi one nkali no, agunibhulaga udizuja ikaya.

Nite kinehe lulu natubhile, jaga uko kunima nukwenhela ijiliwa ugigashe ko, nkima uja ugazuga jiliwa unjanila ugalya ngosha ng’wenuyo aho olya uyomba nane nalihaya ditole nang’ho, nkima uyu ung`wila, lalaga henaha, dugubhona lushigu lungi.

Lushigu lo kabhili ujana hangi aho omala ugulya ngoshi ung`wila dujage, bhuja mpaga kaya. Aho ngosha oshiga wingila na gufuma hanze wipindilija inumba utula ajile kiya mpaga kule ugashoka uja hangi dakama mpaga kule hangi ugashoga hangi wiza wingila mkaya. Bhufuma na nkima hanze bhuja bhugifeng’ha mumakwi ushiga ungoshi, uyomba isu ngeni, ufuma hanze nagwipindilija inumba aliyomba isu ingeni, ufuata ukowandija uguja ungoshi, kiya aliyomba isu ingeni, ushoga ufuata hangi guja ng’weli aliyomba, isu igeni, ushoga hangi aliyomba isu igeni, ufuata hangi dakama aliyomba isu igeni, ushoga hangi aliyomba isu igeni ufuata hangi.

Aho wegela hamakwi uyomba isu igeni, nang’ho odunoja iyoka yalinamitwe mpungati aho oyomba isu igeni, lyumona na gunuma ngoshi ucha. Haho na haho iza noni yung’wanhila upila ulitema untwe.

Aho obhuka inzoka iliyomba isu igeni lyunuma hangi ucha. Iza hangi inoni yung’wanhila upila agalitema pye mitwe ulinyola iliyoka. Inoni yung’wila dujage kaya nkima na ngosha bhulina hanoni lyubhajana ukolizengile ilinoni bhubhiza bhageni ubhawila unyanda uyu aganipija olohaya gunibhulaga lyumuja umanile ikaya uyomba natamanile dujage lulu nagujane.

Lyunjana uko malambo ga mpunga lyumuja omana lulu ikaya uyomba namana lyunjana mpaga kaya. Aho bhashiga bhuyomba oshiga unyanda, unina uyomba mlinilemba ng’wanone ojimila shigu ningi. Aho bhashiga inoni yubhawila, mayu unene namalaga umpunga gwing’we. Mayu ng’wene utogwa no inoni yuyomba nafuate nang’winga oko, ng’winga ufuatwa. Aho yang’wenha inoni yuyomba ninhagi uloya lone, inoni inhwa yushoga kaya.

Na Sophia Kahabi

Kiswahili: Familia Moja Ilikuwa Na Watoto Watatu: Wavulana Na Mwanamke

Kuliwepo na familiya mojo iliyokuwa na watoto watatu wavulana na mwanamke wanne. Waliambiwa usiku kwenye kikao cha jadi wakiwa wamezunguka moto, mwanamke aliwaambia, “nyie wavulana, kipindi cha kilimo kimefika. Twendeni tukapande mbegu zetu tukalime. Zilipoota walianza kupanda. Walipomaliza kupanda wakakaa.

Mazao ya mpunga yalikubali. Baada ya hapo, wakaambiana usiku kwenye kikao cha jadi wakati wakiota moto, “wewe mdogo wetu kesho uchunge ndama”. Mvulana wa katikati aliambiwa kuchunga ng’ombe, mama yao alienda kwenye mpunga kwenda kuangalia kama ndege hawali.

Alipoenda alikuta ndege wanakula akaanza kulinda kutoka saa moja. Ilipofika saa nne likafika lindege amabalo huwa linakula huku likifanya “kwa kwa.” Kwa vile lilikuwa kubwa mno, alipoliona aliogopa mno na kukimbia, akasema, “mimi silindi tena.” Akaenda nyumbani kuwaambia, wadogo zake na mama yake, “Sitalinda tena.”

Mwingine akasema, “kaka yetu, mpunga uishe! Mimi nitaenda kulinda. Kulipokucha, alienda kulinda, kuanzia saa moja, ilipofika saa nne, likafika lile lindege ambalo huwa linakula mpunga huku likifanya ‘kwa, kwa.’ Akasema, “ndege gani huyu, sitalinda tena,” akaenda nyumbani kuwaambia, “kaka yangu, mimi nitaenda kulinda.”

Kulipokucha alienda kulinda kuanzia saa moja. Ilipofika saa nne, lile lindege likafika linalokula mpunga huku likifanya ‘kwa kwa.’ Akasimama tu, mvulana, akasema, nirudi nyumbani nikatengeneze kamba. Alipofika nyumbani, alimwambia mama yake, na kaka zake, nimemuona ndege kwa hiyo, nitengeneze kamba. Kulipokucha, alienda na kamba akaenda kutega na kusubiria, yule ndege alifika akaja kukamatwa, akakimbia kwenda pale.

