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Once upon a time,
there lived a happy
family.
Once upon a time,
there lived a happy
family.
Hapo zamani za kale, paliishi familia yenye furaha.
They never fought with
each other. They helped
their parents at home
and in the fields.
They never fought with
each other. They helped
their parents at home
and in the fields.
Hawakugombana hata kidogo. Watoto waliwasaidia wazazi nyumbani na shambani.
But they were not
allowed to go near a
fire.
But they were not
allowed to go near a
fire.
Lakini, walikatazwa kwenda karibu na moto.
They had to do all their
work during the night.
Because they were made of wax!
They had to do all their
work during the night.
Because they were made of wax!
Walifanya kazi zao zote usiku. Hii ni kwa sababu walikuwa wameumbwa kwa nta.
But one of the boys
longed to go out in the
sunlight.
But one of the boys
longed to go out in the
sunlight.
Lakini, kijana mmoja alitamani kwenda nje wakati wa mchana.
One day the longing
was too strong. His
brothers warned him…
One day the longing
was too strong. His
brothers warned him…
Siku moja tamaa ya kwenda nje ikazidi. Wenzake wakamwonya asiende juani. Lakini, hakusikia.
But it was too late!
He melted in the hot
sun.
But it was too late!
He melted in the hot
sun.
Aliyeyuka kwa sababu joto lilikuwa kali.
The wax children were
so sad to see their
brother melting away.
The wax children were
so sad to see their
brother melting away.
Watoto wa nta walihuzunika walipoona kaka yao akiyeyuka.
But they made a plan.
They shaped the lump
of melted wax into a
bird.
But they made a plan.
They shaped the lump
of melted wax into a
bird.
Wakapanga jambo fulani. Walichukua nta iliyoyeyuka wakatengeza ndege.
They took their bird
brother up to a high
mountain.
They took their bird
brother up to a high
mountain.
Wakamweka ndege huyo juu ya mlima mrefu.
And as the sun rose, he
flew away singing into
the morning light.
And as the sun rose, he
flew away singing into
the morning light.
Jua lilipochomoza asubuhi, akapeperuka akiimba kwa furaha.
Written by: Southern African Folktale
Illustrated by: Wiehan de Jager
Read by: Darshan Soni
