The sky is the one book that never wears out and never lies and never closes, said the old man, and it is open to everyone who lifts their eyes.

Jiri nyubun kuku kari dumbarril yabarrka, kari warmbijil, kari nandal yabarrka, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, bama wubulku nyajil miyil wangkar manilmuny.

jiri nyubun kuku kari dumbarri-l yabarrka, kari warmbiji-l, kari nanda-l yabarrka, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, bama wubul-ku nyaji-l miyil wangkar mani-l-muny | sky one story NEG breaks ever, NEG lies, NEG closes ever, old man said, people all read eye up lift-ABL

jiri nyubun kuku dumbarril warmbiji nandal bama nyajil miyil


So the old man taught, and so the children learned, and so the country's weather passed from mind to mind down all the long years.

Yalaku mukulungku dingkarangka milbin, yalaku karrkay-karrkay binalman, yalaku bubumu wungar milkamuny milkaka dungan wungar kalbay wubulku.

yala-ku mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny, yala-ku karrkay-karrkay binal-ma-ny, yala-ku bubu-mu wungar milka-muny milka-ka dunga-ny wungar kalbay wubul-ku | thus old man taught, thus children learned, thus country-POSS weather mind-ABL mind-DAT passed years long all

mukul milbil karrkay binal bubu wungar milka dungay kalbay


And above them all, the sun rose and the moon turned and the stars wheeled, the same today as on the world's first morning long ago.

Jana wubulku wuyar, wungar wandin, kija murnin, dawar jalaman, yala nyiku yala wunkuwingku bubumu ngadiku.

jana wubul-ku wuyar, wungar wandi-ny, kija murni-ny, dawar jalama-ny, yala nyiku yala wunkuwingku bubu-mu ngadiku | them all above, sun rose, moon turned, stars wheeled, same now as morning world-POSS ancient

wuyar wungar wandil kija murnil dawar jalamal wunkuwingku bubu ngadiku


When the children came back to camp in the evening, their mother asked them: Where have you all been this long day?

Karrkay-karrkay bayanka kadanya yilay-yilay, ngamungka jana babajin: Yurra wanjabu dungan wungar kalbay?

karrkay-karrkay bayan-ka kada-nya yilay-yilay, ngamu-ngka jana babaji-ny: yurra wanjabu dunga-ny wungar kalbay? | children camp-DAT coming-SUB evening, mother them asked: you.PL where went day long?

karrkay bayan kaday ngamu babaji wanjabu wungar kalbay


The oldest boy answered: We went up the river to the deep waterholes, and we swam, and we caught many fish.

Karrkay yalbayangka balkan: Ngana wawubaja wangkarka dungan bana badaka, ngana marajin, ngana kuyu wubul manin.

karrkay yalbay-angka balka-ny: ngana wawubaja wangkar-ka dunga-ny bana bada-ka, ngana maraji-ny, ngana kuyu wubul mani-ny | boy oldest said: we river up-DAT went water deep-DAT, we swam, we fish many got

karrkay yalbay wawubaja wangkar dungay bana maraji kuyu wubul manil


The mother asked: How many fish did you catch, and who carried them all the way back to the camp?

Ngamungka babajin: Yurra kuyu wanjarrinya manin, wanyangka jana wundin bayanka kalbaymuny?

ngamu-ngka babaji-ny: yurra kuyu wanjarrinya mani-ny, wanya-ngka jana wundi-ny bayan-ka kalbay-muny? | mother asked: you.PL fish how.many got, who-ERG them carried camp-DAT far-ABL?

ngamu babaji kuyu wanjarrinya manil wanya wundil bayan

wanjarrinya 'how many'; wanya-ngka who-ERG


The girl said: We caught many fish, and my brother carried the biggest ones, because he is the strongest of us all.

Maralangka balkan: Ngana kuyu wubul manin, ngayku yaba kuyu yalbay wundin, nyulu junkurr bajaku ngana wubulmuny.

maral-angka balka-ny: ngana kuyu wubul mani-ny, ngayku yaba kuyu yalbay wundi-ny, nyulu junkurr-baja-ku ngana wubul-muny | girl said: we fish many got, my brother fish big carried, he strongest us all-ABL

maral kuyu wubul manil yaba yalbay wundil junkurr


The mother smiled and asked the youngest child: And you, little one, what did you do all day at the deep water?

Ngamungka yajarrin, karrkay bubanka babajin: Yundu, karrkay buban, wanyu ngaran wungar kalbay bana badanga?

ngamu-ngka yajarri-ny, karrkay buban-ka babaji-ny: yundu, karrkay buban, wanyu ngara-ny wungar kalbay bana bada-nga? | mother smiled, child youngest-DAT asked: you, child little, what did day long water deep-LOC?

ngamu yajarril karrkay buban babaji wanyu ngaral bana bada


The little child said proudly: I did not swim, because the water was too deep, but I watched the fish and I minded the fire!

Karrkay bubanangka balkan wawu-yalbay: Ngayu kari marajin, bana bada bajaku, yambada ngayu kuyu nyajin, ngayu baya kujin!

karrkay buban-angka balka-ny wawu-yalbay: ngayu kari maraji-ny, bana bada bajaku, yambada ngayu kuyu nyaji-ny, ngayu baya kuji-ny | child little said proud: I NEG swam, water deep too, but I fish watched, I fire kept

karrkay buban ngayu maraji bana bada kuyu nyajil baya kujil


The mother said: You all did well, and now you must be hungry, so come and eat, and tell me everything again while you eat.

Ngamungka balkan: Yurra ngulkurr ngaran, yurra nyiku dakwuy, kada, nuka, ngayku yambayamba balka baja nukanya.

ngamu-ngka balka-ny: yurra ngulkurr ngara-ny, yurra nyiku dakwuy, kada, nuka, ngayku yambayamba balka baja nuka-nya | mother said: you.PL well did, you now hungry, come-IMP, eat-IMP, me everything tell-IMP again eating-SUB

ngamu ngulkurr ngaral dakwuy kaday nukal yambayamba balkal


As they ate, the mother asked more questions: What kind of water was it, and what did you see there, and where was the big animal?

Jana nukanya, ngamungka babajin baja: Bana wanyunguy, yurra wanyu nyajin bananga, minya yalbay wanjabu janay?

jana nuka-nya, ngamu-ngka babaji-ny baja: bana wanyunguy, yurra wanyu nyaji-ny bana-nga, minya yalbay wanjabu jana-y? | they eating-SUB, mother asked more: water what.kind, you.PL what saw water-LOC, animal big where was?

nukal ngamu babaji bana wanyunguy wanyu nyajil minya wanjabu


The children laughed and told her all her questions one by one, and the whole family talked together late into the warm night.

Karrkay-karrkay yajarrin, ngamumu babaji wubulku balkan nyubun-nyubun, jawunkarra wubulku balka-wan kunarangkal wumbulba baja.

karrkay-karrkay yajarri-ny, ngamu-mu babaji wubul-ku balka-ny nyubun-nyubun, jawun-karra wubul-ku balka-wa-ny kunarangkal wumbul-ba baja | children laughed, mother-POSS questions all told one.by.one, family all talked-RECIP night warm-LOC late

karrkay yajarril ngamu babaji balkal jawun kunarangkal wumbul

balka-wa-y RECIP 'talk together'; wumbul-ba LOC


The old man said: If it rains tomorrow, we will stay in the camp and make spears; if it is fine, we will go hunting.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Kaki kaba kaday wunkun, ngana bayanba bunday, kalka ngaral; kaki wungar ngulkurr, ngana balbil dungay.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki kaba kada-y wunkun, ngana bayan-ba bunda-y, kalka ngara-l; kaki wungar ngulkurr, ngana balbi-l dunga-y | old man said: if rain comes tomorrow, we camp-LOC sit, spears make; if day good, we hunt go

mukul kaki kaba kaday wunkun bayan bunday kalka ngaral balbil

kaki+NONPAST paired conditionals; bayan-ba LOC


If the fish do not come to the shallows, the old man said, then we will look for other food in the country instead.

Kaki kuyu kari kaday bana bubanka, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, ngana mayi yindu nyajil bubungu baja.

kaki kuyu kari kada-y bana buban-ka, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, ngana mayi yindu nyaji-l bubu-ngu baja | if fish NEG come water shallow-DAT, old man said, we food other look country-LOC instead

kaki kuyu kaday bana buban mayi yindu nyajil bubu


If you are tired, said the mother, then lie down and rest, for a tired hunter catches nothing and only frightens the game.

Kaki yurra baja-burray, ngamungka karrkay-karrkayka balkan, yurra bada wunay, mara-kunbay, balbibama baja-burray kari yamba manil, minya yinyil-kangal nganga.

kaki yurra baja-burray, ngamu-ngka karrkay-karrkay-ka balka-ny, yurra bada wuna-y, mara-kunba-y, balbi-bama baja-burray kari yamba mani-l, minya yinyil-kanga-l nganga | if you.PL tired, mother children-DAT said, you down lie, rest, hunter tired NEG thing gets, game frighten-CAUS only

kaki baja-burray ngamu mara-kunbay balbi yamba manil minya yinil

kaki+verbless; yinil-bungal CAUS 'frighten'


If a big wind comes up while you are on the water, the old man warned, then go straight for the shore and do not fight it.

Kaki muyar yalbay wandil yurra bananga jananya, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yurra yaral bungkarrka dungay, kari muyar kunil.

kaki muyar yalbay wandi-l yurra bana-nga jana-nya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yurra yaral bungkarr-ka dunga-y, kari muyar kuni-l | if wind big rises you.PL water-LOC standing-SUB, old man warned, you straight shore-DAT go, NEG wind fight

kaki muyar yalbay wandil bana yaral bungkarr kunil

kaki+NONPAST; yaral straight; bungkarr shore


If you find honey in a tree, the old woman told the girl, then take only some and leave the rest, so there is more another time.

Kaki yundu wunba jukungu nyajil, wulbumanangka maralka balkan, yundu buban mani, kanbal bawa, wunba baja janay yindu wungara.

kaki yundu wunba juku-ngu nyaji-l, wulbuman-angka maral-ka balka-ny, yundu buban mani, kanbal bawa, wunba baja jana-y yindu wungar-a | if you honey tree-LOC find, old.woman girl-DAT said, you some take, rest leave, honey more is other time-LOC

kaki wunba juku nyajil maral buban manil bawal yindu wungar

kaki+NONPAST; juku-ngu LOC; wungar-a LOC


If the children listen well and learn the country, the old man said, then they will never go hungry and never be lost their whole lives long.

Kaki karrkay-karrkay ngulkurr milka-janay, bubu binalmal, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, jana kari dakwuy yabarrka, kari kilbaji wawu kalbay wubulku.

kaki karrkay-karrkay ngulkurr milka-jana-y, bubu binal-ma-l, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, jana kari dakwuy yabarrka, kari kilba-ji wawu kalbay wubul-ku | if children well listen, country learn, old man said, they NEG hungry ever, NEG lost life long all

kaki karrkay milka-janay bubu binal dakwuy kilbal wawu kalbay

kaki+NONPAST; kilba-ji middle 'get lost'


If a stranger comes to the camp, the old man said, then give him food and water first, and ask his business only after he has eaten.

Kaki bama yindu bayanka kaday, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, nyungunka mayi bana dayangarr, nyungu kirraji babaji nukanyjiku.

kaki bama yindu bayan-ka kada-y, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, nyungu-nka mayi bana daya-ngarr, nyungu kirraji babaji nuka-nyjiku | if person other camp-DAT comes, old man said, him-DAT food water give-first, his business ask eat-SUCC(after)

kaki bama yindu bayan kaday mayi bana dajil babaji

kaki+NONPAST; TEMP3 daya-ngarr 'give first'


If you go to the deep river, the old man taught, then look for the narrow place where the water runs fast, and never the wide still pool.

Kaki yundu wawubaja badaka dungay, mukulungku dingkarangka milbin, yundu wanja buban nyajil bana junkurr dunganya, kari wanja yalbay bana jananya.

kaki yundu wawubaja bada-ka dunga-y, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny, yundu wanja buban nyaji-l bana junkurr dunga-nya, kari wanja yalbay bana jana-nya | if you river deep-DAT go, old man taught, you place narrow look water fast going-SUB, NEG place wide water still-SUB

kaki wawubaja bada dungay wanja buban nyajil bana junkurr yalbay


The old man said: If you follow the law of the country, then the country will keep you; if you break it, then the country will not.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Kaki yundu bubumu kuku milka-janay, bububu yundu kujil; kaki yundu murnil, bububu kari.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu bubu-mu kuku milka-jana-y, bubu-bu yundu kuji-l; kaki yundu murni-l, bubu-bu kari | old man said: if you country-POSS law heed, country-ERG you keeps; if you break, country-ERG NEG


The old man taught the children by asking them questions: What kind of bird is that, he asked, and where does it live, and what does it eat?

Mukulungku dingkarangka karrkay-karrkay milbin babajilbu: Yinya buyi wanyunguy, nyulu babajin, wanjabu nyulu bundanay, wanyu nyulu nukal?

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka karrkay-karrkay milbi-ny babaji-l-bu: yinya buyi wanyunguy, nyulu babaji-ny, wanjabu nyulu bunda-nay, wanyu nyulu nuka-l? | old man children taught asking-INST: that bird what.kind, he asked, where it lives, what it eats?

mukul karrkay milbil babaji buyi wanyunguy wanjabu bunday wanyu nukal


The children would call out the answers, and if they were right the old man nodded his head, and if they were wrong he told them the true word.

