Page 3
Waŋganymirr waluy yurr wataynydja bärray walal bäpa, ŋama', wäwa, yapa ga yukuyuku ga nhina warraw'ŋur.
One day, father, mother, brother, sister, and little brother were sitting under a shelter.
Page 5
Beŋuryiny walal bukmakthu nhäma yindi watharr gapaḻaḻ ŋayi ga dhärra barrku ŋula wanha!
They saw big, white clouds away in the distance.
Page 7
Ŋurruŋuny yapa waŋa bitjan, "Yäaa ….. yindi gapaḻaḻ dhärra ga wulanŋur."
Beŋuriny wäwan waŋa bitjan gam', "Yäaa …. yindi maŋan ŋoy watamirr ga ŋoy waṉbanamirr. Dhärra ga dholmuŋur."
First sister said, "Ahh … Yes! There are big clouds over the ocean."
Brother said, "Ah … Yes! Over the ocean there are clouds and under it is the wind and rain."
Page 9
Buluny ŋaman' waŋa bitjan, "Yäaa-aa waŋupini dhärra ga galkin gumurrŋura wäŋaŋura dhiyakuŋ wurrkiwnha warrkarrwun, maranydjalkkun ga borumgun wäwuruwnha."
Mother replied, "When those clouds approach our place, we know it is the right time for flowers, edible fruit, animals and stingray."
Page 11
Yukuyukuny waŋa bitjan, "Yäaa-aaa!"
Ŋayiny bäpany waŋa bitjan, “Yo walal bilin dhuwal dhawalnydja wolmaynha bitjandja dhuwana räli waṉbanany galkin bala yan walalany dharyuna."
Bäpa, ŋama', wäwa, yapa ga yukuyukuny marrtjiny walal roŋiyirrnydja bala wäŋalilnydja rumbal djurruknha, moymirra ga dhiwk'thiwknha ḻupthundja walal, ŋathany walal ḻuka bala walal ŋorra-ŋurran.
Little brother agreed and said "Yes!"
Father said, "That thunder and those clouds are really close, it is now beginning to rain."
Father, mother, brother, sister, and little brother returned home. They were wet, sticky and dirty so they had a shower, ate some food and went to sleep.
Page 12
Ga balanya nhumalaŋ dhäwuny.
Nyumukuṉiny Garkman
"The little frog"
Page 3
Waŋganymirr gan nhinan garkman, yurr nhanŋu bäyŋu ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny. Nhanŋu ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny dhiŋgaŋal ŋunhi ŋayi nyumukuṉiny muka yan.
Once upon a time, there lived a little frog, but its mother passed away when it was just a little baby.
Page 5
Waŋganymirr ŋayi marrtjin bala nyiknyikkal wäŋalil, bal'yurr nhanŋu ŋayi ŋathaw. Nhanŋu ŋuriki nyiknyikkuny wäŋany gan dhärran bukuŋur. Ŋal'yurr ŋayi marrtjin ŋunhi nyumukuṉiny'tja garkman burnha ŋayi nhanŋu bunan. Wutthu'wutthurr ŋayi nhanŋu wäŋa dhurrwara, bala ŋayi dhawaṯthurra.
One day it went to a mouse's house to look for food. The house was on top of a hill. The little frog climbed up the hill and arrived at the mouse's house. It knocked on the door and out came the mouse.
Page 7
"Nha way buwa nhaku nhe dhuwal marrtjin ŋarrakal wäŋalil?" "Ŋathaw ŋarra dhuwal nhuŋu baḻ'yurr."
"Yol bili nhe dhuwal?", bitjarr ŋayi nyiknyik.
"Ŋarra dhuwal nyumukuṉiny garkman, yurr ŋarra dhuwal ŋäṉḏimiriw."
Ga ŋayiny nyiknyiktja waŋan, "Yaka dhuwal ŋarra nhunu marŋginy. Yurr bäydhin, mak nhe dhu gärrin dhipal ŋarrakal wäŋalil, bili nhe dhuwali djaṉŋarrthin."
"What's up mate, why have you come to my house?" asked the mouse.
"I want you to give me food," said the little frog. "I am a little frog and I have no mother".
"I don't know you but that doesn't matter, just come in because you are hungry."
