Two brothers argued about which of them was the better hunter, and the old man said: The country will show you, so let your spears speak and keep your mouths quiet.

Yaba jambul kuni-wan wanya jana balbibama ngulkurr-baja, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Bububu yundu milbil, yurra kalka balka, ngandal wunbu kuji.

yaba jambul kuni-wa-ny wanya jana balbi-bama ngulkurr-baja, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bubu-bu yundu milbi-l, yurra kalka balka, ngandal wunbu kuji | brothers two argued which them hunter better, old man said: country-ERG you shows, you.PL spears speak-IMP, mouth quiet keep-IMP

yaba jambul kunil balbi ngulkurr bubu milbil kalka ngandal

kuni-wa-y RECIP 'argue'; bubu-bu ERG; ngulkurr-baja 'better'


The next day the younger brother caught more fish but the older brother caught a bigger fish, and the old man said each was best at his own thing.

Yindu wungara yaba bubanangka kuyu wubul-baja manin, yaba yalbaymu kuyu yalbay-baja manin, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan jambulku ngulkurr bajaku nyungu yambanga.

yindu wungar-a yaba buban-angka kuyu wubul-baja mani-ny, yaba yalbay-mu kuyu yalbay-baja mani-ny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny jambul-ku ngulkurr bajaku nyungu yamba-nga | other day-LOC brother younger fish more caught, brother older fish bigger caught, old man said both best their thing-LOC

yindu wungar yaba buban kuyu wubul yalbay jambul yamba

wungar-a LOC; wubul-baja 'more' vs yalbay-baja 'bigger'; yamba-nga LOC


The old man said: Do not measure yourself against your brother, for one of you runs better and one is stronger, and the country needs both kinds of man.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Kari yundu-yundu yabaji milbi-ji, nyubun warri ngulkurr-baja, nyubun junkurr-baja, bububu jambul dingkar wawu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kari yundu-yundu yaba-ji milbi-ji, nyubun warri ngulkurr-baja, nyubun junkurr-baja, bubu-bu jambul dingkar wawu | old man said: NEG yourself brother-COMIT compare-REFL, one runs better, one stronger, country-ERG two men needs

yundu-yundu yaba milbil nyubun warri ngulkurr junkurr bubu dingkar

milbi-ji REFL 'compare self'; bubu-bu ERG; warri E-017


The children stood back to back to see who was the tallest, and the tallest boy was a whole head taller than the next, and he laughed with pride.

Karrkay-karrkay kudamundu-kudamundu janay nyajinka wanya kalbay bajaku, karrkay kalbay bajaku dukul nyubun kalbay-baja yindumuny, nyulu yajarrin wawu-yalbayji.

karrkay-karrkay kudamundu-kudamundu jana-y nyaji-nka wanya kalbay bajaku, karrkay kalbay bajaku dukul nyubun kalbay-baja yindu-muny, nyulu yajarri-ny wawu-yalbay-ji | children back-to-back stood see-PURP who tall most, boy tall most head one taller other-ABL, he laughed pride-COMIT

karrkay kudamundu janay kalbay dukul nyubun yindu yajarril wawu

kalbay 'tall'; kalbay-baja ...-muny 'taller than'


The smallest child was sad to be the shortest, but the old woman said: You are the smallest now, but you are also the youngest, and you will grow taller than all of them one day.

Karrkay buban bajaku walu-jirrbu-jirrbu nyulu buban bajaku, yambada wulbumanangka balkan: Yundu buban bajaku nyiku, yundu warru bajaku baja, yundu kalbay-baja jana wubulmuny nyubun wungara.

karrkay buban bajaku walu-jirrbu-jirrbu nyulu buban bajaku, yambada wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yundu buban bajaku nyiku, yundu warru bajaku baja, yundu kalbay-baja jana wubul-muny nyubun wungar-a | child small most sad he short most, but old.woman said: you small most now, you young most too, you taller them all-ABL one day-LOC

karrkay buban bajaku wawu warru kalbay wubul nyubun wungar

buban bajaku 'smallest'; kalbay-baja ...-muny; wungar-a LOC


The old woman said: The tall tree was once the smallest seed, and the biggest man was once the smallest baby, so never laugh at what is small, for small does not stay small.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Juku kalbay ngadiku diburr buban bajaku, dingkar yalbay ngadiku ngawa buban bajaku, kari yundu yajarril yamba bubanka, buban kari buban janay yabarrka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: juku kalbay ngadiku diburr buban bajaku, dingkar yalbay ngadiku ngawa buban bajaku, kari yundu yajarri-l yamba buban-ka, buban kari buban jana-y yabarrka | old.woman said: tree tall long.ago seed small most, man big long.ago baby small most, NEG you laugh thing small-DAT, small NEG small stays ever

juku kalbay diburr buban dingkar ngawa yajarril yamba

diburr seed; ngawa baby; small-becomes-big motif


The children lined up from the oldest to the youngest, and there were seven of them, more than the fingers of one hand, and the old woman named them all in order.

Karrkay-karrkay jarran warru bajakumuny buban bajakuka, jana wubul, mara nyubunmu wubul-baja, wulbumanangka jana wubulku kunjan yalanga.

karrkay-karrkay jarra-ny warru bajaku-muny buban bajaku-ka, jana wubul, mara nyubun-mu wubul-baja, wulbuman-angka jana wubul-ku kunja-ny yala-nga | children lined.up oldest-ABL youngest-DAT, they many, hand one-POSS more, old.woman them all named order-LOC

karrkay jarral warru buban wubul mara nyubun burril yala

oldest-ABL...youngest-DAT range; yala-nga LOC(a→nga)


The old man said a family with many children was richer than a family with much food, for food is eaten and gone but children grow and stay and care for you.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: jawunkarra karrkay wubulji ngulkurr-baja jawunkarra mayi wubulmuny, mayi nukan dungan, karrkay kambaman janay yundu nyajil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: jawun-karra karrkay wubul-ji ngulkurr-baja jawun-karra mayi wubul-muny, mayi nuka-ny dunga-ny, karrkay kamba-ma-ny jana-y yundu nyaji-l | old man said: family children many-COMIT richer family food much-ABL, food eaten gone, children grow stay you look.after

jawun karrkay wubul ngulkurr mayi nukal kamba nyajil

wubul-ji COMIT; ngulkurr-baja ...-muny 'richer than'


The children asked the old man who was the oldest person in the whole camp, and he said he himself was, older even than the tallest tree by the river.

Karrkay-karrkayangka mukul dingkar babajin wanya bayanba mukul bajaku, nyulu balkan nyulu-nyulu, mukul-baja juku kalbay bajaku wawubaja ngundumuny.

karrkay-karrkay-angka mukul dingkar babaji-ny wanya bayan-ba mukul bajaku, nyulu balka-ny nyulu-nyulu, mukul-baja juku kalbay bajaku wawubaja ngundu-muny | children old man asked who camp-LOC old most, he said himself, older tree tall most river near-ABL

karrkay babaji bayan mukul juku kalbay wawubaja ngundu

bayan-ba LOC(n→ba); mukul bajaku 'oldest'; mukul-baja ...-muny


The old man laughed and said: I am so old that I have forgotten more than you children will ever learn, but you will run faster and see farther than I ever could.

Mukulungku dingkarangka yajarrin, balkan: Ngayu mukul bajaku, ngayu milka-wulan wubul-baja yurra karrkay binalmalmuny, yambada yurra warri ngulkurr-baja, nyajil kalbay-baja ngayamuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka yajarri-ny, balka-ny: ngayu mukul bajaku, ngayu milka-wula-ny wubul-baja yurra karrkay binal-ma-l-muny, yambada yurra warri ngulkurr-baja, nyaji-l kalbay-baja ngaya-muny | old man laughed, said: I old most, I forgot more you children learn-ABL, but you.PL run better, see farther me-ABL

mukul milka-wulay wubul karrkay binal warri ngulkurr kalbay ngaya

wubul-baja ...-muny; kalbay-baja 'farther'; ngaya-muny 'than me'


The children learned that age was not better or worse than youth, only different, and that each time of life had its own strength and its own beauty.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman mukul kari ngulkurr-baja kari mumbu-baja warrumuny, nganga yindu, wungar wubulku wawumu nyungu junkurr, nyungu ngulkurr.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny mukul kari ngulkurr-baja kari mumbu-baja warru-muny, nganga yindu, wungar wubul-ku wawu-mu nyungu junkurr, nyungu ngulkurr | children learned old NEG better NEG worse youth-ABL, just different, times all life-POSS its strength, its beauty

mukul ngulkurr mumbu warru nganga yindu wungar wawu junkurr

mumbu-baja 'worse'; warru-muny 'than youth'; each-age-its-strength


The old man showed the boys three spears and asked which was the best, and each boy chose a different one, and each gave a good reason for his choice.

Mukulungku dingkarangka karrkay-karrkay kalka kulur milbin, babajin wanya ngulkurr bajaku, karrkay wubulku yindu-yindu manin, wubulku ngulkurr kuku balkan nyungu manilmu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka karrkay-karrkay kalka kulur milbi-ny, babaji-ny wanya ngulkurr bajaku, karrkay wubul-ku yindu-yindu mani-ny, wubul-ku ngulkurr kuku balka-ny nyungu mani-l-mu | old man boys spears three showed, asked which good most, boys all different chose, all good reason spoke their choosing-POSS

mukul karrkay kalka kulur milbil ngulkurr yindu manil kuku

kalka kulur 'three spears'; wanya ngulkurr bajaku 'which best'


The old man said: There is no one best spear, for the best spear for fishing is not the best for wallabies, and the best for a strong man is not the best for a boy.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Kalka nyubun ngulkurr bajaku kari janay, kalka kuyuka ngulkurr kari darrbaka ngulkurr, kalka dingkar junkurrka ngulkurr kari karrkayka ngulkurr.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kalka nyubun ngulkurr bajaku kari jana-y, kalka kuyu-ka ngulkurr kari darrba-ka ngulkurr, kalka dingkar junkurr-ka ngulkurr kari karrkay-ka ngulkurr | old man said: spear one best NEG exists, spear fish-DAT good NEG wallaby-DAT good, spear man strong-DAT good NEG child-DAT good

kalka nyubun ngulkurr kuyu darrba dingkar junkurr karrkay

context-relative 'best'; DAT purpose-recipient


The best thing, the old man said, is the thing that fits the task and the person, and a wise man owns few things but each one is the right one.

Yamba ngulkurr bajaku, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yamba nyulu kirrajika bamaka yukil, dingkar binal yamba buban karrbal, yambada wubulku yukil.

yamba ngulkurr bajaku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yamba nyulu kirraji-ka bama-ka yukil, dingkar binal yamba buban karrba-l, yambada wubul-ku yukil | thing best, old man said, thing that task-DAT person-DAT fits, man wise things few owns, but all right

yamba ngulkurr kirraji bama yukil dingkar binal buban karrbal

yukil 'fits/right'; yamba buban 'few things'


The children learned to choose well: not the biggest or the brightest thing, but the thing that would do the work best and last the longest.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman ngulkurr maninka: kari yamba yalbay bajaku, kari yamba balbajil bajaku, yambada yamba nyulu kirraji ngulkurr-baja ngaral, bundal kalbay-baja.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny ngulkurr mani-nka: kari yamba yalbay bajaku, kari yamba balbaji-l bajaku, yambada yamba nyulu kirraji ngulkurr-baja ngara-l, bunda-l kalbay-baja | children learned well choose-DAT: NEG thing biggest, NEG thing brightest, but thing that work better does, lasts longer

karrkay binal ngulkurr manil yamba yalbay balbajil kirraji bundal kalbay

ngulkurr-baja 'better'; kalbay-baja 'longer'


The old woman said the same of people: do not choose a friend for their strong arm or their handsome face, but for their good heart and their true word.

Wulbumanangka balkan bamamu baja: kari yaba mani nyungu mara junkurrmuny, nyungu walu ngulkurrmuny, yambada nyungu wawu ngulkurrmuny, nyungu kuku yukilmuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny bama-mu baja: kari yaba mani nyungu mara junkurr-muny, nyungu walu ngulkurr-muny, yambada nyungu wawu ngulkurr-muny, nyungu kuku yukil-muny | old.woman said people-POSS too: NEG friend choose their arm strong-ABL(for), their face good-ABL, but their heart good-ABL, their word true-ABL

bama yaba manil mara junkurr walu wawu ngulkurr kuku yukil

-muny 'because of/for'; heart-over-appearance


The children asked how you could know a person's heart, and the old woman said: You cannot know it in a day; you know it over many seasons, the way you know the weather.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babajin yala yundu bamamu wawu binalka, wulbumanangka balkan: Yundu murruji wungar nyubunba binal; yundu binal wungar wubul kudamundu, yala yundu wungar binal.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babaji-ny yala yundu bama-mu wawu binal-ka, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yundu murruji wungar nyubun-ba binal; yundu binal wungar wubul kudamundu, yala yundu wungar binal | children asked how you person-POSS heart know-DAT, old.woman said: you unable day one-LOC know; you know seasons many over, as you weather know

karrkay babaji bama wawu binal murruji wungar nyubun kudamundu

nyubun-ba LOC(n→ba); yala 'as/like' comparison


The old man said the shortest road is not always the best road, for the shortest road may go through a flooded river while the longer road stays dry and safe.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: jina buban bajaku kari yabarrka ngulkurr bajaku, jina buban nyulu jalungkarra dungay, jina kalbay-baja marral ngulkurr janay.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: jina buban bajaku kari yabarrka ngulkurr bajaku, jina buban nyulu jalungkarr-a dunga-y, jina kalbay-baja marral ngulkurr jana-y | old man said: road shortest NEG always best, road short which flood-LOC goes, road longer dry safe stays

jina buban ngulkurr jalungkarr dungay kalbay marral

jina buban bajaku 'shortest'; jalungkarr-a LOC(r→a); kalbay-baja 'longer'


The old man said the fastest way and the best way are often not the same, and a wise person learns to tell the difference and to choose the best.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yala junkurr bajaku, yala ngulkurr bajaku, yabarrka kari nyubun, bama binal binalmal jambulku murninka, ngulkurr maninka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yala junkurr bajaku, yala ngulkurr bajaku, yabarrka kari nyubun, bama binal binal-ma-l jambul-ku murni-nka, ngulkurr mani-nka | old man said: way fastest, way best, often NEG same, person wise learns both difference-DAT, best choose-DAT

yala junkurr ngulkurr nyubun bama binal jambul murnil manil

junkurr bajaku 'fastest' vs ngulkurr bajaku 'best'; jambulku 'the two'


When the family shared the meat, the old woman made sure each person got a fair share, not more and not less than the others.

