The old woman said: I am old and can no longer hunt or weave or carry water, and yet the young still feed me and keep my fire, not because I am useful, but because I am theirs, and one day they will be old, and their children will do the same, and so the wheel turns and no one is ever thrown away.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Ngayu mukul, ngayu kari balbil wukurril bana wundil, yambada warru ngayku nukamanil baya kujil, kari ngayu yukilmuny, yambada ngayu jananka, nyubun wungara jana mukul-manda, nyungu kangkal yinya baja ngaral, yala murni murninya bama nyubun kari kudamundu yilbal yabarrka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: ngayu mukul, ngayu kari balbi-l wukurri-l bana wundi-l, yambada warru ngayku nuka-mani-l baya kuji-l, kari ngayu yukil-muny, yambada ngayu jana-nka, nyubun wungar-a jana mukul-ma-ny-da, nyungu kangkal yinya baja ngara-l, yala murni murni-nya bama nyubun kari kudamundu yilba-l yabarrka | old.woman said: I old, I not.yet hunt weave water carry, but young me feed fire keep, NEG I useful-ABL, but I theirs, one day they old-become, their children that too do, as wheel turns person one NEG away thrown ever

mukul balbi wukurril warru nukal kujil kangkal yilbal


The old man said the measure of a people is how they treat those who can no longer contribute: a people that discards its old and weak has already lost its soul, whatever else it may have gained, and a people that carries them has kept the one thing that matters.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bama nyubunmu dandi yala jana ngaral bama jana kari dajil: bama nyulu mukul junkurr-kari kudamundu yilbal nyungu wawu ngadiku kilban, nyulu yamba yindu manin baja, bama nyulu jana jarrakulbal yamba nyubun dandi karrbal.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bama nyubun-mu dandi yala jana ngara-l bama jana kari daji-l: bama nyulu mukul junkurr-kari kudamundu yilba-l nyungu wawu ngadiku kilba-ny, nyulu yamba yindu mani-ny baja, bama nyulu jana jarrakulba-l yamba nyubun dandi karrba-l | old man said: people-POSS measure how they treat people who not.yet contribute: people who old weak away throws its soul already lost, it thing other got too, people who them carries thing one important kept

bama dandi ngaral dajil mukul junkurr yilbal jarrakulbal


The children came to understand that the whole difference between a crowd and a community is reciprocity: a crowd is many people who happen to be in one place, but a community is many people who have agreed, without ever saying so, to be responsible for each other.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman murni yalbay bama wubul bama nyubunmu daji-way: bama wubul bama wubulku nyubun bubungu nganga janay, yambada bama nyubun bama wubulku jana yuwu-wanmuny, kari yabarrka balkanmuny, nyubun-nyubunka karrbanka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny murni yalbay bama wubul bama nyubun-mu daji-way: bama wubul bama wubul-ku nyubun bubu-nga nganga jana-y, yambada bama nyubun bama wubul-ku jana yuwu-wa-ny-muny, kari yabarrka balka-ny-muny, nyubun-nyubun-ka karrba-nka | children understood difference big crowd community-POSS reciprocity: crowd people many one place-LOC just are, but community people many who agreed-each.other-ABL, NEG ever said-ABL, each.other-for be.responsible-DAT

murni bama wubul daji-way nyubun bubu yuwu-way karrbal

daji-way 'reciprocity'; yuwu-wan RECIP 'agreed'; bubu-nga LOC(a)


The old woman said reciprocity is not keeping score; the moment you begin to count what you have given and what you are owed, the web has already begun to tear, for true giving expects no return and true receiving carries no debt, only gratitude.

