Odongo fi Apiyoon abba isaani wajjiin magaala kessa jiraatu. Ayyaana dhufa jiruu hawwidhan eeggachaa turan. Manni barumsaa waan cufamef oto hinta’in akkoo isaani bira waandemanif. Akkoon isaanis lafa qurxxumin itti argamu haroo tokko bira jiratan.
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 fi Apiyon bayee gammadan sabaaban isaas akkoo isaani wanargatanif. Guyyaa tokko dura imala gara ganda ishee godhamuf qopha’an. Hirribnis oto isan hinfudhatin halkan guutuu wa’ee ayyannichaa hasa’a bulan.
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.
Barii sana konkolaata abbaa isaanitin deeman. Karaa isaani gubbatti benensoota daggalaa, garreen fi masii shayi bira kutani dhaqan. Imalaa isaani gubbtais sirbaa deeman.
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.
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.
Eegaa kenna sana bantee booda, Nyar-Kanyadan akaakilee ishee hala ummaa tureen ibifitee.
After she opened the presents, Nyar-Kanyada blessed her grandchildren in a traditional way.
Sana booda Odongo fi Apiyon gara alaa bahani billabillo fi simbrroo ari’aa taphatan.
Then Odongo and Apiyo went outside. They chased butterflies and birds.
Muka gubbaa korani bishaan kessati kufan.
They climbed trees and splashed in the water of the lake.
Gara galagalaa gara manaatu irrbataaf debi’an. Oto nyataa hinxummurin hiribinni isan qabe.
When it was dark they returned to the house for dinner. Before they could finish eating, they were falling asleep!
Barii isaa abban isaan ijoole sana Akko isaani birati disee gara magaalaa deebi’e.
The next day, the children’s father drove back to the city leaving them with Nyar-Kanyada.
Odongo fi Apiyon akkoo isaani hojii manaatin gargaaran. Buphaa fi kuddara sassabudhan gargaaran.
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.
Yeroo biraa immo ijoolen Nyar-Kanyadan wajjiin gara gabbayaa deemtee. Isheenis kudraa fi samuna gurgurta qabde deemtee. Apiyon gatii meshaalee himmu calqabe. Ondongonim meeshaale maamiltonni bitan waltiqarqabaa ture.
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.
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.”
Odongo fi Apiyon hammatani naggati ta’ii jedhanin.
Odongo and Apiyo both hugged her tightly and said goodbye.
Yeroo Odongo fi Apiyon gara mana barumsaa dhaqan wa’ee badiyaa hiriyota isaanit himan. Ijoolen tokko jireenya magaala dansaa jedhani yadaan. kun immo badiyyan dansaa dha jechuu calqaban. Hundi isaani garu Odongo for Apiyon akko dansaa akka qabaan waligalan.
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!