Jawunkarra minya daji-wanda, wulbumanangka nyajin bama wubulku minya yukil manin, kari wubul-baja, kari buban-baja yindumuny.

jawun-karra minya daji-wa-ny-da, wulbuman-angka nyaji-ny bama wubul-ku minya yukil mani-ny, kari wubul-baja, kari buban-baja yindu-muny | family meat shared-then, old.woman saw people all meat fair got, NEG more, NEG less others-ABL

jawun minya dajil wulbuman nyajil bama yukil wubul buban yindu

daji-wa-y RECIP; wubul-baja 'more'/buban-baja 'less' ...-muny


The biggest portion went to the one who had done the most work, and the same portion went to the smallest child, for the child would grow and needed it more.

Minya yalbay bajaku bamaka dungan nyulu kirraji wubul bajaku ngaranmuny, minya nyubun karrkay bubanka baja, nyulu kambanka wawu wubul-baja.

minya yalbay bajaku bama-ka dunga-ny nyulu kirraji wubul bajaku ngara-ny-muny, minya nyubun karrkay buban-ka baja, nyulu kamba-nka wawu wubul-baja | meat biggest person-DAT went who work most did-ABL, meat same child small-DAT too, he grow-PURP need more

minya yalbay bama kirraji wubul nyubun karrkay buban kamba

yalbay bajaku 'biggest'; minya nyubun 'same portion'; wubul-baja 'more'


The old woman said fair does not mean equal, for a big man needs more food than a child and a sick person needs more care than a well one.

Wulbumanangka balkan: yukil kari nyubun, dingkar yalbay mayi wubul-baja wawu karrkaymuny, bambaybama nyajil wubul-baja wawu kakawarribamamuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yukil kari nyubun, dingkar yalbay mayi wubul-baja wawu karrkay-muny, bambay-bama nyaji-l wubul-baja wawu kakawarri-bama-muny | old.woman said: fair NEG same, man big food more needs child-ABL, sick.person care more needs well.person-ABL

yukil nyubun dingkar yalbay mayi wubul wawu karrkay bambay kakawarri

fair≠equal; wubul-baja ...-muny 'more than' x2


The children learned to share not by giving everyone the same, but by giving each person what they needed — that was the harder and the better way.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman daji-wayka kari bama wubulku nyubun dajil, yambada bama wubulku nyungu wawu dajil, yinya yala dandi-baja, ngulkurr-baja baja.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny daji-wa-y-ka kari bama wubul-ku nyubun daji-l, yambada bama wubul-ku nyungu wawu daji-l, yinya yala dandi-baja, ngulkurr-baja baja | children learned share-DAT NEG people all same give, but people all their need give, that way harder, better too

karrkay binal dajil bama nyubun wawu yala dandi ngulkurr

daji-wa-y-ka; dandi-baja 'harder'/ngulkurr-baja 'better'


The old man said knowing the number is good but knowing the weight is better, for two small fish and one big fish may weigh the same but never make the same meal.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: wubul binal ngulkurr, dandi binal ngulkurr-baja, kuyu buban jambul kuyu yalbay nyubunji dandi nyubun, yambada mayi kari nyubun.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: wubul binal ngulkurr, dandi binal ngulkurr-baja, kuyu buban jambul kuyu yalbay nyubun-ji dandi nyubun, yambada mayi kari nyubun | old man said: number know good, weight know better, fish small two fish big one-COMIT weight same, but meal NEG same

wubul binal ngulkurr dandi kuyu buban jambul yalbay nyubun mayi

ngulkurr-baja 'better'; dandi 'weight'; number-vs-weight


The old woman said the richest person was not the one with the most things but the one who needed the least, for they were free where others were bound.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama ngulkurr bajaku kari nyulu yamba wubul bajakuji, yambada nyulu wawu buban bajaku, nyulu kaja-kari wanja yindu kajaji janay.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama ngulkurr bajaku kari nyulu yamba wubul bajaku-ji, yambada nyulu wawu buban bajaku, nyulu kaja-kari wanja yindu kaja-ji jana-y | old.woman said: person richest NEG one things most-COMIT, but one need least, he tie-less where others tied-COMIT stand

bama ngulkurr yamba wubul wawu buban kaja yindu

wawu buban bajaku 'need least'; kaja-kari 'free/unbound'


The children did not fully understand, but they remembered, and as they grew older they saw more and more how true the old woman's words had been.

Karrkay-karrkay kari yukil binalman, yambada jana binalku, jana mukulmandanya jana nyajin wubul-baja wubul-baja yala wulbumanmu kuku yukilmuny.

karrkay-karrkay kari yukil binal-ma-ny, yambada jana binalku, jana mukul-ma-ny-da-nya jana nyaji-ny wubul-baja wubul-baja yala wulbuman-mu kuku yukil-muny | children NEG fully understood, but they remembered, they old-becoming-SUB they saw more more how old.woman-POSS words true-ABL

karrkay yukil binal binalku mukul nyajil wubul wulbuman kuku

wubul-baja wubul-baja 'more and more'; mukul-ma-l-SUB


The old man said: The smallest gift given with love is worth more than the biggest gift given without it, so weigh the heart and not the hand.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: dajil buban bajaku wawu-jirrayji ngulkurr-baja dajil yalbay bajaku wawu-jirray-karimuny, dandi nyaji wawu, kari mara.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: daji-l buban bajaku wawu-jirray-ji ngulkurr-baja daji-l yalbay bajaku wawu-jirray-kari-muny, dandi nyaji wawu, kari mara | old man said: gift smallest love-COMIT worth.more gift biggest love-without-ABL, weight look-IMP heart, NEG hand

dajil buban wawu jirray ngulkurr yalbay dandi nyajil mara

wawu-jirray 'love'(Patz); ngulkurr-baja ...-muny; heart-not-hand


The old man knew the distance to every camp and waterhole in the country, and he could tell you which was nearer and which was farther and by how much.

Mukulungku dingkarangka binal yala kalbay bayan wubulku banaka bubungu, nyulu balkal wanya ngundu-baja, wanya kalakalbay-baja, wanjarrinya baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka binal yala kalbay bayan wubul-ku bana-ka bubu-ngu, nyulu balka-l wanya ngundu-baja, wanya kalakalbay-baja, wanjarrinya baja | old man knew how far camp all water-DAT country-LOC, he tells which nearer, which farther, how.much too

mukul binal kalbay bayan bana bubu ngundu kalakalbay wanjarrinya

bubu-ngu LOC(u→ngu); ngundu-baja 'nearer'/kalakalbay-baja 'farther'


He said a journey of many days is walked one step at a time, and the person who looks only at the far end grows tired, but the person who walks step by step arrives.

Nyulu balkan: dungay wungar wubulmu jilban jina nyubun-nyubun, bama nyulu kalakalbay nganga nyajil baja-burraymal, yambada bama nyulu jina-jina jilbay badil.

nyulu balka-ny: dunga-y wungar wubul-mu jilba-ny jina nyubun-nyubun, bama nyulu kalakalbay nganga nyaji-l baja-burray-ma-l, yambada bama nyulu jina-jina jilba-y badi-l | he said: journey days many-POSS walked step one.by.one, person who far only looks tired-becomes, but person who step-by-step walks arrives

dungay wungar jilbal jina nyubun kalakalbay nganga baja-burray badil

jina nyubun-nyubun 'step by step'; baja-burray-ma-l 'grow tired'


The children asked which was the biggest thing in the whole world, and the old man thought and said: The sky, for it holds everything else, even the greatest mountain and the widest sea.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babajin wanya yamba yalbay bajaku bubu wubulku, mukulungku dingkarangka milka-bu baykan, balkan: Jiri, nyulu yamba wubulku kujil, manjal yalbay bajaku, jalun yalbay bajaku baja.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babaji-ny wanya yamba yalbay bajaku bubu wubul-ku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka milka-bu bayka-ny, balka-ny: jiri, nyulu yamba wubul-ku kuji-l, manjal yalbay bajaku, jalun yalbay bajaku baja | children asked which thing biggest world all, old man thought, said: sky, it things all holds, mountain biggest, sea biggest too

karrkay babaji yamba yalbay bubu jiri kujil manjal jalun

yalbay bajaku 'biggest'; jiri sky; superlatives


The children asked which was the smallest thing, and the old man said: The seed of the wild fig, so small you can barely see it, and yet a great tree sleeps inside it.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babajin wanya yamba buban bajaku, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Diburr mayimu, buban bajaku murruji nyajil, yambada juku yalbay dukurr warngku wunay.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babaji-ny wanya yamba buban bajaku, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: diburr mayi-mu, buban bajaku murruji nyaji-l, yambada juku yalbay dukurr warngku wuna-y | children asked which thing smallest, old man said: seed fruit-POSS, small most hardly see, but tree big inside sleeps

karrkay babaji yamba buban diburr mayi murruji juku yalbay dukurr

buban bajaku 'smallest'; diburr seed; tree-in-seed


The old man said big and small are not what they seem: the biggest thing may be empty and the smallest may hold a whole forest, so never judge a thing by its size alone.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yalbay buban kari yala jana milbil, yamba yalbay bajaku yamba-kari, yamba buban bajaku madja wubulku kujil, kari yamba milbi nyungu yalbaybu nganga.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yalbay buban kari yala jana milbi-l, yamba yalbay bajaku yamba-kari, yamba buban bajaku madja wubul-ku kuji-l, kari yamba milbi nyungu yalbay-bu nganga | old man said: big small NEG as they show, thing biggest empty, thing smallest forest whole holds, NEG thing judge its size-INST only

yalbay buban yala milbil yamba madja kujil nganga


The children learned that the words 'more' and 'less' and 'bigger' and 'smaller' meant nothing on their own, but only ever in comparing one thing to another.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman kuku 'wubul-baja', 'buban-baja', 'yalbay-baja', 'buban-baja' nganga yamba-kari, yambada nyubun yamba yindumuny milbinya nganga.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny kuku 'wubul-baja', 'buban-baja', 'yalbay-baja', 'buban-baja' nganga yamba-kari, yambada nyubun yamba yindu-muny milbi-nya nganga | children learned words 'more', 'less', 'bigger', 'smaller' alone meaning-less, but one thing other-ABL comparing-SUB only

karrkay binal kuku wubul buban yalbay nganga yamba yindu milbil

meta-comparative; nyubun...yindu-muny 'one to another'


The old man said a thing is only big or small next to another thing, and a person only rich or poor next to another, so a wise person compares themselves to no one and is content.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yamba yalbay buban nganga yamba yindu ngundu, bama ngulkurr mumbu nganga bama yindu ngundu, bama binal nyulu-nyulu bama nyubunmuny kari milbi-ji, wawu ngulkurr janay.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yamba yalbay buban nganga yamba yindu ngundu, bama ngulkurr mumbu nganga bama yindu ngundu, bama binal nyulu-nyulu bama nyubun-muny kari milbi-ji, wawu ngulkurr jana-y | old man said: thing big small only thing other near, person rich poor only person other near, person wise himself person one-ABL NEG compares, content stands

yamba yalbay buban nganga yindu bama ngulkurr mumbu milbil wawu

kari milbi-ji REFL 'not compare self'; wawu ngulkurr 'content'


The old woman said envy was the sickness of comparing, and the cure was gratitude, for the person who counts their own blessings never counts another's.