Wulbumanangka balkan: daji-way kari wubul nyajil; yundu wubul nyajil wandinya yundu yamba dajinmuny yamba yundunka wawunmuny, bama nyubun kaji kaka-manda ngadiku, dajil yukil kari kadan wawu, manil yukil kari yamba wundil, wawu-mini nganga.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: daji-way kari wubul nyaji-l; yundu wubul nyaji-l wandi-nya yundu yamba daji-ny-muny yamba yundu-nka wawu-ny-muny, bama nyubun kaji kaka-ma-ny-da ngadiku, daji-l yukil kari kada-ny wawu, mani-l yukil kari yamba wundi-l, wawu-mini nganga | old.woman said: reciprocity NEG score keep; you counting rise-SUB you thing given-ABL thing you-for owed-ABL, community bond tears already, giving true NEG return wants, receiving true NEG thing carries, gratitude only

daji-way wubul nyajil yamba dajil kaji kaka wawu-mini


The old man said: You will spend your whole life giving to people who can never repay you — your children, your elders, strangers in need — and receiving from people you can never repay, and this is not a flaw in the design; this is the design, for it is the giving that cannot be repaid that binds us into one people.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Yundu wawu wubulku dajil bama jana yundu kariku yukil-manil, nyungu kangkal, nyungu mukul, bama yindu wawuji, manil bama yundu kariku yukil-manil, yinya kari mumbu bunganmuny, yinya bungan, dajil kari yukil-manilbu ngana nyubun bama kajil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yundu wawu wubul-ku daji-l bama jana yundu kariku yukil-ma-ni-l, nyungu kangkal, nyungu mukul, bama yindu wawu-ji, mani-l bama yundu kariku yukil-ma-ni-l, yinya kari mumbu bunga-ny-muny, yinya bunga-ny, daji-l kari yukil-ma-ni-l-bu ngana nyubun bama kaji-l | old man said: you life all give people who you never repay, your children, your elders, strangers need-COMIT, receive people you never repay, that NEG flaw made-in, that the.design, giving NEG repaid-INST us one people binds

wawu dajil bama yukil kangkal mukul manil kajil


The children asked what holds a people together when hard times come and there is not enough for everyone, and the old woman said: In good times, generosity; in hard times, the memory of generosity, and the sure knowledge that these times too will pass, and the giving will resume.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babajin wanya bama nyubun karrbal wungar dandi kadanya mayi kari yukil bama wubulmu, wulbumanangka balkan: Ngulkurr wungara, ngulkurr-bu daji; dandi wungara, ngulkurr-bu dajinmu binalku, binal yukil yinya wungar baja dungay, daji-way baja wandin.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babaji-ny wanya bama nyubun karrba-l wungar dandi kada-nya mayi kari yukil bama wubul-mu, wulbuman-angka balka-ny: ngulkurr wungar-a, ngulkurr-bu daji; dandi wungar-a, ngulkurr-bu daji-ny-mu binalku, binal yukil yinya wungar baja dunga-y, daji-way baja wandi-ny | children asked what people together holds time hard coming-SUB food NEG enough people all-POSS, old.woman said: good time-LOC, freely give; hard time-LOC, freely gave-POSS memory, know sure these times too pass, giving again begins

bama karrbal wungar dandi mayi ngulkurr daji binalku

wungar-a LOC(r); daji-way 'giving' resumes; generosity-and-its-memory


The old man said the reason our people survived a thousand generations in a hard land is not that we were stronger or cleverer than others, but that we never, ever let each other starve alone, and that willingness to share the last of the food is the whole of the law.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: ngana bama nyubun wungar wubulmuny bubu dandinga janay kari ngana junkurr-baja binal-baja bama yindumuny, yambada ngana kari yabarrka nyubun-nyubun nganga dakwuy wulanka bawan, yinya wawu mayi bajaku daji-wayka kuku wubulku nganga.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: ngana bama nyubun wungar wubul-muny bubu dandi-nga jana-y kari ngana junkurr-baja binal-baja bama yindu-muny, yambada ngana kari yabarrka nyubun-nyubun nganga dakwuy wula-nka bawa-ny, yinya wawu mayi bajaku daji-way-ka kuku wubul-ku nganga | old man said: we people one generations many-ABL land hard-LOC survived NEG we stronger cleverer people other-ABL, but we NEG ever each.other alone hungry die-PURP let, that willingness food last share-DAT law whole is

ngana bubu dandi junkurr binal dakwuy daji-way kuku

bubu dandi-nga LOC(i); daji-wayka RECIP 'share'; never-let-each-other-starve


The children carried this understanding into their own adulthood, and when they had children of their own, they taught them the first law before any other: you belong to each other, and what you have is only yours to share.

