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Tell me about the content of the given story. | My grandma. | Grandma greets me
We ran to look at grandma's cow.
I caught up with her.
I ran away from her.
Grandma got very tired. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | My new shirt | Samba’s dad bought him a new school shirt last market day.
Samba never misses school. He walks to school with his little sister.
Samba likes playing football after school. He wears his new shirt.
The shirt gets dirty. But Samba does not want to wash it!
On the field, Samba wants everyone to see his new shirt.
In the morning Samba goes to school with the dirty shirt. He sees the teacher waiting at the gate.
Samba dodges school that day and goes across the road to play football.
Unfortunately the new shirt gets torn. Now Samba is in trouble for dodging school and for tearing his new school shirt. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Namukuru’s bicycle | Namukuru and her brother are ready for school.
Namukuru carries her brother on her bicycle.
Their friends cheer for them as they ride into school.
While they are in the classroom, a monkey arrives outside. The monkey rides away on Namukuru’s bicycle!
The children chase the monkey.
The monkey leaves the bicycle under a tree.
The monkey swims to an island in the middle of the lake. He climbs high into a tree.
The monkey waves goodbye! The children wave back. Namukuru has her bicycle again. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Nanu’s taxi | Hello! My name is Nanu. I am waiting with my mother for a taxi. We are going home.
Here I am standing in line. My mother sings me a song. “Come Mr Taxi can’t you see? We are waiting, Nanu and me!”
The lady next to me is taking her chickens home. They will lay eggs for her to eat.
These men are coming back from work. They smile at me. I hear them sing, “Hey little Nanu, don’t you worry. Taxi’s coming in a hurry.”
A lady walks past. She is a very smart lady. Aren’t her shoes beautiful? They go “click, click, click…click, click, click…” when she walks.
This man is selling cold drinks. I love cold drinks. They are so cold and sweet. Do you like them?
Look! There are ladies taking their supper home on their heads. Aren’t they clever?
That lady is having her hair done. She is going out with her friends tonight.
I am tired now. My mother puts me on her back where I can rest. She sings, “Please Mr Taxi, don’t be late, Gogo is waiting at our gate.”
There is my friend Tumi. He is also resting. We will be home soon.
High up there the birds are flying home. They must get home before it is dark.
This lady has beautiful earrings. I think she bought them in town today. When I grow up I will buy many earrings for me and my mother.
My mother is getting tired now. I sing her a song, “Please Mr Taxi, won’t you come, we are waiting, me and mum.”
Wait! I can hear the taxi! Here it comes!!!
This is our big red taxi. It has come to take me and my mother home. I am very happy!
Goodbye!!! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Palesa loves plants | This is Palesa. Her name means ‘flower’ in her language, Setswana.
In the morning Palesa talks to the orange tree. "Orange tree, please give us lots of oranges."
Palesa walks to school. On the way she says to the grass, "Please grass, grow greener and don’t dry up."
Palesa passes wild flowers. "Flowers, thank you for your bright colours."
At school, Palesa talks to the little tree. "Tree, please grow big branches so we can read under your shade."
Palesa talks to the hedge round her school. "Please grow strong and stop bad people from going inside."
When Palesa returns home from school, she visits the orange tree. "Are your oranges ripe yet?" asks Palesa.
"The oranges are still green," sighs Palesa. "I will see you tomorrow orange tree," she says. "Perhaps then you will have a ripe orange for me!" |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Punishment | One day, mama got a lot of fruit.
"When can we have some fruit?" we ask. "We will eat the fruit tonight," says mama.
My brother Rahim is greedy. He tastes all the fruit. He eats a lot of it.
"Look at what Rahim did!" shouts my little brother. "Rahim is naughty and selfish," I say.
Mama is angry with Rahim.
We are also angry with Rahim. But Rahim is not sorry.
"Aren’t you going to punish Rahim?" asks little brother.
"Rahim, you will be sorry soon," warns mama.
Rahim is not feeling well.
"My tummy is so sore," whispers Rahim.
Mama knew this would happen. The fruit is punishing Rahim!
Later, Rahim says sorry to us. "I will never be so greedy again," he promises. And we believe him. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Rabbit Goes to a Party | Once upon a time, the animals decided to have a party. But it was not for all of them. It was only for the animals that had horns.
The rabbit was getting ready for the party. But then he found out that the party was not for everyone. It was just for animals with horns.
The rabbit went somewhere and got some horns. Then he put them on his head and went to the party.
During the party the rabbit ate and drank and danced.
This made him tired and he fell down in the sun. But while the rabbit was sleeping, the horns fell off!
Then all the animals discovered that the rabbit was not the kind of animal they wanted. So they pulled his ears till they got bigger and bigger.
Then they ran away. And that’s the reason why rabbits have big ears! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Selemeng's cats | Selemeng loves cats. There are many cats at her house.
Selemeng has one black cat. This cat eats a lot of meat.
Selemeng has one fat cat. This cat eats everything.
Cat number three, runs up a tree. This cat gets stuck in the tree.
Selemeng climbs the tree. She gets stuck with cat three. Selemeng's mother has to help them get down.
Selemeng has two lazy cats. They lie outside in the sun all day.
Selemeng has three busy cats. They catch rats in the kitchen at night.
Selemeng has one dog. His name is Lirafi. Lirafi has no friends. He is sad.
Selemeng's cats do not like Lirafi. They chase him out of the house. Lirafi runs away.
Selmeng finds Lirafi and brings him home. The cats are not happy. They do not want to see Lirafi again.
How many cats does Selemeng have? She has eight cats.
How many dogs does Selemeng have? She has one dog. Where is Lirafi now?
How many cats do you have at home? How many dogs do you have at home? |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Swimming | Once upon a time there lived two friends, Tortoise and Snake.
On day Tortoise said to Snake, “Let us go and swim.” “Alright, but I don’t know to swim,” answered Snake. “I will teach you,” replied Tortoise.
They went to a swimming pool. “Who will enter the water first?” asked Tortoise. “You will, and I will watch you,” said Snake.
Tortoise entered the swimming pool. Snake observed from the steps.
After some time, Snake entered the pool as Tortoise gave instructions.
Tortoise and Snake swam in the shallow end of the pool.
They started floating on the water.
As they were floating, Tortoise started swimming backstroke. While imitating Tortoise, Snake could not propel himself and started drowning.
On realising that Snake had disappeared, Tortoise hurriedly went under water and rescued the life of the snake.
As soon as Tortoise got out of the water, he turned Snake upside-down in order to get rid of the water that Snake swallowed.
Finally, Tortoise used the mouth-to-mouth method to remove more water. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Teacher Akinyi | This is my teacher. Her name is Teacher Akinyi. She loves us a lot.
Teacher Akinyi teaches us the alphabet. She teaches us the vowels. I can say the letters a, e, i, o, u.
Teacher Akinyi teaches us colours. I know red, blue, green, yellow, and black.
During nap time, Teacher Akinyi sings us to sleep. She sings a lullaby to us.
The lullaby goes like this: Golden slumber give your eyes Smiles await you when you rise Sleep pretty darlings, do not cry And I’ll sing you a sweet lullaby.
Teacher Akinyi knows many stories. She tells us a different story each day of the week.
On Monday, she tells us stories about great men.
On Tuesday, she tells us stories about great women.
On Wednesday, she tells us stories about means of transport.
On Thursday, she tells us stories about farming.
And on Friday, we tell our own stories to the class.
Our teacher is the best teacher in the world! When I grow up, I want to be like Teacher Akinyi. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The Cooking Game | Once upon a time, the rabbit and the monkey were friends. One day, in a time of famine, the rabbit invited his friend over to play.
The rabbit said:Let's play cooking each other! The monkey asked: How can we do that?
And the rabbit answered: We have to make a fire,
and fill a pot with water,and then put it on the fire.
I will get in first. When I beat on the lid of the pot, you open it. Then I will get out. And the monkey agreed.
So the rabbit got in the pot first, and the water started to warm up.
The rabbit knocked, and the monkey opened the lid.
But when it was the monkey's turn, the rabbit took a big stone and put it on the lid of the pot and sat on top of it!
When the water started to boil, the monkey knocked, but the rabbit didn't open the lid.