Wulbumanangka balkan: ngujan bambay milbijimu, nyungu kakawarri wawu-mini, bama nyulu nyungu yamba ngulkurr binalku kari bama yindumu binalku.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: ngujan bambay milbi-ji-mu, nyungu kakawarri wawu-mini, bama nyulu nyungu yamba ngulkurr binalku kari bama yindu-mu binalku | old.woman said: envy sickness comparing-POSS, its cure gratitude, person who his things good remembers NEG person other-POSS remembers

wawu mumbu bambay milbil kakawarri ngulkurr bama yamba binalku yindu

wawu-mumbu 'envy'; wawu-ngulkurr 'gratitude'; milbi-ji-mu 'of comparing'


The children asked how you could leave off comparing, and the old woman said: You look at what you have until you see how much it is, and then there is no room left for wanting what another has.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babajin yala yundu milbi-ji bawanka, wulbumanangka balkan: Yundu nyungu yamba nyaji binalnyjiku wanjarrinya, yalada kari wanja janay wawuka bama yindumu yambaka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babaji-ny yala yundu milbi-ji bawa-nka, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yundu nyungu yamba nyaji binal-nyjiku wanjarrinya, yala-da kari wanja jana-y wawu-ka bama yindu-mu yamba-ka | children asked how you comparing leave-PURP, old.woman said: you your things look know-SUCC how.much, then NEG room stands wanting-DAT person other-POSS things-DAT

karrkay babaji milbil bawal yamba nyajil binal wanjarrinya wawu yindu

milbi-ji 'compare self'; wanjarrinya 'how much'


The old man said the happiest people he had ever known were not the ones with the most, but the ones who wanted the least and gave the most away.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bama wawu-mini bajaku nyulu binalmuny kari bama yamba wubul bajakuji, yambada bama nyulu wawu buban bajaku, dajil wubul bajaku baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bama wawu-mini bajaku nyulu binal-muny kari bama yamba wubul bajaku-ji, yambada bama nyulu wawu buban bajaku, daji-l wubul bajaku baja | old man said: people happiest he knew-ABL NEG people things most-COMIT, but people who want least, give most too

bama wawu ngulkurr binal yamba wubul buban dajil

wawu-ngulkurr bajaku 'happiest'; wawu buban bajaku 'want least'


The children carried this teaching all their lives, and in a world always telling them to want more and have more, they remembered to ask instead: Is this enough? And usually it was.

Karrkay-karrkayangka yinya kuku wundin wawu wubulku, bubu yabarrka balkanya wubul-baja wawuka, wubul-baja maninka, jana binalku babajinka baja: Yinya yukil? Yabarrka yukil.

karrkay-karrkay-angka yinya kuku wundi-ny wawu wubul-ku, bubu yabarrka balka-nya wubul-baja wawu-ka, wubul-baja mani-nka, jana binalku babaji-nka baja: yinya yukil? yabarrka yukil | children this teaching carried life all, world always telling more want-DAT, more take-DAT, they remembered ask-DAT instead: this enough? usually enough

karrkay kuku wundil wawu bubu wubul manil binalku babaji yukil

'is this enough?'=yinya yukil; wubul-baja 'more'


The old man said: Enough is a feast, and too much is a burden, and the whole art of a good life is learning where enough ends and too much begins.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Yukil mayi yalbay, wubul-baja dandi, wawu ngulkurrmu binal nyubun yala: binalka wanja yukil dungay, wanja wubul-baja badil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yukil mayi yalbay, wubul-baja dandi, wawu ngulkurr-mu binal nyubun yala: binal-ka wanja yukil dunga-y, wanja wubul-baja badi-l | old man said: enough feast big, too.much burden, good.life-POSS knowledge one thus: learn-DAT where enough ends, where too.much begins

yukil mayi yalbay wubul dandi wawu ngulkurr binal dungay badil

yukil 'enough'=feast; wubul-baja 'too much'=burden


The children learned to weigh and to measure and to count, but most of all they learned to know when to stop, which is the hardest measure of all.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman dandi nyajinka, kalbay nyajinka, wubul nyajinka, yambada wubulmuny jana binalman wanja bawanka, yinya dandi bajaku wubulmuny.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny dandi nyaji-nka, kalbay nyaji-nka, wubul nyaji-nka, yambada wubul-muny jana binal-ma-ny wanja bawa-nka, yinya dandi bajaku wubul-muny | children learned weight look-PURP, length look-PURP, number look-PURP, but most.of.all they learned where stop-PURP, that measure hardest all-ABL

karrkay binal dandi nyajil kalbay wubul bawal bajaku

three PURP -nka; wanja bawa-nka 'when to stop'; dandi bajaku ...-muny


The old woman said the best measure of a person is not how much they have gathered but how much they have given, for the first fills a dilly bag but the second fills a life.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bamamu dandi ngulkurr bajaku kari nyulu wanjarrinya bangkanmuny, yambada nyulu wanjarrinya dajinmuny, ngadiku ngunyin nandan, yindu wawu nandan.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama-mu dandi ngulkurr bajaku kari nyulu wanjarrinya bangka-ny-muny, yambada nyulu wanjarrinya daji-ny-muny, ngadiku ngunyin nanda-ny, yindu wawu nanda-ny | old.woman said: person-POSS measure best NEG how.much gathered-ABL, but how.much gave-ABL, first dilly.bag fills, second life fills

bama dandi ngulkurr wanjarrinya bangkal dajil ngunyin nandal wawu

dandi ngulkurr bajaku 'best measure'; gather-vs-give


The children came to see that the whole of a wise life could be held in a few small words: take enough, give freely, want little, thank always, and never measure yourself against another.

Karrkay-karrkayangka nyajin wawu binalmu wubulku kuku buban kanbalba kujil: yukil mani, ngulkurr-bu daji, buban wawu, yabarrka ngulkurr balka, kari yundu-yundu bama yindumuny milbi-ji.

karrkay-karrkay-angka nyaji-ny wawu binal-mu wubul-ku kuku buban kanbal-ba kuji-l: yukil mani, ngulkurr-bu daji, buban wawu, yabarrka ngulkurr balka, kari yundu-yundu bama yindu-muny milbi-ji | children saw life wise-POSS whole words small few-LOC held: enough take-IMP, freely give-IMP, little want-IMP, always thank-IMP, NEG yourself person other-ABL compare-REFL

karrkay nyajil wawu binal kuku buban kanbal yukil dajil milbil

kanbal-ba LOC(l→ba); five IMP summary; milbi-ji REFL


The old man said these words were older than he was, older than his grandfather, older than the oldest story, and they would be just as true for the children's children's children.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yinya kuku mukul-baja nyungumuny, mukul-baja nyungu ngajimuny, mukul-baja kuku ngadiku bajakumuny, yinya yukil janay karrkaymu karrkaymu karrkayka baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yinya kuku mukul-baja nyungu-muny, mukul-baja nyungu ngaji-muny, mukul-baja kuku ngadiku bajaku-muny, yinya yukil jana-y karrkay-mu karrkay-mu karrkay-ka baja | old man said: these words older him-ABL, older his grandfather-ABL, older story oldest-ABL, they true stand children-POSS children-POSS children-DAT too

kuku mukul nyungu ngaji ngadiku yukil janay karrkay

mukul-baja ...-muny x3 'older than'; deep-time


The children asked the old man if he was the wisest person in the world, and he laughed and said: No, I am only a person who has made more mistakes than you and remembered a few of them.

Karrkay-karrkayangka mukul dingkar babajin nyulu binal bajaku bubu wubulku, nyulu yajarrin, balkan: Kari, ngayu bama nganga, ngayu murnil wubul-baja yurramuny, kanbal binalku baja.

karrkay-karrkay-angka mukul dingkar babaji-ny nyulu binal bajaku bubu wubul-ku, nyulu yajarri-ny, balka-ny: kari, ngayu bama nganga, ngayu murni-l wubul-baja yurra-muny, kanbal binalku baja | children old man asked he wise most world all, he laughed, said: no, I person only, I mistakes more you.PL-ABL, few remembered too

karrkay babaji binal bubu yajarril bama nganga murnil wubul kanbal

binal bajaku 'wisest'; wubul-baja ...yurra-muny 'more than you'


And that, the old man said, is the only measure that matters in the end: not how much you gathered or how far you went, but how much kinder and wiser you were when you left than when you came.

Yinya, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, dandi nyubun ngulkurr ngadiku ngundu: kari yundu wanjarrinya bangkan, kari yundu kalakalbay dungan, yambada yundu wawu-mini-baja binal-baja dunganya yala kadanya.

yinya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, dandi nyubun ngulkurr ngadiku ngundu: kari yundu wanjarrinya bangka-ny, kari yundu kalakalbay dunga-ny, yambada yundu wawu-mini-baja binal-baja dunga-nya yala kada-nya | that, old man said, measure one matters end near: NEG you how.much gathered, NEG you far went, but you kinder wiser leaving-SUB as coming-SUB

yinya dandi nyubun ngulkurr wanjarrinya bangkal kalakalbay wawu binal kaday

wawu-ngulkurr-baja 'kinder'/binal-baja 'wiser'; dunga-nya yala kada-nya


The old woman said that feelings, like animals, all had names, and a child who could name what they felt already held it well.

Wulbumanangka balkan: wawu, yala minya, wubulku burri-ji, karrkay nyulu nyungu wawu kunjal binalmal, nyulu yinya wawu ngulkurr karrbal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: wawu, yala minya, wubul-ku burri-ji, karrkay nyulu nyungu wawu kunja-l binal-ma-l, nyulu yinya wawu ngulkurr karrba-l | old.woman said: feelings, like animals, all name-COMIT, child who his feeling name learns, he that feeling well holds

wawu minya burri karrkay binal ngulkurr karrbal

wawu 'feeling/spirit'; burri-nji COMIT; name-the-feeling


When you are happy, she said, that is wawu-mini, a bright spirit; and when you are sad, that is jiba-badiy, the liver weeping inside you.

Yundu wawu-mini janay, nyulu balkan, yinya wawu balbajil; yundu jiba-badi janay, yinya jiba dukurr badinya.

yundu wawu-mini jana-y, nyulu balka-ny, yinya wawu balbaji-l; yundu jiba-badi-y jana-y, yinya jiba dukurr badi-nya | you happy are, she said, that spirit shining; you sad are, that liver inside weeping-SUB

wawu-mini janay wawu balbajil jiba badil dukurr

wawu-mini 'happy'(attested); jiba-badiy 'sad'(liver-cry)


When you are afraid, that is yinil, and there is no shame in it, for even the bravest hunter feels yinil before a fight; the brave one only does not let it rule him.

Yundu yinil janay, yinya kari milka-murruji, balbibama wawu-junkurr bajaku yinil janay kuni-wanyjiku; wawu-junkurr nyulu nganga kari yinilbu kujil.

yundu yinil jana-y, yinya kari milka-murruji, balbi-bama wawu-junkurr bajaku yinil jana-y kuni-wa-nyjiku; wawu-junkurr nyulu nganga kari yinil-bu kuji-l | you afraid are, that NEG shame, hunter bravest fear feels fight-SUCC(before); brave he only NEG fear-INST ruled

yinil milka-murruji balbi wawu-junkurr kunil yinil

yinil 'fear'; milka-murruji 'shame'; wawu-junkurr 'brave'


When you are angry, that is dukul-wuri, and anger is like fire: a small one warms the camp and cooks the food, but a big one burns everything down and leaves only ash.

Yundu dukul-wuri janay, dukul-wuri yala baya: buban bayan wumbulmanil, mayi wayjul, yambada yalbay yamba wubulku wajun, nulu nganga bawal.

yundu dukul-wuri jana-y, dukul-wuri yala baya: buban bayan wumbul-ma-ni-l, mayi wayju-l, yambada yalbay yamba wubul-ku waju-l, nulu nganga bawa-l | you angry are, anger like fire: small camp warms, food cooks, but big things all burns, ash only leaves

dukul-wuri janay baya wumbul mayi wayjul nulu bawal


When you want something with your whole heart, that is wawu, and when you love a person or a place deeply, that is wawu jirray, the wanting that never grows tired.

Yundu yamba wawu wubulku wawu janay, yinya wawu, yundu bama bubu wawu jirray janay bada, yinya wawu jirray, wawu nyulu kari baja-burraymal yabarrka.

yundu yamba wawu wubul-ku wawu jana-y, yinya wawu, yundu bama bubu wawu jirray jana-y bada, yinya wawu jirray, wawu nyulu kari baja-burray-ma-l yabarrka | you thing want heart all want are, that wawu, you person place love are deep, that love, wanting which NEG tires ever

wawu 'want'(+DAT); wawu jirray 'love'(Patz)


The old woman said: A person who cannot name their feelings is like a hunter lost in the dark striking out at shadows, but a person who knows their own heart walks in the light.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama nyulu nyungu wawu murruji kunjal yala balbibama kilbaji wujurrbu wujurr kunil, yambada bama nyulu nyungu wawu binal wungara jilbay.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama nyulu nyungu wawu murruji kunja-l yala balbi-bama kilba-ji wujurr-bu wujurr kuni-l, yambada bama nyulu nyungu wawu binal wungar-a jilba-y | old.woman said: person who his feeling unable name like hunter lost dark-LOC shadows strikes, but person who his heart knows light-LOC walks

bama wawu murruji burril balbi kilbal wujurr binal jilbal

wujurr-ba LOC(rr→ba); wungar-a LOC(r→a); know-your-heart


The children learned the names of the feelings as they had learned the names of the animals, and just as with the animals, once a feeling was named its fear grew small.

Karrkay-karrkayangka wawumu burri binalman yala jana minyamu burri binalmanmuny, yala minyaji, wawu kunjanmuny yinil buban-manda.

karrkay-karrkay-angka wawu-mu burri binal-ma-ny yala jana minya-mu burri binal-ma-ny-muny, yala minya-ji, wawu kunja-ny-muny yinil buban-ma-ny-da | children feelings-POSS names learned as they animals-POSS names learned-ABL, as animals-COMIT, feeling named-ABL fear small-became

karrkay wawu burri binal minya yinil buban

naming-tames-fear; buban-ma-l 'grow small'


The old woman said the inner country was as wide and various as the outer country, with its own seasons and winds, its own storms and its own calm bright days.

