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Children of wax Children of wax Watoto wa nta

Written by Southern African Folktale

Illustrated by Wiehan de Jager

Read by Darshan Soni

Language English

Level Level 2

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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
Language: English
Level: Level 2
Source: Children of wax from African Storybook
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 International License.
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