So the monkey died, and the rabbit ate his best friend! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The Dancing Goat | One day, a goat went out in the bush, and wandered around happily. But then she got lost!
Suddenly, she met a wolf! The wolf came up to her, and he looked very hungry.
The goat said: Mr. Wolf, I know you want to eat me. But I would like to die happy!
The wolf asked the goat: What do you mean? Die happy? How?
The goat answered: If I have to die, I would like to die dancing!
Then the wolf took his guitar. He sat down and started playing it.
And the goat started dancing, though she was still a little bit worried.
Near that place, there were dogs. They came to see what was happening.
Now that wolf was afraid of dogs. So he turned and ran away!
And the goat kept on dancing, because now she was free from the wolf! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The Elephant and the Frogs | A long time ago, the king of the bush was Mr. Lion.
He sent his animals to stop the noise coming from a small lake in the bush. But they did not succeed!
An elephant volunteered to stop it. The elephant was sent out as a guard.
At midnight the noise began and the elephant started killing the frogs. He did the same thing the next day.
After a couple of weeks, King Lion was happy because the elephant had stopped the noise.
But about a month later, they saw a lot of insects on their farm.
King Lion asked the elephant to call the frogs to come and eat the insects.
The elephant was very nervous because he had killed all of them. He said: Sorry, sorry, I k- k- k- killed them!
Then King Lion said: Elephant, I asked you to stop the noise, not to kill the frogs. And the elephant was put in prison for many years!
And the king told all the animals to always do exactly what he said. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The friend I miss | Every morning when I woke up I hurried to eat my breakfast.
Then I would take my blue blouse and run out of the house to find my friend Muthoni.
Once I found Muthoni, we would forget everything else.
Muthoni and I would play hide and seek. I hid in big trees, while Muthoni went behind huts.
Muthoni and I went to the village well together. We went to fetch firewood together. We went to school together.
We promised each other that we would work hard in school and graduate.
But one day, Muthoni did not come to school. I stood at the door to our class and waited for her to arrive. But she did not come.
When I returned home that day, I told my mother about my friend Muthoni.
I continued with school, but I missed Muthoni very much.
But every day I went to school, I looked for Muthoni everywhere.
Now I am a lady, but I still miss my friend Muthoni. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The Hornbill | As I was moving in Buŋaanga village I found a fat hornbill.
When I struck it with a catapult, it shouted “ŋaa, ŋaa, ŋa!”
The hornbill flew into the air. But I ran after it through the grass…
…until it perched on a dead tree. Then I shot it again. This time it fell to the ground.
I picked up the hornbill.
And I gave it to Hiryagaana: one who eats whatever he finds. (One time, I gave him Namupongera.) He happily received the hornbill.
The head of the hornbill was very big and as hard as a panga or machete.
The bird had fat like that of a sheep. It was so appetising!
It’s not easy to find a hornbill without planning. At night, hornbills roost on dry branches. A person eats what he likes. That is why Hiryagaana eats hornbills. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The hungry crocodile | Once there was a very hungry crocodile.
He searched for food slowly and quietly.
And then...
POW!!! The crocodile strikes!
After that he is no longer hungry, and he is happy.
Until he gets hungry again. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The Man and the Lion | Once upon a time, there was a man walking in the bush. Suddenly he met a Lion!
The Lion was resting in the short winter grass.
The meeting was so sudden that the man did not know what to do. He was full of fear.
At first, the Lion was surprised too, and a little afraid. But there was a low rumble in his stomach, because he was hungry.
The man suddenly found himself up a tall tree. He began to shout at the Lion.
The Lion lay down under the tree, waiting for his meal. As time went on, the Lion fell asleep, or so it seemed.
Soon the man fell asleep. Then he woke up again. Finally he dozed off and went fast asleep.
But then he crashed down on the sleeping Lion!
They both woke up confused and frightened. The lion forgot his meal and ran for his life.
The man began to run in the same direction as the Lion. Then he realized that he was running with the Lion!
So he changed direction and escaped being eaten by the Lion! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The Monkey and the Crocodile | A monkey lived in a big tree on the bank of a river. In the middle of the river there was a small island. Lots of fruit trees grew on that island.
The monkey wanted to go and eat the fruit. He saw a big rock half way across the river and he thought he could jump onto the rock, and then onto the island.
He jumped into the air and landed on the rock. He jumped again and reached the island. He enjoyed eating the fruit and then went back home. He did this several times.
But a crocodile lived in the river with his wife! The wife said, "Dear husband, you should go and lie on the rock. The colour of your skin matches the colour of the rock."
A few days later, the crocodile saw the monkey coming onto the island. He quietly climbed over the rock and carefully lay down on it and kept his face underwater.
The monkey finished eating and was ready to go back. But the rock looked higher than usual, so he spoke to the rock, "Dear rock, you seem to have grown. Are you all right?"
The crocodile was a fool and thought the rock must be a talking rock. So he answered the monkey and said, "I look bigger because a big crocodile is lying on me".
The monkey said, "Dear crocodile, I know you want to eat me. I am very old and you can have my body. But I must say goodbye to my children in that big tree." So the crocodile gave him a ride on his back!
As soon as they were there, the monkey climbed the tree and said, “Thank you for the ride, my dear friend. Goodbye, now you can go home!" But the crocodile said, "But you promised…."
The monkey laughed and said, "What a fool you were to believe me!" and disappeared behind the branches of the tree. The crocodile never did catch that clever monkey! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The Race | One day the rabbit found a snail. He said to the snail, “You can't run! All you know is how to crawl on the ground.”
The snail said, “Come and see on Sunday.”
The snail prepared a hundred pieces of paper and wrote the same message on them.
The snail handed out the pieces of paper to his friends and said, “When the rabbit comes here calling me, one of you must say: I am the snail.”
Then the snail told his friends to hide behind the bushes where the rabbit and the snail were to pass.
On Sunday, the rabbit arrived and found the snail. The rabbit said, “Let´s have a race. But I will win.”
Snails lined up behind trees on the racing track so that each time the rabbit passed, a snail would shout, ‘I am the snail…’ During the race, the rabbit called out, “Snail! Snail!”
One of the snails hidden behind the bushes answered, “I am the snail! I am the snail!”
Finally, the rabbit was very tired. He lay down, saying, “Snail, I am so tired; you have won.” One snail watched from behind the bush.
So the snail won the race because he was clever! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The Staring Game | A long time ago, the rabbit and the snake were good friends.
One day they began to chat with each other. But the rabbit was much cleverer than the snake, and the snake knew it!
So, they were discussing who could stare the longest. The snake said: Let's try it. I will win by staring at you. So the rabbit agreed to the staring game.
The snake and the rabbit began to stare. They kept on doing it for several minutes.
Then the snake got tired. So he got out of his body and only his skin was left looking at the rabbit.
The rabbit continued looking at the snake's skin for several hours.
The rabbit thought he was the cleverest animal, but on that day, his cleverness was ended. And that's why to this day the rabbit sleeps with his eyes open! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Things I know | This is a manyatta. It is my home. My home is in Turkana County.
This is a camel. In Turkana County people keep many different animals. But the camel is very important.
These are my teachers. I like going to school. My school is called Lolupe Primary School. I like my Art teacher very much.
This is a ship. Ships are big. They are used to transport people and goods on water. If I go to Mombasa, I can see a ship.
This is a bed. I like the bed that my father made for me. I share it with my younger brother. It is comfortable.
This is a cock. At home, we have two cocks. We also have many chickens. The chickens lay many eggs.
This is a mouse. Mice are dangerous animals. They eat food. They also destroy clothes. They can cause disease.
This is a dog. Dogs are domestic animals. Our dog is called Daa. He barks a lot.
This is an umbrella. My parents have a big umbrella. It has red, blue, orange and green colours. When it rains, we use an umbrella so we do not get wet.
I am in class two and I know many things. I want to know many more. What I do not know, I ask my parents or my teacher. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Tingi and the Cows | Tingi lived with his grandmother.
He used to look after the cows with her.
One day the soldiers came.
They took the cows away.
Tingi and his grandmother ran away and hid.
They hid in the bush until night.
Then the soldiers came back.
Grandmother hid Tingi under the leaves.
One of the soldiers put his foot right on him, but he kept quiet.
When it was safe, Tingi and his grandmother came out.
