Download PDF
Back to stories list

Holidays with grandmother Holidays with grandmother ˈhɑɫəˌdeɪz ˈwɪð ˈɡɹændˌməðɝ

Written by Violet Otieno

Illustrated by Catherine Groenewald

Read by Darshan Soni

Language English

Level Level 4

Narrate full story

Autoplay story


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 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 ˈænd @apiyo ˈɫaɪvd ˈɪn ˈðə ˈsɪti ˈwɪð ˈðɛɹ ˈfɑðɝ ˈðeɪ ˈɫʊkt ˈfɔɹwɝd ˈtu ˈðə ˈhɑɫəˌdeɪz ˈnɑt ˈdʒəst bɪˈkɑz ˈskuɫ ˈwɑz ˈkɫoʊzd ˈbət bɪˈkɑz ˈðeɪ ˈwɛnt ˈtu ˈvɪzɪt ˈðɛɹ ˈɡɹændˌməðɝ ˈʃi ˈɫaɪvd ˈɪn ˈeɪ ˈfɪʃɪŋ ˈvɪɫədʒ ˈnɪɹ ˈeɪ ˈɫɑɹdʒ ˈɫeɪk


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.

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.

@odongo ˈænd @apiyo ˈwɝ ɪkˈsaɪtəd bɪˈkɑz ˈɪt ˈwɑz ˈtaɪm ˈtu ˈvɪzɪt ˈðɛɹ ˈɡɹændˌməðɝ əˈɡeɪn ˈðə ˈnaɪt ˌbiˈfɔɹ ˈðeɪ ˈpækt ˈðɛɹ ˈbæɡz ˈænd ˈɡɑt ˈɹɛdi ˈfɔɹ ˈðə ˈɫɔŋ ˈdʒɝni ˈtu ˈhɝ ˈvɪɫədʒ ˈðeɪ ˈkʊd ˈnɑt ˈsɫip ˈænd ˈtɔkt ˈðə ˈhoʊɫ ˈnaɪt əˈbaʊt ˈðə ˈhɑɫəˌdeɪ


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.

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.

ˈɝɫi ˈðə ˈnɛks ˈmɔɹnɪŋ ˈðeɪ ˈɫɛft ˈfɔɹ ˈðə ˈvɪɫədʒ ˈɪn ˈðɛɹ ˈfɑðɝz ˈkɑɹ ˈðeɪ ˈdɹoʊv ˈpæst ˈmaʊntənz ˈwaɪɫd ˈænəməɫz ˈænd ˈti ˌpɫænˈteɪʃənz ˈðeɪ ˈkaʊnəd ˈkɑɹz ˈænd ˈsæŋ ˈsɔŋz


After a while, the children were tired and fell asleep.

After a while, the children were tired and fell asleep.

ˈæftɝ ˈeɪ ˈhwaɪɫ ˈðə ˈtʃɪɫdɹən ˈwɝ ˈtaɪɝd ˈænd ˈfɛɫ əˈsɫip


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.

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.

ˈfɑðɝ ˈwoʊk ˈəp @odongo ˈænd @apiyo ˈæz ˈðeɪ ɝˈaɪvd ˈɪn ˈðə ˈvɪɫədʒ ˈðeɪ ˈfaʊnd @nyar-kanyada ˈðɛɹ ˈɡɹændˌməðɝ ˈɹɛstɪŋ ˈɑn ˈeɪ ˈmæt ˈəndɝ ˈeɪ ˈtɹi @nyar-kanyada ˈɪn ˈɫwoʊ ˈminz ˈdɔtɝ ˈəv ˈðə ˈpipəɫ ˈəv @kanyada ˈʃi ˈwɑz ˈeɪ ˈstɹɔŋ ˈænd ˈbjutəfəɫ ˈwʊmən


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.

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.

@nyar-kanyada ˈwɛɫkəmd ˈðɛm ˈɪntu ˈðə ˈhaʊs ˈænd ˈdænst ɝˈaʊn ˈðə ˈɹum ˈsɪŋɪŋ ˈwɪð ˈdʒɔɪ ˈhɝ ˈɡɹænˌtʃɪɫdɹən ˈwɝ ɪkˈsaɪtəd ˈtu ˈɡɪv ˈhɝ ˈðə ˈpɹɛzənts ˈðeɪ ˈbɹɔt ˈfɹəm ˈðə ˈsɪti ˈfɝst ˈoʊpən ˈmaɪ ˈɡɪft ˈsɛd @odongo ˈnoʊ ˈmaɪ ˈɡɪft ˈfɝst ˈsɛd @apiyo


After she opened the presents, Nyar-Kanyada blessed her grandchildren in a traditional way.

