Tani waa Kalaay. Waxay jirtaa toddoba sano. Magaceeda macnihiisa waa “midda wanaagsan” luqaddeeda, Lubukusu.
This is Khalai. She is seven years old. Her name means ‘the good one’ in her language, Lubukusu.
Kalaay way soo toostaa waxeyna lahadashaa geedka liinta ah. “Fadlan geedka liinta ahoow, weynoow oo na sii liin badan oo bissil.”
Khalai wakes up and talks to the orange tree. “Please orange tree, grow big and give us lots of ripe oranges.”
Kalaay waxay aadaa dugsiga. Jidka waxay kula hadashaa cawska. “Fadlan caws, weynoow cagaaro oo ha qallalin.”
Khalai walks to school. On the way she talks to the grass. “Please grass, grow greener and don’t dry up.”
Kalaay waxay soo martaa ubaxyo duureed. “Fadlan ubaxyo, sii magoola, si aan timaheyga idiin saarto.”
Khalai passes wild flowers. “Please flowers, keep blooming so I can put you in my hair.”
Iskuulka, Kalaay waxay la hadashaa geedka dhexda xerada ku yaallo. “Fadlan geed, so saar laamo waaweyn si aan ugu akhrisano hooskaada.”
At school, Khalai talks to the tree in the middle of the compound. “Please tree, put out big branches so we can read under your shade.”
Kalaay waxay la hadashaa bowdka ku wareegsan dugsigeeda. “Fadlan u kora si awoodleh oo joojiya soogallida dadka xun.”
Khalai talks to the hedge around her school. “Please grow strong and stop bad people from coming in.”
Markay Kalaay guriga ku laabato, waxay booqataa geedka liinta.” Miyay bislaadeen midhahaada wali?” Ayey weydisaa Khalaay.
When Khalai returns home from school, she visits the orange tree. “Are your oranges ripe yet?” asks Khalai.
“Liinta weli waa cagaar,” ayay ku neef tuurtay Kalaay “Waxaan ku arki doonaa berrito geedka liintaw,” ayay tidhi Khalaay. “Malaha markaas baad ii yeelan doonto midho liin ah oo bislaaday!”
“The oranges are still green,” sighs Khalai. “I will see you tomorrow orange tree,” says Khalai. “Perhaps then you will have a ripe orange for me!”