They crept home very quietly. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | What do you see | |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | What is wrong child Mtoto, shida ni nini | This is Matende. Huyu ni Matende.
Matende cried all the time. Matende alilia kila wakati.
When his mother fed him, Matende cried. Mamake alipomnywesha maziwa, Matende alilia.
When Matende was put down to rest, he still cried. Matende alipowekwa kupumzika, bado alilia.
When his mother changed his nappies, Matende continued to cry. Mamake alipobadilisha pampa, Matende aliendelea kulia.
When his mother carried him on her shoulder, Matende cried more. Mamake alipombeba begani, Matende alilia zaidi.
When he fell asleep, Matende looked like he would start to cry again. Alipopatwa na usingizi, Matende alionekana kuwa angeenza kulia tena.
Matende's mother looked at her son. She did not know what was wrong with him. Mamake Matende alimwangalia mwanawe. Hakujua kilichomsumbua. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | What shall I use to travel | There are many ways to travel. Which shall I choose?
Should I use a plane?
Planes fly very high. I am afraid of flying!
Perhaps I should use a helicopter?
But helicopters and planes are the same!
Should I perhaps use a train?
But the train station is very far.
Or, perhaps, I should use a bus?
Our village has only one bus!
Perhaps I shall use a lorry to travel.
But lorries are used for carrying heavy luggage.
Should I use a bicycle to travel?
But will my father give me his bicycle?
Perhaps I will try to use a boat?
But I do not trust boats very much!
Aah! I know what I shall use! I shall use a tractor to travel. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Where is my bat | I have lost my bat, and I cannot find it.
I looked behind the door. It was not there.
I looked for it on the shelf. I could not find it there.
I looked for it under the bed. Not there either.
I searched inside the box. There was no sign of it.
I searched the attic. It was not there.
I looked here, there and everywhere. I could not find it anywhere. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Who is Big | Ant looked at the little plants and pebbles around him. "I am big!" he said.
"No, Ant. You are not big," said Squirrel. "I am big!"
"No, Squirrel. You are not big," said Cat. "I am big!"
"No, Cat. You are not big," said Hyena, "I am big!"
"No, Hyena. You are not big," said Rhinoceros, "I am big!"
"No, Rhinoceros. You are not big," said Elephant, "I am big!"
Then Elephant looked up at the sky. The sky was full of stars. The sky was big and wide. It stretched forever in every direction. "No, I am not big, either! All of us are small!" smiled Elephant. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Why Frog is So Ugly | Many years ago, the Lizard and the Frog were friends. One day they decided to look for girlfriends in the city.
The Frog was jealous of the Lizard's shining and brilliant skin.
He said: What did you do to look so beautiful? Look at me,I am so ugly. What can I do about my skin?
The Lizard said: Listen! Put some water in a pot and put it on the fire. Next you...
But the Frog said: I know already, I know. Shut up, my friend. And he left.
So he arrived home and put some water in a pot.
When the water began to boil, he threw himself into it.
and his skin was burnt and his tail came off!
And instead of being brilliant and beautiful like the Lizard, he was even more ugly! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Wind | The wind roars. It roars past our home.
The wind is powerful. It tears my kite from my hand.
I run after my kite. The wind blows me away from the kite!
The wind becomes a tornado. It carries my kite higher and higher.
The tornado swallows me up! I see nothing, I touch nothing.
Where is my kite now? Perhaps it is caught in a tree.
Perhaps my kite is still flying in the sky.
The wind finally dies down. I am still spinning.
When I stop spinning I look around. Where did the wind go?
I cannot see my kite anywhere. I cannot hear the wind anymore.
Perhaps tomorrow I will find my kite.
Now, I must go home, before the wind starts to roar again. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | A very tall man | His hoe was too short.
His doorway was too low.
His bed was too short.
His bicycle was too short.
This man was too tall!
He made a very long hoe handle.
He made very high door frames.
He made a very long bed.
He bought a very high bicycle.
He sat on a very high chair. He ate with a very long fork.
He left his house and lived in a big forest. He lived for many years. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Breakfast | Dad loves porridge.
I love cornflakes.
Dad loves coffee.
I love milk.
Dad loves apples.
I love oranges.
Dad loves bread. I love toasted bread.
We both love fat cakes (vetkoek). |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Brown | Cracked brown wood
Painted brown lion
Soft brown bread
Yummy brown cakes
Old brown boots
Shiny brown buffalo
Woolly brown hat
Smooth brown dog
Dirty brown mud
Wet brown skin
And what is this? A clean face in a dirty mirror. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Bunty and Bubbly | Bunty loves to play with butterflies...
...and with birds.
She loves to play with paper boats.
She also likes to make sand castles.
When Bunty goes back home, her mother asks her to clean up. She refuses.
"I hate soap!" she screams.
One night, she has a dream. The germs are all around her castle, and are attacking her.
Bunty is chased by the germs. She runs for her life and screams, "Help...help!"
Suddenly, Soap King Bubbly appears. "Bunty, don't be afraid," he says. "Go attack the germs!" the Soap King orders his army of bubbles.
The army of bubbles chases the germs away.
These days, Bunty likes to use soap, and she brushes and scrubs herself clean. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Chicken and Millipede (Level 1) | Chicken and Millipede are friends.
They go to play football.
Chicken is the goal keeper.
Millipede scores!
Chicken is cross.
Chicken eats Millipede.
Chicken meets Mother Millipede.
“Help me mom!” cries Millipede.
Chicken feels sick.
Millipede tastes very bad.
Chicken coughs out Millipede. The millipedes run away.
Chicken and Millipede are enemies. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Colours of a rainbow | A rainbow has seven colours.
The first colour is red.
Kewyu is wearing a red shirt.
The second colour is orange.
This is an orange. What else can you see that is the colour orange?
The third colour is yellow.
The yolk of an egg is yellow. What else can you see that is the colour yellow?
The fourth colour is green.
Our banana garden is green.
The fifth colour is blue.
The sky is blue.
The sixth colour is indigo
These berries are the colour indigo.
The seventh colour is violet.
My dress is violet. Vilolet is my favourite colour! What is your favourite colour?
Do you know the seven colours of the rainbow? |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Cooking | I peel the potatoes.
I chop a cabbage.
I grate the carrots.
I wash the beans.
I cut the butternut.
I chop the spinach.
My mom chops the onions.
Onions make me cry when they are chopped. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Counting animals | One elephant is going to drink water.
Two giraffes are going to drink water.
Three buffaloes and four birds are also going to drink water.
Five impalas and six wild pigs are walking to the water.
Seven zebras are running to the water.
Eight frogs and nine fish are swimming in the water.
One lion roars. He also wants to drink. Who is afraid of the lion?
One elephant is drinking water with the lion. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Counting cats | How many cats? Zero cats.
How many cats? One cat.
How many cats? Two cats.
How many cats? Three cats.
How many cats? Four cats.
How many cats? Five cats.
How many cats? Six cats.
How many cats? Seven cats.
How many cats? Eight cats.
What’s this we see? A kitten is stuck in a tree! “I will rescue you!
“Mama, can we keep him? Just one more.” How many cats? Nine cats. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Feelings | My heart feels a lot of things.
I feel happy when my granny tells us stories in the evening.
I feel silly when I play with my friend.
I feel bad when my dad says he does not have money.
I feel loved when my mom gives me a hug. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Fire | Look, fire!
Fire burns.
Fire cooks.
Fire gives warmth.
Fire gives light.
Look, fire!
Fire is wonderful.
And it is powerful. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Friends | My name is Simo.
I have four friends.
Their names are Zizo, Lele, Sisa and Ayanda.
My friend Zizo likes to play soccer.
My friend Lele likes to swim.
My friend Sisa likes to play hide-and-seek.
My friend Ayanda likes to read.
Me? I like to do all the things they like to do.
I play soccer with Zizo.
I swim with Lele.
I play hide-and-seek with Sisa.
Come, friend, what do you like?
Come, play soccer with us.
Come, swim with us.
Come, play hide-and-seek with us.
Come, read with us! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Hair | Thuli has short hair.
Anna has long hair.
Cathy has the longest hair.
Zama has plaited her hair.
Baba has a beard.
Zanele has combed her hair.