Karrkay-karrkayangka yinya binal wundin nyungu warru-manda, jana nyungu kangkal karrban, jana milbin kuku ngadiku yamba yindu ngadiku: yurra nyubun-nyubunji, yamba yundu karrbal nganga daji-wayka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka yinya binal wundi-ny nyungu warru-ma-ny-da, jana nyungu kangkal karrba-ny, jana milbi-ny kuku ngadiku yamba yindu ngadiku: yurra nyubun-nyubun-ji, yamba yundu karrba-l nganga daji-way-ka | children this understanding carried their adulthood-into, they their children had, they taught law first thing other before: you.PL each.other-COMIT, thing you hold only share-DAT

binal wundil warru kangkal karrbal milbil daji-way

daji-wayka RECIP 'to share'; you-belong-to-each-other


The old woman said the loneliest people are not those who have no one, but those who have never learned to need anyone, for they have walled themselves inside a strong house of self-sufficiency and called it strength, when it is really the deepest poverty there is.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama jirrbu-jirrbu bajaku bubu wubulku kari jana bama-kari, yambada jana jana kariku binalman bama yinduka wawunku, jana nyulu-nyulu bayan junkurr dukurr nandan nyulu-nyulu wawuka, junkurr kunjan, yinya yamba mumbu bada bajaku nganga.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama jirrbu-jirrbu bajaku bubu wubul-ku kari jana bama-kari, yambada jana jana kariku binal-ma-ny bama yindu-ka wawu-nku, jana nyulu-nyulu bayan junkurr dukurr nanda-ny nyulu-nyulu wawu-ka, junkurr kunja-ny, yinya yamba mumbu bada bajaku nganga | old.woman said: people loneliest world-in NEG they no.one, but they who never learned people other-DAT need-DAT, they themselves house strong inside covered themselves want-DAT, strength named, that thing poverty deepest only

jirrbu-jirrbu bama binal wawu bayan junkurr nandal mumbu


The old man said: When I was young I thought strength meant needing no one; now that I am old I know that strength means being so securely held by others that you can risk everything, give everything, love without holding back, because you know that if you fall, a hundred hands will catch you.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Ngayu warru janaymuny ngayu milkabu baykan junkurr yala bama yinduka wawu-kari; nyiku ngayu mukul ngayu binal junkurr yala bama yindubu yukil karrban yundu yamba wubulku yilbanka, wubulku dajinka, wawu jirray kari karrbanka, yundu binalmuny kaki yundu badaka dungay, mara wubul yundu manil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: ngayu warru jana-y-muny ngayu milka-bu bayka-ny junkurr yala bama yindu-ka wawu-kari; nyiku ngayu mukul ngayu binal junkurr yala bama yindu-bu yukil karrba-ny yundu yamba wubul-ku yilba-nka, wubul-ku daji-nka, wawu jirray kari karrba-nka, yundu binal-muny kaki yundu bada-ka dunga-y, mara wubul yundu mani-l | old man said: I young was-ABL I thought strength like people other-DAT need-less; now I old I know strength like people other-INST securely held you thing all risk-DAT, all give-DAT, love NEG hold.back-DAT, you knowing if you down-DAT fall, hands many you catch

warru milkal junkurr wawu binal yukil karrbal jirray mara


The children learned the final truth, which was also the first: that a human being alone is not fully a human being, that we become ourselves only through each other, and that the deepest word in the language is not 'I' but 'we'.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman kuku yukil bada bajaku, nyulu ngadiku baja: bama nyubun nganga kari yukil bama, ngana ngana-manda nganga nyubun-nyubunbu, kuku bada bajaku kukungu kari 'ngayu' yambada 'ngana'.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny kuku yukil bada bajaku, nyulu ngadiku baja: bama nyubun nganga kari yukil bama, ngana ngana-ma-ny-da nganga nyubun-nyubun-bu, kuku bada bajaku kuku-ngu kari 'ngayu' yambada 'ngana' | children learned truth deepest, it first too: person one alone NEG fully human, we ourselves-become only each.other-INST, word deepest language-in NEG 'I' but 'we'

ngana-manda 'become ourselves'; kuku-ngu LOC(u); I-versus-we


And so, the old woman said, we end where we began: you are not alone, you were never meant to be alone, and the whole purpose of a life is to weave yourself so deeply into the lives of others that when you are gone, the cloth holds, and your thread, though you can no longer see it, goes on holding everything together.