Page 9
Bala ŋayi ŋunhi nyumukuṉiny'tja garkman gärrinan nhanukal wäŋalil, bala ŋayi gan ŋathan nyaŋ'thurr nyiknyikkuŋun.
The little frog went into the mouse's house and ate some of its food.
Page 11
Ga ŋunhi ŋayi dhawar'yurr ŋathaŋurnydja, ga ŋayi nyiknyik waŋan nhanukal bitjarr, "Way wäŋany marrtji dhuwal galki munhawuyirra ga nhaltjanna nheny dhu?""Yow, yakan ŋarra marŋgi."
Ga ŋayi ŋunhi nyiknyik waŋan bitjarr.
"Nhämirr nhe ŋuli ŋorri dhiyalnydja ŋarrakalnydja wäŋaŋur."
"Yo marrkapmirr biyakiyi ŋarraku ḻunduthi, bili ŋarra dhuwal ḻundumiriw."
Bala ŋayi gan ŋunhilin nhinan bitjarra ḻinygu ŋurikala nyiknyikkala ŋunhiyiny nyumukuṉiny'tja garkman.
When it finished eating the mouse said, "Hey, it's getting dark, what will you do now?"
"I don't know," answered the frog.
The mouse said, "Well, you can stay at my house."
"Thank you for that because I do not have a friend."
From then on, the frog lived with the mouse for the rest of its life.
Page 4:
Dhuwandja ḏirramu gan ḻarruŋal ŋathaw bili bäyŋun nhanŋu ŋathany wäŋaŋur.
Bala ŋayi marrtjinan ḏiltjilila ŋathawnha.
A man went looking for food because there was no food for him at home.
He went to the bush to look for food.
Page 5:
Ŋunhi ŋayi marrtjinany ḏiltjililnydja, bala ŋayi marrtjin bumarnha ḏiltjipuynha ŋathany.
Ga buluny ŋayi nhäŋal ŋatha dhakal mala gan gorru'-kurruŋal dharpaŋur.
He went to the bush, then went collecting bush food.
He saw a bunch of fruit that was hanging on a tree.
Page 6:
Bala ŋayi waŋanan ŋanyapinya ŋayi bitjarr,
"Ya ŋarraku ŋatha mala gorru'-kurrum ga, ḻuka ŋarra dhu ga... dhawar."
Then he talked to himself like this, "Oh, yes, this fruit that is hanging on the tree is all mine, I will eat them… and finish them all."
Page 7:
Bala ŋayi marrtjinan balayin dharpalila, ŋunhi ŋayi nhäŋal dhakal mala.
Then he walked to that tree. There he saw the bunch of them.
Page 8:
Ga djälthinany ŋayi mirithinan ŋurikiyi ŋathawnydja, ŋunhi ŋayi ŋal'yurrnydja dharpalilnydja.
And he really like the food, so he climbed up the tree.
Page 9:
Bala ŋayi gulkthurra ŋunhi ŋathany, yurr ŋayi nhäŋal bäpiny ŋayi gan nhäŋal ŋanya.
Then he cut off some of the food, but he saw a snake looking at him.
Page 10:
Bala ŋayi mirithinan barrarin. Ga yupthurrnydja ŋayi ŋunhi bondin yan.
Then he got really scared, so climbed down quickly.
Page 11:
Bala ŋayi waṉḏinan gan wäŋalilnha.
Then he ran home.
Page 12:
Yurr bäpiynydja ŋanya marrtjin nhäŋala yan waṉḏinyalilnydja.
But the snake only watched him run.
Page 13:
Ga bäyŋun ŋayi märranhany ŋunhi ŋathany.
And he didn't end up getting that food.
Page 1
Waŋganymirriy waluy, baman', watay ḻuŋgurrmay, Maŋgatharra mala gan goyurr ŋoy-ŋupar mitjiyaŋdhu Takarrinalil.
One day, a long time ago, the Macassans travelled over water in a mitjiyaŋ (wooden sailboat) with the North wind, to Takarrina (Mission Beach).
Page 3
Yolŋu mala gan dhärran raŋiŋur bili walal gan nhäŋal mitjiyaŋ räli gan waṉḏin. Waŋan walal, "Yol ŋunha?"
Yolŋu were standing on the beach, and they saw the boat coming. They said, "Who is that?"
Page 5
Bala Maŋgatharray gurrupar rrupiya, ŋarali', galiku', berratha ga ḻuŋiny Yolŋuw mala.