Karrkay-karrkayangka kuku balkal, kaki jana yukil, mukulungku dingkarangka dukul murnil, kaki jana kari, nyulu kuku yukil milbil.

karrkay-karrkay-angka kuku balka-l, kaki jana yukil, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka dukul murni-l, kaki jana kari, nyulu kuku yukil milbi-l | children answers call, if they right, old man head nods, if they wrong, he word true shows

karrkay kuku balkal kaki yukil dukul murnil milbil

habitual NONPAST (kaki never past); paired kaki


One boy asked the old man: Why does the scrub turkey build such a great mound, when the other birds are happy with a small nest in a tree?

Nyubun karrkayangka mukul dingkar babajin: Wanyurringku jarruka bubu yalbay ngaral, buyi yindu buban jukungu ngulkurr bundanay?

nyubun karrkay-angka mukul dingkar babaji-ny: wanyurringku jarruka bubu yalbay ngara-l, buyi yindu buban juku-ngu ngulkurr bunda-nay? | one child-ERG old man asked: why scrub.turkey mound big builds, birds other small tree-LOC happily live?

karrkay babaji wanyurringku jarruka bubu yalbay ngaral buyi juku

wanyurringku 'why' (initial); juku-ngu LOC


The old man smiled and said: That is a good question; the turkey's mound is warm from the rotting leaves, and the young come out from inside.

Mukulungku dingkarangka yajarrin, balkan: Yinya babaji ngulkurr, jarrukamu bubu wumbul birra kabumuny, karrkay dukurrmuny wandil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka yajarri-ny, balka-ny: yinya babaji ngulkurr, jarruka-mu bubu wumbul birra kabu-muny, karrkay dukurr-muny wandi-l | old man smiled, said: that question good, turkey-POSS mound warm leaves rotten-ABL, young inside-ABL emerge

mukul yajarril babaji jarruka bubu wumbul birra kabu karrkay wandil


Another child asked: Who taught the first people how to hunt, and how to make fire, and how to read the stars?

Yindu karrkayangka babajin: Wanyangka bama ngadiku milbin balbinka, baya ngaranka, dawar nyajinka?

yindu karrkay-angka babaji-ny: wanya-ngka bama ngadiku milbi-ny balbi-nka, baya ngara-nka, dawar nyaji-nka? | other child-ERG asked: who-ERG people ancient taught hunt-PURP, fire make-PURP, stars read-PURP?

karrkay babaji wanya bama ngadiku milbil balbi baya ngaral dawar


The old man said this was the deepest question of all, and its answer lay in the oldest stories, which he would tell them that very night.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan yinya babaji bada bajaku wubulmuny, nyungu kuku kuku ngadikungu janay, nyulu jana balkal yinya kunarangkalji.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny yinya babaji bada bajaku wubul-muny, nyungu kuku kuku ngadiku-ngu jana-y, nyulu jana balka-l yinya kunarangkal-ji | old man said that question deepest all-ABL, its answer stories ancient-LOC stands, he them tells that night-COMIT

mukul babaji bada wubul kuku ngadiku janay kunarangkal


The children learned that a good question is worth as much as a good answer, and that the person who stops asking stops learning.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman babaji ngulkurr yala kuku ngulkurr yukil, bama nyulu babaji dungay binal dungay baja.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny babaji ngulkurr yala kuku ngulkurr yukil, bama nyulu babaji dunga-y binal dunga-y baja | children learned question good like answer good worth, person who asking ends learning ends too

karrkay binal babaji ngulkurr kuku yukil bama dungay


Then the old man turned the game around and let the children ask him questions, and he answered each one as well and truly as he could.

Yalada mukulungku dingkarangka murnin, karrkay-karrkay nyungunka babajinya bawan, nyulu yala nyubun-nyubun balkan ngulkurr yukil.

yala-da mukul-ungku dingkar-angka murni-ny, karrkay-karrkay nyungu-nka babaji-nya bawa-ny, nyulu yala nyubun-nyubun balka-ny ngulkurr yukil | then old man turned, children him-DAT ask-SUB let, he each one.by.one answered well truly

mukul murnil karrkay babaji bawal nyubun balkal ngulkurr yukil


And so the long lesson passed like a good conversation, and the children did not even know that they were learning.

Yalaku milbil kalbay dungan yala kuku ngulkurr, karrkay-karrkay kari binalman jana binalmananya.

yala-ku milbi-l kalbay dunga-ny yala kuku ngulkurr, karrkay-karrkay kari binal-ma-ny jana binal-ma-na-nya | thus lesson long passed like talk good, children NEG knew they learning-SUB

milbil kalbay dungay kuku ngulkurr karrkay binal


In a good camp, the old man said, the people give to each other and help each other and teach each other, and no one stands alone.

Bayan ngulkurrbu, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, bama daji-way, mara-daji-way, milbi-way, kari bama nyubun nganga janay.

bayan ngulkurr-bu, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, bama daji-wa-y, mara-daji-wa-y, milbi-wa-y, kari bama nyubun nganga jana-y | camp good-LOC, old man said, people give-RECIP, help-RECIP, teach-RECIP, NEG person one alone stands

bayan ngulkurr bama dajil mara-dajil milbil nyubun janay

triple -wa-y RECIP; ngulkurr-ba LOC(r→ba)


When the hunters came back with meat, they shared it with each other so that every family in the camp had enough to eat.

Balbibama minya-ji kadanya, jana daji-wan, bayan jawunkarra wubulku mayi ngulkurr nukanka manin.

balbi-bama minya-ji kada-nya, jana daji-wa-ny, bayan jawun-karra wubul-ku mayi ngulkurr nuka-nka mani-ny | hunters meat-COMIT coming-SUB, they gave-RECIP, camp families all food enough eat-PURP got

balbi minya kaday dajil bayan jawun mayi ngulkurr nukal


The two brothers were always helping each other, one holding the spear steady while the other tied the point, and their work was quick and good.

Yaba jambulangka yabarrka mara-daji-wan, nyubungku kalka karrban, yindungku dukul kajan, jana kirraji junkurr ngulkurr.

yaba jambul-angka yabarrka mara-daji-wa-ny, nyubun-ngku kalka karrba-ny, yindu-ngku dukul kaja-ny, jana kirraji junkurr ngulkurr | brothers two always helped-RECIP, one-ERG spear held, other-ERG point tied, their work quick good

yaba jambul mara-dajil nyubun kalka karrbal yindu dukul kajal kirraji

mara-daji-wa-y; nyubungku/yindungku ERG contrast


The old people and the young people taught each other, the old ones giving knowledge and the young ones giving strength, and both were richer for it.

Kamba-kamba warru-warru-ji milbi-wan, kamba-kambangka binal dajin, warru-warrungka junkurr dajin, jambulku ngulkurrman baja.

kamba-kamba warru-warru-ji milbi-wa-ny, kamba-kamba-ngka binal daji-ny, warru-warru-ngka junkurr daji-ny, jambul-ku ngulkurr-ma-ny baja | elders young-COMIT taught-RECIP, elders knowledge gave, young strength gave, both grew.richer too

kamba warru milbil binal dajil junkurr jambul ngulkurr


The children learned to share their food without being told, and when one had plenty and another had little, they made it even between them.

Karrkay-karrkayangka mayi daji-way binalman kari balkanyjiku, nyubun wubul, yindu buban, jana jambulku nyubun-bungan.

karrkay-karrkay-angka mayi daji-wa-y binal-ma-ny kari balka-nyjiku, nyubun wubul, yindu buban, jana jambul-ku nyubun-bunga-ny | children food share-RECIP learned NEG told-SUCC(without), one plenty, other little, they both made.equal

karrkay mayi dajil binal balkal nyubun wubul yindu buban


The old man said: What you give to each other comes back to you, and what you keep from each other is lost to everyone, including yourself.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Yurra wanyu daji-way, yinya yurranka kaday baja; yurra wanyu bawa-way, yinya wubulkumuny kilbay, yurra baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yurra wanyu daji-wa-y, yinya yurra-nka kada-y baja; yurra wanyu bawa-wa-y, yinya wubul-ku-muny kilba-y, yurra baja | old man said: you.PL what give-RECIP, that you-DAT comes.back; you.PL what withhold-RECIP, that all-ABL lost, you too

wanyu dajil yurra kaday bawal wubul kilbal

daji-way vs bawa-way contrast; wanyu 'what'


Two girls who had quarrelled were made to sit together and share one dilly bag, until they had learned to like each other again.

Maral jambul jana kuni-wanmuny, jana nyubun bundanka ngunyin nyubun daji-way manin, jana wawu-way baja binalmanyjiku.

maral jambul jana kuni-wa-ny-muny, jana nyubun bunda-nka ngunyin nyubun daji-wa-y mani-ny, jana wawu-wa-y baja binal-ma-nyjiku | girls two who fought-RECIP-ABL, them together sit-PURP dilly.bag one share-RECIP made, they like-RECIP again learn-SUCC

maral jambul kunil nyubun bunday ngunyin dajil wawu binal


The whole camp worked like one body, the old man said, each part helping the other parts, and that is the secret of a camp that lasts.

Bayan wubulku kirrajin yala bangkarr nyubun, walu wubulku mara-daji-way, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yinya bayan kalbay bundaymu kuku.

bayan wubul-ku kirraji-ny yala bangkarr nyubun, walu wubul-ku mara-daji-wa-y, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yinya bayan kalbay bunda-y-mu kuku | camp whole worked like body one, parts all help-RECIP, old man said, that camp long lasting-POSS secret

bayan kirraji bangkarr nyubun walu mara-dajil kalbay bunday kuku


So the children grew up giving and helping and teaching each other, and they carried that way of living to their own children after them.

Yalaku karrkay-karrkay kambaman daji-wanya, mara-daji-wanya, milbi-wanya, jana yinya yala bundaymu wundin nyungu karrkay-karrkayka kudamundu.

yala-ku karrkay-karrkay kamba-ma-ny daji-wa-nya, mara-daji-wa-nya, milbi-wa-nya, jana yinya yala bunda-y-mu wundi-ny nyungu karrkay-karrkay-ka kudamundu | thus children grew.up giving-RECIP-SUB, helping-RECIP-SUB, teaching-RECIP-SUB, they that way.of.living carried their children-DAT after

karrkay kamba dajil mara-dajil milbil bunday wundil kudamundu


The little boy ran to his father and asked: Are you going hunting today, and can I come with you, and can I carry your spear?

Karrkay bubanangka nyungu dingkarka warrin, babajin: Yundu nyiku balbil dungay, ngayu yununji kaday, ngayu yunu kalka wundil?

karrkay buban-angka nyungu dingkar-ka warri-ny, babaji-ny: yundu nyiku balbi-l dunga-y, ngayu yunu-nji kada-y, ngayu yunu kalka wundi-l? | boy little his father-DAT ran, asked: you now hunt go, I you-COMIT come, I your spear carry?

karrkay buban dingkar warri babaji balbil dungay yunu kalka wundil

three polar Q (declarative+?); yunu-nji COMIT


His father said: Yes, you can come, if you walk quietly and do exactly as I say, and do not frighten the game before I throw my spear.

Nyungu dingkarangka balkan: Yuwu, yundu kaday, kaki yundu wunbu jilbay, ngayku kuku yala ngaral, kari minya yinyil-kangal ngayu kalka yilbanyjiku.

nyungu dingkar-angka balka-ny: yuwu, yundu kada-y, kaki yundu wunbu jilba-y, ngayku kuku yala ngara-l, kari minya yinyil-kanga-l ngayu kalka yilba-nyjiku | his father said: yes, you come, if you quietly walk, my word thus do, NEG game frighten I spear throw-SUCC(before)

dingkar yuwu kaday kaki wunbu jilbay kuku ngaral minya yilbal


As they walked, the boy asked quietly: Where do the animals feed in the morning, and do you know which way they have gone?

Jana jilbanya, karrkayangka wunbu babajin: Wanjabu minya wunkuwingku nukal, yundu binal jana wanjaka dunganmuny?

jana jilba-nya, karrkay-angka wunbu babaji-ny: wanjabu minya wunkuwingku nuka-l, yundu binal jana wanja-ka dunga-ny-muny? | they walking-SUB, boy-ERG quietly asked: where animals morning feed, you know they where-DAT gone-ABL?

jilbal karrkay wunbu babaji wanjabu minya wunkuwingku nukal binal wanja


His father showed him the tracks in the soft ground and said: The country tells you everything, if you have the eyes to read it.

Nyungu dingkarangka jina bubu bubanba milbin, balkan: Bububu yundu yambayamba milbil, kaki yundu miyilji nyajinka.

nyungu dingkar-angka jina bubu buban-ba milbi-ny, balka-ny: bubu-bu yundu yambayamba milbi-l, kaki yundu miyil-ji nyaji-nka | his father tracks ground soft-LOC showed, said: country-ERG you everything shows, if you eyes-COMIT read-PURP

dingkar jina bubu buban milbil yambayamba kaki miyil nyajil

jina 'track'; buban-ba LOC(n→ba); bubu-bu ERG


The boy asked: What is this track, and this one, and this little one here? And his father named each animal for him one by one.

Karrkayangka babajin: Yinya jina wanyu, yinya baja, yinya buban nyiku? Nyungu dingkarangka minya wubulku burri milbin nyubun-nyubun.

karrkay-angka babaji-ny: yinya jina wanyu, yinya baja, yinya buban nyiku? nyungu dingkar-angka minya wubul-ku burri milbi-ny nyubun-nyubun | boy-ERG asked: this track what, this too, this little here? his father animals all name showed one.by.one

karrkay babaji jina wanyu buban dingkar minya burri milbil


When at last they saw the animals, the father whispered: Now be very still; if it looks up, freeze; and if it feeds, we move closer.