Thabo has cut his hair.
Themba has shaved his hair. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Houses | Mzi lives in a thatched house.
Thulani lives in a square house.
This house is a rectangle.
The roof of this house is a triangle.
This man is building his own house.
This house is new.
This house is old.
I wish I lived in this house. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | How many | How many legs do two ladybirds have?
How many wings do four birds have?
How many horns do three rhinos have?
How many trunks do five elephants have?
How many ears do seven dogs have?
How many tails do three monkeys have?
How many eyes do six cats have?
How many legs does one worm have? |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | I can do this | I can read. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | I enjoyNinafurahia | I enjoy skipping rope... Ninafurahia kuruka kamba...
…alone. …pekee yangu.
I enjoy skipping it with my friend too. Ninafurahia pia kuruka na rafiki yangu.
I enjoy reading interesting stories. Ninafurahia kusoma hadithi zinzovutia.
I enjoy walking in the field with my friends. Ninafurahia kutembea uwanjani na rafiki zangu.
I enjoy washing utensils for my mother. Ninafurahia kumwoshea mama vyombo.
I enjoy writing big letters that I can read easily. Ninafurahia kuandika herufi kubwa ninazoweza kusoma kwa wepesi.
I enjoy eating different fruit. Ninafurahia kula matunda tofauti.
I enjoy sleeping on a big bed. Ninafurahia kulalia kitanda kikubwa.
I enjoy listening to mother telling interesting stories. Ninafurahia kumsikiliza mama akisimulia hadithi za kuvutia.
Ooh! I enjoy doing all these things! Aah! Ninafurahia kufanya hivi vyote. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | I know colours | |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | I like to read | I like to read.
Who can I read to?
My sister is asleep.
Who can I read to?
My mother and grandmother are busy.
Who can I read to?
My father and grandfather are busy.
Who can I read to? I can read to myself! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Lazy little brother | I wake up and make fire.
I boil some water.
I chop the firewood.
I stir the pot.
I sweep the floor.
I wash the dishes.
Why do I work so hard...
…when my brother is busy playing? |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Lekishon and the cows | This is Lekishon. Lekishon is calling his dog.
Lekishon and his dog are going to graze the animals. The sun is hot.
Lekishon and his dog are thirsty and hungry.
They go to look for water.
Lekishon loses track of his cows.
Lekishon starts to cry.
He decides to go home with his dog.
The cows found the way home! Lekishon and his dog are very happy. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Let's go | With my nose...
...I smell dirty socks.
...I smell beautiful flowers.
With my eyes...
...I see a balloon blowing away in the wind.
...I see a happy cat.
With my mouth...
...I taste the salty sea.
...I taste a juicy sweet orange.
With my hand...
...I take your hand. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Letters | Last week I received a lot of letters.
On Monday my doctor wrote a letter to my teacher.
Thabisile is sick. She must stay at home.
On Tuesday I got a letter from my class.
Get well soon Thabisile!
On Wednesday I got a letter from my best friend.
I drew this picture for you. Love from Dudu.
On Thursday I got a letter from my mother. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Listen | Crickets chirp.
Mice squeak.
Snakes hiss.
Dogs bark.
Goats bleat.
Cows moo.
Lions roar...
...and snails make no sound at all.
Babies babble...
...and children talk. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Little and big | Little hat, big hat.
Little hands, big hands.
Little goat, big goat.
Little book, big book.
Little smile, big smile.
The end. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Look at the animals | Look at the animals.
The cow says, "Moo."
The goat says, "Meh, meh."
The horse says, "Neigh."
The pig says, "Grunt."
The chicken says, "Cluck."
The dog says, "Woof."
The farmer says, "Shhh!" |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | More of What are you doing | I am singing.
She is waving.
I am clapping.
She is stretching.
He is calling.
I am answering.
She is listening.
What are you doing?
I am swimming.
I am skipping. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | My body | I can run with it.
I can jump with it.
I can dance with it.
I can swim with it.
I can skip with it.
I can kick with it.
I can escape with it.
But I can never fly with it. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | My daughter Polar | This my daughter Polar.
She is a good girl.
She likes telling stories.
Her mother tells her stories.
Polar tells her friends too
One day Polar told a very good story.
The story was about cooking.
Her teacher gave her a cake and all became happy. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | My family | My brother is reading a school book.
My mother is reading a bible.
My sister is reading a recipe book.
My uncle is reading a newspaper.
Granny is reading a magazine.
My little sister is reading a picture book.
I am reading this book.
Soon I will be able to read everything! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | My red ball | Ball.
My ball.
My red ball.
My big red ball.
I kick.
I kick my ball.
I kick my red ball.
I kick my red ball hard!
Where?
Where is my ball?
Where is my ball now?
Where is my red ball now?
It is up.
It is high up.
It is high up in the sky.
It is high up in the sky. It is over the moon. It is gone! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | My teacher | I love my teacher.
She is beautiful. She is a good teacher. She is kind and patient.
She has braided her hair so nicely.
She has put colourful beads in her hair.
Her beads are green, white, red, and yellow.
Mom, please would you braid my hair like my teacher's?
When I am older I will also put beads in my hair.
I will grow up to be just like my teacher! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | New pussy cat | Prosy wanted a pussy cat.
Prosy’s family went to visit the pussy cats.
Prosy wanted this cat. It was too big for her.
Tim wanted this kitten. It was too small for him.
Mum wanted this kitten. It was too quick for her.
Everyone liked this kitten.
They took the kitten.
Everyone is happy with the new pussy cat. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Oscar the Shark | Oscar has a problem with his eyes. He cannot see any fish.
But he will not eat his carrots.
Johnnie the seahorse says, “Oscar, eat your carrots!”
But Oscar does not like the taste of carrots.
“Carrots will help you to see better,” says Johnnie.
Oscar goes to the doctor. Oscar and Johnnie wait for Dr Shakes.
Dr Shakes says, “Glasses will help you to see better.”
Oscar does not want to wear glasses.
But the glasses help Oscar see the fishes. Now he eats his carrots with fish! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Our day at the zoo | Today we are going to the zoo.
We are going in dad's car.
We are going to see animals.
Look! An elephant. Look! A lion.
We walk through the whole zoo!
Look! Ice cream. Look! Sweets.
And there is a clown with balloons.
Dad buys us nice things.
Soon we must go home.
We saw many animals today!
We are happy and tired.
I wish every day was like today! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Palm tree | Let me tell you about the palm tree.
This tree lives when everything else is dry.
The palm tree shade is cool.
We eat fruit from the palm tree.
We use palm leaves to thatch our houses. We use palm branches to fence our homesteads.
We make brooms and mats from palm leaves.
We use palm tree seeds for fuel.
Do you see why the palm tree is important? |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Pendo our cow | This is Ndalo.
Ndalo likes to read books.
This is Pendo.
Pendo likes to eat carrots.
Ndalo grazes Pendo after school.
He gives fresh water to Pendo.
Father gives grain to Pendo.
He milks Pendo every day.
Pendo gives a lot of milk.
Father sells Pendo's milk.
Ndalo drinks fresh milk every day.
He says, "Thank you Pendo!" |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Porridge | Zama is getting ready for school.
Dad is cooking porridge for breakfast.
"Mom makes the best porridge!" says Zama.
Porridge gives Zama energy for school.
The porridge is ready.
Dad pours the milk, with love.
"Dad, I think this porridge needs more sugar," says Zama.
"Mom's porridge tastes much better than Dad's porridge," thinks Zama.
"Dad, please can I have more sugar?" asks Zama.
Dad gives Zama more sugar.
"Wu! Dad! You put salt on my porridge!"
"Dad, when will Mom be home?" asks Zama. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Rain | I love water.
I enjoy playing with water.
It is raining.
Rain gives us water.
I enjoy playing outside.
But it is raining.
I enjoy playing out in the rain.
My hair is wet from playing in the rain. My father is fixing my hair. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Red | Mama is filling a red bucket.
Abongile is playing with a red truck.
Deon is holding red flowers.
Aunty is wearing a red jersey.
There is a red sun above Grandpa.
There is a red scooter parked in the street.
A red lizard is on Babalwa’s lap.
A red fire engine is at the fire station.
Here is Sibahle wearing a red top.
She is trying on red boots.