Wulbumanangka balkan: wawu bubu yala yalbay yindu-yindu bubu badabadamuny, nyungu wungar, nyungu muyar, nyungu jarramali, nyungu wungar janka balbajil.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: wawu bubu yala yalbay yindu-yindu bubu badabada-muny, nyungu wungar, nyungu muyar, nyungu jarramali, nyungu wungar janka balbaji-l | old.woman said: inner country like wide various country outer-ABL, its seasons, its winds, its storms, its days calm shining

wawu bubu yalbay yindu badabada wungar muyar jarramali janka

wawu bubu 'inner country'; janka 'calm'(attested)


One night a young boy was afraid of the dark and could not sleep, and he lay stiff and cold with yinil crawling over his skin like ants.

Nyubun kunarangkal karrkay buban wujurrmuny yinil janay, murruji warngku wunay, nyulu wunan junkurr kiway yinil bangkarra walanya yala minya.

nyubun kunarangkal karrkay buban wujurr-muny yinil jana-y, murruji warngku wuna-y, nyulu wuna-ny junkurr kiway yinil bangkarr-a wala-nya yala minya | one night boy little dark-ABL afraid, unable sleep, he lay stiff cold fear body-LOC crawling-SUB like ants

kunarangkal karrkay wujurr yinil warngku wunay junkurr kiway bangkarr walal

wujurr-muny 'afraid of dark'; bangkarr-a LOC(r→a)


The old man heard the boy and came and sat beside him and asked gently: What is it you are afraid of? Name it to me, out loud, here in the dark.

Mukulungku dingkarangka karrkay milka-janan, kadan, nyungu ngundu bundan, wunbu babajin: Yundu wanyu yinil janay? Ngayku burri, kuku yalbaybu, wujurrbu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka karrkay milka-jana-ny, kada-ny, nyungu ngundu bunda-ny, wunbu babaji-ny: yundu wanyu yinil jana-y? ngayku burri, kuku yalbay-bu, wujurr-bu | old man boy heard, came, his near sat, gently asked: you what afraid are? me name-IMP, voice loud-INST, dark-LOC

mukul karrkay milkal bunday babaji wanyu yinil burril wujurr

wanyu yinil 'afraid of what'; wujurr-ba LOC; burri IMP


The boy said he did not know, only that the dark was full of shapes, and the old man said: The dark is empty; you are filling it yourself with the shapes of your own fear.

Karrkayangka balkan nyulu murruji binal, wujurr nganga yala-yalaji nandan, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Wujurr yamba-kari; yundu nyulu-nyulu nandanay nyungu yinilmu yalabu.

karrkay-angka balka-ny nyulu murruji binal, wujurr nganga yala-yala-ji nanda-ny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: wujurr yamba-kari; yundu nyulu-nyulu nanda-nay nyungu yinil-mu yala-bu | boy said he unable know, dark only shapes-COMIT full, old man said: dark empty; you yourself fill your fear-POSS shapes-INST

karrkay binal wujurr nandal yamba-kari nyulu-nyulu yinil yala

wujurr yamba-kari 'dark is empty'; you-fill-it-yourself


The old man said fear feeds on the dark, so bring it into the light: look straight at the thing you fear, name it, walk toward it, and watch it grow small.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yinil baya wujurrbu nukal, wungarka wundi: yamba yundu yinil janay yaral nyaji, burri, ngundu jilba, buban-manda nyaji.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yinil baya wujurr-bu nuka-l, wungar-ka wundi: yamba yundu yinil jana-y yaral nyaji, burri, ngundu jilba, buban-ma-ny-da nyaji | old man said: fear fire dark-INST feeds, light-DAT bring: thing you afraid are straight look-IMP, name-IMP, near walk-IMP, small-become watch-IMP

yinil baya wujurr nukal wungar yaral nyajil burril jilbal

wujurr-bu INST 'on dark'; four IMP cure-for-fear


The boy did as he was told and named his fears one by one, and the old man laughed and named some of his own, and by the naming both of them grew smaller and less.

Karrkayangka yala ngaran, nyungu yinil kunjan nyubun-nyubun, mukulungku dingkarangka yajarrin, nyungu yinil kanbal kunjan, kunjan jambulku buban-manda buban-baja.

karrkay-angka yala ngara-ny, nyungu yinil kunja-ny nyubun-nyubun, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka yajarri-ny, nyungu yinil kanbal kunja-ny, kunja-ny jambul-ku buban-ma-ny-da buban-baja | boy did thus, his fears named one.by.one, old man laughed, his fears some named, naming-INST both small-became less

karrkay ngaral yinil burril nyubun yajarril kanbal jambul buban

burri-l-bu INST 'by naming'; buban-baja 'less'


The boy slept well that night and every night after, for he had learned the oldest cure for fear: to look at it, to name it, and to share it with someone who is not afraid.

Karrkay ngulkurr warngku wunan yinya kunarangkal, kunarangkal wubulku baja, nyulu binalman yinilmu kakawarri ngadiku bajaku: nyajinka, kunjanka, bama yinil-kariji daji-wayka.

karrkay ngulkurr warngku wuna-ny yinya kunarangkal, kunarangkal wubul-ku baja, nyulu binal-ma-ny yinil-mu kakawarri ngadiku bajaku: nyaji-nka, kunja-nka, bama yinil-kari-ji daji-wa-y-ka | boy well slept that night, nights all too, he learned fear-POSS cure oldest: look-DAT, name-DAT, person fear-without-COMIT share-DAT

karrkay warngku wunay kunarangkal binal yinil kakawarri burril dajil

yinil-kari-ji 'with the unafraid'; daji-wa-y-ka RECIP


The old man said courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it, and the person who says they have never been afraid is either a liar or a fool, and probably both.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: wawu-junkurr kari yinil-kari, yambada yinil kujil, bama nyulu balkal nyulu kari yinil yabarrka janan, nyulu warmbijibama binal-kari, jambulku baja nguba.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: wawu-junkurr kari yinil-kari, yambada yinil kuji-l, bama nyulu balka-l nyulu kari yinil yabarrka jana-ny, nyulu warmbiji-bama binal-kari, jambul-ku baja nguba | old man said: courage NEG fear-less, but fear masters, person who says he NEG afraid ever was, he liar fool, both too perhaps

wawu-junkurr yinil kujil balkal warmbiji binal jambul nguba

yinil-kari 'fearless'; nguba 'perhaps'(Patz); warmbiji-bama 'liar'


The children learned that being brave did not mean feeling no fear but doing the right thing while afraid, and that this was harder and finer than fearing nothing at all.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman wawu-junkurr kari yinil-kari, yambada yamba yukil ngaranka yinil jananya, yinya dandi-baja ngulkurr-baja yinil-karimuny.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny wawu-junkurr kari yinil-kari, yambada yamba yukil ngara-nka yinil jana-nya, yinya dandi-baja ngulkurr-baja yinil-kari-muny | children learned courage NEG fear-less, but thing right do-DAT afraid being-SUB, that harder finer fear-less-ABL

karrkay binal wawu-junkurr yinil yamba yukil dandi ngulkurr

dandi-baja 'harder'/ngulkurr-baja 'finer' ...-muny


Two men quarrelled over a hunting ground, and their anger grew hot and fast like a grass fire, and hard words passed between them that could not be unsaid.

Dingkar jambul balbi-bubuka kuni-wan, jana dukul-wuri wumbulmanda junkurr yala baya jikanba, kuku junkurr jana ngundu dungan kari murnilnyjiku.

dingkar jambul balbi-bubu-ka kuni-wa-ny, jana dukul-wuri wumbul-ma-ny-da junkurr yala baya jikan-ba, kuku junkurr jana ngundu dunga-ny kari murni-l-nyjiku | men two hunting.ground-DAT argued, their anger hot-became fast like fire grass-LOC, words hard them between passed NEG unsay-SUCC

dingkar jambul kunil dukul-wuri wumbul junkurr baya jikan kuku

kuni-wa-y RECIP; jikan-ba LOC(n→ba); anger-as-grassfire


The old man stepped between them and said: Anger is a guest who comes quickly and eats everything and burns the house, so do not let it speak for you; wait until it leaves.

Mukulungku dingkarangka jana ngundu janay, balkan: Dukul-wuri bama yindu nyulu junkurr kadan, yamba wubulku nukal, bayan wajun, kari yundunka balkanka bawa; maku-jana nyulu dunganyjiku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka jana ngundu jana-y, balka-ny: dukul-wuri bama yindu nyulu junkurr kada-ny, yamba wubul-ku nuka-l, bayan waju-l, kari yundu-nka balka-nka bawa; maku-jana nyulu dunga-nyjiku | old man them between stood, said: anger guest who fast comes, things all eats, house burns, NEG you-for speak-PURP let; wait it leave-SUCC

dukul-wuri bama yindu kaday nukal bayan wayjul balkal bawal maku-janay

anger-as-guest; kari...bawa 'do not let'; maku-jana IMP wait


The two men were silent a while, and slowly their anger cooled like coals going grey, and when they spoke again their words were quiet and they saw the ground could be shared.

Dingkar jambul wunbu janay kanbalka, buban-buban jana dukul-wuri kiwaymanda yala ngunjil ngungulmanda, jana balkanda baja kuku wunbu, jana nyajin bubu daji-wa-nka.

dingkar jambul wunbu jana-y kanbal-ka, buban-buban jana dukul-wuri kiway-ma-ny-da yala ngunjil ngungul-ma-ny-da, jana balka-ny-da baja kuku wunbu, jana nyaji-ny bubu daji-wa-nka | men two quiet stood while, slowly their anger cool-became like coals grey-became, they spoke-then again words quiet, they saw ground share-PURP

dingkar wunbu kanbal dukul-wuri kiway ngunjil ngungul balkal daji

kiway-ma-l 'cool'; ngungul-ma-l 'grey'; daji-wa-nka PURP


The old man said: A word said in anger is a spear you cannot call back, so when the fire rises in you, close your mouth, open your ears, and wait for the cool to come.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kuku dukul-wuringa balkanmuny yala kalka yundu kari balka baja, baya yununda wandinya, ngandal nanda, milka yalbay-bunga, maku-jana kiway kadanyjiku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kuku dukul-wuri-nga balka-ny-muny yala kalka yundu kari balka baja, baya yunu-nda wandi-nya, ngandal nanda, milka yalbay-bunga, maku-jana kiway kada-nyjiku | old man said: word anger-LOC said like spear you NEG call.back, fire you-LOC rising-SUB, mouth close-IMP, ears big-make-IMP, wait cool come-SUCC

kuku dukul-wuri balkal kalka baya yunu ngandal milka maku-janay kiway


The children learned that anger was not bad in itself, for anger at a real wrong could give a person the strength to set it right, but anger let loose blindly only made more wrong.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman dukul-wuri kari mumbu nganga, dukul-wuri yamba mumbu yukilka bamaka junkurr dajil ngulkurr-bunganka, yambada dukul-wuri nganga bawanmuny mumbu wubul-baja ngaran.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny dukul-wuri kari mumbu nganga, dukul-wuri yamba mumbu yukil-ka bama-ka junkurr daji-l ngulkurr-bunga-nka, yambada dukul-wuri nganga bawa-ny-muny mumbu wubul-baja ngara-ny | children learned anger NEG bad itself, anger wrong real-DAT person-DAT strength gives fix-PURP, but anger blindly let.loose-ABL wrong more made

karrkay dukul-wuri mumbu yukil junkurr dajil bawal wubul

anger-not-bad-in-itself; ngulkurr-bunga-nka PURP 'fix'


The old woman said the person who never gets angry at cruelty has a cold heart, but the person who cannot cool their anger has a dangerous one, and wisdom lives between the two.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama nyulu kari dukul-wuri yamba yinilka nyungu wawu kiway, yambada bama nyulu murruji dukul-wuri kiwaymanil nyungu wawu yinil, binal jambulku ngundu bundanay.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama nyulu kari dukul-wuri yamba yinil-ka nyungu wawu kiway, yambada bama nyulu murruji dukul-wuri kiway-ma-ni-l nyungu wawu yinil, binal jambul-ku ngundu bunda-nay | old.woman said: person who NEG angry cruelty-DAT his heart cold, but person who unable anger cool his heart dangerous, wisdom two between lives

bama dukul-wuri yinil wawu kiway binal jambul bunday

wawu kiway 'cold heart'; wisdom-between-extremes


The two men who had quarrelled became friends after that, for they had seen each other's anger and each other's cooling, and a person you have quarrelled with and made peace with is bound to you.

Dingkar jambul kuni-wanmuny yaba-manda baja, jana nyajin nyubun-nyubunmu dukul-wuri, nyubun-nyubunmu kiwaymandanya, bama nyulu yundu kuni-wan, wunbu-manda baja, yununda kajil.

dingkar jambul kuni-wa-ny-muny yaba-ma-ny-da baja, jana nyaji-ny nyubun-nyubun-mu dukul-wuri, nyubun-nyubun-mu kiway-ma-ny-da-nya, bama nyulu yundu kuni-wa-ny, wunbu-ma-ny-da baja, yunu-nda kaji-l | men two argued-ABL friends-became, they saw each.other-POSS anger, each.other-POSS cooling-SUB, person who you argued, made.peace, you-LOC bound

dingkar kunil yaba nyajil dukul-wuri kiway wunbu kajal

yaba-ma-l 'become friends'; wunbu-ma-l 'make peace'; yunu-nda LOC


The old man said the fastest way to lose a friend is to win an argument with them, and the surest way to keep one is to let them keep their pride while you keep the peace.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yala junkurr bajaku yaba kilbanka yundu nyulu kukungu junkurrmanka, yala yukil bajaku yaba kujinka yundu nyungu wawu-yalbay bawal yundu wunbu kujil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yala junkurr bajaku yaba kilba-nka yundu nyulu kuku-nga junkurr-ma-nka, yala yukil bajaku yaba kuji-nka yundu nyungu wawu-yalbay bawa-l yundu wunbu kuji-l | old man said: way fastest friend lose-PURP you him argument-LOC win-PURP, way surest friend keep-PURP you his pride leave, you peace keep

junkurr yaba kilbal kuku kujil wawu-yalbay bawal wunbu

junkurr bajaku 'fastest'; kuku-nga junkurr-ma-l 'win argument'


When the old woman's sister died, she sat alone and did not eat or speak for three days, and her face was walu-jirrbu-jirrbu, the deep sadness that has no words.

