Odongo and Apiyo lived in the city with their father.
They looked forward to the holidays. Not just because school was closed, but because they went to visit their grandmother. She lived in a fishing village near a large lake.
Odongo and Apiyo were excited because it was time to visit their grandmother again.
The night before, they packed their bags and got ready for the long journey to her village. They could not sleep and talked the whole night about the holiday.
Early the next morning, they left for the village in their father’s car.
They drove past mountains, wild animals and tea plantations. They counted cars and sang songs.
しばらくして子どもたちは疲れて眠ってしまいました。
After a while, the children were tired and fell asleep.
Father woke up Odongo and Apiyo as they arrived in the village.
They found Nyar-Kanyada, their grandmother, resting on a mat under a tree.
Nyar-Kanyada in Luo, means ‘daughter of the people of Kanyada’. She was a strong and beautiful woman.
Nyar-Kanyada welcomed them into the house and danced around the room singing with joy.
Her grandchildren were excited to give her the presents they brought from the city.
“First open my gift,” said Odongo.
“No, my gift first!” said Apiyo.
プレゼントを開けてから、ニャル・カニャダは昔から伝わるやり方で孫たちに感謝しました。
After she opened the presents, Nyar-Kanyada blessed her grandchildren in a traditional way.
それからオドンゴとアピヨは出かけました。蝶々や鳥を追いかけました。
Then Odongo and Apiyo went outside. They chased butterflies and birds.
木登りをし、湖で水遊びをしました。
They climbed trees and splashed in the water of the lake.
暗くなって、晩御飯を食べに家に帰りました。食べ終える前に彼らは眠りに落ちていました！
When it was dark they returned to the house for dinner. Before they could finish eating, they were falling asleep!
次の日、お父さんは子どもたちをニャル・カニャダのもとに残して車で都会へ戻りました。
The next day, the children’s father drove back to the city leaving them with Nyar-Kanyada.
Odongo and Apiyo helped their grandmother with household chores. They fetched water and firewood. They collected eggs from the chickens and picked greens from the garden.
One morning, Odongo took his grandmother’s cows to graze. They ran onto a neighbour’s farm.
The farmer was angry with Odongo. He threatened to keep the cows for eating his crops. After that day, the boy made sure that the cows did not get into trouble again.
On another day, the children went to the marketplace with Nyar-Kanyada. She had a stall selling vegetables, sugar and soap.
Apiyo liked to tell customers the price of items. Odongo would pack the items that customers bought.
一日の終わりに、一緒にチャイを飲みました。彼らはおばあさんが稼いだお金を数えるのを手伝いました。
At the end of the day they drank chai tea together. They helped grandmother to count the money she earned.
But too soon the holidays were over and the children had to go back to the city.
Nyar-Kanyada gave Odongo a cap and Apiyo a sweater. She packed food for their journey.
When their father came to fetch them, they did not want to leave. The children begged Nyar-Kanyada to go with them to the city.
She smiled and said, “I am too old for the city. I will be waiting for you to come to my village again.”
オドンゴとアピヨは二人とも、おばあさんを強く抱きしめ、さよならを言いました。
Odongo and Apiyo both hugged her tightly and said goodbye.
When Odongo and Apiyo went back to school they told their friends about life in the village. Some children felt that life in the city was good. Others felt that the village was better.
But most of all, everyone agreed that Odongo and Apiyo had a wonderful grandmother!