Jana minya nyajinda ngadiku, dingkarangka wunbu balkan: Nyiku wunbu janay, kaki nyulu wangkar nyajil, janay, kaki nyulu nukal, ngana ngundu dungay.

jana minya nyaji-ny-da ngadiku, dingkar-angka wunbu balka-ny: nyiku wunbu jana-y, kaki nyulu wangkar nyaji-l, jana-y, kaki nyulu nuka-l, ngana ngundu dunga-y | they animals saw-then at.last, father quietly said: now still stand, if it up looks, stand(freeze), if it feeds, we near go

minya nyajil dingkar wunbu janay kaki wangkar nukal ngundu dungay


The boy did exactly as he was told, and the two of them crept close and quiet, and the father threw his spear, and the animal fell.

Karrkayangka yala ngaran nyungunka balkanmuny, jana jambul ngundu jilban wunbu, dingkarangka kalka yilban, minya bada wulan.

karrkay-angka yala ngara-ny nyungu-nka balka-ny-muny, jana jambul ngundu jilba-ny wunbu, dingkar-angka kalka yilba-ny, minya bada wula-ny | boy-ERG thus did him-DAT told-ABL, they two near crept quiet, father spear threw, animal down fell

karrkay ngaral jilbal wunbu dingkar kalka yilbal minya wulay


The boy was proud and asked: Did I do well, father, and did I keep quiet enough, and will you take me hunting again tomorrow?

Karrkayangka wawu-yalbay babajin: Ngayu ngulkurr ngaran, ngayu wunbu ngulkurr janay, yundu ngayu balbinka wundil baja wunkun?

karrkay-angka wawu-yalbay babaji-ny: ngayu ngulkurr ngara-ny, ngayu wunbu ngulkurr jana-y, yundu ngayu balbi-nka wundi-l baja wunkun? | boy-ERG proud asked: I well did, I quiet enough kept, you me hunt-DAT take again tomorrow?

karrkay wawu-yalbay babaji ngayu ngulkurr ngaral wunbu balbi wundil wunkun


His father laughed and said: Yes, you did very well, and if you keep learning like this, you will be a fine hunter, better than me one day.

Nyungu dingkarangka yajarrin, balkan: Yuwu, yundu ngulkurr bajaku ngaran, kaki yundu yala binalmal, yundu balbibama ngulkurr janay, ngayamuny baja nyubun wungara.

nyungu dingkar-angka yajarri-ny, balka-ny: yuwu, yundu ngulkurr bajaku ngara-ny, kaki yundu yala binal-ma-l, yundu balbi-bama ngulkurr jana-y, ngaya-muny baja nyubun wungar-a | his father laughed, said: yes, you very well did, if you thus learn, you hunter good become, me-ABL better one day-LOC

dingkar yajarril yuwu ngulkurr ngaral kaki binal balbi janay

yuwu; kaki+NONPAST; ngaya-muny comparative


They carried the animal back to the camp together, and the boy told his mother the whole story and asked if he could go again the next day.

Jana minya bayanka wundin baja nyubun, karrkayangka ngamunka kuku wubulku balkan, babajin nyulu baja dungay yindu wungara.

jana minya bayan-ka wundi-ny baja nyubun, karrkay-angka ngamu-nka kuku wubul-ku balka-ny, babaji-ny nyulu baja dunga-y yindu wungar-a | they animal camp-DAT carried back together, boy-ERG mother-DAT story whole told, asked he again go other day-LOC

minya bayan wundil nyubun karrkay ngamu kuku balkal babaji dungay


The mother said: If you learn so much in one day, then you must go again, for that is how a boy becomes a man who can feed his family.

Ngamungka balkan: Kaki yundu wubul binalmal nyubun wungara, yundu baja dungay, yala karrkay dingkarmal, nyulu jawunkarra nukamanil.

ngamu-ngka balka-ny: kaki yundu wubul binal-ma-l nyubun wungar-a, yundu baja dunga-y, yala karrkay dingkar-ma-l, nyulu jawun-karra nuka-mani-l | mother said: if you much learn one day-LOC, you again go, thus boy man-becomes, he family feeds

ngamu kaki wubul binal dungay karrkay dingkar jawun nukal

kaki+NONPAST; dingkar-ma-l; nuka-mani-l CAUS


That night the boy could not sleep for thinking of the hunt, and he asked his father a hundred more questions in the dark, until at last he slept.

Yinya kunarangkal karrkay murruji warngku wunay balbi milka-bu baykanya, nyulu nyungu dingkarka babaji wubul balkan wujurrbu warngku wunanyjiku ngadiku.

yinya kunarangkal karrkay murruji warngku wuna-y balbi milka-bu bayka-nya, nyulu nyungu dingkar-ka babaji wubul balka-ny wujurr-bu warngku wuna-nyjiku ngadiku | that night boy unable sleep hunt thinking-SUB, he his father-DAT questions many told dark-LOC sleep-SUCC at.last

kunarangkal karrkay murruji warngku wunay milka dingkar babaji wubul wujurr


In the morning he woke first of all, before the birds, and asked his father straight away: Is it time, can we go now, is the day fine enough to hunt?

Wunkuwingku nyulu wandinyarr wubulmuny, buyi wandinyjiku, nyungu dingkar babajinyarr: Wungar nyiku, ngana nyiku dungay, wungar ngulkurr balbinka?

wunkuwingku nyulu wandi-ny-arr wubul-muny, buyi wandi-nyjiku, nyungu dingkar babaji-ny-arr: wungar nyiku, ngana nyiku dunga-y, wungar ngulkurr balbi-nka? | morning he woke-first all-ABL, birds waking-SUCC(before), his father asked-first: time now, we now go, day good hunt-PURP?

wunkuwingku wandil buyi dingkar babaji wungar dungay ngulkurr balbi

TEMP3 wandinyarr/babajinyarr; three polar Q


His father smiled at the boy's eagerness and said: Yes, it is time; a hunter who wakes with the question already in his mouth will never go hungry.

Nyungu dingkarangka karrkaymu wawu-junkurrka yajarrin, balkan: Yuwu, wungar nyiku; balbibama nyulu babaji ngandalba wandil kari dakwuy yabarrka.

nyungu dingkar-angka karrkay-mu wawu-junkurr-ka yajarri-ny, balka-ny: yuwu, wungar nyiku; balbi-bama nyulu babaji ngandal-ba wandi-l kari dakwuy yabarrka | his father boy-POSS eagerness-DAT smiled, said: yes, time now; hunter who question mouth-LOC wakes NEG hungry ever

dingkar karrkay wawu-junkurr yajarril yuwu wungar balbi babaji ngandal dakwuy

yuwu; ngandal-ba LOC(l→ba); closing aphorism


Every morning before the sun was high, the whole family went down to the river to wash themselves in the cool clear water.

Wunkuwingku wubulku wungar wangkar wandinyjiku, jawunkarra wawubajaka bada dungan julurri-jinka bananga kiway dayirr.

wunkuwingku wubul-ku wungar wangkar wandi-nyjiku, jawun-karra wawubaja-ka bada dunga-ny julurri-ji-nka bana-nga kiway dayirr | morning all sun high rise-SUCC(before), family river-DAT down went wash-REFL-PURP water-LOC cool clean

wunkuwingku wungar wandil jawun wawubaja dungay julurril bana kiway dayirr

julurri-ji-nka REFL-PURP; dayirr 'clean'; bana-nga LOC


The children jumped straight into the deep part and swam and splashed, while the old people washed more slowly at the water's edge.

Karrkay-karrkay bada badaka dungan, janjin, bana yilban, kamba-kamba buban-buban julurri-jin bana bungkarra.

karrkay-karrkay bada bada-ka dunga-ny, janji-ny, bana yilba-ny, kamba-kamba buban-buban julurri-ji-ny bana bungkarr-a | children down deep-DAT went, swam, water splashed, elders slowly washed-REFL water edge-LOC

karrkay bada dungay janjil bana yilbal kamba julurril bungkarr

janjil 'bathe/swim'; bungkarr-a LOC(r→a)


The mother told the littlest child: Wash your hands and face well, and wash behind your ears, because you were dirty from playing in the dust.

Ngamungka karrkay bubanka balkan: Mara walu ngulkurr julurri-jika, milka kudamundu julurri-jika, yundu mumbu jukarmuny kinkaymuny.

ngamu-ngka karrkay buban-ka balka-ny: mara walu ngulkurr julurri-ji-ka, milka kudamundu julurri-ji-ka, yundu mumbu jukar-muny kinkay-muny | mother child little-DAT said: hand face well wash-REFL-IMP, ear behind wash-REFL-IMP, you dirty dust-ABL play-ABL

ngamu mara walu julurril milka kudamundu mumbu jukar kinkay

julurri-ji-ka REFL-IMP (-ka derived stem); mumbu dirty


The little child washed himself carefully, scrubbing the dust from his arms and legs until his skin was clean and shining.

Karrkay bubanangka nyulu-nyulu julurri-jin wunbu, jukar mara jina yakan, nyungu bangkarr dayirrmanda balbajinya.

karrkay buban-angka nyulu-nyulu julurri-ji-ny wunbu, jukar mara jina yaka-ny, nyungu bangkarr dayirr-ma-ny-da balbaji-nya | child little himself washed-REFL carefully, dust arm leg scrubbed, his body clean-became shining-SUB

karrkay julurril wunbu jukar mara jina bangkarr dayirr balbajil

nyulu-nyulu 'himself'; dayirr-ma-l 'become clean'


When they came out of the water, the mother dried the children with soft paperbark, and their skin was cool and clean and their eyes bright.

Jana banamuny badinda, ngamungka karrkay-karrkay marralbungan buyku bubanbu, jana bangkarr kiway dayirr, miyil balbajinya.

jana bana-muny badi-ny-da, ngamu-ngka karrkay-karrkay marral-bunga-ny buyku buban-bu, jana bangkarr kiway dayirr, miyil balbaji-nya | they water-ABL emerged-then, mother children dried buyku soft-INST, their body cool clean, eyes shining-SUB

bana badil ngamu marral buyku bangkarr kiway dayirr miyil balbajil

marral-bungal 'dry(CAUS)'; buban-bu INST


The old man said: A person who washes every morning keeps sickness away, for dirt on the skin lets the sickness in.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Bama nyulu wunkuwingku wubulku julurri-ji, bambay kudamundu kujil, mumbu bangkarra bambay walamanil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bama nyulu wunkuwingku wubul-ku julurri-ji-y, bambay kudamundu kuji-l, mumbu bangkarr-a bambay wala-mani-l | old man said: person who morning all washes-REFL, sickness away keeps, dirt body-LOC sickness lets.in

bama wunkuwingku julurril bambay kudamundu kujil mumbu bangkarr walal

julurri-ji-y REFL NONPAST; bangkarr-a LOC(r→a); wala-mani-l CAUS


The children learned to wash themselves without being told, to keep their sleeping place clean, and to dry themselves properly in the cold season.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman julurri-jinka kari balkanyjiku, nyungu warngku-wanja dayirr kujinka, nyulu-nyulu marraljinka bulurijinga.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny julurri-ji-nka kari balka-nyjiku, nyungu warngku-wanja dayirr kuji-nka, nyulu-nyulu marral-ji-nka bulur-iji-nga | children learned wash-REFL-PURP NEG told-SUCC(without), their sleeping-place clean keep-PURP, themselves dry-REFL-PURP cold.season-LOC

karrkay julurril balkal warngku dayirr kujil marral bulur

marral-ji-nka 'dry oneself'; buluriji-nga LOC


In the hot season the people bathed many times a day, and the cool river was the best place in all the country on a burning afternoon.

Wangarijinga bama wubulku janjin wungara, bana kiway ngulkurr bajaku bubu wubulmuny wungar wumbul yilay-yilay.

wangar-iji-nga bama wubul-ku janji-ny wungar-a, bana kiway ngulkurr bajaku bubu wubul-muny wungar wumbul yilay-yilay | hot.season-LOC people all bathed day-LOC, water cool best country all-ABL sun hot afternoon

wangariji janjil wungar bana kiway ngulkurr bubu wumbul yilay-yilay

janjil bathe; wungar-a LOC(r→a); superlative


The old woman said the river washed the body clean and the swimming washed the mind clear, and a person came out new both ways.

Wulbumanangka balkan: banabu bangkarr julurril, janjilbu milka dayirrmanil, bama badi jirakal jambulku.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bana-bu bangkarr julurri-l, janji-l-bu milka dayirr-ma-ni-l, bama badi jirakal jambul-ku | old.woman said: water-INST body washes, swimming-INST mind clears, person emerges new both.ways

bana bangkarr julurril janjil milka dayirr badil jirakal jambul


After washing, the young men rubbed fat on their skin to make it shine and to keep off the biting mosquitoes in the evening.

Julurri-jinmuny, warru-warrungka wandul bangkarra yijarrin balbajinka, kamu yilay-yilay kudamundu kujinka.

julurri-ji-ny-muny, warru-warru-ngka wandul bangkarr-a yijarri-ny balbaji-nka, kamu yilay-yilay kudamundu kuji-nka | wash-REFL-ABL(after), young.men fat body-LOC rubbed shine-PURP, mosquitoes evening away keep-PURP

julurril warru wandul bangkarr yijarril balbajil kamu kudamundu kujil

wandul fat; bangkarr-a LOC; kamu mosquito


The women straightened the tangles out of the children's long hair with their fingers and tied it back so it would not fall in their eyes.

Jalbu-jalbungka karrkay-karrkaymu mungka kalbay marabu yaralbungan, kajan kudamundu, mungka miyilba kari badanyji.

jalbu-jalbu-ngka karrkay-karrkay-mu mungka kalbay mara-bu yaral-bunga-ny, kaja-ny kudamundu, mungka miyil-ba kari bada-nyji | women children-POSS hair long finger-INST straightened, tied behind, hair eye-LOC NEG fall-PRECAUT

jalbu karrkay mungka kalbay mara yaral kajal miyil badal

mungka hair; miyil-ba LOC(l→ba); PRECAUT


In the cold season the people rubbed charcoal and fat on their skin to keep warm and to stop the skin cracking in the wind.