Wulbumanmu yaba wulanda, wulbuman nganga bundan, kari nukan, kari balkan, wungar kulur, nyungu walu walu-jirrbu-jirrbu, jiba-badi bada kuku-kari.

wulbuman-mu yaba wula-ny-da, wulbuman nganga bunda-ny, kari nuka-ny, kari balka-ny, wungar kulur, nyungu walu walu-jirrbu-jirrbu, jiba-badiy bada kuku-kari | old.woman-POSS sister died-then, old.woman alone sat, NEG ate, NEG spoke, days three, her face sad, grief deep word-less

yaba wulay nganga bunday kulur walu jirrbu jiba badil

walu-jirrbu-jirrbu 'sad'(attested); kulur 'three'; wordless grief


The people did not try to take her grief away, but sat with her in her silence, brought her water, kept her fire, and let the sadness run its course.

Bayanmu bama kari nyungu jiba-badi kudamundu manin, yambada jana nyungu ngundu bundan wunbungu, bana wundin, baya kujin, jiba-badi nyungu yala dungay bawan.

bayan-mu bama kari nyungu jiba-badiy kudamundu mani-ny, yambada jana nyungu ngundu bunda-ny wunbu-ngu, bana wundi-ny, baya kuji-ny, jiba-badiy nyungu yala dunga-y bawa-ny | camp-POSS people NEG her grief away took, but they her near sat silence-LOC, water brought, fire kept, grief its way go let

bama jiba kudamundu manil bunday wunbu bana baya kujil bawal

wunbu-ngu LOC(u→ngu); sit-with-grief; let-it-run


The old man said grief is love with nowhere to go, and the more you loved the heavier the grief, so a heavy grief is not a thing to be ashamed of but the measure of a great love.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: jiba-badi wawu jirray wanja-kari, yundu wawu jirray wubul-baja, jiba-badi dandi-baja, jiba-badi dandi kari milka-murrujimu, yambada wawu jirray yalbaymu dandi.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: jiba-badiy wawu jirray wanja-kari, yundu wawu jirray wubul-baja, jiba-badiy dandi-baja, jiba-badiy dandi kari milka-murruji-mu, yambada wawu jirray yalbay-mu dandi | old man said: grief love place-less, you love more, grief heavier, grief heavy NEG shame-POSS, but love great-POSS measure

jiba wawu jirray wanja-kari wubul dandi milka-murruji yalbay


On the fourth day the old woman came back to the fire, ate a little, and spoke a few words, and the people welcomed her back gently, without any fuss, as if she had only been away on a journey.

Wungar yindungu wulbuman baya ngundu kadan baja, buban nukan, kuku kanbal balkan, bama nyulu wunbu ngulkurr manin baja, kari kuku wubulku, yala nyulu nganga dungay dunganmuny.

wungar yindu-ngu wulbuman baya ngundu kada-ny baja, buban nuka-ny, kuku kanbal balka-ny, bama nyulu wunbu ngulkurr mani-ny baja, kari kuku wubul-ku, yala nyulu nganga dunga-y dunga-ny-muny | day fourth-LOC old.woman fire near came back, little ate, words few spoke, people her gently well took back, NEG words many, like she only journey went-ABL

wungar yindu wulbuman baya nukal kuku kanbal wunbu dungay


The children asked how long grief lasted, and the old woman said: It never fully ends, but it changes; sharp pain becomes a soft ache, and the soft ache becomes a warm remembering, and that you keep forever.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babajin jiba-badi yala kalbay janay, wulbumanangka balkan: Kari yukil dungay yabarrka, yambada murnil; kaka junkurr kaka bubanmanda, kaka buban wumbul binalku-manda, yinya yundu kujil yabarrka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babaji-ny jiba-badiy yala kalbay jana-y, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kari yukil dunga-y yabarrka, yambada murni-l; kaka junkurr kaka buban-ma-ny-da, kaka buban wumbul binalku-ma-ny-da, yinya yundu kuji-l yabarrka | children asked grief how long lasts, old.woman said: NEG fully ends ever, but changes; pain sharp ache soft-becomes, ache soft warm remembering-becomes, that you keep forever

jiba kalbay yukil dungay murnil kaka junkurr buban wumbul binalku

grief-changes-not-ends; kaka 'pain/ache'; binalku 'remembering'


The old woman said the worst thing was not the grief but the fear of the grief, for people who run from their sadness carry it unfelt forever, but people who sit with it are set free by it in the end.

Wulbumanangka balkan: yamba mumbu bajaku kari jiba-badi, yambada jiba-badimu yinil, bama nyulu nyungu walu-jirrbu-jirrbumuny warri yinya wundil milka-kari yabarrka, yambada bama nyulu ngundu bundanay yinyabu kaja-kari-manda ngadiku.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yamba mumbu bajaku kari jiba-badiy, yambada jiba-badiy-mu yinil, bama nyulu nyungu walu-jirrbu-jirrbu-muny warri yinya wundi-l milka-kari yabarrka, yambada bama nyulu ngundu bunda-nay yinya-bu kaja-kari-ma-ny-da ngadiku | old.woman said: thing worst NEG grief, but grief-POSS fear, person who his sadness-ABL runs that carries NEG felt ever, but person who near sits it-INST free-becomes end

jiba mumbu yinil walu jirrbu warri wundil milkal bunday kaja

jiba-badiy-mu yinil 'fear of grief'; warri E-017; kaja-kari 'free'


The children learned that to comfort a grieving person you do not need the right words, for there are no right words; you need only to be there, and to stay, and to let them not be alone.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman bama jiba-badi wunbu-bunganka yundu murruji kuku yukil, kuku yukil kari janay; yundu ngundu janay nganga, bundanay, nyulu kari nganga janay bawal.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny bama jiba-badiy wunbu-bunga-nka yundu murruji kuku yukil, kuku yukil kari jana-y; yundu ngundu jana-y nganga, bunda-nay, nyulu kari nganga jana-y bawa-l | children learned person grieving comfort-PURP you unable words right, words right NEG exist; you near stand only, stay, he NEG alone stand let

karrkay jiba wunbu kuku yukil janay nganga bunday bawal

wunbu-bunga-nka 'comfort'PURP; no-right-words; just-be-there


The old man said the greatest gift you can give a grieving person is not to try to lift their sadness away, but simply to sit down inside it with them and share the weight.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: dajil yalbay bajaku yundu bama jiba-badika daji, kari nyungu walu-jirrbu-jirrbu wangkar maninka, yambada nyulu ngundu dukurr bundanka, dandi daji-wayka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: daji-l yalbay bajaku yundu bama jiba-badiy-ka daji, kari nyungu walu-jirrbu-jirrbu wangkar mani-nka, yambada nyulu ngundu dukurr bunda-nka, dandi daji-wa-y-ka | old man said: gift greatest you person grieving give, NEG their sadness up lift-PURP, but him near inside sit-PURP, weight share-PURP

dajil yalbay jiba walu jirrbu wangkar manil bunday dandi

share-the-weight; dandi daji-wa-y-ka 'share weight'PURP


A boy watched his cousin get a fine new spear and felt ngujan, jealousy, a fat grub turning in his belly, and it made him cross with his cousin for no reason at all.

Karrkay nyungu yaba kalka jirakal ngulkurr manin nyajin, ngujan janay, kurran wandul jibara murninya, yinya nyulu dukul-wuri-manin nyungu yabaka nganga.

karrkay nyungu yaba kalka jirakal ngulkurr mani-ny nyaji-ny, ngujan jana-y, kurran wandul jibar-a murni-nya, yinya nyulu dukul-wuri-ma-ni-ny nyungu yaba-ka nganga | boy his cousin spear new fine got saw, jealous was, grub fat belly-LOC turning-SUB, that him angry-made his cousin-DAT for.nothing

karrkay yaba kalka jirakal ngujan kurran wandul jibar dukul-wuri

ngujan 'jealous'(attested); jibar-a LOC(r→a); dukul-wuri-ma-l 'anger'


The old woman saw the jealousy in the boy's face and said: Ngujan is a thief who robs you of what you have by making you stare at what you do not have.

Wulbumanangka ngujan nyajin karrkaymu walungu, balkan: Ngujan bama nyulu manil, yundu nyungu yamba kilbamanil, yundu yamba-karika nyajinya nganga.

wulbuman-angka ngujan nyaji-ny karrkay-mu walu-ngu, balka-ny: ngujan bama nyulu mani-l, yundu nyungu yamba kilba-ma-ni-l, yundu yamba-kari-ka nyaji-nya nganga | old.woman jealousy saw boy-POSS face-LOC, said: jealousy thief who takes, you your things loses, you not-having-DAT staring only

ngujan nyajil walu bama manil yamba kilbal yamba-kari


The old woman said: Your cousin's spear does not make your own any worse; it is the same spear it was before you saw his, so the loss is not real — you made it yourself, in your own mind.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Yaba nyungu kalka yundu nyungu kalka kari mumbu-manil; nyubun kalka yala ngadiku yundu nyungumuny nyajinyjiku, yinya kilba kari yukil — yundu nyulu-nyulu ngaran, nyungu milkanga.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yaba nyungu kalka yundu nyungu kalka kari mumbu-ma-ni-l; nyubun kalka yala ngadiku yundu nyungu-muny nyaji-nyjiku, yinya kilba kari yukil — yundu nyulu-nyulu ngara-ny, nyungu milka-nga | old.woman said: cousin his spear you your spear NEG worse-makes; same spear as before you his-ABL see-SUCC, that loss NEG real — you yourself made, your mind-LOC

yaba kalka mumbu nyubun ngadiku kilbal yukil milka

mumbu-ma-ni-l 'make worse'; milka-nga LOC(a→nga); loss-is-in-your-mind


The old man said there will always be a bigger spear and a better hunter and a finer catch, so the person who measures their worth by comparison will never be at peace, not even for a single day.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yabarrka kalka yalbay-baja janay, balbibama ngulkurr-baja, minya ngulkurr-baja, bama nyulu nyungu dandi milbijibu nyajil kari wawu-mini janay yabarrka, kari wungar nyubunba baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yabarrka kalka yalbay-baja jana-y, balbi-bama ngulkurr-baja, minya ngulkurr-baja, bama nyulu nyungu dandi milbi-ji-bu nyaji-l kari wawu-mini jana-y yabarrka, kari wungar nyubun-ba baja | old man said: always spear bigger exists, hunter better, catch finer, person who his worth comparison-INST looks NEG happy is ever, NEG day one-LOC even

kalka yalbay balbi ngulkurr minya dandi milbil wawu-mini nyubun

milbi-ji-bu 'by comparison'; wawu-mini 'happy'; nyubun-ba LOC(n→ba)


The old woman taught the cure for jealousy: when you feel ngujan rising, turn your eyes from what another has to what you have, and look at it slowly until the wanting quiets.

Wulbumanangka milbin ngujanmu kakawarri: yundu ngujan wandinya milkanya, yundu miyil murni bama yindumu yambamuny yundu nyungu yambaka, nyaji buban-buban wawu wunbu-manyjiku.

wulbuman-angka milbi-ny ngujan-mu kakawarri: yundu ngujan wandi-nya milka-nya, yundu miyil murni bama yindu-mu yamba-muny yundu nyungu yamba-ka, nyaji buban-buban wawu wunbu-ma-nyjiku | old.woman showed jealousy-POSS cure: you jealousy rising feeling-SUB, you eyes turn person other-POSS things-ABL your things-DAT, look slowly want quiet-become-SUCC

ngujan kakawarri wandil milka miyil murnil yamba nyajil wunbu

cure-for-jealousy; miyil murni 'turn eyes'; wawu wunbu-ma-l 'want quiets'


The children learned that ngujan and wawu-mini could not live in the same heart at the same time, so filling your heart with gratitude leaves no room for envy to take root.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman ngujan wawu-mini murruji nyubun wawungu nyubun wungara bundanka, wawu wawu-minibu nandanmuny ngujan kari wanja janay bangkanka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny ngujan wawu-mini murruji nyubun wawu-ngu nyubun wungar-a bunda-nka, wawu wawu-mini-bu nanda-ny-muny ngujan kari wanja jana-y bangka-nka | children learned jealousy happiness unable one heart-LOC one time-LOC live, heart happiness-INST filled-ABL jealousy NEG room stands take.root-PURP

ngujan wawu-mini nyubun wawu wungar nandal wanja bangkal

wawu-ngu LOC(u→ngu); wungar-a LOC(r→a); can't-hold-both


The old man said the happiest people were not those who had everything they wanted but those who wanted what they already had, and this was a skill that could be learned like any other.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bama wawu-mini bajaku kari jana yamba wubulku wawumuny karrbal, yambada jana yamba nyungu ngadiku karrbal wawu, yinya yala binalka yala yamba yindu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bama wawu-mini bajaku kari jana yamba wubul-ku wawu-muny karrba-l, yambada jana yamba nyungu ngadiku karrba-l wawu, yinya yala binal-ka yala yamba yindu | old man said: people happiest NEG those things all want-ABL hold, but those things their already hold want, that skill learn-able like thing other

bama wawu-mini yamba wawu karrbal ngadiku binal yindu

wawu-mini bajaku 'happiest'; want-what-you-have


The boy went to his cousin and asked to see the new spear up close, admired it honestly, and his cousin let him throw it once — and the ngujan was gone, replaced by a shared pleasure.