They don’t fit! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Sane in the market | Sane at home.
It is Sane’s birthday.
Sane at the bus stop.
Sane in the bus.
Sane at the market.
Ooh! Many fruits.
Sweet apples.
But where is mother mother?
I went to buy a birthday present for you.
Thank you mum! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | School clothes | This dress is long.
This jersey is big.
This bag is big.
This belt is...
This hat is small.
The socks are short.
But these shoes are new.
…they fit well. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Serious accident | One day my sister and I were walking near the road.
A big truck was driving down the hill.
A car was speeding up the hill.
The truck driver was talking on his cell phone. He was not looking at the road.
The truck smashed into the car!
An ambulance and the police came to help.
Two tow trucks came. One towed the truck. The other towed the car.
We saw everything. We were shocked. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Silkworm | The worms laid small eggs on the leaves.
We fed them mulberry leaves.
They grew bigger and became fatter.
The larvae made silk cocoons.
Inside the cocoons, the worms turned into pupae.
Some people breed silkworms for a certain purpose.
In China they keep thousands of kinds of silkworms.
They make silk cloths using their cocoons. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Stealing | A man called Kato lived in Bunghumu village. He used to steal peoples' animals .
One day he went and stole a goat from the neighbouring village . He slaughtered and kept the meat in his house.
The following morning the people found out that Kato had stolen the goat.They started looking for him.
When they reached Kato's home , they found him roasting the meat. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Teeth | A crocodile has big teeth.
A lion has big teeth as well.
A cow has strong teeth.
Birds do not have teeth.
Rats have big front teeth.
Sharks have sharp teeth.
I used to have a lot of teeth.
But now I don't have many. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Tell me ... now! Happy and sad | Why is the baby crying?
I think she is hungry.
Why is the boy sad?
I think he is missing his father.
Why is the girl happy?
She has a new dress.
Why is the old man laughing?
He read a good joke.
Why is the lady smiling?
Her children are reading quietly.
What is this lady feeling?
I think she is feeling shy. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Tell me...now! Colours | Why is the sky blue?
It is not always blue. Is it?
Why are leaves green?
They are not always green. Are they?
Why are bananas yellow?
Ripe bananas are yellow. Unripe bananas are green.
Why are umbrellas black?
Not all umbrellas are black.
Why is blood red?
There is iron in the blood. That makes it red.
Why is salt white?
I don't know! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The adventures of Supercow | This is cow. Cow is cool!
By day, it is an ordinary cow.
Flying a kite.
Kicking a ball.
By night, a supercow!
Saving lives...
...and fighting crime.
But if you close your eyes really tight, and make a wish...
Cow might come to visit you too!
The end. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The boy who played. | Aunt Merane gave some money to Joe.Go Go to the shop. Buy sugar and bread.
Joe picked an old car Tyre. He ran fast with to the shop.
Before reaching the shop,he saw the ball. He forgot the tyre. He picked the ball and kicked it.
He saw a flying bird. He wanted to catch it.
He saw the cows. He stopped and started singing to them.
"Where is Joe? Asked Jessica” “He is just late but he is coming.” Aunt Merane said.
Uncle Don sat with baby Tara. He wanted to have breakfast before going for work.
Joe saw a puppy. He ran with it around the fields.
He got tired. He sat down and checked his pocket. The money was not there.
He ran home without sugar and bread.
"Joe, Where is sugar and bread? Where is the money?'' Asked Aunt Merane.
Am very sorry Aunt Merane. I played too much and lost the money. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The Moon and the Cap | All of us went to the fun fair.
Father bought brother fancy glasses. Mother bought me a bright blue cap. The baby got sugar candy.
On the way home, a very strong wind came. It blew my cap away.
My cap got stuck on a branch of a big old tree.
I cried a lot. And I did not eat my dinner.
Later that night, the moon came up. It looked at my cap in the big old tree.
The moon tried on my cap. It smiled happily. I had to smile too.
After school the next day, my mother gave me a shiny new red cap. "The moon sent it," she said.
That night, both the moon and I wore our caps and smiled. We were happy.
Do you think the sun needs a hat?
Guess which cap I am wearing today! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | The sprouting bean | The root grows first.
It grows down into the soil.
Then the stem grows. It grows up towards the sun.
The first leaves come out.
The bean plant grows tall.
Then the flowers come out. The flowers turn into beans.
There are lots of seeds in the bean. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Things we can do | He jumps.
She skips.
He builds.
She dances.
He winks.
They sing.
She plays.
He reads. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | This is me | This is my picture.
I am six years old.
This is a picture of my family.
My favourite food is fried fish and chips.
I can draw my hand.
I am six years old.
My telephone number is |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Tom the banana seller | Tom carries a tray of ripe bananas.
Tom goes to the market to sell bananas.
People at the market are buying fruit.
But no one is buying Tom’s bananas. They prefer to buy fruit from women.
“In our community, only women sell fruit,” people say. “What kind of a man is this?” people ask.
But Tom does not give up. He calls, “Buy my bananas! Buy my sweet ripe bananas!”
One woman picks up a bunch of bananas from the tray. She looks at the bananas carefully.
The woman buys the bananas.
More people come to the stall. They buy Tom’s bananas and eat them.
Soon, the tray is empty. Tom counts the money he earned.
Then Tom buys soap, sugar, and bread. He puts the things in his tray.
Tom balances the tray on his head and goes home. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Two hungry boys | Ben and Thabo are two hungry boys.
Granny is making ten cupcakes. She puts them on a plate.
Ben takes one cupcake. ?Thabo takes two cupcakes.
Ben takes four cupcakes. ?Thabo takes two cupcakes.
How many cupcakes did Ben eat? ? How many cupcakes did Thabo eat? ? How many cupcakes are left for granny? |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Two | Two little hands to hold.
Two little feet to kick.
Two little eyes to see.
Two little ears to hear.
And two loving arms to HUG! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Weather book | It is dry.
The sun is hot.
It is windy.
It is cloudy.
It is cold.
It is raining.
There is thunder.
I see a rainbow. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | What are you doing | I am singing.
She is waving.
I am clapping.
She is stretching.
He is calling.
I am answering.
She is listening.
What are you doing? |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | What type of teeth | A crocodile has sharp teeth.
A lion has sharp teeth as well.
A shark has very sharp teeth! Why do some animals have sharp teeth?
A cow has strong teeth for grinding.
A bird does not have teeth. How does a bird eat?
Rats have big front teeth.
I used to have front teeth.
My front teeth fell out! How many teeth do you have? |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Where is my cat | Where is my cat?
Is it under the bed?
Is it on top of the cupboard?
Is it behind the couch?
Is it next to the bin?
Is it inside the basket?
Is it outside the house?
Here it is! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | 'M'e Maneo's pumpkin | One day, ’M’e Maneo planted a pumpkin seed. It grew into a very big pumpkin. It blocked her garden path.
‘M’e Maneo wanted to move the pumpkin. She went to her neighbour. “‘M’e Mapalesa,’ she said, “please help me to move my pumpkin. It is blocking my path.” The two ladies pushed and pushed, but that pumpkin did not move.
They went to ‘M’e Masello. “Please help us move ‘M’e Maneo’s pumpkin!” they asked. ‘M’e Masello came to help them. The three ladies pushed and pushed that pumpkin, but still it did not move. “I don’t know what to do,” said ‘M’e Maneo.
Just then a little worm came into ‘M’e Maneo’s garden. It was hungry. It nibbled the big pumpkin. “Stop,” said the pumpkin. But the little worm nibbled again.
“Stop! You are tickling me,” said the pumpkin. “I don’t like it.” And the pumpkin rolled away down the hill.
The pumpkin stopped in a field at the bottom of the hill. Two shepherds found it. “What shall we do with this pumpkin?” they asked. “Let’s eat it,” they said, “it looks delicious.”
They took a big stone and tried to break open the pumpkin.
“No!” cried the pumpkin. The shepherds jumped back. The pumpkin began to open.
Out of the pumpkin came a moloi. She had one arm, one eye and one leg. She looked terrible. “Don’t disturb me,” said the moloi in a big voice, “I am the pumpkin chief.” The pumpkin closed again.