Bulurijinga bama ngunjil wandul bangkarra yijarrin wumbuljinka, bangkarr muyarbu kari yika-damanyji.

bulur-iji-nga bama ngunjil wandul bangkarr-a yijarri-ny wumbul-ji-nka, bangkarr muyar-bu kari yika-dama-nyji | cold.season-LOC people charcoal fat body-LOC rubbed warm-REFL-PURP, body wind-INST NEG crack-PRECAUT

bulur ngunjil wandul bangkarr yijarril wumbul muyar yika-damal

wumbul-ji-nka 'warm oneself'; yika-dama-nyji PRECAUT


The old man looked at himself in the still water of the pool and saw an old face where once a young man's face had been.

Mukulungku dingkarangka nyulu-nyulu nyajin bana jananga, nyungu walu ngadiku nyajin, wanja warru walu janaymuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka nyulu-nyulu nyaji-ny bana jana-nga, nyungu walu ngadiku nyaji-ny, wanja warru walu jana-y-muny | old man himself looked water still-LOC, his face old saw, where young.man face was-ABL

mukul nyulu-nyulu nyajil bana janay walu ngadiku warru

nyulu-nyulu 'himself'; jana-nga LOC; walu face


He was not sad, for he had lived a long good life, and he said to his own face in the water: You have carried me well, old friend.

Nyulu kari milka-murruji, nyulu wawu kalbay ngulkurr bundanmuny, nyulu nyungu waluka balkan bananga: Yundu ngayku ngulkurr wundinmuny, yaba.

nyulu kari milka-murruji, nyulu wawu kalbay ngulkurr bunda-ny-muny, nyulu nyungu walu-ka balka-ny bana-nga: yundu ngayku ngulkurr wundi-ny-muny, yaba | he NEG sad, he life long good lived-ABL, he his face-DAT said water-LOC: you me well carried-ABL, friend

wawu kaka kalbay ngulkurr bunday walu balkal bana wundil yaba


The old woman said: Look after your body while you are young, and it will look after you when you are old, for the body remembers everything you do to it.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Yundu warru bangkarr nyaji, yundu mukulmanda bangkarrbu yundu nyajil, bangkarrbu yambayamba binalku yundu ngaranmuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yundu warru bangkarr nyaji, yundu mukul-ma-ny-da bangkarr-bu yundu nyaji-l, bangkarr-bu yambayamba binalku yundu ngara-ny-muny | old.woman said: you young body look.after-IMP, you old-become body-ERG you looks.after, body-ERG everything remembers you did-ABL

warru bangkarr nyajil mukul binalku yambayamba ngaral


The children did not fully understand, but they remembered her words, and years later when they were grown they understood them well.

Karrkay-karrkay kari yukil binalman, yambada jana nyungu kuku binalku, wungar wubul kudamundu jana kambamanda binalman ngulkurr.

karrkay-karrkay kari yukil binal-ma-ny, yambada jana nyungu kuku binalku, wungar wubul kudamundu jana kamba-ma-ny-da binal-ma-ny ngulkurr | children NEG fully understood, but they her words remembered, years many after they grown-became understood well

karrkay yukil binal kuku binalku wungar kamba


One day while the children were climbing the rocks by the river, the smallest boy fell and cut his leg badly on a hard stone.

Nyubun wungara karrkay-karrkay kulji wangkar jananya wawubaja ngundu, karrkay buban bada wulan, nyungu jina yakan kulji junkurrbu kaka bajaku.

nyubun wungar-a karrkay-karrkay kulji wangkar jana-nya wawubaja ngundu, karrkay buban bada wula-ny, nyungu jina yaka-ny kulji junkurr-bu kaka bajaku | one day children rocks up standing-SUB river near, boy little down fell, his leg cut stone hard-INST sore very

wungar karrkay kulji wangkar wawubaja bada wulay jina yakal kaka

wungar-a LOC; jina leg; yakal cut; kaka sore


The blood ran down his leg and he cried out in pain, and his brother carried him quickly back to the camp where the old woman was.

Mula jinanga bada dungan, nyulu badin kakamuny, nyungu yaba nyulu wundin junkurr bayanka wanja wulbuman janay.

mula jina-nga bada dunga-ny, nyulu badi-ny kaka-muny, nyungu yaba nyulu wundi-ny junkurr bayan-ka wanja wulbuman jana-y | blood leg-LOC down ran, he cried pain-ABL, his brother him carried quickly camp-DAT where old.woman was

mula jina bada dungay badil kaka yaba wundil bayan wulbuman

mula blood; jina-nga LOC; kaka-muny 'from pain'


The old woman looked at the wound carefully and said: It is deep but it is clean, and if we bind it well and keep it clean, it will heal by itself.

Wulbumanangka muja nyajin wunbu, balkan: Yinya bada, yambada dayirr, kaki ngana ngulkurr kajil, dayirr kujil, muja nyulu-nyulu kakawarrimal.

wulbuman-angka muja nyaji-ny wunbu, balka-ny: yinya bada, yambada dayirr, kaki ngana ngulkurr kaji-l, dayirr kuji-l, muja nyulu-nyulu kakawarri-ma-l | old.woman wound looked carefully, said: it deep, but clean, if we well bind, clean keep, wound itself heals

muja nyajil bada dayirr kaki kajil kujil kakawarri

muja wound; kaki+NONPAST; kakawarri-ma-l 'heal'


She washed the wound with clean water, and pressed soft leaves against it, and bound it up with a strip of paperbark.

Nyulu muja julurril bana dayirrbu, birra buban yijarrin mujanga, kajan buyku kalalbu.

nyulu muja julurri-l bana dayirr-bu, birra buban yijarri-ny muja-nga, kaja-ny buyku kalal-bu | she wound washed water clean-INST, leaves soft pressed wound-LOC, bound buyku strip-INST

muja julurril bana dayirr birra yijarril kajal buyku kalal

muja-nga LOC(a→nga); julurri-l tr 'wash'


The boy was brave and did not cry any more, and the old woman told him: A wound heals faster in a calm body, so keep your mind quiet and rest.

Karrkay wawu-junkurr, nyulu kari badin baja, wulbumanangka nyunganka balkan: Muja bangkarr wunbungu junkurr kakawarrimal, milka wunbu kuji, mara-kunba.

karrkay wawu-junkurr, nyulu kari badi-ny baja, wulbuman-angka nyungu-nka balka-ny: muja bangkarr wunbu-ngu junkurr kakawarri-ma-l, milka wunbu kuji, mara-kunba | boy brave, he NEG cried more, old.woman him-DAT said: wound body calm-LOC fast heals, mind quiet keep-IMP, rest-IMP

karrkay wawu-junkurr badil muja bangkarr wunbu kakawarri milka mara-kunbay

wunbu-ngu LOC(u→ngu); wawu-junkurr brave


For several days the boy rested and kept the wound clean, and each morning the old woman looked at it and changed the paperbark binding.

Wungar kanbalka karrkay mara-kunban, muja dayirr kujin, wunkuwingku wubulku wulbumanangka nyajin, buyku kaja jirakalmanin.

wungar kanbal-ka karrkay mara-kunba-ny, muja dayirr kuji-ny, wunkuwingku wubul-ku wulbuman-angka nyaji-ny, buyku kaja jirakal-ma-ni-ny | days several-DAT boy rested, wound clean kept, morning all old.woman looked, buyku binding new-made

wungar kanbal karrkay mara-kunbay muja dayirr kujil wulbuman buyku kajal


Slowly the wound closed and healed, and after a while only a small pale scar was left to show where the hard stone had cut him.

Buban-buban muja nandan, kakawarriman, kanbal wungarmuny nyubun baji buban nganga janay, milbinka wanja kuljibu yakanmuny.

buban-buban muja nanda-ny, kakawarri-ma-ny, kanbal wungar-muny nyubun baji buban nganga jana-y, milbi-nka wanja kulji-bu yaka-ny-muny | slowly wound closed, healed, some time-ABL only scar little alone stood, show-PURP where stone-INST cut-ABL

muja nandal kakawarri kanbal wungar baji nganga milbil kulji yakal


The old woman said: The body heals itself if you help it and do not fight it; your only work is to keep it clean and let it rest.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Bangkarr nyulu-nyulu kakawarrimal, kaki yundu mara-dajil, kari kunil; yundu kirraji nyubun dayirr kujinka, mara-kunbanka bawanka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bangkarr nyulu-nyulu kakawarri-ma-l, kaki yundu mara-daji-l, kari kuni-l; yundu kirraji nyubun dayirr kuji-nka, mara-kunba-nka bawa-nka | old.woman said: body itself heals, if you help, NEG fight; your work only clean keep-PURP, rest-PURP let-PURP

bangkarr kakawarri kaki mara-dajil kunil kirraji dayirr kujil mara-kunbay bawal

kaki+NONPAST; three PURP; nyulu-nyulu 'itself'


The boy learned that his own body was his first home and his oldest friend, and he looked after it well for the rest of his long life.

Karrkayangka binalman nyungu bangkarr nyungu bayan, nyungu yaba ngadiku bajaku, nyulu ngulkurr nyajin nyungu wawu kalbay wubulku.

karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny nyungu bangkarr nyungu bayan, nyungu yaba ngadiku bajaku, nyulu ngulkurr nyaji-ny nyungu wawu kalbay wubul-ku | boy learned his body his home, his friend oldest, he well looked.after his life long all

karrkay binal bangkarr bayan yaba ngadiku nyajil wawu kalbay

body=home metaphor; superlative ngadiku bajaku


In the cold season an old man of the camp fell sick and weak, and he could not get up, or eat, or keep himself warm.

Bulurijinga bayanmu mukul dingkar bambaymanda junkurr-kari, nyulu murruji wandil, nukal, nyulu-nyulu wumbuljinka.

bulur-iji-nga bayan-mu mukul dingkar bambay-ma-ny-da junkurr-kari, nyulu murruji wandi-l, nuka-l, nyulu-nyulu wumbul-ji-nka | cold.season-LOC camp-POSS old man sick-became strength-less, he unable get.up, eat, himself warm-REFL-PURP

bulur bayan mukul bambay junkurr murruji wandil nukal wumbul

bambay-ma-l 'fall sick'; wumbul-ji-nka REFL-PURP


The whole camp looked after him: the women bringing warm food and water, the children keeping his fire high, the old woman watching him through the nights.

Bayan wubulku nyungunka nyajin, jalbu-jalbungka nyunganka mayi wumbul bana wundin, karrkay-karrkayangka nyungu baya wangkar kujin, wulbumanangka nyulu nyajin kunarangkal wubulku.

bayan wubul-ku nyungu-nka nyaji-ny, jalbu-jalbu-ngka nyungu-nka mayi wumbul bana wundi-ny, karrkay-karrkay-angka nyungu baya wangkar kuji-ny, wulbuman-angka nyulu nyaji-ny kunarangkal wubul-ku | camp all him looked.after, women him food warm water brought, children his fire high kept, old.woman him watched nights all

bayan nyajil jalbu mayi wumbul bana wundil baya wangkar kunarangkal


The old woman knew the healing plants of the country, and each morning she made a warm drink from certain roots and bark and gave it to the sick man.

Wulbumanangka bubumu mayi kakawarri binal, nyulu mayi wumbul ngaran dubalmuny junkurrmuny, bambaybamaka dajin wunkuwingku wubulku.

wulbuman-angka bubu-mu mayi kakawarri binal, nyulu mayi wumbul ngara-ny dubal-muny junkurr-muny, bambay-bama-ka daji-ny wunkuwingku wubul-ku | old.woman country-POSS plants healing knew, she drink warm made root-ABL bark-ABL, sick.person-DAT gave morning all

wulbuman bubu mayi kakawarri binal wumbul ngaral dubal bambay dajil


Little by little the old man grew stronger, and after many days he could sit up, and then eat by himself, and at last walk a little in the sun.

Buban-buban mukul dingkar junkurrmanda, wungar wubul kudamundu nyulu bundan, yalada nyulu-nyulu nukan, ngadiku jilban buban wungara.

buban-buban mukul dingkar junkurr-ma-ny-da, wungar wubul kudamundu nyulu bunda-ny, yala-da nyulu-nyulu nuka-ny, ngadiku jilba-ny buban wungar-a | slowly old man strong-became, days many after he sat, then himself ate, at.last walked little sun-LOC

mukul junkurr wungar kudamundu bunday nyulu-nyulu nukal jilbal

junkurr-ma-l 'grow strong'; recovery stages; wungar-a LOC


The old man said to the camp: You have given me my life back, and a person cared for by his people never truly dies, for he lives on in their care.