After she opened the presents, Nyar-Kanyada blessed her grandchildren in a traditional way.

ˈæftɝ ˈʃi ˈoʊpənd ˈðə ˈpɹɛzənts @nyar-kanyada ˈbɫɛst ˈhɝ ˈɡɹænˌtʃɪɫdɹən ˈɪn ˈeɪ tɹəˈdɪʃənəɫ ˈweɪ


Then Odongo and Apiyo went outside. They chased butterflies and birds.

Then Odongo and Apiyo went outside. They chased butterflies and birds.

ˈðɛn @odongo ˈænd @apiyo ˈwɛnt ˈaʊtˈsaɪd ˈðeɪ ˈtʃeɪst ˈbətɝˌfɫaɪz ˈænd ˈbɝdz


They climbed trees and splashed in the water of the lake.

They climbed trees and splashed in the water of the lake.

ˈðeɪ ˈkɫaɪmd ˈtɹiz ˈænd ˈspɫæʃt ˈɪn ˈðə ˈwɔtɝ ˈəv ˈðə ˈɫeɪk


When it was dark they returned to the house for dinner. Before they could finish eating, they were falling asleep!

When it was dark they returned to the house for dinner. Before they could finish eating, they were falling asleep!

ˈhwɛn ˈɪt ˈwɑz ˈdɑɹk ˈðeɪ ɹiˈtɝnd ˈtu ˈðə ˈhaʊs ˈfɔɹ ˈdɪnɝ ˌbiˈfɔɹ ˈðeɪ ˈkʊd ˈfɪnɪʃ ˈitɪŋ ˈðeɪ ˈwɝ ˈfɑɫɪŋ əˈsɫip


The next day, the children’s father drove back to the city leaving them with Nyar-Kanyada.

The next day, the children’s father drove back to the city leaving them with Nyar-Kanyada.

ˈðə ˈnɛks ˈdeɪ ˈðə ˈtʃɪɫdɹənz ˈfɑðɝ ˈdɹoʊv ˈbæk ˈtu ˈðə ˈsɪti ˈɫivɪŋ ˈðɛm ˈwɪð @nyar-kanyada


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.

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.

@odongo ˈænd @apiyo ˈhɛɫpt ˈðɛɹ ˈɡɹændˌməðɝ ˈwɪð ˈhaʊsˌhoʊɫd ˈtʃɔɹz ˈðeɪ ˈfɛtʃt ˈwɔtɝ ˈænd ˈfaɪɝˌwʊd ˈðeɪ kəˈɫɛktəd ˈɛɡz ˈfɹəm ˈðə ˈtʃɪkənz ˈænd ˈpɪkt ˈɡɹinz ˈfɹəm ˈðə ˈɡɑɹdən


Nyar-Kanyada taught her grandchildren to make soft ugali to eat with stew. She showed them how to make coconut rice to eat with roast fish.

Nyar-Kanyada taught her grandchildren to make soft ugali to eat with stew. She showed them how to make coconut rice to eat with roast fish.

@nyar-kanyada ˈtɔt ˈhɝ ˈɡɹænˌtʃɪɫdɹən ˈtu ˈmeɪk ˈsɑft @ugali ˈtu ˈit ˈwɪð ˈstu ˈʃi ˈʃoʊd ˈðɛm ˈhaʊ ˈtu ˈmeɪk ˈkoʊkəˌnət ˈɹaɪs ˈtu ˈit ˈwɪð ˈɹoʊst ˈfɪʃ


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.

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.

ˈwən ˈmɔɹnɪŋ @odongo ˈtʊk ˈhɪz ˈɡɹændˌməðɝz ˈkaʊz ˈtu ˈɡɹeɪz ˈðeɪ ˈɹæn ˈɑntu ˈeɪ ˈneɪbɝz ˈfɑɹm ˈðə ˈfɑɹmɝ ˈwɑz ˈæŋɡɹi ˈwɪð @odongo ˈhi ˈθɹɛtənd ˈtu ˈkip ˈðə ˈkaʊz ˈfɔɹ ˈitɪŋ ˈhɪz ˈkɹɑps ˈæftɝ ˈðæt ˈdeɪ ˈðə ˈbɔɪ ˈmeɪd ˈʃʊɹ ˈðæt ˈðə ˈkaʊz ˈdɪd ˈnɑt ˈɡɛt ˈɪntu ˈtɹəbəɫ əˈɡeɪn


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.