Karrkay nyungu yabaka dungan, kalka jirakal ngundu nyajinka babajin, yukil ngulkurr balkan, nyungu yaba nyulu yilbanka bawan nyubun — ngujan dungan, wawu-mini daji-way kadan baja.

karrkay nyungu yaba-ka dunga-ny, kalka jirakal ngundu nyaji-nka babaji-ny, yukil ngulkurr balka-ny, nyungu yaba nyulu yilba-nka bawa-ny nyubun — ngujan dunga-ny, wawu-mini daji-wa-y kada-ny baja | boy his cousin-DAT went, spear new near see-PURP asked, honestly well spoke(praised), his cousin him throw-PURP let once — jealousy gone, happiness shared came instead

karrkay yaba kalka nyajil babaji yilbal bawal ngujan wawu-mini

jealousy-cured-by-sharing; ngujan dungan 'jealousy gone'


The old woman said the strange truth about ngujan is that it is cured not by getting what the other has but by rejoicing that they have it — for a shared joy is doubled and a grudged one is halved.

Wulbumanangka balkan: ngujanmu kuku yukil yinil: nyulu kakawarrimal kari yundu bama yindumu yamba manilmuny, yambada yundu wawu-mini janay nyulu karrbalmuny — wawu-mini daji-wanmuny jambulmanil, ngujanbu kujinmuny buban-manil.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: ngujan-mu kuku yukil yinil: nyulu kakawarri-ma-l kari yundu bama yindu-mu yamba mani-l-muny, yambada yundu wawu-mini jana-y nyulu karrba-l-muny — wawu-mini daji-wa-ny-muny jambul-ma-ni-l, ngujan-bu kuji-ny-muny buban-ma-ni-l | old.woman said: jealousy-POSS truth strange: it cured NEG you person other-POSS thing take-ABL, but you happy are he holds-ABL — joy shared-ABL doubles, jealousy-INST kept-ABL halves

ngujan kuku yukil kakawarri yamba manil wawu-mini jambul buban

shared-joy-doubled; jambul-ma-ni-l 'doubles'/buban-ma-ni-l 'halves'


The children learned to be glad for others' good fortune, and they found that a person who can rejoice in another's joy has many joys, while a person eaten by ngujan has none, however much they own.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman bama yindumu ngulkurrka wawu-mini janayka, jana nyajin bama nyulu bama yindumu wawu-mininga wawu-mini janay wawu-mini wubulji, bama ngujanbu nukanmuny wawu-mini-kari, nyulu yamba wubul karrbal baja.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny bama yindu-mu ngulkurr-ka wawu-mini jana-y-ka, jana nyaji-ny bama nyulu bama yindu-mu wawu-mini-nga wawu-mini jana-y wawu-mini wubul-ji, bama ngujan-bu nuka-ny-muny wawu-mini-kari, nyulu yamba wubul karrba-l baja | children learned others-POSS fortune-DAT glad be-DAT, they saw person who others-POSS joy-LOC happy is joys many-COMIT, person jealousy-INST eaten-ABL joy-less, he things many holds too

karrkay bama ngulkurr wawu-mini nyajil ngujan nukal wubul karrbal

wawu-mini-nga LOC(i→nga); rejoice-in-others'-joy; wawu-mini-kari 'joyless'


The old man said the whole secret of a peaceful heart is this: want less, give more, compare never, and be grateful for the ordinary morning that a thousand grieving people would trade everything to have.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: wawu wunbumu kuku nyubun yala: buban wawu, wubul-baja daji, kari milbi-ji yabarrka, wawu-mini janay wunkuwingku nganga bama jiba-badi wubul yamba wubulku daji-wa-nka nyungumuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: wawu wunbu-mu kuku nyubun yala: buban wawu, wubul-baja daji, kari milbi-ji yabarrka, wawu-mini jana-y wunkuwingku nganga bama jiba-badiy wubul yamba wubul-ku daji-wa-nka nyungu-muny | old man said: heart peaceful-POSS secret one thus: little want-IMP, more give-IMP, NEG compare-REFL ever, grateful be-IMP ordinary.morning grieving.people many things all trade-PURP it-ABL

wawu wunbu kuku wawu daji milbil wawu-mini wunkuwingku jiba

peaceful-heart-recipe; four IMP; milbi-ji REFL


The children carried these teachings, and though they still felt jealousy and anger and fear and grief all their lives, they had learned that feelings are weather, not climate: they pass, if you let them.

Karrkay-karrkayangka yinya kuku wundin, jana ngujan dukul-wuri yinil jiba-badi milka-binalku wawu wubulku, yambada jana binalman wawu yala wungar, kari bubu: nyulu dungay, kaki yundu bawal.

karrkay-karrkay-angka yinya kuku wundi-ny, jana ngujan dukul-wuri yinil jiba-badiy milka-binalku wawu wubul-ku, yambada jana binal-ma-ny wawu yala wungar, kari bubu: nyulu dunga-y, kaki yundu bawa-l | children these teachings carried, they jealousy anger fear grief felt life all, but they learned feelings like weather, NEG climate: they pass, if you let

karrkay kuku wundil ngujan dukul-wuri yinil jiba milkal wawu wungar

feelings-are-weather; kaki+NONPAST 'if you let'


The old woman said the inner life must be tended like a garden: pull the weeds of envy and anger while they are small, water the flowers of love and gratitude, and be patient, for nothing good grows overnight.

Wulbumanangka balkan: wawu bubu nyajinka yala mayi-bubu: ngujan dukul-wuri yala jikan buban jananya wandi, wawu jirray wawu-mini yala nganka banabu daji, wunbu janay, yamba ngulkurr kari kunarangkal nyubunba kambal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: wawu bubu nyaji-nka yala mayi-bubu: ngujan dukul-wuri yala jikan buban jana-nya wandi, wawu jirray wawu-mini yala nganka bana-bu daji, wunbu jana-y, yamba ngulkurr kari kunarangkal nyubun-ba kamba-l | old.woman said: inner.life tend-DAT like garden: jealousy anger like weeds small being-SUB pull-IMP, love happiness like flowers water-INST give-IMP, patient be, thing good NEG night one-LOC grows

wawu bubu nyajil ngujan dukul-wuri jikan wawu-mini nganka bana kamba

inner-life-as-garden; nyubun-ba LOC(n→ba); tend-daily


The children came to see that mastering the inner country was harder than mastering the outer, for the animals of the heart leave no tracks and the weather of the mind gives no warning before it turns.

Karrkay-karrkayangka nyajin wawu bubu kujinka dandi-baja bubu badabada kujilmuny, wawumu minya kari jina bawal, milkamu wungar kari milbil murninyjiku.

karrkay-karrkay-angka nyaji-ny wawu bubu kuji-nka dandi-baja bubu badabada kuji-l-muny, wawu-mu minya kari jina bawa-l, milka-mu wungar kari milbi-l murni-nyjiku | children saw inner.country master-DAT harder outer.country master-ABL, heart-POSS animals NEG tracks leave, mind-POSS weather NEG shows turn-SUCC(before)

wawu bubu kujil dandi badabada minya jina milka wungar murnil

dandi-baja ...-muny 'harder than'; heart's-animals-leave-no-tracks


The old man said: You will spend your whole life learning to live inside your own heart and you will never fully master it, but the trying is itself the good life, and the person who stops trying is already half dead.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Yundu wawu kalbay wubulku binalmal nyungu wawu dukurr bundanka, yundu murruji yukil kujil, yambada kirrajil nyulu-nyulu wawu ngulkurr, bama nyulu kirrajil bawal wulay buban baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yundu wawu kalbay wubul-ku binal-ma-l nyungu wawu dukurr bunda-nka, yundu murruji yukil kuji-l, yambada kirraji-l nyulu-nyulu wawu ngulkurr, bama nyulu kirraji-l bawa-l wula-y buban baja | old man said: you life long all learn your heart inside live-PURP, you unable fully master, but trying itself life good, person who trying leaves dies half too

wawu kalbay binal dukurr bunday kujil kirraji bawal wulay


The children asked the old man if he had mastered his own heart, and he laughed his big laugh and said: No, but after so many seasons I have finally learned its weather well enough to keep the rain off.

Karrkay-karrkayangka mukul dingkar babajin nyulu nyungu wawu yukil kujin, nyulu yajarrin yalbay, balkan: Kari, yambada wungar wubul kudamundu ngayu nyungu wungar binalman ngulkurr, kaba nandanka binal.

karrkay-karrkay-angka mukul dingkar babaji-ny nyulu nyungu wawu yukil kuji-ny, nyulu yajarri-ny yalbay, balka-ny: kari, yambada wungar wubul kudamundu ngayu nyungu wungar binal-ma-ny ngulkurr, kaba nanda-nka binal | children old man asked he his heart fully mastered, he laughed big, said: no, but seasons many after I its weather learned well, rain keep.off-PURP know

karrkay mukul wawu yukil kujil yajarril wungar binal kaba

self-deprecating-wisdom; kaba nanda-nka 'keep rain off'


The old woman said the mark of a person who has truly grown is not that they no longer feel jealousy or anger or fear, but that these feelings no longer own them: they are guests now, not masters.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama nyulu yukil kambanmuny nyungu milbil kari nyulu ngujan dukul-wuri yinil kari milkal, yambada yinya wawu kari nyulu kujil: jana nyiku bama yindu, kari kujibama.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama nyulu yukil kamba-ny-muny nyungu milbi-l kari nyulu ngujan dukul-wuri yinil kari milka-l, yambada yinya wawu kari nyulu kuji-l: jana nyiku bama yindu, kari kuji-bama | old.woman said: person who truly grown-ABL its mark NEG he jealousy anger fear NEG feels, but those feelings NEG him own: they now guests, NEG masters

bama yukil kamba milbil ngujan dukul-wuri yinil milkal wawu kujil


And so the children learned the last and hardest lesson of all: that a person is not their feelings but the quiet watcher behind them, and that this watcher, once found, can never be truly troubled again.

Yalaku karrkay-karrkay binalman milbil ngadiku dandi bajaku wubulmuny: bama kari nyungu wawu, yambada nyajilbama wunbu kudamundu, yinya nyajilbama, nyajinmuny, kari yukil yinil-manda baja yabarrka.

yala-ku karrkay-karrkay binal-ma-ny milbi-l ngadiku dandi bajaku wubul-muny: bama kari nyungu wawu, yambada nyaji-l-bama wunbu kudamundu, yinya nyaji-l-bama, nyaji-ny-muny, kari yukil yinil-ma-ny-da baja yabarrka | thus children learned lesson last hardest all-ABL: person NEG their feelings, but watcher quiet behind, that watcher, found-ABL, NEG truly troubled-becomes again ever

karrkay binal milbil dandi bama wawu nyajil wunbu yinil

you-are-not-your-feelings; nyaji-l-bama 'the watcher'; final lesson


The old man taught the boy to cover the coals with ash before sleeping, lest a wind come in the night and the fire get into the dry grass.

Mukulungku dingkarangka karrkay milbin: ngunjil nulubu nanda-ngarr, muyar kunarangkal kada-nyji, baya jikanba dunga-nyji.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka karrkay milbi-ny: ngunjil nulu-bu nanda-ngarr, muyar kunarangkal kada-nyji, baya jikan-ba dunga-nyji | old man boy taught: coals ash-INST cover-first, wind night come-PRECAUT, fire grass-LOC go-PRECAUT

mukul karrkay milbil ngunjil nulu nanda muyar kada baya jikan

nanda-ngarr TEMP3(a); kada-nyji/dunga-nyji PRECAUT; jikan-ba LOC


He said never leave a living fire alone, lest it wander off like a child and rise into the dry grass and make trouble for everyone.

Nyulu balkan: kari yundu baya nganga bawa nyulu kariku wula, baya karrkay yala dunga-nyji, jikanba wanda-nyji, bama wubulku mumbu-manyji.

nyulu balka-ny: kari yundu baya nganga bawa nyulu kariku wula, baya karrkay yala dunga-nyji, jikan-ba wanda-nyji, bama wubul-ku mumbu-ma-nyji | he said: NEG you fire alone leave it not.yet dies, fire child like go-PRECAUT, grass-LOC rise-PRECAUT, people all bad-become-PRECAUT

baya nganga bawal kariku wulay karrkay jikan wandil mumbu

three -nyji PRECAUT; kariku 'not yet'; jikan-ba LOC


First gather the small dry twigs, then the bigger sticks, then the heavy logs, for a fire built the other way round dies before it grows.

Ngadiku juku kaykay marral bangka-ngarr, yindu juku yalbay-baja, yindu juku dandi, baya yala-yindubu bunganmuny kariku kambal wula.

ngadiku juku kaykay marral bangka-ngarr, yindu juku yalbay-baja, yindu juku dandi, baya yala-yindu-bu bunga-ny-muny kariku kamba-l wula | first sticks small dry gather-first, then sticks bigger, then logs heavy, fire way-other-INST made-ABL not.yet grows dies

juku kaykay marral bangkal yalbay dandi baya bungal kamba

bangka-ngarr TEMP3; kaykay 'small'; marral 'dry'; sequencing


Wake the coals gently first, not hard, lest you scatter the ash and put the fire out altogether.