Mukulungku dingkarangka bayanka balkan: Yurra ngayku wawu dajin baja, bama nyulu bamabu nyajil kari yukil wulay, nyulu bundanay nyungu wawungu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka bayan-ka balka-ny: yurra ngayku wawu daji-ny baja, bama nyulu bama-bu nyaji-l kari yukil wula-y, nyulu bunda-nay nyungu wawu-ngu | old man camp-DAT said: you.PL me life gave back, person who people-ERG looks.after NEG truly dies, he lives.on their care-LOC

bayan wawu dajil bama nyajil yukil wulay bunday


The old woman said: Sickness comes to everyone; a good camp cares for its sick, and a person is never left to lie alone.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Bambay bama wubulkunka kadan; bayan ngulkurr nyungu bambaybama nyajil, bama kari nganga wunay yabarrka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bambay bama wubul-ku-nka kada-ny; bayan ngulkurr nyungu bambay-bama nyaji-l, bama kari nganga wuna-y yabarrka | old.woman said: sickness people all-DAT comes; camp good its sick.people cares, person NEG alone lies ever

bambay bama kaday bayan ngulkurr nyajil nganga wunay

bambay-bama 'sick people'; nganga 'alone'


The children learned to care for the sick as they had seen the old woman do, sitting with them, keeping them warm, and staying near through the long nights.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman bambaybama nyajinka yala jana wulbuman nyajinmuny, jana ngundu bundanya, wumbul kujinya, ngundu jananya kunarangkal kalbay wubulku.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny bambay-bama nyaji-nka yala jana wulbuman nyaji-ny-muny, jana ngundu bunda-nya, wumbul kuji-nya, ngundu jana-nya kunarangkal kalbay wubul-ku | children learned sick look.after-PURP as they old.woman saw-ABL, them near sitting-SUB, warm keeping-SUB, near staying-SUB nights long all

karrkay bambay nyajil wulbuman bunday wumbul kujil kunarangkal kalbay


The old woman said the greatest medicine of all was not any plant but the care of the people, and that no one healed well who healed alone.

Wulbumanangka balkan mayi kakawarri yalbay bajaku kari mayi nyubun, yambada bamamu nyajil, bama kari ngulkurr kakawarrimal nyulu nganga kakawarrinya.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny mayi kakawarri yalbay bajaku kari mayi nyubun, yambada bama-mu nyaji-l, bama kari ngulkurr kakawarri-ma-l nyulu nganga kakawarri-nya | old.woman said medicine greatest NEG plant any, but people-POSS care, person NEG well heals who alone healing-SUB

mayi kakawarri yalbay bama nyajil ngulkurr nganga


The old man taught the children to hide themselves well when danger came: Make yourself small, he said, be still as a stone, and let the danger pass you by.

Mukulungku dingkarangka karrkay-karrkay milbin ngaki-jinka ngulkurr yinil kadanya: Yundu-yundu buban-bunga, nyulu balkan, kulji yala janay, yinil yundunda bawa dungay.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka karrkay-karrkay milbi-ny ngaki-ji-nka ngulkurr yinil kada-nya: yundu-yundu buban-bunga, nyulu balka-ny, kulji yala jana-y, yinil yundu-nda bawa dunga-y | old man children taught hide-REFL-PURP well danger coming-SUB: yourself small-make-IMP, he said, stone like stand, danger you-LOC let pass

mukul karrkay milbil ngakil yinil kaday buban kulji janay

ngaki-ji-nka REFL-PURP 'hide oneself'; yundu-nda potent LOC


He taught them to cover themselves at night against the cold, to keep themselves dry in the rain, and to warm themselves at the fire when they came in wet.

Nyulu jana milbin nanda-jinka kunarangkal kiwaymuny, nyulu-nyulu marraljinka kabanga, wumbuljinka bayanga jana yaru kadanya.

nyulu jana milbi-ny nanda-ji-nka kunarangkal kiway-muny, nyulu-nyulu marral-ji-nka kaba-nga, wumbul-ji-nka baya-nga jana yaru kada-nya | he them taught cover-REFL-PURP night cold-ABL, themselves dry-REFL-PURP rain-LOC, warm-REFL-PURP fire-LOC they wet coming-SUB

milbil nandal kunarangkal kiway marral kaba wumbul baya yaru

three REFL-PURP (nanda-ji/marral-ji/wumbul-ji); kaba-nga/baya-nga LOC


The old man said: You cannot look after your family if you do not first look after yourself, for a sick hunter feeds no one and a tired mother cannot carry her child.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Yundu murruji jawunkarra nyajil, kaki yundu nyulu-nyulu kari nyajil ngadiku, balbibama bambay kari bama nukamanil, ngamu baja-burray karrkay murruji wundil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yundu murruji jawun-karra nyaji-l, kaki yundu nyulu-nyulu kari nyaji-l ngadiku, balbi-bama bambay kari bama nuka-mani-l, ngamu baja-burray karrkay murruji wundi-l | old man said: you unable family look.after, if you yourself NEG first look.after, hunter sick NEG person feeds, mother tired child unable carries

murruji jawun nyajil kaki bambay nukal ngamu baja-burray wundil


The children learned to know their own bodies — to feel when they were getting sick, too tired, hungry or cold — and to meet those needs before they grew into trouble.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman nyungu bangkarr binalka: jana milkabu nyajil bambaymananya, baja-burranya, dakwuynya kiwaynya, yinya wawu ngulkurr-bunganka yamba yalbaymanyjiku.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny nyungu bangkarr binal-ka: jana milka-bu nyaji-l bambay-ma-na-nya, baja-burra-nya, dakwuy-nya kiway-nya, yinya wawu ngulkurr-bunga-nka yamba yalbay-ma-nyjiku | children learned their bodies know-DAT: they felt sick-becoming-SUB, tiring-SUB, hungry-SUB cold-SUB, those needs tend-PURP trouble big-become-SUCC(before)

karrkay binal bangkarr milka bambay baja-burray dakwuy kiway wawu

body-awareness; chained SUB states; ngulkurr-bunga-nka PURP


The old woman said that looking after yourself was not selfishness but wisdom, for you are the one tool you can never put down or replace.

Wulbumanangka balkan: nyulu-nyulu nyajil kari wawu-nyubun, yambada binal, yundu nyubun yamba yundu murruji bawal, yindumanil.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: nyulu-nyulu nyaji-l kari wawu-nyubun, yambada binal, yundu nyubun yamba yundu murruji bawa-l, yindu-ma-ni-l | old.woman said: oneself look.after NEG selfish, but wise, you one tool you unable put.down, replace

nyulu-nyulu nyajil wawu binal nyubun yamba murruji bawal

wawu-nyubun 'self-only=selfish'; yindu-ma-ni-l 'replace'


So the children grew up washing themselves and healing themselves and looking after themselves, and they grew into strong healthy people who cared well for others too.

Yalaku karrkay-karrkay kambaman julurri-jinya, kakawarri-jinya, nyulu-nyulu nyajinya, jana kambaman bama junkurr kakawarri, jana bama yindu ngulkurr nyajin baja.

yala-ku karrkay-karrkay kamba-ma-ny julurri-ji-nya, kakawarri-ji-nya, nyulu-nyulu nyaji-nya, jana kamba-ma-ny bama junkurr kakawarri, jana bama yindu ngulkurr nyaji-ny baja | thus children grew.up washing-REFL-SUB, healing-REFL-SUB, themselves looking.after-SUB, they grew people strong healthy, they people other well looked.after too

karrkay kamba julurril kakawarri nyajil junkurr bama yindu


The old man said that a person who does not treat their own body well will not treat the country well either, for the body is the first country each person is given.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bama nyulu nyungu bangkarr kari ngulkurr nyajil, bubu baja kari ngulkurr nyajil, bangkarr bubu ngadiku yala bama wubulku dajilmuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bama nyulu nyungu bangkarr kari ngulkurr nyaji-l, bubu baja kari ngulkurr nyaji-l, bangkarr bubu ngadiku yala bama wubul-ku daji-l-muny | old man said: person who his body NEG well treats, country too NEG well treats, body country first as person all given-ABL

bama bangkarr ngulkurr nyajil bubu ngadiku dajil


When the children washed in the river each morning, the old man said, they were not just cleaning their skin but greeting the water and thanking the country for another day.

Karrkay-karrkay wawubajanga julurri-jinya wunkuwingku wubulku, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, jana kari nyubun bangkarr dayirrmanil, banaka kuku dajin, bubunka nyubun wungarmu ngulkurr balkan.

karrkay-karrkay wawubaja-nga julurri-ji-nya wunkuwingku wubul-ku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, jana kari nyubun bangkarr dayirr-ma-ni-l, bana-ka kuku daji-ny, bubu-nka nyubun wungar-mu ngulkurr balka-ny | children river-LOC washing-REFL-SUB morning all, old man said, they NEG just body clean, water-DAT word gave, country-DAT one day-POSS well spoke

karrkay wawubaja julurril bangkarr dayirr bana kuku dajil bubu wungar


The old woman said the body was a gift and a responsibility, given clean at birth and meant to be given back clean at the end, well used but never wasted.

Wulbumanangka balkan bangkarr dajil kirrajiji, dajil dayirr karrkaymanda, bawanka dayirr baja ngadiku bajaku, ngulkurr kirrajin yambada kari kilban.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny bangkarr daji-l kirraji-ji, daji-l dayirr karrkay-ma-ny-da, bawa-nka dayirr baja ngadiku bajaku, ngulkurr kirraji-ny yambada kari kilba-ny | old.woman said body gift work-COMIT, given clean birth-then, give.back-PURP clean at.end, well worked but NEG wasted

bangkarr dajil kirraji dayirr karrkay bawal ngadiku kilbal

kirraji-ji COMIT 'responsibility'; bawa-nka PURP


The children did not forget these lessons, for they were not taught in words alone but shown in the daily washing and healing and caring of the whole camp.

Karrkay-karrkay kari milka-wulan yinya kuku, jana kari kukubu nganga milbin, jana milbin julurri-jinga kakawarri-jinga nyajinga bayan wubulkumu wungar wubulku.

karrkay-karrkay kari milka-wula-ny yinya kuku, jana kari kuku-bu nganga milbi-ny, jana milbi-ny julurri-ji-nga kakawarri-ji-nga nyaji-nga bayan wubul-ku-mu wungar wubul-ku | children NEG forgot those lessons, they NEG word-INST alone taught, they shown washing-LOC healing-LOC caring-LOC camp all-POSS day all

karrkay milka-wulay kuku milbil julurril kakawarri nyajil bayan

taught-by-doing; nominalized -ji-nga LOC


The old man said: What you do every day, that is what you become, and a person who washes and heals and cares every day becomes a clean, whole, caring person for life.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Yundu wanyu wungar wubulku ngaral, yinya yundu janay, bama nyulu wungar wubulku julurri-ji, kakawarri-ji, nyajil, nyulu janay bama dayirr nyubun nyajilji wawu kalbay.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yundu wanyu wungar wubul-ku ngara-l, yinya yundu jana-y, bama nyulu wungar wubul-ku julurri-ji-y, kakawarri-ji-y, nyaji-l, nyulu jana-y bama dayirr nyubun nyaji-l-ji wawu kalbay | old man said: you what day all do, that you become, person who day all washes-REFL, heals-REFL, cares, he becomes person clean whole caring-COMIT life long

wanyu wungar ngaral janay julurril kakawarri nyajil dayirr wawu

habit->character; triple REFL/verb; wanyu 'what'


When the old man himself grew truly old and weak at last, the same children he had taught now cared for him, washing him and warming him and sitting with him.

Mukul dingkar nyulu-nyulu mukulmanda junkurr-kari ngadiku, karrkay-karrkay nyulu milbinmuny nyunganka nyajin baja, nyulu julurri-manin, wumbul-bungan, nyungu ngundu bundan.

mukul dingkar nyulu-nyulu mukul-ma-ny-da junkurr-kari ngadiku, karrkay-karrkay nyulu milbi-ny-muny nyungu-nka nyaji-ny baja, nyulu julurri-mani-ny, wumbul-bunga-ny, nyungu ngundu bunda-ny | old man himself old-became weak at.last, children he taught-ABL him looked.after too, him washed(CAUS), warmed, near him sat

mukul nyulu-nyulu mukul junkurr karrkay milbil nyajil julurril wumbul bunday

full circle; julurri-mani-l 'wash someone' CAUS


The old man said, near the end: You learn to care for others by first being cared for, then by caring, and at last by being cared for again — and that circle is the whole of a life.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan ngadiku ngundu: Yundu binalmal bama nyajinka, ngadiku yundu nyajilbu, yalada nyajilbu, baja yundu nyajilbu, yinya murni wawumu wubulku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny ngadiku ngundu: yundu binal-ma-l bama nyaji-nka, ngadiku yundu nyaji-l-bu, yala-da nyaji-l-bu, baja yundu nyaji-l-bu, yinya murni wawu-mu wubul-ku | old man said end near: you learn people care-PURP, first you cared-INST, then caring-INST, again you cared-INST, that circle life-POSS whole

mukul binal bama nyajil ngadiku murnil wawu wubul

nyaji-nka PURP; three-stage circle of care


When the old man died, the whole camp washed his body one last time with clean water and soft paperbark, gently, the way he had taught them, and they wept.

Mukul dingkar wulanda, bayan wubulku nyungu bangkarr julurril nyubun ngadiku bajaku bana dayirrbu buyku bubanbu, wunbu, yala nyulu jana milbinmuny, jana badin.

mukul dingkar wula-ny-da, bayan wubul-ku nyungu bangkarr julurri-l nyubun ngadiku bajaku bana dayirr-bu buyku buban-bu, wunbu, yala nyulu jana milbi-ny-muny, jana badi-ny | old man died-then, camp all his body washed one last water clean-INST buyku soft-INST, gently, as he them taught-ABL, they wept

mukul wulay bayan bangkarr julurril bana dayirr buyku milbil badil


They gave his body back to the country clean and whole, as the old woman had always said it should be given, and the country took him gently in.

Jana nyungu bangkarr bubunka dajin baja dayirr nyubun, yala wulbuman yabarrka balkanmuny, bububu nyulu wunbu manin dukurr.

jana nyungu bangkarr bubu-nka daji-ny baja dayirr nyubun, yala wulbuman yabarrka balka-ny-muny, bubu-bu nyulu wunbu mani-ny dukurr | they his body country-DAT gave back clean whole, as old.woman always said-ABL, country-ERG him gently took in

bangkarr bubu dajil dayirr nyubun wulbuman manil dukurr

bubu-nka DAT/bubu-bu ERG; give-body-back-clean


The children, now grown, taught their own children everything the old man had taught them, beginning with the very first lesson of all: wash yourself, and look after your body.

