The small bus stop in my village was busy with people and overloaded buses. On the ground were even more things to load. Touts were shouting the names where their buses were going.
The city bus was almost full, but more people were still pushing to get on. Some packed their luggage under the bus. Others put theirs on the racks inside.
New passengers clutched their tickets as they looked for somewhere to sit in the crowded bus. Women with young children made them comfortable for the long journey.
I squeezed in next to a window. The person sitting next to me was holding tightly to a green plastic bag. He wore old sandals, a worn out coat, and he looked nervous.
The loading was completed and all passengers were seated. Hawkers still pushed their way into the bus to sell their goods to the passengers. Everyone was shouting the names of what was available for sale. The words sounded funny to me.
These activities were interrupted by the hooting of the bus, a sign that we were ready to leave. The tout yelled at the hawkers to get out.
Apa ghatundire besa pathitishini, nanokerire panunda dhothitarero. Natangire kughayadhara ngeshi mbonakahuka karo kumukunda wange.
Hawkers pushed each other to make their way out of the bus. Some gave back change to the travellers. Others made last minute attempts to sell more items.
As the journey progressed, the inside of the bus got very hot. I closed my eyes hoping to sleep.
Mundhira, nakwatire dina dyodyango oku ghatungire mwedyange muñurumbara dhishokuru. Naporokerire muturo oku ame pakudivunguta. Navungutavungutire edi dina kare apa naporokerire nato.
But my mind drifted back home. Will my mother be safe? Will my rabbits fetch any money? Will my brother remember to water my tree seedlings?
Lesley Koyi, Ursula Nafula
Brian Wambi
Maria M. Dikuua, Servasius M. Ndjunga
Maria Dikuua
Thimbukushu
Level 3