The shepherds were very frightened. They ran home to tell their parents. "Oh! We are so lucky!" said their parents. "Don’t you know about the pumpkin moloi?" "It is a very special pumpkin," said the shepherds' parents. "You must leave it alone."
"Next summer the pumpkin will open again and the moloi will scatter pumpkin seeds all over our villages. We will have many, many pumpkins to eat," said the shepherd's parents.
And so it happened that the next summer, ‘M’e Maneo’s pumpkin burst open. It was full of many, many seeds.
Out came the pumpkin moloi. With her one leg she climbed out of the pumpkin. With her one eye she looked across all the villages. With her one arm she threw all those seeds across the valley.
The seeds grew into beautiful big pumpkins in all the gardens in the valley. That winter everyone in the villages had lots of pumpkins to eat. They went to ‘M’e Maneo. “Thank you, ‘M’e Maneo!” they cried. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | An egg for bride wealth | Once upon a time, there was an old woman who loved her grandson very much. She gave him an egg as a gift. She said, “From this egg you will get bride wealth for your marriage when you are of age.” And the boy went on his way.
First he met some blackberry gatherers who asked him for the egg. They used it to shoot at the berries and it broke.
The boy cried, “Ei…Ei…Ei! You have caused trouble for me! The egg was not mine. It belonged to my grandmother. And grandmother didn’t give it to me for nothing. She gave it to me to get bride wealth.”
So the berry gatherers gave him the stick they used to bring down the berries. And the boy walked on.
Next the boy met some builders who asked him for his stick. They used it to build a house and it broke into pieces.
The boy cried, “Hee…Hee…Hee! You have caused trouble for me! The stick was not mine, it belonged to the berry gatherers. And they didn’t give it to me for nothing. They gave it to me in place of my egg. The egg was not mine. It belonged to my grandmother. And grandmother didn’t give it to me for nothing, She gave it to me to get bride wealth.”
So the builders gave him a bundle of grass for thatching. And the boy walked on.
Next the boy found a herdsman who asked for the boy’s bundle of grass. The herdsman gave it to the cow and the cow ate it all up.
The boy cried, “E…E…E! You have caused trouble for me! The grass was not mine. It belonged to the builders. The builders did not give it to me for nothing. They broke my stick. The stick was not mine. It belonged to the berry gatherers. And they didn’t give it to me for nothing. They gave it to me in place of my egg. The egg was not mine. It belonged to my grandmother. And grandmother did not give it to me for nothing. She gave it to me to get bride wealth.”
So the herdsman gave the boy his cow. And the boy walked on.
While on his way home, the boy came across a marriage celebration. The bride’s family asked him for his cow. He gave it to them. And they slaughtered it and ate it all.
The boy cried, “Ei…Ei…Ei! You have caused trouble for me! The cow was not mine. It belonged to the herdsman. The herdsman didn’t give it to me for nothing. He gave it to me in place of my bundle of grass. The grass was not mine. It belonged to the builders. The builders didn’t give it to me for nothing. They broke my stick. The stick was not mine. It belonged to the berry gatherers. They didn’t give it to me for nothing. They gave it to me in place of my egg. The egg was not mine. It belonged to my grandmother. And grandmother didn’t give it to me for nothing, She gave it to me to get bride wealth.”
Then the bride’s family said, “We have nothing left to pay you. But let us give you the bride.” And so, the saying came to pass that, “What goes round comes around!” |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Anansi and Turtle | One day, Anansi the spider picked some yams from his garden. They were extra beautiful delicious yams, so he baked them carefully in the fire. Then he sat down to eat them up.
Just as Anansi was about to put the first bite in his mouth, he heard a knock on his door. “Oh, no!” thought Anansi. “Who can that be?” But he opened the door. There was Turtle, who looked very tired. Turtle said, “Anansi, please let me in. I've walked so far today, and I'm so tired and hungry.” So what could Anansi do but let him in?
Anansi was too selfish to share his beautiful delicious yams with anybody else. So he came up with a nasty plan. Just as Turtle sat down at the table and began to reach for some yams, Anansi yelled at him, “Turtle, your hands are all dirty! You can't eat with your hands all dirty! Go wash them.” Turtle's hands really were dirty. So he slowly crawled to the river, washed his hands, and then crawled back.
But meanwhile Anansi had started gobbling up the yams. By the time Turtle got back, he saw that the yams were all gone. Turtle looked at Anansi. “Thank you for inviting me to dinner. If you're ever near my house, please come by and let me return the favour,” said Turtle. And Turtle began crawling slowly away to his house.
As time went by, Anansi began to think more and more about how Turtle had promised to feed him a free dinner. So one day he walked over to Turtle's house. Anansi got to Turtle's house just about dinnertime, as the sun was going down over the river. Turtle was lying on a rock in the sun, warming himself up, as turtles do. When Turtle saw Anansi, he said, “Hello there, Anansi, have you come to have dinner with me?” And Anansi said, “Yes, that would be very nice, thank you.” He was getting hungrier and hungrier.
So Turtle dived down to the bottom of the river to set the table for dinner and get everything ready. Anansi waited on the rocks by the shore. Soon Turtle swam back up and said, “Oh Anansi, it is all ready now, please join me for dinner.” And Turtle dived down again and began to eat the green leaves he had for dinner.
Anansi tried to dive down to the bottom of the river, but he was a spider, not a turtle, and he couldn't dive that deep. He kept floating back up to the surface again. He tried jumping in, he tried diving in, but nothing helped. He just couldn't get down to that dinner.
Finally Anansi had an idea. He put lots of stones in the pockets of his coat, and finally he was heavy enough to sink down to the bottom of the river. How clever he was! He saw Turtle's table, full of juicy green leaves and lots of other delicious food. Anansi's mouth was watering.
But just as Anansi was reaching for some of that delicious food, Turtle stopped him. “Anansi, surely you're not going to eat dinner with your coat on? That's not how we do things at my house.” Anansi, without thinking, said, “Oh, of course you're right, Turtle, what was I thinking?” He took off his coat.
But without the rocks in his pockets to hold him down, Anansi floated right back to the surface of the river again, and popped out of the water. Anansi sadly put his head down into the water and watched Turtle eat up all of the delicious food! |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Anansi and Vulture | Anansi the Spider and Rabbit were friends. They lived in a peaceful village in the mountains. Rabbit owned a big farm with lots of vegetables and fruit. Even though Rabbit shared generously with his friend, Anansi was unhappy and jealous.
So Anansi thought of a clever plan to take over Rabbit’s farm. Soon Rabbit was left poor and homeless. Anansi was the proud owner of all Rabbit’s land, vegetables, and fruit.
Anansi went to the market to sell his fruit and vegetables. He made so much money that he filled a big basket with it! With some of the money, he bought maize for his family, and put it on top of the money in the basket.
Anansi happily headed home with his basket on his head, singing. He was thinking about all the things he was going to buy with his money.
On the way it started to drizzle. Soon the drizzle turned into a heavy downpour. Anansi the Spider left his basket on the side of the road to shelter under a tree. But from there he kept a close watch on his precious basket.
It started to rain even more heavily, and Anansi was getting cold and wet. So he ran into a hole. “I will stay in this hole until the rain stops,” said Anansi to himself. “At least my money is protected by the maize I put on top of it.”
A little while later, Vulture was flying around and spotted the basket on the side of the road. He saw that there was money and maize in the basket. So he covered the basket with his wings and waited for the rain to stop.
Anansi saw Vulture sitting on his basket. “Oh thank you, my friend, for protecting my basket,” he said to the Vulture. “Excuse me, Anansi, did I hear you right?” asked Vulture. “Your basket? This basket is mine! I found it here on the road side!” Anansi could not believe his ears! “It’s mine, I tell you!”
Furious, Anansi went and reported the theft to the chief. But Vulture said to the chief and his elders, “How could anyone leave a basket full of money and maize unguarded on the road?” “But I was watching my basket,” said Anansi. “It’s my money and my maize!” “I was looking after the basket when you came and said it was yours!” replied Vulture.
When the chief and his elders had listened carefully to both sides, they sent Anansi and Vulture away. They discussed the story for a long time. Eventually they reached a decision.
They summoned Anansi and the Vulture again. “We believe Vulture’s story,” they said. “He is not the thief. You were trying to claim something that was not yours.” Anansi could not believe his ears! He burst into tears.