Alipofika pale, ndege yule mkubwa akasema, “usiniue nami nitakuja kukuponyesha. Alishangaa mno, “ndege gani huyu anaongea,” “naomba unisamehe sitakula mpumga. Ondoa unyoya wa katikati ule mrefu.” Akalifungulia akaondoa unyoya ule mrefu, likamwambia, “upeleke nyumbani ukauweke kwenye mpunga.” Ulipokauka, wakavuna, na kuujaza kwenye maghala yao yote, mpaka wakakosa mahali pa kuuweka.

Mdogo wao aliwaambia kaka zake, akakate miti ya kutengenezea ghala. Mama yao alisema, “wewe mvulana ni mdogo mno waambie kaka zako wakakate.” Mvulana akasema, “hata mimi natosha, kaka zangu hawajui kushona maghala.”

“Sawa nenda.” Akaenda siku ya kwanza, kutwa nzima, kesho yake akaenda tena kutwa nzima, na siku iliyofuata akaenda tena akaenda kupotea mpaka siku tatu yuko porini. Akamuona mwanamke mmoja wakati wa saa tatu asubuhi, akiwa na kibuyu akichota maji akamkuta pale akamsalimu. Aliomba maji akapewa. Alipokunywa alimuuliza, “Mama umeolewa?” Naye alijibu, “nimeolewa.” Naomba ukanipikie chakula, labla mme wako atakasilika.

Naye aliseama, “Mme wangu kwa sasa hayupo, huwa anakuja wakati wa saa kumi na mbili jioni, au saa kumi na moja,” “Twende nyumbani ukanipikie,” mwanamke alisema, mme wangu ni mkali mno, ataniua usiende nyumbani.

“Nifanya nini basi, nina njaa?” Mwanamke akajibu, “nenda mlimani, nitakuletea chakula huko.” Mwanamke akaenda kupika chakula akampelekea akala mwanaume huyo. Alipokula, alisema, “nataka tuoane nawe.” Mwanamke huyu alimwambia, “lala hapa, tutaona siku nyingine.”

Siku ya pili, alipeleka tena chakula, alipomaliza kula, mme wake alimwambia, “Twende.” Alienda mpaka nyumbani. Mwanamume alipofika aliingia ndani akatoka nje akaizunguka nyumba, akaelekea mashariki mpaka mbali, akarudi na kwenda tena kusini mpaka mbali, tena akarudi na akaja kuingia ndani nyumbani.

Wakatoka na mwanamke nje, wakaenda kujificha kwenye kuni. Mme wake akafika, akasema, “harufu ngeni,” akatoka nje akaizunguka nyumba akisema, “harufu ngeni, alifuata alikoanzia kwenda mmewe, mashariki akisema, harufu ngeni, akarudi akafuata tena magharibi, alikisema, “harufu ngeni.” Akarudi tena akisema, “harufu ngeni.”  Akafuata tena kusini, akisema, “harufu ngeni.” Akarudi tena akisema, “harufu ngeni.” Akafuata tena.

Alipokaribia kwenye kuni, akisema, “harufu ngeni.” Nawe umetuchosha, joka lenye vichwa saba, aliposema, “harufu ngeni,” likamuona na kumuuma mme wake akafa. Hapo hapo akaja ndege akamzomea, akapona akalikata kichwa.

Aliposimama, joka likasema, “harufu ngeni,” likamuuma tena akafa. Akaja tena yule ndege akamzomea akapona, akamkata vichwa vyote akalishinda lile joka.

Ndege alimwambia, “twende nyumbani, mwanamke na mwanaume wakapanda mgongoni mwa ndege huyo, akawapeleka kule anakokaa yule ndege, wakawa wageni wa yule ndege. Akawaambia “mvulana huyu aliniokoa alitaka kuniua. Akamuuliza, “unafahamu nyumbani?” Akasema, “sifahamu.” Yule ndege akasema, “twende basi nikupeleke.”

Yule ndege mkubwa, alimpeleka kwenye majaruba ya mpunga, akamuuliza, “umefahamu sasa nyumbani?” Akasema, “nimefahamu,” Akampeleka mpaka nyumbani.

Walipofika wakasema, “mvulana amefika,” mama akasema, “mnanidanganya mtoto wangu amepotea siku nyingi.”

Walipofika yule ndege mkubwa, aliwaambia, “mama mimi nilikuwa namaliza mpunga wenu.” Mama yule alifurahi mno. Yule ndege akasema, “nifuate na mkaa mwana wako.” Mkaa mwana akafuatwa. Yule ndege alipomleta alisema, “nipeni unyoya wangu.” Ndege yule akapewa unyoya wake akarudi nyumbani.

