Lizazi leling’wi, boma nebangile litolwana zeng’ata.
One day, mama got a lot of fruit.
“Lukaca lili litolwana?” lwabuza. “Lukaca tolwana kacenu busihu,” boma babulela.
“When can we have some fruit?” we ask.
“We will have the fruit tonight,” says mama.
Munyanaka Rahim utimana hahulu, ulikanga litolwana kaufela mi ulicanga kabung’ata.
My brother Rahim is greedy. He tastes all the fruit. He eats a lot of it.
“Bona zaezize Rahim!” munyenaka ahuwa. “Rahim autwi mi waitata.” nabulela.
“Look at what Rahim did!” shouts my little brother.
“Rahim is naughty and selfish,” I say.
Boma bamunyemezi Rahim.
Mother is angry with Rahim.
Niluna lumunyemezi Rahim kono yena haikutwi maswabi.
We are also angry with Rahim. But Rahim is not sorry.
“Kana amuna kumufa koto Rahim?” munyenaa luna abuza.
“Aren’t you going to punish Rahim?” asks little brother.
“Rahim, onafa ukainyaza.” Bo ma ba mufa mamela.
“Rahim, soon you will be sorry,” warns mama.
Rahim akala kuikutwa kukula.
Rahim starts to feel sick.
“Mba yaka ikutwa bumaswe,” Rahim ashobota.
“My tummy is so sore,” whispers Rahim.
Bo ma nebazibile kuli se sikaezahala. Litolwana lifa koto Rahim.
Mama knew this would happen. The fruit is punishing Rahim!
Kasamulaho, Rahim ainyaza kuluna. “Hanina kutimana hahulu hape nikamuta,” asepisa. Kaufelaluna lwa mukolwa.
Later, Rahim says sorry to us. “I will never be so greedy again,” he promises.
And we all believe him.
Adelheid Marie Bwire
Melany Pietersen
Christabel Songiso, Akombelwa Muyangana
SiLozi (Zambia)
Level 2
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