Yalaku, wulbumanangka balkan, ngana bawal wanja ngana wandin: yundu kari nganga, yundu kari yabarrka nganga janayka, wawu wubulmu yala nyulu-nyulu bama yindumu wawungu bada-baja wukurrinka, yundu dunganya, kambi karrbal, nyungu wukurr, yundu kari nyajil, yamba wubulku karrbal yabarrka.

yala-ku, wulbuman-angka balka-ny, ngana bawa-l wanja ngana wandi-ny: yundu kari nganga, yundu kari yabarrka nganga jana-y-ka, wawu wubul-mu yala nyulu-nyulu bama yindu-mu wawu-nga bada-baja wukurri-nka, yundu dunga-nya, kambi karrba-l, nyungu wukurr, yundu kari nyaji-l, yamba wubul-ku karrba-l yabarrka | thus, old.woman said, we end where we began: you NEG alone, you NEG ever alone be-DAT, life whole-POSS purpose himself people other-POSS lives-LOC deeply weave-DAT, you gone-SUB, cloth holds, your thread, you not.yet see, thing all holds forever

bawal nganga wawu wukurril kambi karrbal wukurr

bama yindumu wawu-nga LOC(a); the-thread-goes-on-holding


At dawn the family set out from the camp, walking seaward along the beach toward the river mouth, and by midday they had crossed three small creeks and were tired but happy.

Muduwajungu jawun-karra bayanmuny dungan, jilban naka jalunba julay-mundu, wungar dukurrbu jana kulur bana buban naka-naka jilban, jana wawu-wula-y janay yambada wawu-mini.

muduwaju-ngu jawun-karra bayan-muny dunga-ny, jilba-ny naka jalun-ba julay-mundu, wungar dukurr-bu jana kulur bana buban naka-naka jilba-ny, jana wawu-wula-y jana-y yambada wawu-mini | dawn-LOC family camp-ABL went, walked seaward beach-LOC river.mouth-toward, day middle-LOC they three creek small across walked, they tired were but happy

muduwaju jawun bayan dungay jilbay naka jalun naka-naka

muduwaju-ngu LOC(u); bayan-muny ABL; jalun-ba LOC(n); naka 'seaward'; dukurr-a LOC(rr)


They followed the winding river upstream, wading through the shallows where the water ran fast over the stones, and the old man walked in front reading the footprints of those who had passed before them.

Jana wawubaja wukurrin wangkar-mundu, jana bana buban naka marijin wanja bana warri kuljinga, mukulungku dingkarangka ngundu jilban jina nyajil bama jana ngadiku dunganmu.

jana wawubaja wukurri-ny wangkar-mundu, jana bana buban naka mariji-ny wanja bana warri kulji-nga, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka ngundu jilba-ny jina nyaji-l bama jana ngadiku dunga-ny-mu | they river followed up-toward, they water small through waded where water ran stones-LOC, old man front walked footprints reading people who before went-POSS

wawubaja wukurril bana marijiy warri kulji jina jilbay

wukurril 'follow'; wangkar-mundu 'upstream'; kulji-nga LOC(i); jina 'footprint'


When they came to the deep crossing, the water was too fast to wade, so they walked upriver until they found a place where the river ran wide and slow, and there they crossed to the other side.

Jana bana bada-baja naka-nakanka kadanya, bana warri junkurr-baja marijinka, jana wangkar-mundu jilban wanja bana yalbay bunya warri wanjinya, yinya jana ngubara jilban.

jana bana bada-baja naka-naka-nka kada-nya, bana warri junkurr-baja mariji-nka, jana wangkar-mundu jilba-ny wanja bana yalbay bunya warri wanji-nya, yinya jana ngubar-a jilba-ny | they water deep crossing-DAT come-SUB, water fast too wade-DAT, they up-toward walked where water wide slow ran flowed-SUB, there they other.side-LOC walked

bana bada naka-naka marijiy wangkar yalbay ngubar jilbay

ngubar-a LOC(rr) 'to the other side'; wangkar-mundu upriver


The path climbed steeply into the ranges, and they went slowly, stopping often to catch their breath, until at last they stood on the ridge and could see the whole country spread out below them.