Then the Macassans gave coins, tobacco, calico, rice and pipes to Yolŋu.
Page 7
Yolŋuy mala milkuŋal dharripa Maŋgatharrawal raŋiŋur.
Yolŋu showed the Macassans trepang (sea cucumber) on the beach.
Page 9
Yolŋuy ga Maŋgatharra mala gan bumar dharripa bala walulila ḻithanmaraŋal.
Yolŋu and Macassans all collected trepang and dried them out in the sun.
Page 11
Ŋunhiliyin walal marrtjin buŋgulnha djäma.
Then lastly they all danced and celebrated.
Page 13
Maŋgatharra roŋiyinan mitjiyaŋdhu walalaŋgingal barrkulil wäŋalil. Yolŋu mala waŋan "Djutjtjutjnha! Nhäma yalalaŋumirriy!"
The Macassans went back to their home far away. Yolŋu said "Goodbye! See you next year!"
Page 1
Wiripuny, yolŋu walal gan nhina-nhinan wäŋaŋur.
Some people were sitting in their home.
Page 2
Ga wiripuny walal yolŋu'-yulŋu marrtjin bala djatthunaraw wiyi'-wiyingu dharpaw mala. Ga gulkthurrnydja walal dharpany goŋ-waŋgany ga waŋgany bäythinyawuy.
They got up and went to cut some poles. They cut six of them.
Page 3
Ga bulu walal djatthurr ḻurrkun' wiyi'-wiyin dharpa mälakmaranharaw.
Then they cut three long poles to lay crossways.
Page 4
Bala walal ŋarŋgan mala yaw'yurr ŋurikiyin dharpawnha mala. Bala walal nhirrpa'-nhirrpara ŋunhi dharpany mala.
They dug some holes for the poles. Then they stood up the poles.
Page 5
Ga beŋuryiny walal gondhaŋal ṉäkun mala bala gäŋal wäŋalila. Djäma walal ŋunhiyi ḻoḻuny dhawar'maraŋal ḻinygun.
Then they collected some bark and brought it back home. They finished building the shelter.
Page 6
Ga ḻinygun dhuwal. Bala walal dhathar'yurra balan yuṯalila wäŋalil.
Then it was finished. They moved camp to their new shelter.
Page 2
Dhuwal Ḏatam.
This is Ḏatam.
Page 4
Dhuwal Nhawi.
This is Nhawi.
Page 6
Ḏatam waŋan, "Ŋarrany dhu marrtji biḻayindhu buŋgullil, nheny dhu nhina wäŋaŋur ŋe?"
Ḏatam says, "I'm going to the ceremony by plane, you stay here at home, okay?"
Page 8
Ḏatam nhina ga gundarakŋur.
Ḏatam is sitting at the airport.
Page 10
Ḏatam djinawa biḻayinŋur.
Ḏatam is inside the plane.
Page 12
Dhuwana ŋayi Ḏatam burryuna ga yindiŋur buŋgulŋur. Ḏatamgu bathi ga meŋiniyirr.
Here is Ḏatam performing in the big ceremony. Ḏatam's bag begins to shake.
Page 14
"Wa..a..a..ay bäpi!"
"Ah..h..h..h snake!!"
Page 16
Bäpa'mirriŋu waṉḏin garamirr.
Father comes running over with a spear.
Page 18
"Yakay! Nhawi! Bathilil djuḻuḻ'yurr."
"Oh my gosh! Nhawi is hiding in the bag!"
Page 2
Yothuy ŋäthin ŋäṉḏiny ga bäpany, rirrikthurr ŋayi buthuru ga rathalay.
A little boy cried out to his mother and father. His ears hurt, and he had a headache.
Page 4
Bala ŋayi ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny marrtjin raŋilila manhdhapiḏiwnha.
His mother walked to the beach to collect manhdhapiḏi, a type of sea slug.
Page 6
Ŋayiny yothuny ga bäpa'mirriŋuny marrtjin ḻarruŋal baḏarrwu man'tjarrwu.
Meanwhile, the little boy and his father walked off in search of baḏarr, the paperbark tree, to collect its leaves.
Page 8
Yurr dhukarrdja maṉḏa märraŋal wäkwakmirrilil. Ga ŋayiny yothuydja nhäŋal man'tjarrnha bala waŋanan bitjarr, "Bäpa, nhä dhuwandja man'tjarr?".