Ngunjil buban-buban wandi-mani-ngarr, kari junkurr, nulu jarra-nyji, baya wula-manyji nganga.

ngunjil buban-buban wandi-mani-ngarr, kari junkurr, nulu jarra-nyji, baya wula-ma-nyji nganga | coals gently wake-CAUS-first, NEG hard, ash scatter-PRECAUT, fire die-make-PRECAUT altogether

ngunjil buban wandil junkurr nulu jarral baya wulay

wandi-mani-ngarr TEMP3; jarra-nyji/wula-ma-nyji PRECAUT


The boy learned to keep water always near the fire, in case a spark should jump and the grass catch, so that he could put it out before it spread far.

Karrkayangka binalman bana yabarrka baya ngundu kujinka, baya wanda-nyji, jikan kamba-nyji, nyulu wula-manka ngadiku kalakalbay dunganyjiku.

karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny bana yabarrka baya ngundu kuji-nka, baya wanda-nyji, jikan kamba-nyji, nyulu wula-ma-nka ngadiku kalakalbay dunga-nyjiku | boy learned water always fire near keep-DAT, spark rise-PRECAUT, grass catch-PRECAUT, he die-make-PURP first far go-before

karrkay bana baya kujil wandil jikan kamba kalakalbay

wanda-nyji/kamba-nyji PRECAUT; kalakalbay 'far'


He said: Water, then earth, then beating with a stick — know all three ways first before you ever need them, for a fire will not wait while you learn.

Nyulu balkan: bana ngadiku, bubu yindu, jukubu kunil yindu, yala kulur ngadiku binal wawunmuny, baya kari maku-janay yundu binalmalnya.

nyulu balka-ny: bana ngadiku, bubu yindu, juku-bu kuni-l yindu, yala kulur ngadiku binal wawu-ny-muny, baya kari maku-jana-y yundu binal-ma-l-nya | he said: water first, earth then, stick-INST beat then, ways three first know need-ABL, fire NEG waits you learning-SUB

bana bubu juku kunil yala kulur binal maku-janay

kulur 'three'; maku-janay 'wait'; binal-ma-l-nya SUB


When you carry fire from one camp to another, hold the stick low and steady, lest the wind reach your hand or a coal fall on your dilly bag.

Yundu baya bayanmuny bayanka wundinya, baya juku bada yaral karrba, muyar maranga wanda-nyji, ngunjil baljinga wanda-nyji.

yundu baya bayan-muny bayan-ka wundi-nya, baya juku bada yaral karrba, muyar mara-nga wanda-nyji, ngunjil balji-nga wanda-nyji | you fire camp-ABL camp-DAT carrying-SUB, fire stick low steady hold-IMP, wind hand-LOC rise-PRECAUT, coal dilly.bag-LOC fall-PRECAUT

baya bayan wundil juku yaral karrbal muyar mara ngunjil jujum

mara-nga LOC(a); jujum-ba LOC(m); two -nyji


The old man said fire is the best of servants and the worst of masters, so be its keeper every moment, for the moment you forget it, it stops serving and starts to rule.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: baya kirrajibama ngulkurr bajaku, kujibama mumbu bajaku, yundu nyungu kujibama yabarrka, yundu milka-wulanya nyulu kirrajil bawal, kujibama-manda.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: baya kirraji-bama ngulkurr bajaku, kuji-bama mumbu bajaku, yundu nyungu kuji-bama yabarrka, yundu milka-wula-nya nyulu kirraji-l bawa-l, kuji-bama-ma-ny-da | old man said: fire servant best, master worst, you its keeper always, you forgetting-SUB it serving leaves, master-becomes

baya kirraji ngulkurr kujil mumbu milka-wulay bawal

kuji-bama 'keeper/master'; milka-wula-nya SUB 'forget'


Before a long journey, the old woman said, do three things first: fill your water, check your feet, and tell someone where you are going and when you will return.

Kalbay dunganyjiku ngadiku, wulbumanangka balkan, yamba kulur ngara-ngarr: bana nanda-ngarr, jina nyaji-ngarr, bama wanjabu yundu dungay wanjawanja kadan balka.

kalbay dunga-nyjiku ngadiku, wulbuman-angka balka-ny, yamba kulur ngara-ngarr: bana nanda-ngarr, jina nyaji-ngarr, bama wanjabu yundu dunga-y wanjawanja kada-ny balka | long journey before, old.woman said, things three do-first: water fill-first, feet look-first, person where you go when come.back tell-IMP

kalbay dungay ngaral bana nanda jina nyajil wanjabu wanjawanja

three TEMP3 -ngarr; wanjabu 'where'/wanjawanja 'when'


Take more water than you think you need, in case the journey is longer than you planned or a waterhole you counted on has dried up in the heat.

Bana wubul-baja mani yundu wawumuny, kalbay kalbay-baja karra, bana yundu binalmuny wungarbu marral-manyji.

bana wubul-baja mani yundu wawu-muny, kalbay kalbay-baja jana-nyji, bana yundu binal-muny wungar-bu marral-ma-nyji | water more take-IMP you think-ABL, journey longer be-PRECAUT, water you knew-ABL heat-INST dry-become-PRECAUT

bana wubul wawu kalbay jana binal wungar marral

wubul-baja ...-muny 'more than'; jana-nyji/marral-ma-nyji PRECAUT


Check your feet before you set out and again at every rest, for a small blister ignored in the morning becomes a crippling wound by nightfall.

Jina nyaji-ngarr dunganyjiku, nyaji baja yundu maku-jananya wubulku, jina kaka buban wunkuwingku milka-wulanmuny yalbay-manda kunarangkalka.

jina nyaji-ngarr dunga-nyjiku, nyaji baja yundu maku-jana-nya wubul-ku, jina kaka buban wunkuwingku milka-wula-ny-muny yalbay-ma-ny-da kunarangkal-ka | feet look-first set.out-before, look again you resting-SUB all, foot sore small morning forgotten-ABL big-became night-DAT

jina nyajil maku-janay kaka buban wunkuwingku milka-wulay yalbay kunarangkal

nyaji-ngarr TEMP3; kaka 'sore'; small-ignored-grows-big


The old woman said a journey is planned at the fire, not on the path: think through the whole way first, name the dangers, and decide what to do at each, before your feet ever leave the camp.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kalbay baya ngundu ngaran, kari jinanga, yabarrka wubulku milka-bu bayka-ngarr, yamba yinil burri, wanya yundu ngaral wubulku binal, jina bayanmuny dunganyjiku ngadiku.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kalbay baya ngundu ngara-ny, kari jina-nga, yabarrka wubul-ku milka-bu bayka-ngarr, yamba yinil burri, wanya yundu ngara-l wubul-ku binal, jina bayan-muny dunga-nyjiku ngadiku | old.woman said: journey fire near planned, NEG path-LOC, way whole mind-INST think-first, thing dangerous name-IMP, what you do all decide, feet camp-ABL leave-before first

kalbay baya ngaral jina milka baykal yinil burril binal bayan

jina-nga LOC(a); bayka-ngarr TEMP3; plan-at-the-fire


Set out at first light, not at midday, lest the heat catch you in the open with the sun straight overhead and no cool place to be found.

Muduwajuny dunga-ngarr, kari wungar dukurr, wungarbu yundu bubu yalbay-mba kanga-nyji, wungar wangkarwangkar, kari bubu kiway.

muduwajuny dunga-ngarr, kari wungar dukurr, wungar-bu yundu bubu yalbay-mba kanga-nyji, wungar wangkarwangkar, kari bubu kiway | at.daybreak go-first, NEG sun middle, sun-INST you country open-LOC catch-PRECAUT, sun overhead, NEG place cool

muduwajuny dungay wungar dukurr bubu yalbay kanga wangkarwangkar kiway

muduwajuny 'daybreak'; dunga-ngarr TEMP3; kanga-nyji PRECAUT


The old man said the person who prepares well is halfway home before they start, but the person who sets out unready is already lost, however short the journey.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bama nyulu ngulkurr ngaranmuny yaba ngundu bayanka kariku dunganmuny, yambada bama nyulu kariku ngaran dungan nyulu kilba nyiku, kalbay buban baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bama nyulu ngulkurr ngara-ny-muny yaba ngundu bayan-ka kariku dunga-ny-muny, yambada bama nyulu kariku ngara-ny dunga-ny nyulu kilba nyiku, kalbay buban baja | old man said: person who well prepared-ABL half near home-DAT not.yet set.out-ABL, but person who not.yet prepared went he lost now, journey short too

bama ngulkurr ngaral bayan kariku kilba kalbay buban

kilba 'lost'; kalbay buban 'however short'


Tell someone where you are going and when you will return, so that if you do not come back they will know where to look, and will not search the wrong country for days.

Bama balka wanjabu yundu dungay, wanjawanja kadan, kaki yundu kari kada jana binal wanjabu nyajinka, jana bubu mumbungu nyaji-nyji wungar wubulka.

bama balka wanjabu yundu dunga-y, wanjawanja kada-ny, kaki yundu kari kada jana binal wanjabu nyaji-nka, jana bubu mumbu-nga nyaji-nyji wungar wubul-ka | person tell-IMP where you go, when come.back, if you NEG come.back they know where look-DAT, they country wrong-LOC search-PRECAUT days many-DAT

bama balkal wanjabu dungay wanjawanja kaday binal nyajil bubu mumbu

kaki+NONPAST 'if you don't come back'; nyaji-nyji PRECAUT


The old woman said foresight is the cheapest of all provisions and weighs nothing in the pack, so fill your mind before you fill your bag.

Wulbumanangka balkan: nyaji-ngarr yamba wubulmuny buban bajaku, baljinga kari dandi wundinka, milka nanda-ngarr balji nandanyjiku.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: nyaji-ngarr yamba wubul-muny buban bajaku, balji-nga kari dandi wundi-nka, milka nanda-ngarr balji nanda-nyjiku | old.woman said: foresight things all-ABL cheapest, bag-LOC NEG heavy carry-DAT, mind fill-first bag fill-before

nyaji-ngarr yamba wubul buban jujum dandi wundil milka nanda

nyaji-ngarr 'foresight'(derived); jujum-ba LOC(m); fill-mind-first


Sharpen your spear the night before the hunt, not on the morning of it, lest you go out with a dull point and lose the one big animal you were sent for.

Kalka nyurrbal ngadiku kunarangkal balbinyjiku, kari wunkun wungara, kari yundu kalka kari junkurrji dunga-nyji, minya yalbay nyubun yundu yungalmuny kilba-nyji.

kalka nyurrba-l ngadiku kunarangkal balbi-nyjiku, kari wunkun wungar-a, kari yundu kalka kari junkurr-ji dunga-nyji, minya yalbay nyubun yundu yungal-muny kilba-nyji | spear sharpen first night hunt-before, NEG tomorrow day-LOC, NEG you spear NEG hard-COMIT go-PRECAUT, animal big one you sent-ABL lose-PRECAUT

kalka nyurrbal kunarangkal balbi wunkun junkurr yungal kilba

wungar-a LOC(r); yungal 'send'; dunga-nyji/kilba-nyji PRECAUT


Hold the throwing-stick firmly at the very end, lest it twist in your hand at the moment of the throw and send the spear wide of the mark.

Juku yilbalmu murru bajakungu junkurr karrba, yilbanya maranga murni-nyji, kalka kalakalbay dunga-nyji.

juku yilba-l-mu murru bajaku-ngu junkurr karrba, yilba-nya mara-nga murni-nyji, kalka kalakalbay dunga-nyji | stick throw-POSS end very-LOC firm hold-IMP, throwing-SUB hand-LOC twist-PRECAUT, spear wide go-PRECAUT

juku yilbal murru karrbal mara murnil kalka kalakalbay

bajaku-nga LOC(a); mara-nga LOC(a); murni-nyji/dunga-nyji PRECAUT


The old man said: A tool is only as good as its keeping, so check the wood first, bind the head first, check the bag first, lest a thing go bad on you beforehand.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yamba nyungu kujilbu nganga ngulkurr, juku nyaji-ngarr, murru kaji-ngarr, balji nyaji-ngarr, yamba mumbu-manyji ngadiku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yamba nyungu kuji-l-bu nganga ngulkurr, juku nyaji-ngarr, murru kaji-ngarr, balji nyaji-ngarr, yamba mumbu-ma-nyji ngadiku | old man said: tool its keeping-INST only good, wood look-first, head bind-first, bag look-first, thing bad-become-PRECAUT beforehand

yamba kujil juku nyajil murru kaji jujum mumbu

three TEMP3 -ngarr; kaji 'bind'; mumbu-ma-nyji PRECAUT


Never point a spear at another person even in play, lest your hand slip or the point be sharper than you knew, and a game become a grief that can never be mended.