Karrkay-karrkay nyiku kambanmuny, nyungu karrkay-karrkay milbin yambayamba mukul dingkarangka jana milbinmuny, badinyarr milbil ngadiku wubulmuny: nyulu-nyulu julurri-jika, yundu bangkarr nyaji.

karrkay-karrkay nyiku kamba-ny-muny, nyungu karrkay-karrkay milbi-ny yambayamba mukul dingkar-angka jana milbi-ny-muny, badi-ny-arr milbi-l ngadiku wubul-muny: nyulu-nyulu julurri-ji-ka, yundu bangkarr nyaji | children now grown-ABL, their children taught everything old man them taught-ABL, began-first lesson first all-ABL: yourself wash-REFL-IMP, you body look.after-IMP

karrkay kamba milbil yambayamba mukul badil julurril bangkarr nyajil

TEMP3 badi-ny-arr; REFL-IMP -ka; transmission


And so the care of the body, like the fire and the stories and the knowledge of the country, was passed down clean and whole from the old people to the young, forever.

Yalaku bangkarrmu nyajil, yala baya kuku bubumu binal, dungan bada dayirr nyubun kamba-kambamuny warru-warruka, yabarrka.

yala-ku bangkarr-mu nyaji-l, yala baya kuku bubu-mu binal, dunga-ny bada dayirr nyubun kamba-kamba-muny warru-warru-ka, yabarrka | thus body-POSS care, like fire stories country-POSS knowledge, passed down clean whole elders-ABL young-DAT, forever

bangkarr nyajil baya kuku bubu binal dayirr kamba warru

self-care joins fire/story/country; ABL->DAT transmission


On dark nights the young men went out to hunt possums, climbing the tall trees with firesticks to catch the possums' eyes shining in the leaves.

Kunarangkal wujurrbu warru-warrungka yawa balbin, juku kalbay wangkar jilban jidiji, yawamu miyil balbajinya birranga nyajinka.

kunarangkal wujurr-bu warru-warru-ngka yawa balbi-ny, juku kalbay wangkar jilba-ny jidi-ji, yawa-mu miyil balbaji-nya birra-nga nyaji-nka | night dark-LOC young.men possums hunted, trees tall up climbed firestick-COMIT, possum-POSS eye shining-SUB leaves-LOC see-PURP

kunarangkal wujurr warru yawa balbi juku jilbal jidi miyil birra

yawa possum; wujurr-ba LOC(rr→ba); birra-nga LOC


The possum sat high in the fork of the tree, and the hunter climbed slowly and quietly so as not to frighten it into the dark.

Yawa wangkar bundan juku ngandalba, balbibamangka buban-buban wunbu jilban, yawa kari yinyil-kanganyji wujurrka.

yawa wangkar bunda-ny juku ngandal-ba, balbi-bama-ngka buban-buban wunbu jilba-ny, yawa kari yinyil-kanga-nyji wujurr-ka | possum high sat tree fork-LOC, hunter slowly quietly climbed, possum NEG frighten-PRECAUT dark-DAT

yawa wangkar bunday juku ngandal balbi jilbal yinil wujurr


He caught the possum by the tail and pulled it down, and it bit and scratched, but he held it fast and killed it quickly and cleanly.

Nyulu yawa banda karrban, bada kulban, nyulu baykan yirban, yambada nyulu junkurr karrban, kunin junkurr ngulkurr.

nyulu yawa banda karrba-ny, bada kulba-ny, nyulu bayka-ny yirba-ny, yambada nyulu junkurr karrba-ny, kuni-ny junkurr ngulkurr | he possum tail held, down pulled, it bit scratched, but he fast held, killed quick clean

yawa banda karrbal kulbal baykal yirbal junkurr kunil


The flying foxes hung in the fruiting trees in their thousands, and their noise filled the whole valley in the evening like a great wind.

Kambi wubul juku mayijinga janay, jana kuku bubu wubulku nandan yilay-yilay yala muyar yalbay.

kambi wubul juku mayi-ji-nga jana-y, jana kuku bubu wubul-ku nanda-ny yilay-yilay yala muyar yalbay | flying.foxes many trees fruit-COMIT-LOC hung, their noise country all filled evening like wind big

kambi wubul juku mayi janay kuku bubu nandal muyar


The old man said the flying fox was good meat in the wet season when the possums were thin, and one covered a baby with its soft warm wing.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kambi minya ngulkurr bulurijinga, yawa buban jananya, nyungu nangkibu karrkay nanda buban wumbul.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kambi minya ngulkurr bulur-iji-nga, yawa buban jana-nya, nyungu nangki-bu karrkay nanda buban wumbul | old man said: flying.fox meat good cold.season-LOC, possum thin being-SUB, its wing-INST baby cover soft warm

kambi minya ngulkurr bulur yawa buban nangki karrkay nandal wumbul

nangki wing; buluriji-nga LOC; seasonal use


The children were told never to hunt more possums than the family could eat, for a hunter who kills for nothing brings sickness on the whole camp.

Karrkay-karrkay balkan kari yawa wubul kuninka jawunkarra nukalmuny baja, balbibama nyulu nganga kunil bayanka bambay wundil.

karrkay-karrkay balka-ny kari yawa wubul kuni-nka jawun-karra nuka-l-muny baja, balbi-bama nyulu nganga kuni-l bayan-ka bambay wundi-l | children told NEG possums many kill-PURP family eat-ABL more, hunter who for.nothing kills camp-DAT sickness brings

karrkay yawa wubul kunil jawun nukal balbi nganga bambay

kuni-nka PURP; take-only-what-you-need law


The old man taught that the possum, the flying fox, and the tree they lived in were all one thing, and to waste one was to harm them all.

Mukulungku dingkarangka milbin: yawa, kambi, juku jana bundaymu, wubulku nyubun yamba, nyubun kilbanka yinya wubulku yinyil-kangal.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milbi-ny: yawa, kambi, juku jana bunda-y-mu, wubul-ku nyubun yamba, nyubun kilba-nka yinya wubul-ku yinyil-kanga-l | old man taught: possum, flying.fox, tree they live-POSS, all one thing, one waste-PURP those all harm

yawa kambi juku bunday nyubun yamba kilbal yinil


The young man carried the possums home on a string over his shoulder, and that night the whole family ate well and the children slept with full bellies.

Warru-warrungka yawa bayanka wundin karrabu jakaymba, yinya kunarangkal jawunkarra wubulku ngulkurr nukan, karrkay-karrkay warngku wunan jibar mayi-ji.

warru-warru-ngka yawa bayan-ka wundi-ny karra-bu jakay-mba, yinya kunarangkal jawun-karra wubul-ku ngulkurr nuka-ny, karrkay-karrkay warngku wuna-ny jibar mayi-ji | young.man possums camp-DAT carried string-INST shoulder-LOC, that night family all well ate, children slept belly food-COMIT

yawa bayan wundil karra jakay kunarangkal jawun nukal warngku jibar

karra string; jakay-mba LOC(y→mba); jibar belly


The women and children hunted bandicoots in the daytime, following their small tracks through the long grass to the burrows where they slept.

Jalbu-jalbu karrkay-karrkay kulngu balbin wungara, jina buban jirrkuman jikan kalbaymba, bakanka wanja jana warngku wunay.

jalbu-jalbu karrkay-karrkay kulngu balbi-ny wungar-a, jina buban jirrkuma-ny jikan kalbay-mba, baka-n-ka wanja jana warngku wuna-y | women children bandicoots hunted day-LOC, tracks small followed grass long-LOC, burrow-DAT where they sleep

jalbu karrkay kulngu balbi jina jirrkumal jikan kalbay warngku

kulngu bandicoot; wungar-a LOC(r→a); kalbay-mba LOC(y→mba)


The echidna was hard to catch because it dug itself straight down into the hard ground and rolled itself into a ball against the digging hands.

Ngangkin murruji manil, nyulu bubu junkurrbu bada nyulu-nyulu bakan, nyulu-nyulu nyubun-bungan marabu bakanya.

ngangkin murruji mani-l, nyulu bubu junkurr-bu bada nyulu-nyulu baka-ny, nyulu-nyulu nyubun-bunga-ny mara-bu baka-nya | echidna hard to.catch, it ground hard-LOC down itself dug, itself into.ball made hand-INST digging-SUB

ngangkin murruji manil bubu junkurr bakal nyubun mara

ngangkin echidna; junkurr-a LOC(r→a); nyulu-nyulu REFL


The old man said the echidna and the bandicoot were the cleverest of the small animals, for both knew how to vanish into the ground before the hunter's hand came.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: ngangkin kulngu binal bajaku minya bubanmuny, jambulku binal bubungu kilbanka balbibamamu mara kadanyjiku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: ngangkin kulngu binal bajaku minya buban-muny, jambul-ku binal bubu-ngu kilba-nka balbi-bama-mu mara kada-nyjiku | old man said: echidna bandicoot cleverest animals small-ABL, both know ground-LOC vanish-PURP hunter-POSS hand come-SUCC(before)

ngangkin kulngu binal minya jambul bubu kilbal balbi mara

superlative binal-bajaku; bubu-ngu LOC(u→ngu)


When they caught a bandicoot, the children brought it proudly to the old woman, who cooked it in the coals and shared the good meat among them all.

Jana kulngu maninda, karrkay-karrkayangka wawu-yalbay wulbumanka wundin, nyulu ngunjilba wayjun, minya ngulkurr daji-wan jana wubulku.

jana kulngu mani-ny-da, karrkay-karrkay-angka wawu-yalbay wulbuman-ka wundi-ny, nyulu ngunjil-ba wayju-ny, minya ngulkurr daji-wa-ny jana wubul-ku | they bandicoot caught-then, children proudly old.woman-DAT brought, she coals-LOC cooked, meat good shared them all

kulngu manil karrkay wulbuman wundil ngunjil wayjul minya dajil

ngunjil-ba LOC(l→ba); daji-wa-y RECIP share


The old woman knew which grubs lived in which trees, and she cut open the soft dead wood and pulled out the fat grubs for the children.

Wulbumanangka binal jambun wanya jukungu bundanay, nyulu juku wulan buban yika-daman, jambun wandul wandin karrkay-karrkayka.

wulbuman-angka binal jambun wanya juku-ngu bunda-nay, nyulu juku wula-ny buban yika-dama-ny, jambun wandul wandi-ny karrkay-karrkay-ka | old.woman knew grubs which trees-LOC live, she wood dead soft split, grubs fat pulled.out children-DAT

jambun juku bunday wulay yika-damal wandul wandil karrkay

jambun grub; juku-ngu LOC(u→ngu); wandul fat


The children ate some grubs and roasted others on the coals, and the old woman said a good grub was as fine a food as any meat in the country.

Karrkay-karrkayangka jambun kanbal nukan, kanbal ngunjilba wayjun, wulbumanangka balkan jambun ngulkurr mayi ngulkurr yala minya wanyu bubungu.

karrkay-karrkay-angka jambun kanbal nuka-ny, kanbal ngunjil-ba wayju-ny, wulbuman-angka balka-ny jambun ngulkurr mayi ngulkurr yala minya wanyu bubu-ngu | children grubs some ate, some coals-LOC roasted, old.woman said grub good food good like meat any country-LOC

jambun kanbal nukal ngunjil wayjul ngulkurr mayi minya bubu


The old man said the country fed you in a hundred small ways if you knew where to look, and the person who knew the small foods never went hungry.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bububu yundu nukamanil mayi buban wubulku, kaki yundu binal wanjabu nyajil, bama nyulu mayi buban binal kari dakwuy yabarrka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bubu-bu yundu nuka-mani-l mayi buban wubul-ku, kaki yundu binal wanjabu nyaji-l, bama nyulu mayi buban binal kari dakwuy yabarrka | old man said: country-ERG you feeds foods small many, if you know where look, person who foods small knows NEG hungry ever

bubu nukal mayi buban kaki wanjabu nyajil dakwuy

bubu-bu ERG; kaki+NONPAST; wanjabu 'where'


In the early morning the men went out onto the grassy flats to hunt the wallabies that fed there in the cool before the sun grew hot.

Wunkuwingku dingkar-dingkarangka bubu jikanba dungan darrba balbinka, jana wanja nukanya kiway wungar wumbulmanyjiku.

wunkuwingku dingkar-dingkar-angka bubu jikan-ba dunga-ny darrba balbi-nka, jana wanja nuka-nya kiway wungar wumbul-ma-nyjiku | morning men ground grassy-LOC went wallabies hunt-PURP, they where feeding-SUB cool sun hot-become-SUCC(before)

wunkuwingku dingkar bubu jikan dungay darrba balbi kiway wumbul

darrba wallaby; jikan-ba LOC(n→ba); balbi-nka PURP


The men spread out in a wide half-circle and moved in slowly, driving the wallabies toward the hunters who waited hidden in the long grass with their spears.

Dingkar-dingkarangka bubu yalbaymba jarran, buban-buban walan, darrba balbibamaka jurrkiman, jana ngaki-jinya jikan kalbaymba kalkaji maku-jananya.

dingkar-dingkar-angka bubu yalbay-mba jarra-ny, buban-buban wala-ny, darrba balbi-bama-ka jurrki-ma-ny, jana ngaki-ji-nya jikan kalbay-mba kalka-ji maku-jana-nya | men ground wide-LOC spread, slowly moved.in, wallabies hunters-DAT drove, they hiding-SUB grass long-LOC spears-COMIT waiting-SUB

dingkar bubu yalbay jarral walal darrba jurrkil ngakil jikan kalka

yalbay-mba/kalbay-mba LOC(y→mba); ngaki-ji REFL


When the wallabies came close, the hidden hunters rose up and threw their spears all at once, and two big wallabies fell and the rest bounded away.