The news soon spread that the judgement had gone against Anansi. As he walked away, he heard Rabbit laughing and laughing. Rabbit went back to his farm and grew fruit and vegetables. But Anansi was poor again, with no friends. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Anansi gives people stories | Long, long ago, the Sky God, Nyame, kept all stories locked in a wooden box, high in the sky. People down on earth had no stories to tell and they were very sad. They asked Anansi the clever Spider to help them.
Anansi spun a long thread, and climbed up his sticky thread all the way to heaven. "Can I have the stories, please?" he asked the Sky God. But Nyame laughed at Anansi and said, "Oh, these are very expensive stories. You wouldn't be able to pay for them, little spider."
"How much do the stories cost?" asked Anansi. "You'll have to bring me three rare and fierce animals," Nyame answered, "A leopard with sharp teeth like spears, a hornet that stings people, and a snake that swallows people whole." He laughed and laughed. He thought his stories were quite safe.
So Anansi climbed slowly back down his sticky thread to the earth. He thought and he thought, and he came up with a plan. He dug a deep hole, covered it with branches and dirt so it was hidden, and he went home for supper. In the morning, sure enough, a leopard had fallen into his pit. He was furiously scratching at the side of the pit, but he couldn’t get out.
"Oh let me help you, my dear friend!" said Anansi. "Just lie down on these sticks and I’ll pull you out." Anansi wound his sticky web round the leopard and the sticks, and pulled him up to heaven to show the Sky God. But Nyame just laughed and said, "Where are the other two?"
So Anansi went back down to earth to get the second creature. He thought and he thought and he came up with a plan. He took a gourd full of water and went to the tree where the hornets lived. He poured out some of the water all over their nest. Then he cut a leaf from a banana tree and held it over his head, and he poured the rest of the water all over himself.
He called out to the hornets, "Hey hornets! Come see! It is raining! Quick - get inside my gourd and it will keep all of you dry." Hornets don’t like to get wet, so they all flew into Anansi's gourd.
Then Anansi quickly spun a web across the opening so the hornets couldn't get out no matter how much they buzzed. He carried them up to heaven and showed them to the Sky God. But Nyame just said, "Where's the last one?" (He wasn't laughing so much anymore.)
So Anansi went down to earth again. He thought and thought and he thought, but he couldn’t come up with a plan. So he asked his wife, who had a very good idea. Together they found a good long thick branch and some strong vines. When they got near the stream where the snake lived, they began to argue. "The branch is longer!" "No, it isn’t!" "Yes it is!"
Soon the snake came out and asked what the argument was. "I was arguing with my wife," said Anansi. "She says this stick is longer than you are. But I don’t agree." "Of course I’m longer than that stick!" said the snake. "I'm very long! I'm a huge snake! Just put your stick next to me and measure!"
So Anansi did that, and he tied the snake to the stick with his vine to keep him straight. When he was all tied up, Anansi took the snake up to heaven.
Nyame had to admit that Anansi had paid his price. So he went to his wooden box, opened the lid, and gave all the stories to Anansi. Anansi carried the stories triumphantly down to earth. He shared them with his wife, and with all the other animals and people. Stories are for telling, not for keeping in wooden boxes. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Anansi, the crows, and the crocodiles | One day there was a great famine in the land. No one had anything to eat except the crows. Each morning they flew a long distance to where there was a tree with ripe figs in the middle of a wide river. Then they flew back with the figs for themselves and their relatives. The sight of so many figs made Anansi's mouth water. How could he get them for himself?
He thought of a plan. He carefully covered his bottom with sticky beeswax. Then he took a piece of clay pot and went to see the crows. “Please could you help me?” he asked. “I need a live coal to get my fire going again.” As they were getting the coal from the fire, Anansi carefully sat firmly on one of the largest figs, so that it would stick to his bottom. He thanked the crows, and hurried home to enjoy the fig.
But one fig wasn’t enough for him. He went back a second time, and did the same. When he went back a third time, the crows began to get suspicious. “Why do you keep coming back to us to get a coal?” they said. Anansi answered, “Every time when I get home, the coal has burnt out.” “You’re lying!” said the crows. “You just want our food!” “That’s not true,” said Anansi. And he started crying.
The crows felt sorry for him. The next morning at first light, each crow gave him a feather. He flew with them to the fig tree in the middle of the wide river. When he saw the luscious figs, Anansi wanted them all for himself. Each time a crow tried to pick a fig, he shouted out, “That one is mine! I saw it first!” And then he took the fig and put it into his bag. Eventually he had all the figs and the crows had none.
He was left all alone as the darkness began to fall. “If I don’t want to stay in this tree for the rest of my life,” he said to himself, “I’ll just have to jump into the air like the crows”. So he took a deep breath, jumped, and…PLOP! He fell into the river right among the crocodiles.
“What do we have here?” said a gruff crocodile voice. “A tasty morsel to eat, nyum…” “Oh please don’t,” said Anansi. And he began to cry. “I’m one of you, don’t you know? I got lost in the days of your grandfathers and no one was able to find me. You’re the first of my relatives I’ve ever met!” He cried so much that the crocodiles felt sorry for him.
The oldest crocodile said, “We’ll know you’re one of us if you can eat and enjoy mud soup just like we do.” They gave him a pot of dirty brown water. “Just like my grandmother used to make it!” Anansi said. But he made a hole in the ground with his back foot, and a hole in the pot with his front foot. As he pretended to drink the soup, it oozed down through the pot into the hole beneath his feet.
“Delicious!” he exclaimed, giving back the empty pot. “Now we know you are definitely one of us,” the crocodiles said. So they allowed Anansi to sleep in their hole with them for the night. “Tomorrow morning I’ll tell you the story of my life,” said Anansi as they fell asleep.
Early the next morning, before first light, Anansi woke up one of the crocodiles. “I want to go and fetch my wife and children from across the river, so that they can help me tell my story. Will you help me before the others wake up?” he asked the crocodile.
The crocodile was grumpy at being woken up so early. “Please help me! You swim much faster than I do,” Anansi said. The crocodile agreed, and Anansi rode on his back to the bank of the river. He climbed off quickly. “I’ll be back soon! Don’t go away!” Anansi said, as he disappeared through the grass.
As far as we know, the crocodile is waiting for him still, with just his long snout and his beady eyes above the surface of the river. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Animals dig a well | It happened one year that the rain didn’t fall. The trees dried up and died. The rivers disappeared and the water evaporated. People and animals began dying from hunger and thirst.
Lion and Elephant as the chief animals got together to discuss the situation. Lion said, “We’re going to end up dying from thirst. Let’s call everyone together and discuss the idea of digging a well. Elephant agreed and went off to spread the news to all the animals.
All the animals except the hare got together to discuss the situation. Lion said, “Look, my brothers and sisters, this year, the rain has not fallen. Everyone is dying from hunger and thirst. Let us now make a plan to dig a well so that we might all be able to drink from it.”
All the animals agreed and immediately grabbed hoes, shovels and picks and started digging. They dug and dug. And they dug some more. Finally they hit water. Lion said, “Why did Hare not come to dig this well? He most certainly will not drink from this water!”
Later Hare came and saw the well. He said, “Tipite, tipite at the well!” He heard nothing. So he went in, drank some water and splashed around for a while.
The next day, when the animals came they saw that their well was a big mess. The water was nothing but mud. They asked, “Who would do such a thing?” Someone said, “I bet it was Hare. When we were digging the well he was nowhere to be found.”
And so the animals decided to leave a guard at the well. They chose Baboon to keep an eye on things. Baboon was at the well when Hare came at night saying, “Tipite! Tipite! by the water!” Baboon replied, “Pitani!” So Hare came over and greeted Baboon, “I have come, my friend, and I bring that which the great ones like to eat!” Baboon replied, “Come, let’s see what it is.”
Hare had some honey. He went over to Baboon, “Yes, my friend, try some of this!” Hare gave him the honey. Then he drew some water from the well and drank it. Just as Hare was leaving, Hyena arrived and he saw Hare.
The next day, Hyena went and told all the animals that Hare had taken water from the well. So they chose Turtle to guard the well. Hare arrived at night, saying, “Tipite by the well!” When he didn’t hear any reply he said: “I am Hare! I’ve come to drink water.”