Baral wangkar-mundu dakan junkurr, jana buban-buban dungan, jana kanban kalka, dukul dungay, dumbaymuny jana yumalba janay bubu wubulku nyajil jana bada.

baral wangkar-mundu daka-ny junkurr, jana buban-buban dunga-ny, jana kanba-ny kalka, dukul dunga-y, dumbay-muny jana yumal-ba jana-y bubu wubul-ku nyaji-l jana bada | path up-toward climbed steep, they slowly went, they stopped often, breath went, at.last-ABL they ridge-LOC stood country all saw they below

baral dakal junkurr dungay kanbal yumal bubu bada

baral 'path'; dakal 'climb'; yumal-ba LOC(l) 'ridge'; bada 'below'


The old woman said the country teaches the one who walks it slowly: hurry past and you see nothing, but walk with open eyes and every hill and creek and stone will tell you its name and its story.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bubu milbil bama nyulu buban-buban jilbanya: warri dunga yundu murruji nyaji, yambada miyilba nyaji jilba wubulku yumal bana kulji baja yundunka nyungu burri nyungu jangkar balkanka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bubu milbi-l bama nyulu buban-buban jilba-nya: warri dunga yundu murruji nyaji, yambada miyil-ba nyaji jilba wubul-ku yumal bana kulji baja yundu-nka nyungu burri nyungu jangkar balka-nka | old.woman said: country teaches person who slowly walks-SUB: fast go you unable see, but eye-LOC see walk every hill creek stone too you-for its name its story tell

bubu milbil jilbay warri miyil yumal kulji jangkar


They walked west toward the setting sun for two days, sleeping under the trees at night and rising before dawn, until they reached the country of the western people and were welcomed as travellers.

Jana kuwa-mundu jilban wungar wulanka jambul wungar, kunarangkalba jukungu wunan, muduwajungumuny wandin, jana kuwamu bamamu bubungu kadanya jana yulmbarrilman jilba-bama yala.

jana kuwa-mundu jilba-ny wungar wula-nka jambul wungar, kunarangkal-ba juku-ngu wuna-ny, muduwaju-ngu-muny wandi-ny, jana kuwa-mu bama-mu bubu-ngu kada-nya jana yulmbarril-ma-ny jilba-bama yala | they west-toward walked sun set-DAT two day, night-LOC tree-LOC lay, dawn-LOC-ABL rose, they west-POSS people-POSS country-LOC come-SUB they welcomed travellers as

kuwa jilbay wungar juku wunay wandil bubu yulmbarril

kuwa-mundu 'westward'; juku-ngu LOC(u); bubu-ngu LOC(u); yulmbarril 'welcome'


The old man said there are two ways to travel: the fast way and the true way, and they are seldom the same road, for the fast way skips the sacred places and the true way stops at every one to pay respect.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: jilbanka jambul yala: warri yala yukil yala baja, jana kariku nyubun baral, warri yala bubu wawu-yukil kalka bawal, yukil yala bubu wubulku kanban wawu-yukil dajinka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: jilba-nka jambul yala: warri yala yukil yala baja, jana kariku nyubun baral, warri yala bubu wawu-yukil kalka bawa-l, yukil yala bubu wubul-ku kanba-ny wawu-yukil daji-nka | old man said: travel-DAT two ways: fast way true way too, they seldom one road, fast way country sacred skip leaves, true way country all stops respect give-DAT

jilbay warri yukil baral bubu wawu-yukil kanbal dajil

jilba-l-ka 'to travel'; fast-way-vs-true-way


By the third day their food was almost gone, so the young men went ahead to hunt while the others followed slowly, and by evening they met again at the appointed place with three wallabies and a goanna.