Darrba ngundu kadanda, balbibama ngaki-jinmuny wandin, kalka yilban nyubunbu, darrba jambul yalbay wulan, kanbal warrin baja.

darrba ngundu kada-ny-da, balbi-bama ngaki-ji-ny-muny wandi-ny, kalka yilba-ny nyubun-bu, darrba jambul yalbay wula-ny, kanbal warri-ny baja | wallabies near came-then, hunters hidden-ABL rose, spears threw one-INST(at.once), wallabies two big fell, rest ran away

darrba ngundu kaday ngakil wandil kalka yilbal jambul warri

ngaki-ji-ny-muny REFL-ABL; nyubun-bu 'at once'


The men thanked the wallabies for giving themselves to the people, for the old law said you must never take an animal's life without a word of thanks.

Dingkar-dingkarangka darrba ngulkurr balkan, jana nyulu-nyulu bamaka dajinmuny, kuku ngadiku balkan: yundu murruji minya wawu manil kari kuku ngulkurrbu.

dingkar-dingkar-angka darrba ngulkurr balka-ny, jana nyulu-nyulu bama-ka daji-ny-muny, kuku ngadiku balka-ny: yundu murruji minya wawu mani-l kari kuku ngulkurr-bu | men wallabies well spoke(thanked), they themselves people-DAT gave-ABL, law old said: you unable animal life take NEG word good-INST

darrba ngulkurr balkal bama dajil kuku minya wawu manil


They carried the two wallabies back to the camp on poles, and there was good meat enough for every family for two whole days.

Jana darrba jambul bayanka wundin jukuji, minya ngulkurr janay jawunkarra wubulku wungar jambulka.

jana darrba jambul bayan-ka wundi-ny juku-ji, minya ngulkurr jana-y jawun-karra wubul-ku wungar jambul-ka | they wallabies two camp-DAT carried pole-COMIT, meat good was families all days two-DAT

darrba jambul bayan wundil juku minya ngulkurr jawun wungar


The old man taught the boys how to cut up the wallaby the right way, giving each part of the animal to the right person by the old law of sharing.

Mukulungku dingkarangka karrkay-karrkay milbin darrba yala yakanka ngulkurr, minyamu walu wubulku bama yukilka dajinka kuku ngadiku daji-waymu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka karrkay-karrkay milbi-ny darrba yala yaka-nka ngulkurr, minya-mu walu wubul-ku bama yukil-ka daji-nka kuku ngadiku daji-wa-y-mu | old man boys taught wallaby thus cut-PURP well, animal-POSS parts all person right-DAT give-PURP law old sharing-POSS

mukul karrkay milbil darrba yakal minya walu yukil dajil

yaka-nka PURP 'cut'; distribution law; daji-wa-y-mu


The whole animal was used and nothing was thrown away: the meat was eaten, everything was put to good use, and nothing at all was wasted.

Minya wubulku kirrajin: minya nukan, yamba wubulku ngulkurr-bungan, nyubun kari yilban baja.

minya wubul-ku kirraji-ny: minya nuka-ny, yamba wubul-ku ngulkurr-bunga-ny, nyubun kari yilba-ny baja | animal whole worked: meat eaten, things all made.good.use, one NEG thrown too

minya kirraji nukal yamba ngulkurr nyubun yilbal

waste-nothing; ngulkurr-bungal 'make use of'


The old man said: A people who waste nothing and thank everything will never empty the country, but a people who waste and forget will soon have nothing left at all.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bama nyulu nyubun kari yilbal, yambayamba ngulkurr balkal, kari bubu kilbal yabarrka; bama nyulu yilbal, milka-wulal, ngadiku yamba-kari janay.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bama nyulu nyubun kari yilba-l, yambayamba ngulkurr balka-l, kari bubu kilba-l yabarrka; bama nyulu yilba-l, milka-wula-l, ngadiku yamba-kari jana-y | old man said: people who nothing waste, everything thank, NEG country empty ever; people who waste, forget, soon nothing.have stand

bama yilbal yambayamba ngulkurr balkal bubu kilbal milka-wulay

two-peoples contrast; yamba-kari 'nothing'


The old man taught the children which snakes were good to eat and which were deadly, for the difference was life and death and there was no room for a mistake.

Mukulungku dingkarangka karrkay-karrkay milbin jarba wanya nukanka ngulkurr, wanya wulaymani, yinya kuku wawu wulaymu, kari wanja murnilmu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka karrkay-karrkay milbi-ny jarba wanya nuka-nka ngulkurr, wanya wula-y-mani, yinya kuku wawu wula-y-mu, kari wanja murni-l-mu | old man children taught snakes which eat-PURP good, which kills, that difference life death-POSS, NEG place mistake-POSS

jarba milbil nukal wulay wawu kuku murnil

jarba snake; nuka-nka PURP; life-death stakes


The big python was good meat and harmless, the old man said, but you must never touch the small bright snake that lifts its head, for its bite is death within an hour.

Jarba yalbay minya ngulkurr, kari yinil, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yambada yundu murruji bubal buban balbajinya karrbal nyulu dukul wandinya, nyungu bayka wulay wungar nyubunba.

jarba yalbay minya ngulkurr, kari yinil, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yambada yundu murruji bubal buban balbaji-nya karrba-l nyulu dukul wandi-nya, nyungu bayka wula-y wungar nyubun-ba | python big meat good, NEG dangerous, old man said, but you unable snake little shining touch it head lifting-SUB, its bite death hour one-LOC

jarba minya yinil bubal balbajil karrbal dukul bayka wulay nyubun

bubal snake; nyubun-ba LOC(n→ba); which-to-avoid


The lizards were easy to catch and good for the children to hunt, and a boy who brought home a big goanna was as proud as a man who brought home a wallaby.

Bajuy manil ngulkurr, karrkay-karrkayka balbinka ngulkurr, karrkay nyulu bajuy yalbay bayanka wundin wawu-yalbay yala dingkar nyulu darrba wundinmuny.

bajuy mani-l ngulkurr, karrkay-karrkay-ka balbi-nka ngulkurr, karrkay nyulu bajuy yalbay bayan-ka wundi-ny wawu-yalbay yala dingkar nyulu darrba wundi-ny-muny | lizards catch easy, children-DAT hunt-PURP good, boy who lizard big camp-DAT brought proud like man who wallaby brought-ABL

bajuy manil karrkay balbi yalbay bayan wundil dingkar darrba

bajuy lizard; balbi-nka PURP; child-hunter pride


The old man said every animal had its own place and its own law, and a person who learned the ways of the animals learned the ways of the whole country.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: minya wubulku nyungu bubu, nyungu kuku, bama nyulu minyamu yala binalmal bubu wubulmu yala binalmal.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: minya wubul-ku nyungu bubu, nyungu kuku, bama nyulu minya-mu yala binal-ma-l bubu wubul-mu yala binal-ma-l | old man said: animals all their place, their law, person who animals-POSS ways learns country whole-POSS ways learns


The children learned the names and the ways and the tracks and the calls of every animal in the country, one by one, over many seasons of watching and listening.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman minyamu burri, yala, jina, kuku wubulku bubungu, nyubun-nyubun, wungar wubul kudamundu nyajinya milka-jananya.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny minya-mu burri, yala, jina, kuku wubul-ku bubu-ngu, nyubun-nyubun, wungar wubul kudamundu nyaji-nya milka-jana-nya | children learned animals-POSS names, ways, tracks, calls all country-LOC, one.by.one, seasons many over watching-SUB listening-SUB

karrkay binal minya burri jina kuku bubu nyubun milka-janay

bubu-ngu LOC(u→ngu); burri 'name'; enumeration


The old man said the animals were the people's oldest teachers and oldest relatives, and to know them well was to know your own family and your own self.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: minya bamamu binal-bungabama ngadiku, jawunkarra ngadiku, yinya ngulkurr binalka yala yundu jawunkarra binal, yundu nyulu-nyulu binal.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: minya bama-mu binal-bunga-bama ngadiku, jawun-karra ngadiku, yinya ngulkurr binal-ka yala yundu jawun-karra binal, yundu nyulu-nyulu binal | old man said: animals people-POSS teachers oldest, relatives oldest, them well know-DAT like you family know, you yourself know

minya bama binal ngadiku jawun ngulkurr nyulu-nyulu


So the children grew up rich in the knowledge of the animals, and they were never alone or afraid in the bush, for they knew every creature there as a person knows their own kin.

Yalaku karrkay-karrkay kambaman minyamu binalji, jana kari nganga kari yinil madjanga yabarrka, jana minya wubulku binal yala bama nyungu jawunkarra binal.

yala-ku karrkay-karrkay kamba-ma-ny minya-mu binal-ji, jana kari nganga kari yinil madja-nga yabarrka, jana minya wubul-ku binal yala bama nyungu jawun-karra binal | thus children grew.up animals-POSS knowledge-COMIT, they NEG alone NEG afraid scrub-LOC ever, they animals all know like person his family knows

karrkay kamba minya binal nganga yinil madja jawun

binal-ji COMIT; madja-nga LOC(a→nga); never-afraid


The women dug for yams in the soft ground near the creek, following the thin vines down to the fat roots hidden deep in the earth.

Jalbu-jalbungka kawu bakan bubu bubanba wawubaja ngundu, kalal buban jirrkuman bada bangkan wandulka bubu badanga ngaki-jinya.

jalbu-jalbu-ngka kawu baka-ny bubu buban-ba wawubaja ngundu, kalal buban jirrkuma-ny bada bangkan wandul-ka bubu bada-nga ngaki-ji-nya | women yams dug ground soft-LOC creek near, vine thin followed down root fat-DAT earth deep-LOC hiding-SUB

jalbu kawu bakal bubu buban kalal jirrkumal bangkan wandul

kawu yam; kalal vine; bangkan root; buban-ba LOC(n→ba); bada-nga LOC


The old woman knew which yams were good to eat straight away and which had to be soaked and roasted a long time to make them safe.

Wulbumanangka binal kawu wanya nukanka ngulkurr, wanya bananga yijarrinka wayjunka kalbay ngulkurr-manka nukanka.

wulbuman-angka binal kawu wanya nuka-nka ngulkurr, wanya bana-nga yijarri-nka wayju-nka kalbay ngulkurr-ma-nka nuka-nka | old.woman knew yams which eat-PURP good, which water-LOC soak-PURP roast-PURP long make.safe-PURP eat-PURP

kawu nukal ngulkurr bana yijarril wayjul kalbay


The zamia nut was the hardest food of all to make safe, and it took the women three whole days of soaking and pounding and washing to take the danger out.

Barka mayi junkurr bajaku ngulkurr-manka, jalbu-jalbungka wungar kulur kalbay bananga yijarrin, dudan, julurril, yinil kudamundu manin.

barka mayi junkurr bajaku ngulkurr-ma-nka, jalbu-jalbu-ngka wungar kulur kalbay bana-nga yijarri-ny, duda-ny, julurri-l, yinil kudamundu mani-ny | zamia food hardest to.make.safe, women days three long water-LOC soaked, pounded, washed, danger away took

barka mayi junkurr jalbu kulur bana dudal julurril yinil

barka zamia; kulur 'three'; dudal pound; multi-day prep


The old woman said the zamia taught patience above all things, for a hungry person who ate it too soon would be sick for days, and only the patient one ate well.

Wulbumanangka balkan: barka milbin wunbu yamba wubulmuny, bama dakwuy nyulu ngadiku nukan bambaymal wungar wubulku, bama wunbu nganga ngulkurr nukal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: barka milbi-ny wunbu yamba wubul-muny, bama dakwuy nyulu ngadiku nuka-ny bambay-ma-l wungar wubul-ku, bama wunbu nganga ngulkurr nuka-l | old.woman said: zamia taught patience thing all-ABL, person hungry who early ate sick-becomes days all, person patient only well eats

barka milbil wunbu dakwuy bambay wungar nganga nukal

patience-lesson; bambay-ma-l 'fall sick'


The children gathered the fallen nuts and fruits under the big trees, filling their dilly bags, and the old woman showed them which to keep and which to leave.

Karrkay-karrkayangka barka mayi badanmuny bangkan juku yalbay badabada, ngunyin nandan, wulbumanangka milbin wanya kujinka wanya bawanka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka barka mayi badan-muny bangka-ny juku yalbay badabada, ngunyin nanda-ny, wulbuman-angka milbi-ny wanya kuji-nka wanya bawa-nka | children nuts fruit fallen-ABL gathered trees big underneath, dilly.bags filled, old.woman showed which keep-PURP which leave-PURP

barka mayi bangkal juku badabada ngunyin nandal kujil bawal

badabada 'underneath'; keep-vs-leave PURP


The old man found a bees' nest high in a hollow tree, and he made smoke to calm the bees, took the honey, and left enough for the bees to live on.

Mukulungku dingkarangka dabu wangkar nyajin juku dukurrbu, nyulu kubu ngaran dabu wunbu-bunganka, wunba manin, kanbal bawan dabu wawuka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka dabu wangkar nyaji-ny juku dukurr-bu, nyulu kubu ngara-ny dabu wunbu-bunga-nka, wunba mani-ny, kanbal bawa-ny dabu wawu-ka | old man bees high found tree hollow-LOC, he smoke made bees calm-PURP, honey took, rest left bees life-DAT

dabu wangkar nyajil juku dukurr kubu ngaral wunba bawal wawu

dabu bee; kubu smoke; dukurr-ba LOC(rr→ba); leave-enough


The honey was the best thing the children had ever tasted, and they ate it from their fingers and their faces and laughed, happy in the sun.