The two of them took the path that passed by the wäkwakmirr, the billabong. The little boy saw some leaves and asked his father, "Dad, what are these leaves?".
Page 11
Ga ŋayi bäpa'mirriŋuydja lakaraŋal bitjarr, "Burukpili dhuwandja man'tjarr, ŋalparr'wu".
His father told him, "These are the leaves of burukpili, cheese-fruit, you can use them when you have a cough".
Page 12
Bala maṉḏa marrtjinan raŋilila ga ŋayiny yothuydja nhäŋal man'tjarrnha bala waŋanan bitjarr, "Bäpa, nhä dhuwandja man'tjarr?".
Then they walked to the raŋi, the beach. The little boy saw some leaves and asked his father, "Dad, what are these leaves?".
Page 15
Ga ŋayi bäpa'mirriŋuydja lakaraŋal bitjarr, "Malwan dhuwandja man'tjarr, mäpaṉgu".
His father told him, "These are the leaves of malwan, anative hibiscus, you can use them when you have a boil".
Page 16
Yarrupnha maṉḏa raŋi-ŋupara marrtjin, bala ŋayiny yothuydja nhäŋal man'tjarrnha ŋayi marrtjin raŋi-ŋupar ŋorran bala ŋayi yothuydja waŋanan bitjarr, "Bäpa, nhä dhuwandja man'tjarr?".
They then climbed down the sand dunes and walked along the beach. The little boy saw some leaves and asked his father, "Dad, what are these leaves?".
Page 19
Ga ŋayi bäpa'mirriŋuydja lakaraŋal bitjarr, "Rowu dhuwandja man'tjarr, djetjiw".
His father told him, "These are the leaves of rowu, the goat's foot creeper, you can use them when you have a scratch or a cut".
Page 20
Dhä-ŋur beŋuryiny maṉḏa nhäŋala djurryurr'nha gapu, waṉḏin gan. Bala yan maṉḏa dhunupan marrtjinany balayin dharpalil, ŋunhi wanha gan baḏarr dharpa dhärran.
Finally, they saw a rainwater stream. It led them straight to the bush where baḏarr, the paperbark trees, stood.
Page 22
Nhäŋal maṉḏa man'tjarrdja, bala ŋayiny bäpa'mirriŋuydja lakaraŋal yothuwal bitjarr gam', "Gäthu, dhuwana baḏarrdja dharpa ga man'tjarr".
They saw the leaves, and the father told the little boy, "Son, this is baḏarr, and these are its leaves".
Page 25
Bala maṉḏa marrtjin gulkthurra man'tjarrdja, bala yan roŋiyinan wäŋalila.
They picked the leaves and headed home.
Page 27
Gäman maṉḏa marrtjin baḏarrdja man'tjarr muḻkurryu wäŋalildja. Gurthany gan ŋawyurra ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuy dhaŋalkkuŋal, ga gurthaŋurdja gan nhäran manhdhapiḏi.
They carried the leaves home on their heads. While they had been away, the little boy's mother had prepared gurtha, a fire. The manhdhapiḏi were already on the fire when they arrived home.
Page 29
Bäpa'mirriŋuydja ga yothuydja dhunupan yan gapun ḏiṯthurr rupa'lila, bala dhunupan yan buŋbuŋmaraŋala baḏarrdja man'tjarr gurthalila.
The little boy and his father scooped some water into a billy and put it straight onto the fire, to boil the baḏarr leaves they had collected.
Page 30
Dhawaṯmaraŋal maṉḏa gurthaŋurdja baḏarr rupa'mirr ga manhdhapiḏi, bala ŋulwitjkuŋala. Ga bäy ŋayi-i-i-i yal'yurr banikin baḏarrmirr, bala yothunhan maṉḏa ŋäṉḏiy ga bäpay lupmaraŋala ŋuruŋiyiny baḏarryu.
The manhdhapiḏi and baḏarr were taken off the fire and left to cool. The billy full of baḏarr medicine slowly cooled down, then the mother and father washed their little boy with it.
Page 33
Dhä-ŋur beŋuryiny ḻupmaranhaŋur yothuwal, maṉḏa ŋäṉḏiy ga bäpay rarryurr weka manhdhapiḏi buthurulila yothuwal.