Kari yundu kalka bama yindungu yurri milbi-wanya nganga, mara murni-nyji, murru junkurr-baja yundu binalmuny karra, milbi-way jiba-badi-manyji kari murnilnyjiku yabarrka.

kari yundu kalka bama yindu-ngu yurri milbi-wa-nya nganga, mara murni-nyji, murru junkurr-baja yundu binal-muny jana-nyji, milbi-way jiba-badi-ma-nyji kari murni-l-nyjiku yabarrka | NEG you spear person other-LOC point playing-SUB even, hand slip-PRECAUT, point sharper you knew-ABL be-PRECAUT, game grief-become-PRECAUT NEG mend-SUCC ever

kalka bama yindu murni mara murru junkurr binal milbil jiba

yindu-ngu LOC(u); three -nyji PRECAUT; junkurr-baja ...-muny


The children learned to check three things before every throw: their footing, the wind, and what lay behind the target, lest a stray spear find something they never meant to strike.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman yamba kulur nyajinka yilbanyjiku ngadiku: jina, muyar, yamba wanya kudamundu janay, kalka kilba yamba yindu nyajil kari jana wawumuny kuni-nyji.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny yamba kulur nyaji-nka yilba-nyjiku ngadiku: jina, muyar, yamba wanya kudamundu jana-y, kalka kilba yamba yindu nyaji-l kari jana wawu-muny kuni-nyji | children learned things three check-DAT throw-before: footing, wind, thing what behind stands, spear stray thing other find NEG they meant-ABL strike-PRECAUT

karrkay kulur nyajil yilbal jina muyar kudamundu kalka kilba kunil

yilba-nyjiku 'before throw'; kuni-nyji PRECAUT; check-three-things


The old man said the mark of a spear-master is not how hard they can throw but how well they can hold back, for a spear once loosed obeys no one, and a word once spoken is a spear.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: mala-kalkamu milbil kari nyulu junkurr yilbanka, yambada nyulu ngulkurr karrbanka, kalka bawanmuny kari bamanka ngaral, kuku balkanmuny kalka janay.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: mala-kalka-mu milbi-l kari nyulu junkurr yilba-nka, yambada nyulu ngulkurr karrba-nka, kalka bawa-ny-muny kari bama-nka ngara-l, kuku balka-ny-muny kalka jana-y | old man said: spear.expert-POSS mark NEG he hard throw-DAT, but he well hold.back-DAT, spear loosed-ABL NEG anyone-for obeys, word spoken-ABL spear is

mala-kalka milbil junkurr yilbal karrbal kalka bawal kuku

mala-kalka 'spear-expert'(mala- prefix); word-is-a-spear


Bind the stone head to the shaft while the sinew is still wet, so it dries tight, for a head bound dry will come loose at the worst moment and fly off when you throw.

Kulji murru jukungu kaji nyulu kariku marral, nyulu marral-manka junkurr, murru marralbu kajinmuny kilba-nyji yamba mumbungu, yilbanya dunga-nyji.

kulji murru juku-ngu kaji nyulu kariku marral, nyulu marral-ma-nka junkurr, murru marral-bu kaji-ny-muny kilba-nyji yamba mumbu-ngu, yilba-nya dunga-nyji | stone head shaft-LOC bind-IMP it not.yet dry, it dry-become-PURP tight, head dry-INST bound-ABL come.loose-PRECAUT moment worst-LOC, throwing-SUB fly-PRECAUT

kulji murru juku kaji kariku marral kilba mumbu yilbal

juku-ngu LOC(u); mumbu-ngu LOC(u); marral-ma-nka PURP; two -nyji


The old woman said every skill has its season for learning, and the child who will not practice the small dull tasks in the calm will not have the skill in the crisis, when there is no time to learn.

Wulbumanangka balkan: binal wubulku nyungu wungar binalka, karrkay nyulu kari kirraji buban jankanga ngaral kari nyulu binal karra yinilba, wanja kari wungar binalka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: binal wubul-ku nyungu wungar binal-ka, karrkay nyulu kari kirraji buban janka-nga ngara-l kari nyulu binal jana-nyji yinil-ba, wanja kari wungar binal-ka | old.woman said: skills all their season learn-DAT, child who NEG task small calm-LOC do NEG he skilled be-PRECAUT danger-LOC, when NEG time learn-DAT

binal wungar karrkay kirraji buban janka yinil wanja

janka-nga LOC(a); yinil-ba LOC(l); binal jana-nyji PRECAUT


Cover the food well before you sleep, lest the dogs get at it in the night or the ants find it by morning and carry the whole meal away grain by grain.

Mayi ngulkurr nanda-ngarr warngku wunanyjiku, kaya kunarangkal nuka-nyji, minya wunkuwingku nyaji-nyji, mayi wubulku wundal dunga-nyji nyubun-nyubun.

mayi ngulkurr nanda-ngarr warngku wuna-nyjiku, kaya kunarangkal nuka-nyji, minya wunkuwingku nyaji-nyji, mayi wubul-ku wundal dunga-nyji nyubun-nyubun | food well cover-first sleep-before, dogs night eat-PRECAUT, ants morning find-PRECAUT, food whole carrying go-PRECAUT one.by.one

mayi nanda warngku kaya nukal minya nyajil wundal nyubun

nanda-ngarr TEMP3; three -nyji PRECAUT; minya 'ants' here


Hang the meat high in the tree, so a dog cannot reach it, lest you wake to find the night's catch gone and nothing but tracks and a full-bellied dog asleep in the cool.

Minya jukungu wangkar kaji, kaya kari wandanyjiku, yundu wandinya minya kunarangkalmu dungan nyaji-nyji, jina nganga, kaya jibar-mabu wawu-jankanga warngku wunay.

minya juku-ngu wangkar kaji, kaya kari wanda-nyjiku, yundu wandi-nya minya kunarangkal-mu dunga-ny nyaji-nyji, jina nganga, kaya jibar-ma-bu wawu-janka-nga warngku wuna-y | meat tree-LOC high hang-IMP, dog NEG reach-SUCC, you waking meat night-POSS gone see-PRECAUT, tracks only, dog belly-full cool-LOC sleeps

minya juku wangkar kaji kaya wandil kunarangkal jina jibar warngku

juku-ngu LOC(u); wawu-janka-nga LOC(i); nyaji-nyji PRECAUT


Tie your things firmly to a tree well above the tide line, lest the water rise higher than you judged in the night and carry your only way home out to the open sea.

Yamba wubulku jukungu junkurr kaji jalun wangkar-baja, bana kunarangkal wangkar-baja wanda-nyji yundu binalmuny, yamba wubulku jalun yalbay-mba wundal dunga-nyji.

yamba wubul-ku juku-ngu junkurr kaji jalun wangkar-baja, bana kunarangkal wangkar-baja wanda-nyji yundu binal-muny, yamba wubul-ku jalun yalbay-mba wundal dunga-nyji | things all tree-LOC firm tie tide above, water night higher rise-PRECAUT you judged-ABL, things all sea open-LOC carrying go-PRECAUT

yamba juku junkurr kaji jalun wangkar bana wandil wundal

juku-ngu LOC(u); jalun yalbay-nga LOC(a); two -nyji PRECAUT


The old woman said the careless camp feeds the dogs and the ants and the rats and goes hungry itself, while the careful camp eats well and sleeps sound, for the difference is only an hour's work before nightfall.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bayan daki-daki kaya minya nukamanil, minya baja, ngawiya baja, nyulu-nyulu dakwuy janay, yambada bayan nyaji-nyaji ngulkurr nukan warngku ngulkurr wunay, jambulku murni nganga kirraji nyubun kunarangkal ngadiku.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bayan daki-daki kaya minya nuka-mani-l, minya baja, ngawiya baja, nyulu-nyulu dakwuy jana-y, yambada bayan nyaji-nyaji ngulkurr nuka-ny warngku ngulkurr wuna-y, jambul-ku murni nganga kirraji nyubun kunarangkal ngadiku | old.woman said: camp careless dogs meat feeds, ants too, rats too, itself hungry is, but camp careful well ate sleep well sleeps, both.of.them difference only work one night before

bayan daki-daki kaya nukal ngawiya dakwuy nyajil warngku kirraji

daki-daki 'careless'; nyaji-nyaji 'careful'; careless-vs-careful-camp


Check the whole camp before you sleep: the fire banked, the food hung, the water covered, the spears stood upright, so that you wake to order and not to ruin.

Bayan wubulku nyaji-ngarr warngku wunanyjiku: baya nanda, mayi kaji, bana nanda, kalka wangkar janay, yundu wandinya yamba yukilka wandi, kari mumbungu.

bayan wubul-ku nyaji-ngarr warngku wuna-nyjiku: baya nanda, mayi kaji, bana nanda, kalka wangkar jana-y, yundu wandi-nya yamba yukil-ka wandi, kari mumbu-ngu | camp whole check-first sleep-before: fire covered, food hung, water covered, spears upright stand, you waking thing right-DAT rise, NEG ruin-LOC

bayan nyajil warngku baya nanda mayi kaji bana kalka mumbu

nyaji-ngarr TEMP3; mumbu-ngu LOC(u); wake-to-order


The old man said a little care at night keeps the morning free of trouble, and an hour of trouble in the morning can cost you the whole day's hunt.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: nyaji buban kunarangkal wunkuwingku mumbu-kari kujil, wungar mumbu wunkuwingku balbi wungar wubulku kilba-manyji.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: nyaji buban kunarangkal wunkuwingku mumbu-kari kuji-l, wungar mumbu wunkuwingku balbi wungar wubul-ku kilba-ma-nyji | old man said: care little night morning trouble-free keeps, hour trouble morning hunt day whole lose-PRECAUT

nyajil buban kunarangkal wunkuwingku mumbu kujil balbi kilba

mumbu-kari 'trouble-free'; kilba-ma-nyji PRECAUT


The children learned that precaution is not fear but knowing: you do not cover the fire because you are afraid of it, but because you understand it, and understanding is the truest safety there is.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman nyaji-ngarr kari yinil, yambada binal: yundu baya kari nanda yundu yinilmuny, yambada yundu binalmuny, binal yinil-kari bajaku yukil.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny nyaji-ngarr kari yinil, yambada binal: yundu baya kari nanda yundu yinil-muny, yambada yundu binal-muny, binal yinil-kari bajaku yukil | children learned precaution NEG fear, but knowing: you fire NEG cover you fear-ABL, but you understand-ABL, understanding safety truest is

nyaji-ngarr yinil binal baya nanda yukil


The old woman said the person who prepares for the worst is not gloomy but wise, for they alone are free to enjoy the best, having already made peace with whatever may come.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama nyulu yamba mumbu bajakuka ngaranmuny kari walu-jirrbu-jirrbu, yambada binal, nyulu nganga kaja-kari wawu-mini janayka yamba ngulkurrji, nyulu yamba wanya kadanyji wunbu-mandanya.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama nyulu yamba mumbu bajaku-ka ngara-ny-muny kari walu-jirrbu-jirrbu, yambada binal, nyulu nganga kaja-kari wawu-mini jana-y-ka yamba ngulkurr-ji, nyulu yamba wanya kada-nyji wunbu-ma-ny-da-nya | old.woman said: person who thing worst-DAT prepared-ABL NEG gloomy, but wise, he only free happy be-DAT thing best-COMIT, he thing whatever come-PRECAUT made.peace-SUB

bama mumbu ngaral walu binal kaja wawu-mini kada wunbu

kada-nyji PRECAUT 'whatever may come'; wawu-mini 'happy'


Watch the sky in the wet season, for the big storms build first, and a person who starts for home when the first dark appears will beat the rain, but one who waits will not.

Jiri nyaji jarramali-wungara, jarramali yalbay yinya kambal ngadiku, bama nyulu ngungul ngadiku wandinya bayanka dunganmuny kaba yaral-manil, yambada bama nyulu maku-janay kari.

jiri nyaji jarramali-wungar-a, jarramali yalbay yinya kamba-l ngadiku, bama nyulu ngungul ngadiku wandi-nya bayan-ka dunga-ny-muny kaba yaral-ma-ni-l, yambada bama nyulu maku-jana-y kari | sky watch storm-season-LOC, storms big there grow first, person who dark first appearing home-DAT set.out-ABL rain gets.ahead, but person who waits NEG

jiri jarramali wungar yalbay kambal ngungul wandil bayan kaba maku-janay

jarramali-wungar-a LOC(r); ngungul 'dark'; kaba 'rain'


The old man said: The storm gives three warnings — the windless air, the dim light, and the silence of the animals — heed the first and you are safe, heed the third and the storm already has you.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: jarramalibu kuku kulur milbil, muyar-kari, wungar ngungul, minya wunbu, ngadiku milka, yundu yukil, kulur milka, jarramalibu yundu kanga.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: jarramali-bu kuku kulur milbi-l, muyar-kari, wungar ngungul, minya wunbu, ngadiku milka, yundu yukil, kulur milka, jarramali-bu yundu kanga | old man said: storm-INST warnings three shows, wind-less, light dim, animals silent, first heed, you safe, third heed, storm-INST you catches

jarramali kuku kulur muyar wungar ngungul minya wunbu milka kanga

jarramali-bu ERG; muyar-kari 'windless'; three-warnings


Come home first, argue later — the old woman's rule for weather and for anger both: when the sky darkens or the blood rises, get to safety first, and settle the rest when the storm has passed.

Bayanka kada-ngarr, kuku yindu, wulbumanmu kuku jarramalika dukul-wurika baja: jiri ngungul-manya, wawu wandinya, yukilka kada-ngarr, yamba yindu murni jarramali dunganyjiku.

bayan-ka kada-ngarr, kuku yindu, wulbuman-mu kuku jarramali-ka dukul-wuri-ka baja: jiri ngungul-ma-nya, wawu wandi-nya, yukil-ka kada-ngarr, yamba yindu murni jarramali dunga-nyjiku | home-DAT come-first, words later, old.woman-POSS rule storm-DAT anger-DAT too: sky dark-becoming-SUB, blood rising-SUB, safety-DAT come-first, thing rest settle storm pass-SUCC

bayan kaday kuku jarramali dukul-wuri jiri ngungul wawu murni

kada-ngarr TEMP3(a); ngungul-ma-nya SUB; come-home-first