Bofu ra swiluva
Nathaniel Bivan
Kenneth Boyowa Okitikpi

Kulani u tswariwe a nga voni.

Mahlo ma yena a ma si tshama ma vona vatswari va yena, buti na sesi va yena. A tiva swikandza swa vona hi ku swi khoma.

1

Siku rin'wana Kulani a jikajika exirhapeni.

U rhandza nuhelo wo tsokombela wa swiluva.

U rhandza ku khoma swiluva swa kona.

2

Kulani u twa wonge a nga vona swiluva, kan'we ntsena.

"Swi sasekile," a tibyela.

3

Siku na siku, Kulani a fambafamba exirhapeni. A tiva na tindlela ta kona.

Namuntlha, u tlakusile nhloko a languta ehenhla.

4

Kulani a twa ku duma na rihati.

"Ndzi fanele ku tsutsumela endlwini," Kulani a ehleketa.

5

Mpfula yi sungula ku na.

Kulani a rheta, a lahlekeriwa hi vulawuri a wa.

A wela ehenhla ka ribye hi nhloko.

6

Loko Kulani a pfuka, a ku ri na vanhu va n'wi rhendzerile.

"Ku humelele yini?" a vutisa.

7

"U wile na ku banana na ribye hi nhloko," tata wa yena a vula.

"Hi khensa Xikwembu u kahle," ku vula mana wa yena.

8

"Tatana, Manana?" ku vutisa Kulani. U tlhele a huwelela na vito ra sesi na buti wa yena. "Ndzi kombela mi ndzi kumela xiluva."

Un'wana na un'wana a hlamala.

9

Sesi wa yena a n'wi nyika xiluva.

Kulani a xi khoma kahle. "Xi sasekile," u vula.

10

Ndyangu wa yena va langutana.

"Kulani, wa swi vona swiluva?" ku vutisa mana wa yena.

11

Kulani a tlangisa swiluva evokweni ra yena.

"Hinkwerhu misasekile, ku fana na swiluva leswi." A n'wayitela.

12
You are free to download, copy, translate or adapt this story and use the illustrations as long as you attribute in the following way:
Bofu ra swiluva
Author - Nathaniel Bivan
Translation - Arnold Mushwana, Given J Hlongwani
Illustration - Kenneth Boyowa Okitikpi
Language - Xitsonga
Level - First sentences