Na Sophia Kahabi.

ENGLISH: ONE FAMILY HAD CHILDREN: THREE BOYS AND A GIRL

There was one family that had four children, three boys and a girl. They met during the night at a traditional session around the fire, where the woman told them, “Yes, boys, the agricultural season has come. Let’s go and scatter our seeds just a moment. When they arrived, they began to plant. When they finally got up they stayed.

Rice earnings became a lot. Afterward, they talked during the night at a traditional session while they were sitting around the fire, “you little boy tomorrow take care of the calves.” A middle boy was told to take care of cattle, and their mother went to the paddy field to look if birds did not eat.

As she went, she found birds flying and began to guard from seven o’clock. At about four o’clock, the bird arried which ate while doing ‘kwa kwa.’ As it was too big, when she saw it she was very scared and ran away, saying, “I will not lookout again.” She went home to tell her children, “I will not go again.”

Another said, “Fellows, why should paddy get finished! I’m going to protect. In the autumn, he went to the guard, from about one o’clock to four o’clock, when the big bird came in to eat paddy while doing ‘kwa kwa.’ He said, “What a bird is this, I do not protect again,” he went home and told them, “my brothers, I will not go to protect.”

In the morning the other one went to protect from about one am. At about four o’clock, the bird arrived eating paddy while doing ‘kwa kwa.’ He only stopped, boy, he said, ‘let me go back home and make a rope.’ When he got home, he told his mother, and his brothers, ‘I have seen the bird, so, let me make a string.’ When it was daylight, he went up with a rope and sneezed and waited, and the bird arrived when it was arrested and he ran towards there.

When he got there, the big bird said, “do not kill me and I will heal you. Surprised, “what kind of bird does this one speak,” “I beg you to forgive me I will not eat the paddy. Get rid of the long fur furnace. “When he opened it, he removed the long feather, saying, “Take it home and put it in paddy.” When it sprouted, they harvested it, and filled it in all their warehouses, until they missed a place to put it.

Their younger brother told his brothers, and he should go to cut trees for making a warehouse for them. Their mother said, “You are too young, tell your brother to go and cut them.” The boy said, “Even if so I am enough, my brothers do not know how to sew the warehouses.”

“Ok, go.” He went the first day, all day long, the next day he went again for the whole day, and the following day he went on and disappeared. He got lost until three days in the woods. He saw a woman at about three o’clock in the morning, with a little water calabash around and found her where he greeted her. He asked for water to be given. When he drank, he asked, “are you married?” And she replied, “I am married.” Please I ask for a meal. Maybe your husband will be angry!

And she said, “My husband is not present, he comes at twelve o’clock in the evening, or at eleven o’clock,” “Let’s go home and cook for me,” she said, “my husband is very angry, he will kill me do not go home.

“What do I do then, I’m hungry?” The woman replied, “go to the mountain, and I will bring you some food there.” The woman went to cook a meal and sent it to the man. When he ate, he said, “I want to marry you.” The lady said to him, “sleep here, we will see each other another day.”

The next day, she sent again the food, after he had eaten, and her husband said, “Let’s go.” She went home. When the man came in and went out and went around the house, headed eastward and far away, returned and went back southward, and returned and came home.

They went out with a woman, to hide on the wood. Her husband came and surrounded the house, saying, “visitor smell,” he followed to the east, saying, guest smell, he returned to the west again, saying,” guest smell. “He came back and said,”guest smell. He went back to the south, saying, “guest smell.” He came back and said, “A guest smell.” He followed again.

As he reached the woods, saying, “Guest smell.” And you humiliated us, a seven-headed dragon, when he said, “Guest smell,” it saw him and bit him to death. Then came the big bird shouted at him, and he recovered and cut off head of the dragon.

When he stood, the dragon said, “Guest smell,” it bit him again and died. Once again the bird came to him and healed, he cut off all the heads and defeated the dragon.

The bird told him, “Let’s go home, the woman and the man climbed to the back of that big bird. It took them to the place where it lived, and became the guests of that bird. The bird said to them, “This boy saved me and wanted to kill me. He asked, “Do you know at home?” He said, “know.” The bird said, “Let’s go and let let me sent you there.”

The big bird took him to paddy farms, and asked, “Do you know now at home?” He said, “I do not know,” it took him home.

When they arrived, they said, “The boy has come,” the mother said, “you are deceiving me my baby has been lost for many days.”

When they reached the big bird, told them, “Mother I had finished your paddy.” The mother was very happy. The bird said, “Let me follow you daughter in law.”The daughter in law was followed. When the bird came up, said, “Give me my fur.” The bird was given its feather and returned home.

With Sophia Kahabi.