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.

ˈɑn əˈnəðɝ ˈdeɪ ˈðə ˈtʃɪɫdɹən ˈwɛnt ˈtu ˈðə ˈmɑɹkətˌpɫeɪs ˈwɪð @nyar-kanyada ˈʃi ˈhæd ˈeɪ ˈstɔɫ ˈsɛɫɪŋ ˈvɛdʒtəbəɫz ˈʃʊɡɝ ˈænd ˈsoʊp @apiyo ˈɫaɪkt ˈtu ˈtɛɫ ˈkəstəmɝz ˈðə ˈpɹaɪs ˈəv ˈaɪtəmz @odongo ˈwʊd ˈpæk ˈðə ˈaɪtəmz ˈðæt ˈkəstəmɝz ˈbɑt


At the end of the day they drank chai tea together. They helped grandmother to count the money she earned.

At the end of the day they drank chai tea together. They helped grandmother to count the money she earned.

ˈæt ˈðə ˈɛnd ˈəv ˈðə ˈdeɪ ˈðeɪ ˈdɹæŋk ˈtʃaɪ ˈti təˈɡɛðɝ ˈðeɪ ˈhɛɫpt ˈɡɹændˌməðɝ ˈtu ˈkaʊnt ˈðə ˈməni ˈʃi ˈɝnd


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.

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.

ˈbət ˈtu ˈsun ˈðə ˈhɑɫəˌdeɪz ˈwɝ ˈoʊvɝ ˈænd ˈðə ˈtʃɪɫdɹən ˈhæd ˈtu ˈɡoʊ ˈbæk ˈtu ˈðə ˈsɪti @nyar-kanyada ˈɡeɪv @odongo ˈeɪ ˈkæp ˈænd @apiyo ˈeɪ ˈswɛtɝ ˈʃi ˈpækt ˈfud ˈfɔɹ ˈðɛɹ ˈdʒɝni


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.”

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.”

ˈhwɛn ˈðɛɹ ˈfɑðɝ ˈkeɪm ˈtu ˈfɛtʃ ˈðɛm ˈðeɪ ˈdɪd ˈnɑt ˈwɑnt ˈtu ˈɫiv ˈðə ˈtʃɪɫdɹən ˈbɛɡd @nyar-kanyada ˈtu ˈɡoʊ ˈwɪð ˈðɛm ˈtu ˈðə ˈsɪti ˈʃi ˈsmaɪɫd ˈænd ˈsɛd ˈaɪ ˈæm ˈtu ˈoʊɫd ˈfɔɹ ˈðə ˈsɪti ˈaɪ ˈwɪɫ ˈbi ˈweɪtɪŋ ˈfɔɹ ˈju ˈtu ˈkəm ˈtu ˈmaɪ ˈvɪɫədʒ əˈɡeɪn


Odongo and Apiyo both hugged her tightly and said goodbye.

Odongo and Apiyo both hugged her tightly and said goodbye.

@odongo ˈænd @apiyo ˈboʊθ ˈhəɡd ˈhɝ ˈtaɪtɫi ˈænd ˈsɛd ˌɡʊdˈbaɪ


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!

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!

ˈhwɛn @odongo ˈænd @apiyo ˈwɛnt ˈbæk ˈtu ˈskuɫ ˈðeɪ ˈtoʊɫd ˈðɛɹ ˈfɹɛndz əˈbaʊt ˈɫaɪf ˈɪn ˈðə ˈvɪɫədʒ ˈsəm ˈtʃɪɫdɹən ˈfɛɫt ˈðæt ˈɫaɪf ˈɪn ˈðə ˈsɪti ˈwɑz ˈɡʊd ˈəðɝz ˈfɛɫt ˈðæt ˈðə ˈvɪɫədʒ ˈwɑz ˈbɛtɝ ˈbət ˈmoʊs ˈəv ˈɔɫ ˈɛvɹiˌwən əˈɡɹid ˈðæt @odongo ˈænd @apiyo ˈhæd ˈeɪ ˈwəndɝfəɫ ˈɡɹændˌməðɝ


Written by: Violet Otieno
Illustrated by: Catherine Groenewald
Read by: Darshan Soni
Language: English
Level 4
Source: Holidays with grandmother from African Storybook
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Options
Back to stories list Download PDF