When Turtle had arrived at the well earlier that night, she had hidden herself among the rocks. She looked just like another rock. As soon as Hare started to go into the water, Turtle grabbed Hare by the leg. Turtle didn’t say a word, she just sat there holding on until the sun came up.
When the animals arrived, they saw that Turtle had captured Hare. They called the rest of the animals to decide what to do with Hare. When all the animals were assembled, Lion asked them, “What shall we do with this Hare?”
Turtle said, “Elephant should grab him with her trunk and beat him on the rocks.” All the other animals agreed. Then Hare said, “O Great Lion, you know that hares don’t die if you hit them on rocks. The Hare will only die if he is thrown into ash.” So Lion told Elephant to throw Hare into ash.
After Hare was completely covered with ash, Elephant picked him up and threw him. When Hare landed he made a big cloud of dust. The dust was everywhere.
When the dust settled, the animals looked around. Hare was gone! They realised that Hare had tricked them again. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Day I left home for the city | 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.
“City! City! Going west!” I heard a tout shouting. That was the bus I needed to catch.
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.
I looked outside the bus and realised that I was leaving my village, the place where I had grown up. I was going to the big city.
The loading was completed and all passengers were seated. Hawkers still pushed their way into the bus to sell their goods to the passengers. Each one was shouting the names of what was available for sale. The words sounded funny to me.
A few passengers bought drinks, others bought small snacks and began to chew. Those who did not have any money, like me, just watched.
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.
Hawkers pushed each other to make their way out of the bus. Some gave back change to the travelers. Others made last minute attempts to sell more items.
As the bus left the bus stop, I stared out of the window. I wondered if I would ever go back to my village again.
As the journey progressed, the inside of the bus got very hot. I closed my eyes hoping to sleep.
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?
On the way, I memorised the name of the place where my uncle lived in the big city. I was still mumbling it when I fell asleep.
Nine hours later, I woke up with loud banging and calling for passengers going back to my village. I grabbed my small bag and jumped out of the bus.
The return bus was filling up quickly. Soon it would make its way back east. The most important thing for me now, was to start looking for my uncle’s house. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Demane and Demazane | Once upon a time, there was a boy called Demane. He had a twin sister called Demazane.
When their mother and father died, they went to stay with their uncle. But they were badly treated. They were beaten with long sticks, and given thin porridge only once a day for food. So they ran away.
They found a cave to live in. They were scared because they had heard that there were cannibals living in the hills. So they made a strong door to cover the entrance, with only two holes to let in air and light. Demane warned his sister, “Stay in the cave while I am out hunting, and don’t cook any meat. Cannibals love the smell of cooking meat.”
Each evening Demane brought back something he had killed – a hare or some birds or a small buck. As he came to the cave, he sang, “Demazane, Demazane, ?child of my mother, open this cave to me. ?The swallows can enter it. ?It has two holes.”
Demazane found it very boring to stay in the cave all day. So one day, when her brother had gone, she went out to explore. She found a stream to play in, and some trees to climb. She felt free and happy. “Perhaps,” she thought, “there are no cannibals. Perhaps Uncle said there were cannibals just to frighten us.”
The next day she felt bold enough to make a fire to warm herself. But she made it inside the cave with the door firmly shut – just to be on the safe side. “I’m sure it won’t matter if I put a little meat on the fire. It will be so good to have a cooked meal.”
When her brother came home he sang as usual, “Demazane, Demazane,? child of my mother, ?open this cave to me. The swallows can enter it. ?It has two holes.” She opened the door and let him in. When he saw the cooked meat, Demane asked, “How did you do this without a fire?” “I dried the meat in the sun outside the cave,” Demazane replied quickly. Demane was too tired to argue, and they sat down to enjoy the meal together.
The next day, she made a fire and cooked meat again. She had just finished when a voice sang outside the door, “Demazane, Demazane, ?child of my mother,? open this cave to me.? The swallows can enter it.? It has two holes.” But the voice did not sound like her brother’s. Demazane said, “No. You are not my brother. Your voice is not like his.” She felt safe in the cave.
A little while later, someone was singing outside the cave again, “Do let me in, my sister.” “Demazane, Demazane,? child of my mother, ?open this cave to me.? The swallows can enter it.? It has two holes.” The voice sounded just like her brother’s, so she opened the door.
A huge hairy man filled the opening of the cave. He grabbed Demazane before she could run away. Demazane just had time to pick up some ashes from the fire. As she was being carried away, she dropped some ashes here and there along the path.
That day, all Demane had managed to trap was a hive full of bees. He carried them in a thick bag slung over his shoulder. When he came to the cave, he found the door open and his sister gone. But there were ashes pointing the way into the woods. He followed the ash along the path until he saw a fire in the distance.
Near the fire was a huge hairy man sitting with a large bag next to him. Demane walked up to the man, pretending to limp, “Please, father, can you help me? I’ve hurt my leg. I need some water.” The man replied, “I’ll get you some water, if you will promise not to touch my bag.” And he put the bag carefully in his hut.
But when he had gone, Demane cut the string of the bag, and out climbed his sister. Demane replaced the bag with his own bag full of bees. Brother and sister hid and waited to see what would happen.
When the man came with the water, his son and daughter came with him. He said to his daughter, “There is something nice in the bag in our hut. Go! Bring it!” She opened the bag a little to see what it was, but the bees stung her hand, and she called out, “It is biting.” “Go and help her!” he shouted to his son. But the result was the same.
“Don’t treat me like a fool,” he shouted, and stormed into the hut. He closed the door and opened the bag himself. The angry bees swarmed out and stung his head, his nose, his eyes. Blinded, he jumped about, howling with pain.
Then he ran and fell headlong into a pond, where his head stuck fast in the mud. He turned into a piece of wood like the stump of a tree. Just right for a bee hive. For a long time after that, Demane and Demazane ate delicious honey from that hive. |
Tell me about the content of the given story. | Forest of snakes | Sinyaire village is surrounded by hills. Many snakes live in the forest on those hills. The biggest snake was called Unyalego by the villagers. This snake scared many people. It swallowed whole goats and sheep.
One day, sisters Apiyo, Ajoh and Atieno were going to the forest to fetch firewood. The girls’ grandmother warned, “Beware of Unyalego the big snake. Do not take anything from the forest except the wood.” Only Ajoh did not pay attention to her grandmother.
The girls packed milk, bananas, sweet potatoes and water. They took ropes for tying firewood and a sharp machete for chopping the wood. Then they left for the forest.
On the way, the sisters chatted and laughed. Suddenly, Apiyo, the eldest of them, said, “Be quiet. We are coming to where Unyalego lives.”
Atieno called to the others, “Look, here are Unyalego’s golden teeth. Let us take them.” Apiyo reminded them, “Don't forget grandmother’s warning. We must not take anything from the forest except firewood.”
Ajoh said, “I don't trust grandmother. I think she said that to stop us having what we want. I want the golden teeth.” Her sisters were worried. “Ajoh, we warned you,” they said. Ajoh did not care.
At that moment Unyalego came looking for his golden teeth. He was furious when he could not find the teeth. Then Unyalego heard the girls chatting and laughing. He hid under a rock next to the road where the girls would pass on their way back.
The sisters were going home carrying their firewood on their heads. Suddenly, they heard “Hzzzzzzzz!” There was Unyalego with his mouth wide open, ready to bite. The girls were terrified.
Unyalego asked the girls, “Who took my golden teeth?” No one answered. The snake decided to test the girls. “Whoever is innocent, will be able to sing without mistakes. She will go home with her firewood. But the guilty one will sing badly. She will be my food for the next three days!”
Apiyo started to sing with a clear voice: “Sio mimi, sio mimi aliye na meno, Mwenye meno bado yuko nyuma.” Then Atieno sang the song. She also sang well.
Lastly, it was Ajoh’s turn. She was scared. She stepped forward and started singing. But her singing sounded terrible and the words were wrong. Unyalego shouted, “Can’t you sing properly like the others?” The snake knew that Ajoh took his golden teeth.
Unyalego opened his huge jaws and swallowed Ajoh. Her sisters ran back to the village. They told everyone the story of what happened. “I warned her, if only she had listened,” the girls' grandmother said sadly. |