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Zama is great! Zama is great! @zama ˈɪz ˈɡɹeɪt

Written by Michael Oguttu

Illustrated by Vusi Malindi

Read by Darshan Soni

Language English

Level Level 2

Narrate full story

Autoplay story


My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!

My little brother sleeps very late. I wake early, because I am great!

ˈmaɪ ˈɫɪtəɫ ˈbɹəðɝ ˈsɫips ˈvɛɹi ˈɫeɪt ˈaɪ ˈweɪk ˈɝɫi bɪˈkɑz ˈaɪ ˈæm ˈɡɹeɪt


I am the one who lets in the sun.

I am the one who lets in the sun.

ˈaɪ ˈæm ˈðə ˈwən ˈhu ˈɫɛts ˈɪn ˈðə ˈsən


“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.

“You’re my morning star,” says Ma.

ˈjuɹ ˈmaɪ ˈmɔɹnɪŋ ˈstɑɹ ˈsɛz ˈmɑ


I wash myself, I don’t need any help.

I wash myself, I don’t need any help.

ˈaɪ ˈwɑʃ ˌmaɪˈsɛɫf ˈaɪ ˈdoʊn ˈnid ˈɛni ˈhɛɫp


I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.

I can cope with cold water and blue smelly soap.

ˈaɪ ˈkæn ˈkoʊp ˈwɪð ˈkoʊɫd ˈwɔtɝ ˈænd ˈbɫu ˈsmɛɫi ˈsoʊp


Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”

Ma reminds, “Don’t forget teeth.” I reply, “Never, not me!”

ˈmɑ ɹiˈmaɪndz ˈdoʊn fɝˈɡɛt ˈtiθ ˈaɪ ɹiˈpɫaɪ ˈnɛvɝ ˈnɑt ˈmi


After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.

After washing, I greet Grandpa and Auntie, and wish them a good day.

ˈæftɝ ˈwɑʃɪŋ ˈaɪ ˈɡɹit ˈɡɹændˌpɑ ˈænd ˈænti ˈænd ˈwɪʃ ˈðɛm ˈeɪ ˈɡʊd ˈdeɪ


Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.

Then I dress myself, “I’m big now Ma,” I say.

ˈðɛn ˈaɪ ˈdɹɛs ˌmaɪˈsɛɫf ˈaɪm ˈbɪɡ ˈnaʊ ˈmɑ ˈaɪ ˈseɪ


I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.

I can close my buttons and buckle my shoes.

ˈaɪ ˈkæn ˈkɫoʊs ˈmaɪ ˈbətənz ˈænd ˈbəkəɫ ˈmaɪ ˈʃuz


And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.

And I make sure little brother knows all the school news.

ˈænd ˈaɪ ˈmeɪk ˈʃʊɹ ˈɫɪtəɫ ˈbɹəðɝ ˈnoʊz ˈɔɫ ˈðə ˈskuɫ ˈnjuz


In class I do my best in every way.

In class I do my best in every way.

ˈɪn ˈkɫæs ˈaɪ ˈdu ˈmaɪ ˈbɛst ˈɪn ˈɛvɝi ˈweɪ


I do all these good things every day. But the thing I like most, is to play and play!

I do all these good things every day. But the thing I like most, is to play and play!

ˈaɪ ˈdu ˈɔɫ ˈðiz ˈɡʊd ˈθɪŋz ˈɛvɝi ˈdeɪ ˈbət ˈðə ˈθɪŋ ˈaɪ ˈɫaɪk ˈmoʊs ˈɪz ˈtu ˈpɫeɪ ˈænd ˈpɫeɪ


Written by: Michael Oguttu
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Read by: Darshan Soni
Language: English
Level 2
Source: Zama is great! from African Storybook
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 International License.
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