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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Diyuwa dimweya karo, hanuke hayendire kumaraka naNyar-Kanyada. Aye ghakarire nothitaratara thokughurithera rwidhi, shuka nomurora. Apiyo ghahakire kutongwera haghuri maparo ghomughuro. Odongo ‘ye ne mukakurongera yinu eyi hanaghuru hanu.
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.
At the end of the day they drank chai tea together. They helped grandmother to count the money she earned.
Ene muruvedhe rorufupi, maturumuthero ghakumine kughuhura nohanuke hadire muthighu kuñurumbara. Nyar-Kanyada ghapire Odongo hutji noApiyo ne djeshi. Ghawarongerere yidya yoñuta.
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.
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.”
Odongo and Apiyo both hugged her tightly and said goodbye.
Apa hahukire kushure, haOdongo naApiyo hakathimwetwedhire kwawayendhawo yokuhutera kughuparo ghokumambo. Hanuke hamweya hakuyuvire eshi yipara yomuñurumbara ne yiwa. Hamweya hakuyuvire eshi yipara yokumambo ne hasha yapiterera. Ene thomudyopo thikuma, waheya hatawire eshi Odongo naApiyo hakara nanyakudyawo ghomuwa shemwa!
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!
Written by: Violet Otieno
Illustrated by: Catherine Groenewald
Translated by: Ruthgela Shawanga, Servasius M. Ndjunga
Violet Otieno
Catherine Groenewald
Ruthgela Shawanga, Servasius M. Ndjunga
Servasius Ndjunga
Thimbukushu
Level 4
