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Tom the banana seller Tom the banana seller Tomu kashitisha wa nkonde

Written by Humphreys Odunga

Illustrated by Zablon Alex Nguku

Read by Darshan Soni

Language English

Level Level 2

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Autoplay story


Tom carries a tray of ripe bananas.

Tom carries a tray of ripe bananas.

Tom alasenda ulupe lwa nkonde ishapya.


Tom goes to the market to sell bananas.

Tom goes to the market to sell bananas.

Tom alaya ku maliketi mu kushitisha inkonde.


People at the market are buying fruit.

People at the market are buying fruit.

Abantu pa maliketi baleeshita ifitwalo.


But no one is buying Tom’s bananas. They prefer to buy fruit from women.

But no one is buying Tom’s bananas. They prefer to buy fruit from women.

Nomba tapali nangu umo uuleshita kuli Tomu.


“In our community, only women sell fruit,” people say. “What kind of a man is this?” people ask.

“In our community, only women sell fruit,” people say. “What kind of a man is this?” people ask.

“Mu mushi wesu, banamaayofye ebashitisha ifitwalo,” efilanda abantu. “Mwaume wa musango shani uyu?” efyo bepusha.


But Tom does not give up. He calls, “Buy my bananas! Buy my sweet ripe bananas!”

But Tom does not give up. He calls, “Buy my bananas! Buy my sweet ripe bananas!”

Nomba Tomu taleka. Aleeta abantu, “Shiteni inkonde shandi! Shiteni inkonde shandi ishapya kabili ishalowa!”


One woman picks up a bunch of bananas from the tray. She looks at the bananas carefully.

One woman picks up a bunch of bananas from the tray. She looks at the bananas carefully.

Namaayo umo asendapo inkonde shimo pa lupe. Ashilolekesha bwino-bwino.


The woman buys the bananas.

The woman buys the bananas.

Uyu namaayo ashita inkonde.


More people come to the stall. They buy Tom’s bananas and eat them.

More people come to the stall. They buy Tom’s bananas and eat them.

Abantu abengi baisa pali Tomu. Balashita inkonde shakwa Tomu no kushilya.


Soon, the tray is empty. Tom counts the money he earned.

Soon, the tray is empty. Tom counts the money he earned.

Ukwabula ukupoosa inshita, inkonde shapwa mu lupe. Tomu apenda indalama apanga.


Then Tom buys soap, sugar, and bread. He puts the things in his tray.

Then Tom buys soap, sugar, and bread. He puts the things in his tray.

Tomu ashitamo isopo, shuga no mukate. Afibiika mu lupe.


Tom balances the tray on his head and goes home.

Tom balances the tray on his head and goes home.

Tomu alaatengeseela ulupe lwakwe pa mutwe no kubwelela ku ŋanda.


Written by: Humphreys Odunga
Illustrated by: Zablon Alex Nguku
Read by: Darshan Soni
Language: English
Level: Level 2
Source: Tom the banana seller from African Storybook
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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