Wungar kulurmuny jana mayi kilba-baja, warru wangkar dungan minyaka balbinka, yindu jana buban-buban wukurrin, kunarangkalba jana nyaji-wan baja bubu balkanmuny jana darrba kulurbu jadiji.

wungar kulur-muny jana mayi kilba-baja, warru wangkar dunga-ny minya-ka balbi-nka, yindu jana buban-buban wukurri-ny, kunarangkal-ba jana nyaji-wa-ny baja bubu balka-ny-muny jana darrba kulur-bu jadi-y-ji | day three-ABL they food almost.gone, young.men ahead went game-DAT hunt-DAT, others they slowly followed, night-LOC they met again place appointed-LOC they wallaby three-with goanna-COMIT

wungar kulur mayi warru dungay balbil wukurril nyaji-way kangkur

nyaji-wan RECIP 'met'; kunarangkal-nga LOC(l→? kunarangkal is l-final→-ba)


They returned home by a different road, going backward along the coast so as to visit the graves of the old people, and the whole journey took them past every place their grandparents had named.

Jana bayan-mundu nyunban baral yindubu, jana naka jalunba muku-muku dungan mukul jana wulanmu bubu nyajinka, jilba wubulku jana kanban bubu wubulku jana kami jana burri-maninmu.

jana bayan-mundu nyunba-ny baral yindu-bu, jana naka jalun-ba muku-muku dunga-ny mukul jana wula-ny-mu bubu nyaji-nka, jilba wubul-ku jana kanba-ny bubu wubul-ku jana kami jana burri-ma-ni-ny-mu | they home-toward returned road other-INST, they seaward beach-LOC backwards went old they died-POSS place see-DAT, journey whole they stopped place all they grandparents named-POSS

bayan nyunbay baral naka jalun muku-muku bubu kami

nyunbay 'return'; muku-muku 'backwards'; jalun-ba LOC(n)


The children were taught the names of the four winds: the north wind that brings the wet, the west wind that brings the dust, the seaward wind that brings the salt, and the cold wind that comes down from the mountains.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman wangkar jambul-jambulmu burri: kungkarr wangkar nyulu bana kadanka, kuwa wangkar nyulu bubu-mula kadanka, naka wangkar nyulu jalun-njiri kadanka, wangkar kiway-kiway nyulu yumalmuny bada kadanka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny wangkar jambul-jambul-mu burri: kungkarr wangkar nyulu bana kada-nka, kuwa wangkar nyulu bubu-mula kada-nka, naka wangkar nyulu jalun-njiri kada-nka, wangkar kiway-kiway nyulu yumal-muny bada kada-nka | children learned wind four-POSS names: north wind which rain brings, west wind which dust brings, seaward wind which salt brings, wind cold which ranges-ABL down brings

wangkar kungkarr kuwa naka bana jalun yumal kija

kungkarr/kuwa/naka cardinals; yumal-muny ABL; jambul-jambul 'four'


The old man could tell direction by many signs: the moss on the southern side of the trees, the way the ridges ran toward the sea, the flight of the birds at evening, and the taste of the wind, and he never once was lost.

Mukulungku dingkarangka bubu binal wubulku wari-bu: juku naka-nakamu miyil, yumal yala jalun-mundu warrinya, jujubala kunarangkalba wandina, wangkarmu jandal, nyulu kariku nyubun bubu-kari janay.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka bubu binal wubul-ku wari-bu: juku naka-naka-mu miyil, yumal yala jalun-mundu warri-nya, jujubala kunarangkal-ba wandi-nya, wangkar-mu jandal, nyulu kariku nyubun bubu-kari jana-y | old man direction knew many signs-INST, tree southern.side-POSS moss, ridges how sea-toward ran-SUB, birds night-LOC rose-SUB, wind-POSS taste, he never once lost was

bubu binal juku yumal jalun jujubala wangkar jandal

jalun-mundu 'seaward'; bubu-kari 'lost' (place-PRIV); reading-direction


When you are lost, the old woman said, do not run in fear, for fear walks you in circles; sit down, grow calm, listen to the water, for water always runs to the sea, and the sea is the road home.