After the little boy's mother and father had washed him, they dripped the liquid from the manhdhapiḏi into his ear.
Page 34
Bala ŋayi yothuny ḻayyurra, bala rälin ŋayi gan waṉḏi-waṉḏinany walŋathinan rerriŋurdja. Ga yakurrtja walalaŋ latjuny dhika bunan.
The little boy felt better, his earache and headache were starting to go away. The family all had a good rest that night.
Page 36
Ga wiripun walu djaḏaw'yurr, ŋayi yothuny gan buḻ'yurra bawalamirrikurra, bili walal warrpam'nha nhinanany gan ŋayaŋu-djulŋithinan.
The next morning, the little boy played excitedly, and the whole family felt happy again.
Page 2
Yolŋu walal barpuru marrtji raŋilil maypalwu.
Yesterday they went to the beach for shellfish.
Page 4
Marrtji walal barpuru, bala walal barpuru nhina raŋiŋur.
They went yesterday, then they sat at the beach.
Page 6
Buma walal barpuru gurtha, bala walal barpuru marrtji maypallil.
They collected firewood yesterday, then they went for shellfish.
Page 8
Buma walal marrtji barpuru maypal dharrwa. Bala walal barpuru maypal gäma raŋilil.
They went and collected lots of shellfish yesterday. They carried them to the beach.
Page 10
Djäma walal barpuru gurtha, bala walal barpuru bathan maypal gurthalil.
They made a fire yesterday, then they cooked the shellfish on the fire.
Page 12
Galkun walal barpuru maypalwu, bala walal barpuru nyaŋ'thun.
They waited for the shellfish yesterday, then they ate them.
Page 14
Bala walal barpuru marrtji wäŋalil.
Then they went home yesterday.
Page 2
Baman'birr, yindi wata bunan, ga marrtjinany ŋayi gan moṉukkurr gapukurr.
Yurr ganydjarr-ḏumurr, boy'yurr ga buṯmaraŋal dharpa ga wäŋa mala.
Ga yothu miyapununy, dhawuṯmaraŋal bala djaw'yurr ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuwal barrkulil wäŋalil.
Ga dhäŋur beŋuryi wataŋur, ŋayi yothuny miyapunu ḏawa'-ḏawayurra, nhinan ḏilmay'mayŋura wäŋaŋur.
Long ago, a huge wind came from across the sea. It blew so strongly that it blew away trees and houses. A baby turtle was blown far away from her mother. After the storm, the baby turtle looked around her at the bush.
Page 4
Ga bäyŋun ŋayi nhäŋal ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny ga gapu moṉuktja. Bala ŋayi mirithinan barrarin.
Bala ŋayi marrtjinan bala…a ga nhäŋal mulkurun wäyin.
“Way! Wanha moṉuktja gapu?”, bitjarr yothu miyapunu wäŋan.
“Barrkun birrnha moṉuktja gapu”, bitjarr Weṯiy' lakaraŋal. "Nhaku muka?”
“Ŋarra djäl ŋarra dhu nhäma ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny ŋarraku.”
She couldn't see her mother or the sea. She was very frightened.
So she went along and then she saw a strange animal.
"Hey! Where is the sea?", asked the baby turtle.
"The sea is far away", the kangaroo told her. "Why do you want to know?"
"I want to see my mother."
Page 6
"Ma'. Ŋarra nhunany dhu gäma, wapthurr ŋarrakal bathilil.”
Wap, wap, wapthun. Ŋulatjar bala ṉinydjiyakurr wäŋakurr wapthurr.
Ŋunhan ṉinydjiyaŋur wäŋaŋur, ŋayi yothuny miyapunu wäŋan, “Djutjtjutjnha Weṯi'”.
"Okay. I'll take you, jump into my pouch."
Hop, hop, hop. They hopped to the flood plain country.
At the flood plains, the baby turtle said, "Goodbye Kangaroo".
Page 8
Bala ŋayi marrtjinan bala…a ga nhäŋal mulkurun wäyin.
"Way! Wanha moṉuktja gapu?”, bitjarr yothu miyapunu wäŋan.
“Barrkun birr moṉuktja gapu”, bitjarr Wurrpaṉ'dhu wäŋan. "Nhaku muka?"
"Ŋarra djäl ŋarra dhu nhäma ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny ŋarraku.”
She went along and then she saw a strange animal.