Wunba mayi ngulkurr bajaku karrkay-karrkayangka nukanmuny, jana marabu walubu nukan, yajarrin, ngulkurr wungara.

wunba mayi ngulkurr bajaku karrkay-karrkay-angka nuka-ny-muny, jana mara-bu walu-bu nuka-ny, yajarri-ny, ngulkurr wungar-a | honey food best children ate-ABL, they finger-INST face-INST ate, laughed, happy sun-LOC

wunba mayi ngulkurr karrkay nukal mara walu yajarril wungar

wunba honey; superlative; wungar-a LOC(r→a)


The old man said the bees and the honey were a gift, and a gift must be taken with thanks and never with greed, or the bees would leave that place forever.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: dabu wunba dajil, dajil ngulkurr-bu maninka kari wawu-yalbaybu, dabu yinya bubu bawanka yabarrka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: dabu wunba daji-l, daji-l ngulkurr-bu mani-nka kari wawu-yalbay-bu, dabu yinya bubu bawa-nka yabarrka | old man said: bees honey gift, gift good-INST take-PURP NEG greed-INST, bees that place leave-PURP forever

dabu wunba dajil ngulkurr manil wawu bubu bawal

wawu-yalbay-bu 'with greed' INST; take-with-thanks


The children learned to read the flight of the bees to find the honey, watching which way they flew heavy and slow toward their home at the end of the day.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman dabumu yala nyajinka wunba nyajinka, jana nyajin dabu wanjaka jalaman dandi buban-buban nyungu bayanka yilay-yilay.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny dabu-mu yala nyaji-nka wunba nyaji-nka, jana nyaji-ny dabu wanja-ka jalama-ny dandi buban-buban nyungu bayan-ka yilay-yilay | children learned bees-POSS flight read-PURP honey find-PURP, they watched bees where-DAT flew heavy slowly their home-DAT evening

karrkay binal dabu nyajil wunba jalamal dandi bayan yilay-yilay

bee-lining; two PURP -nka; jalamal 'move/fly'


The old woman said the whole bush was a great garden that no one had planted but everyone could eat from, if only they knew how to look and how to take.

Wulbumanangka balkan: madja wubulku mayi-bubu yalbay, bama nyubungku kari ngaranmuny, bama wubulku nukanka, kaki jana binal yala nyajinka, yala maninka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: madja wubul-ku mayi-bubu yalbay, bama nyubun-ngku kari ngara-ny-muny, bama wubul-ku nuka-nka, kaki jana binal yala nyaji-nka, yala mani-nka | old.woman said: scrub whole garden big, person one-ERG NEG planted-ABL, people all eat-from-DAT, if they know how look-PURP, how take-PURP

madja mayi bubu nyubun ngaral nukal kaki nyajil manil

madja scrub; mayi-bubu 'garden'; kaki+NONPAST


The children gathered the bush fruits in season — the wild plums, the figs, the quandongs — and knew each one by its leaf and its flower and its taste.

Karrkay-karrkayangka mayi madjamu bangkan wungara, mayi wubulku, jana nyubun-nyubun binal nyungu birrabu ngankabu nukalbu.

karrkay-karrkay-angka mayi madja-mu bangka-ny wungar-a, mayi wubul-ku, jana nyubun-nyubun binal nyungu birra-bu nganka-bu nuka-l-bu | children fruits scrub-POSS gathered season-LOC, fruits all, they one.by.one know their leaf-INST flower-INST taste-INST

mayi madja bangkal wungar birra nganka nukal

wungar-a LOC(r→a); birra leaf/nganka flower/taste INST


The old man said that a person who truly knew the bush could walk into it with empty hands and come out with a full belly, at any season of the year.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bama nyulu madja yukil binal mara-kari walan, jibar mayi-ji badil, wungar wanyunguy wubulku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bama nyulu madja yukil binal mara-kari wala-ny, jibar mayi-ji badi-l, wungar wanyunguy wubul-ku | old man said: person who scrub truly knows hand-less enters, belly food-COMIT emerges, season any all

madja yukil binal mara walal jibar mayi badil wanyunguy

mara-kari 'empty-handed'; wanyunguy 'any-kind'


The children never went hungry, for even when the hunting was poor there was always something to gather — a root, a fruit, a grub, a handful of nuts.

Karrkay-karrkay kari dakwuy yabarrka, balbil buban jananya baja yamba yabarrka bangkanka janay: bangkan, mayi, jambun, barka mara nyubun.

karrkay-karrkay kari dakwuy yabarrka, balbi-l buban jana-nya baja yamba yabarrka bangka-nka jana-y: bangkan, mayi, jambun, barka mara nyubun | children NEG hungry ever, hunting poor being-SUB even thing always gather-PURP stood: root, fruit, grub, nuts hand one

karrkay dakwuy balbi yamba bangkal bangkan mayi jambun barka


The old woman said the country was the mother of all the people, feeding them from her own body every day, and that is why the people called the land their mother.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bubu bama wubulkumu ngamu, jana nukamanil nyungu bangkarrmuny wungar wubulku, yala bama bubu ngamu kunjan.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bubu bama wubul-ku-mu ngamu, jana nuka-mani-l nyungu bangkarr-muny wungar wubul-ku, yala bama bubu ngamu kunja-ny | old.woman said: country people all-POSS mother, them feeds her body-ABL day all, thus people country mother called

bubu bama ngamu nukal bangkarr wungar burril


The children understood then why the old people would never take more than they needed, and why they thanked the animals and the plants, and why they wasted nothing.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman yalada wanyurringku kamba-kamba kari wubul manil nyungu wawumuny, wanyurringku minya mayi ngulkurr balkan, wanyurringku nyubun kari yilban.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny yala-da wanyurringku kamba-kamba kari wubul mani-l nyungu wawu-muny, wanyurringku minya mayi ngulkurr balka-ny, wanyurringku nyubun kari yilba-ny | children understood then why elders NEG much take their need-ABL, why animals plants thanked, why nothing wasted

karrkay binal wanyurringku kamba manil wawu minya mayi yilbal


The old man said: The country will feed you forever if you treat it as a mother, but it will turn its face away if you treat it as a thing to be used up and thrown down.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Bububu yundu nukamanil yabarrka, kaki yundu ngamu yala nyajil, yambada nyungu walu murnil kudamundu, kaki yundu yamba yala nyajil kilbanka yilbanka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bubu-bu yundu nuka-mani-l yabarrka, kaki yundu ngamu yala nyaji-l, yambada nyungu walu murni-l kudamundu, kaki yundu yamba yala nyaji-l kilba-nka yilba-nka | old man said: country-ERG you feeds forever, if you mother like treat, but its face turns away, if you thing like treat waste-PURP throw-PURP

bubu nukal kaki ngamu nyajil walu murnil kilbal yilbal

bubu-bu ERG; two kaki+NONPAST; mother-vs-thing


The children carried these teachings all their lives, and taught them to their own children, so that the knowledge of the animals and the plants was never lost from the country.

Karrkay-karrkayangka yinya kuku wundin wawu wubulku, nyungu karrkay-karrkay milbin, minyamu mayimu binal kari bubumuny kilban yabarrka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka yinya kuku wundi-ny wawu wubul-ku, nyungu karrkay-karrkay milbi-ny, minya-mu mayi-mu binal kari bubu-muny kilba-ny yabarrka | children these teachings carried life all, their children taught, animals-POSS plants-POSS knowledge NEG country-ABL lost ever

karrkay kuku wundil wawu milbil minya mayi binal kilbal


And the animals and the plants, in their turn, went on feeding the people season after season, generation after generation, as they had since the very first morning.

Minya mayi baja, nyungu wungara, bama nukamanil yabarrka, wungar murninya wubulku, bama kadanya wubulku, yala wunkuwingku bubumu ngadiku.

minya mayi baja, nyungu wungar-a, bama nuka-mani-l yabarrka, wungar murni-nya wubul-ku, bama kada-nya wubul-ku, yala wunkuwingku bubu-mu ngadiku | animals plants too, their turn-LOC, people feed always, seasons turning all, generations coming all, as morning world-POSS ancient

minya mayi wungar nukal murnil bama kaday wunkuwingku bubu


The old man said there was no such thing as an empty bush to the person with eyes to see, only a table always set, if you came to it with respect and thanks.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: madja yamba-kari kari janay bama nyulu miyilji nyajil, mayi-bubu yabarrka janay, kaki yundu ngulkurr-bu kaday, ngulkurr balkanya.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: madja yamba-kari kari jana-y bama nyulu miyil-ji nyaji-l, mayi-bubu yabarrka jana-y, kaki yundu ngulkurr-bu kada-y, ngulkurr balka-nya | old man said: scrub empty NEG exists person who eyes-COMIT sees, food-country always stands, if you respect-INST come, well speaking-SUB

madja yamba-kari janay miyil nyajil mayi bubu kaki ngulkurr

kaki+NONPAST (kaday); miyil-ji 'with eyes'


So the children came to see the whole country as one great living thing that fed them and taught them and held them, and they loved it as they loved their own mother.

Yalaku karrkay-karrkay bubu wubulku nyajin yala yamba nyubun wawuji yalbay, nyulu jana nukamanil, milbin, kujin, jana wawu-jirray yala jana nyungu ngamu wawu-jirray.

yala-ku karrkay-karrkay bubu wubul-ku nyaji-ny yala yamba nyubun wawu-ji yalbay, nyulu jana nuka-mani-l, milbi-ny, kuji-ny, jana wawu-jirray yala jana nyungu ngamu wawu-jirray | thus children country whole saw like thing one life-COMIT big, it them feeds, taught, held, they loved like they their mother love

karrkay bubu nyajil yamba wawu nukal milbil kujil ngamu

wawu-ji 'living'; wawu-jirray 'love a lot' (Patz)


When the men came back from hunting, the children ran to see whose wallaby was the biggest, and they laid them on the ground and compared them one against another.

Dingkar-dingkar balbilmuny kadanda, karrkay-karrkay warrin nyajinka wanyamba darrba yalbay bajaku, jana bubungu yijarrin nyubun-nyubunji nyajin.

dingkar-dingkar balbi-l-muny kada-ny-da, karrkay-karrkay warri-ny nyaji-nka wanyamba darrba yalbay bajaku, jana bubu-ngu yijarri-ny nyubun-nyubun-ji nyaji-ny | men hunt-ABL came-then, children ran see-PURP whose wallaby big most, they ground-LOC put one.by.one-COMIT looked

dingkar balbi karrkay warri wanyamba darrba yalbay bubu yijarril

wanyamba 'whose' (POSS of wanya); bajaku superlative; bubu-ngu LOC(u→ngu)


The oldest boy's wallaby was bigger than all the others, and he was very proud, but the old man said: A big catch is good, but a wise catch is better.

Karrkay yalbaymu darrba yalbay kanbal wubulmuny, nyulu wawu-yalbay bajaku, yambada mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Minya yalbay ngulkurr, minya binal ngulkurr-baja.

karrkay yalbay-mu darrba yalbay kanbal wubul-muny, nyulu wawu-yalbay bajaku, yambada mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: minya yalbay ngulkurr, minya binal ngulkurr-baja | boy oldest-POSS wallaby big rest all-ABL, he proud very, but old man said: catch big good, catch wise better

karrkay yalbay darrba kanbal wubul minya binal ngulkurr

comparative -muny + DEG2 -baja (ngulkurr-baja 'better')


The old man asked the boy: How many wallabies did you kill, and how many did your family need? And the boy saw he had taken more than they could eat.

Mukulungku dingkarangka karrkay babajin: Yundu darrba wanjarrinya kunin, jawunkarra wanjarrinya wawu? Karrkayangka nyajin nyulu wubul-baja manin jana nukalmuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka karrkay babaji-ny: yundu darrba wanjarrinya kuni-ny, jawun-karra wanjarrinya wawu? karrkay-angka nyaji-ny nyulu wubul-baja mani-ny jana nuka-l-muny | old man boy asked: you wallabies how.many killed, family how.many need? boy saw he more took they eat-ABL

mukul karrkay babaji darrba wanjarrinya kunil jawun wawu wubul

wanjarrinya x2 'how many'; wubul-baja ...-muny 'more than'


The old man said: One wallaby feeds the family for one day; two feed them for two days; but three left to rot feeds no one and brings sickness on the hunter.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Darrba nyubun jawunkarra nukamanil wungar nyubunka; jambul wungar jambulka; kulur bawan kabumanka nyubun kari nukamanil, balbibamaka bambay wundil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: darrba nyubun jawun-karra nuka-mani-l wungar nyubun-ka; jambul wungar jambul-ka; kulur bawa-ny kabu-ma-nka nyubun kari nuka-mani-l, balbi-bama-ka bambay wundi-l | old man said: wallaby one family feeds day one-DAT; two days two-DAT; three left rot-become-PURP no.one feeds, hunter-DAT sickness brings

darrba nyubun jawun nukal wungar jambul kulur bawal kabu bambay

number progression nyubun/jambul/kulur; kabu-ma-nka PURP 'rot'


The boy understood and felt ashamed, and the next day he took only one wallaby, and the old man said: Now you are a bigger man than you were yesterday.

Karrkayangka binalman, milka-murruji janay, yindu wungara nyulu darrba nyubun nganga manin, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Nyiku yundu dingkar yalbay-baja yilaykumuny.

karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny, milka-murruji jana-y, yindu wungar-a nyulu darrba nyubun nganga mani-ny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: nyiku yundu dingkar yalbay-baja yilayku-muny | boy understood, ashamed was, other day-LOC he wallaby one only took, old man said: now you man bigger yesterday-ABL

karrkay binal wawu kaka wungar darrba nyubun nganga dingkar yilayku

wungar-a LOC(r→a); yalbay-baja ...-muny 'bigger than'