Yundu bubu-kari janaka, wulbumanangka balkan, kari yinilbu warri, yinil yundu murni-murni jilbanka; bunda, wunbu-manda, bananka ngaran, bana yabarrka jalun-mundu warrinya, jalun baral bayan-mundu.

yundu bubu-kari jana-ka, wulbuman-angka balka-ny, kari yinil-bu warri, yinil yundu murni-murni jilba-nka, bunda, wunbu-ma-nda, bana-nka ngara-ny, bana yabarrka jalun-mundu warri-nya, jalun baral bayan-mundu | you lost be-DAT, old.woman said, NEG fear-INST run, fear you circles walk-PURP, sit, calm-become, water-DAT listen, water always sea-toward runs-SUB, sea road home-toward

bubu-kari yinil warri jilbay bunday wunbu bana jalun

wunbu-ma-nda INCHO 'grow calm'; water-runs-to-the-sea-is-the-road-home


They came at last to the great river, too wide and deep to wade, and there they found an old canoe pulled up on the bank, and they pushed it into the water and paddled across to the far shore.

Jana dukul kadan wawubaja yalbay, bada-baja yalbay-baja marijinka, yinya jana marrakan mukul nyajin bana ngundu jajirrinmu, jana marrakan banangu jurrnga, jana ngubar-mundu jilban.

jana dukul kada-ny wawubaja yalbay, bada-baja yalbay-baja mariji-nka, yinya jana marrakan mukul nyaji-ny bana ngundu jajirri-ny-mu, jana marrakan bana-ngu jurrnga, jana ngubar-mundu jilba-ny | they at.last came river big, deep too wide-too wade-DAT, there they canoe old saw water near stood.up-POSS, they canoe water-into pushed, they other.side-toward went

wawubaja yalbay marijiy marrakan bana jurrnga ngubar jilbay

jurrnga 'push' (IMP, verb root); bana-ngu LOC(u) 'into the water'; marrakan canoe


The young man wanted to go straight over the mountain but the old man led them around it by the long low road, saying the mountain is not to be climbed lightly, for it belongs to the old ones and asks to be gone around.

Warruwu wawu yumal wangkar-mundu dunganka yala, mukulungku dingkarangka jana yumal murni baral kalbay badanga jilba-manin, balkan: yumal kari buban-buban dakanka, nyulu mukulmu, nyulu babajil murni jilbanka.

warru-wu wawu yumal wangkar-mundu dunga-nka yala, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka jana yumal murni baral kalbay bada-nga jilba-ma-ni-ny, balka-ny: yumal kari buban-buban daka-nka, nyulu mukul-mu, nyulu babaji-l murni jilba-nka | young.man wanted mountain up-toward go-DAT straight, old man them mountain around road long low led, said: mountain NEG lightly climb-DAT, it old.ones-POSS, it asks around travel-DAT

yumal wangkar dungay baral kalbay dakal jilbay babajil

yumal 'mountain'; bada-nga LOC(a) 'low'; the-mountain-asks-to-be-gone-around


The old woman said every road you walk you walk twice: once with your feet, going out, and once in your memory, coming home in the evening firelight when you tell the children where you went and what you saw.

Wulbumanangka balkan: baral wubulku yundu jilbal yundu jambul jilbal: nyubun jinabu, wangkar dungay, nyubun milkanga, bayan-mundu kaday kunarangkalba bayanga yundu karrkay-karrkay milbil wanjabu yundu dungan wanya yundu nyajin.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: baral wubul-ku yundu jilba-l yundu jambul jilba-l: nyubun jina-bu, wangkar dunga-y, nyubun milka-nga, bayan-mundu kada-y kunarangkal-ba baya-nga yundu karrkay-karrkay milbi-l wanjabu yundu dunga-ny wanya yundu nyaji-ny | old.woman said: road every you walk you twice walk: once foot-INST, out go, once mind-LOC, home-toward come night-LOC fire-LOC you children tell where you went what you saw

baral jilbay jina dungay milka bayan kaday milbil

jina-bu 'with the feet' (INST); baya-nga LOC(a) 'in the firelight'; every-road-walked-twice


They set out to follow the honey-bird, which flies a little way and waits, then flies again, leading the follower from tree to tree until it stops at the hollow where the wild honey is, and there they made a fire and took the comb.