"Hey! Where is the sea?", asked the baby turtle.
"The sea is far away", the emu told her. "Why do you want to know?"
"I want to see my mother."
Page 10
“Ma'. Ŋarra nhunany dhu gäma, wapthurr ŋarrakal ḏiltjilil.”
Waṉḏin, waṉḏin, waṉḏin. Ṉinydjiyakurr wäŋakurr gapukurr guḻunmirrikurr waṉḏin.
Ŋunhal guḻunmirriŋur wäŋaŋur, ŋayi yothuny miyapunu wäŋan, "Djutjtjutjnha Wurrpaṉ'”.
"Okay. I'll take you, jump onto my back."
Run, run, run. They ran across the flood plains and through the billabong country. At the billabong, the baby turtle said, "Goodbye Emu".
Page 12
Bala ŋayi marrtjinan bala…a ga nhäŋal, mulkurun wäyin, ŋayi guya marrtjin ḏiṯthurr gapuŋur.
“Way! Wanha moṉuktja gapu?”, bitjarr yothu miyapunu wäŋan.
“Barrkun birr moṉuktja gapu”, bitjarr Gäḻumayyu lakaraŋal. “Nhaku muka?”
“Ŋarra djäl ŋarra dhu nhäma ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuny ŋarraku.”
She went along and then she saw a strange animal; he was catching fish in the water.
"Hey! Where is the sea?", asked the baby turtle.
"The sea is far away", the pelican told her. "Why do you want to know?"
"I want to see my mother."
Page 14
“Ma'. Ŋarra nhunany dhu gäma, wapthurr ŋarrakal ḏiltjilil ŋali buṯthuna.”
Buṯ, buṯ, buṯthurr. Garrwarrkurr maṉḏa gapulil moṉuklil buṯthurr.
Bala miyapunuytja nhäŋal ŋoynha gapun.
"Okay. I'll take you, jump onto my back and we'll fly."
Flap, flap, flap. They flew through the sky to the sea.
The baby turtle looked down at the sea.
Page 16
Bala yan mirithirra ŋoy-ŋamathirrnydja bala yan ŋurrkanhaminan garrwarŋur bala ŋoylil munathalila.
She was so excited that she fell off.
Page 18
Dhur… thuryuna bala ŋarakan burakirr.
Dhurthur… yurr… gut! Ḏaŋgalknha.
Down, down, bang! She fell.
Page 20
Bala ŋayi nhumandja moṉuknha gapu, bala gaḻ'yuna marrtji ŋayi, ga gaḻ'yun, ga gaḻ'yun yan ḻinygu. Buluny ŋayi ga gulkurun gaḻ'yun.
She could smell the sea. She crawled and crawled and crawled, until she couldn't crawl any more.
Page 22
Ga miyalknha marrtji, bala ŋayi nhäman miyapununy bala ḻaw'maraman, bala gäman moṉuklila gapulil.
Then a girl came along and saw the turtle, so she picked her up and carried her to the sea.
Page 24
Ŋunhi ŋayi dhäkay-ŋämany gapuny miyapunuytja, bala yan mirithirra ŋayi galŋa-djulŋithirr.
Bala ŋayi waythuna ḻarruman ŋäṉḏi'mirriŋuwnha.
When she felt the salt water, the turtle was very happy. Then away she went to look for her mother.
Page 26
Ga ḻinygun dhuwal dhäwuny.
The End.
Waŋganymirr waluy ḻurrkun' dhalimbu mala gan nhinan gapuŋur.
One day three clams were sitting in the water.
Ga yäkuny walal ŋunhi Ḏiŋ', Ḏaŋ' ga Ḏoŋ'.
Their names were Ḏiŋ', Ḏaŋ' and Ḏoŋ'.
“Buwa Ḏoŋ'!” bitjarr Ḏaŋ' waŋan.
“Hey you Ḏoŋ'!” said Ḏaŋ'.
“Nhä way, Ḏaŋ'?” bitjarr ŋayiny Ḏoŋ'tja.
“What, Ḏaŋ'?” said Ḏoŋ'.
“Bili nhe lakaraŋal Ḏiŋ'kal?” Ḏoŋ'thu dhä-birrka'yurr.
“Did you tell Ḏiŋ'?” asked Doŋ'.
