Story by Tina Mayulwuy and Daphne Gumiyalawuy. Transcription and translation by Emma Smolenaers.
Illustrations by Kenisha Gurruwiwi. Design by Llani Caffery Panuve.
Page 2
Baman'tja yolŋu'-yulŋu gan nhinan raŋiŋur, ŋathi, ŋama', mäḻu, wuḻman märi'mu ga djamarrkuḻi'.
Once, yolŋu were sitting at the beach, grandfather (maternal), mum, dad, old man grandfather (paternal), and the children.
Page 3
Maṉḏany mäḻuny ga ŋathiny marrtjin ṉakuy miyapunuw runu'lil.
Father and Grandfather went by canoe to the island for turtle.
Page 4
Ga ŋamany' waŋan, "Way, Wuḻman! Galki roŋiyirra dhu ŋathiny ga mäḻuny miyapunuŋurnydja. Wanha yikiny?"
And mum said, "Hey, old man! Soon grandfather and father will return with turtle. Where's the knife?"
Page 5
"Galkurr ŋarra märram warraw'ŋur," bitjarr wuḻman waŋan. Marrtjin ḻarruŋal ŋayi ga bäyŋu.
"Wait and I'll bring one from the shelter," said the old man. He went and looked but found nothing.
Page 6
Bala walal dhu djamarrkuḻiny' waŋan, "Ŋama'! Bäyŋun yikiny, nhaltjana limurr dhu?"
Then the children said, "Mum! There's no knife, what will we do?"
Page 7
Ga wuḻmandja waŋan, "Manymak, ŋarran dhu djäma nhä napurr gan bäki ŋäthil."
The old man said, "It's okay, I'll make one how we use to in the old days".
Page 8
Djamarrkuḻiny' waŋan, "Wuḻman, nhä nhuma gan ŋäthildja bäki?" Wuḻmandja waŋan, "Go marrtji walal. Ŋarra dhu milkum nhä napurr gan bäki.
"The children said, "Old man, what did you use in the old days?"
The old man said, "Come, lets go. I'll show you what we used."
Page 9
Bala walal marrtjin guṉḏan wapmaraŋal bala djäman yikin ga ḏakulnha.
Then they went and collected rocks to make a knife and an axe.