“Bäyŋu! B yŋu ŋarra lakaranha Ḏiŋ'kal” bitjarr ŋayi Ḏaŋ'tja.
“No! No l didn’t tell Ḏiŋ'” said Ḏaŋ'.
Bala ŋayiny Ḏoŋ'tja waŋanan Ḏaŋ'kal, “Ŋali lakaraman Ḏiŋ'kal.”
Then Ḏoŋ' said to Ḏaŋ', “Let’s go and tell Ḏiŋ'.”
Bala maṉḏa Ḏaŋ' ga Ḏoŋ' wäthurra Ḏiŋ'kun. “BUWA WAY! ḎIŊ'!”
Then Ḏaŋ' and Ḏoŋ' were calling out to Ḏiŋ'. “HEY! “ḎIŊ'!”
“Nhä way maṉḏa? Nhä Ḏaŋ'? Nhä way Ḏoŋ'?”, bitjarr ŋayi Ḏiŋ'tja buku-roŋanmaraŋal.
“Why did you two call out? What Ḏaŋ'? What is it Ḏoŋ'?” said Ḏiŋ'.
“Nhä nhe dhuwal dhuḏi-djinagalil ga dhärrany?” Yan maṉḏa ŋanya warku'yurr.
“Are you upside down with your backside up?” They were just making fun of him.
Bala Ḏiŋ'tja bilyurra dhunupayinan, bala walal dhurrwarany ḏapthurra, Ḏiŋ'!, Ḏaŋ'! ga Ḏoŋ'! Bala walal marrtjin ŋorra'ŋurranan.
Then Ḏiŋ' turned around the right way, then they closed their mouths, Ḏiŋ'!, Ḏaŋ'! and Ḏoŋ'! And they all went to sleep.
Wäŋany ŋarraku gapuŋur. Nhä ŋarrany dhuwal?
My home is in the sea. What am I?
Winner of the category of 'Best Class Book' as part of the 2019 Shepherdson College Writing Festival.
Waŋganymirr waluy, ŋamay' ga djäma dämba ŋunhal raŋiŋur.
One day, mum was making damper at the beach.
Ga waṯu ga nhina galki munatha'ŋur. Nhäma ŋayi ga ŋamany'. Waṯu ga
gitkitthun bili ŋunhi dämba ḏäl ga yindipuy.
The dog was sitting nearby on the sand. He was watching mum. The dog
was smiling because the damper was hard and big.
Waṯuy ga guyaŋirr, “Mak ŋarra dhu manaŋirr ŋunha dämba”.
Yurr ŋama' ga djäga dämbaw.
The dog was thinking, “Maybe I will steal that damper!” But mum was
keeping an eye on the damper.
Ga dämbany borumnha dhuwal. Ŋamay' dämbany rulwaŋ'thurr
djorra'lil galki munatha'lil.
When the damper was cooked, mum put in onto brown paper on the
sand.
Bala ŋamany' marrtjin wäŋalil ŋayi dhu märram yiki ga djurrut.
Then mum went into the house to get a knife and golden syrup.
Ga ŋayiny waṯuy manaŋin balanyamirriy dämbany, bala waṉḏirra
winya’yuna retjalil.
The dog stole the damper and ran away towards the bush.
Ŋamany' roŋiyin, nhämany ŋayi djorran' yan dhäparŋ’nha bäyŋun d ämba, bala ŋayi bitjanna, “Way! Wanha ŋarraku dämbany? Bay mak ŋayi roŋiyin
wurraŋatjarra waṯu bili ŋayi djaw'yurr ŋarraku dämba!”
Mum returned and saw the empty paper with no damper. She said, “Hey!
Where’s my damper? Maybe that cheeky dog stole my damper!”
Bala ŋamay' warrwarryurra waṯuny bala ŋayi yaŋarany warryurr. “ Roŋan maraŋ ŋarraku dämba!” bitjarr ŋama' yatjurr waŋan.
Then mum chased the dog and grabbed his tail. “Give my damper back!”
she shouted.
Ŋamay' bakmaraŋal dämba bala gurrupar waṯuw. Bala maṉḏa ḻukanan
rrambaŋin dämbany.
Mum broke the damper in half and gave half to the dog. They both ate the
damper together.
Beŋuryiny dhäŋur maṉḏa ḻupthurr bala ŋorran raŋiŋura.
They both had a wash and went to sleep at the beach.