Jana wamba-jujubala wukurrin, nyulu buban wandin maku-janay, wandin baja, nyulu jilba-bama jukungu jukungu maku-wukurrin dukul kanbanya juku dimbirrba wanja wamba wunay, yinya jana baya wangkan wamba manin.

jana wamba-jujubala wukurri-ny, nyulu buban wandi-ny maku-jana-y, wandi-ny baja, nyulu jilba-bama juku-ngu juku-ngu maku-wukurri-ny dukul kanba-nya juku dimbirr-ba wanja wamba wuna-y, yinya jana baya wangka-ny wamba mani-ny | they honey-bird followed, it little flew waited, flew again, it follower tree-LOC tree-LOC led at.last stops-SUB tree hollow-LOC where honey lies, there they fire lit honey took

jujubala wukurril wandil juku dimbirr wamba baya wangkal

maku-wukurrin 'led/followed-to'; juku-ngu LOC(u); dimbirr-ba LOC(rr→?) hollow


The old man said the young are always in a hurry to arrive, but arriving is the smallest part of a journey; the journey itself is the walking, the seeing, the meeting on the road, and the one who only wants to arrive has already missed the best of it.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: warru yabarrka warri kadanka, yambada kaday jilbalmu buban bajaku; jilbal nyulu jilbay, nyajil, nyaji-way baralba, bama nyulu nganga kaday wawu nyulu jilbal yukil bajaku kilba-baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: warru yabarrka warri kada-nka, yambada kada-y jilba-l-mu buban bajaku, jilba-l nyulu jilba-y, nyaji-l, nyaji-way baral-ba, bama nyulu nganga kada-y wawu nyulu jilba-l yukil bajaku kilba-baja | old man said: young always hurry arrive-DAT, but arriving journey-POSS smallest, journey itself walking, seeing, meeting.each.other road-LOC, person who only arrive wants he journey best almost-lost

warru warri kaday jilbay nyajil nyaji-way baral yukil

nyaji-way RECIP 'meeting'; baral-nga LOC(l→? baral l-final→-ba)


When they finally saw the smoke of their own camp rising in the distance, the children began to run ahead, calling out, and the dogs heard them and came racing down the track to meet them, and everyone's tiredness fell away.

Jana dukul nyajinya nyungu bayanmu kubu kala-kalbay-mba wandina, karrkay-karrkay wangkar warrin, kunja, kaya jana ngaran baralba warri kadan maku-warrilka, bama wubulkumu wawu-wula-y badaka dungan.

jana dukul nyaji-nya nyungu bayan-mu kubu kala-kalbay-mba wandi-nya, karrkay-karrkay wangkar warri-ny, kunja, kaya jana ngara-ny baral-ba warri kada-ny maku-warri-nka, bama wubul-ku-mu wawu-wula-y bada-ka dunga-ny | they at.last saw their camp-POSS smoke far-LOC rising-SUB, children ahead ran, called, dogs them heard road-LOC ran came meet-DAT, everyone-POSS tiredness away fell

bayan jibul kala-kalbay wandil warri kaya baral maku-warri

maku-warri 'run to meet'; baral-ba LOC(l); tiredness-falls-away-at-homecoming


The old woman said the sweetest three steps of any journey are the last three, the ones that carry you across your own threshold, and the loneliest three steps are the first, when the camp falls behind and the road ahead is long and empty.

Wulbumanangka balkan: jilbalmu jina ngamu-baja kulur bada bajaku, jina jana yundu nyungu bayan-mundu jarrakulbal, jina jirrbu-jirrbu bajaku ngadiku, bayan bada dungay nganga baral wangkar kalbay yamba-kari.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: jilba-l-mu jina ngamu-baja kulur bada bajaku, jina jana yundu nyungu bayan-mundu jarrakulba-l, jina jirrbu-jirrbu bajaku ngadiku, bayan bada dunga-y nganga baral wangkar kalbay yamba-kari | old.woman said: journey-POSS steps sweetest three last, steps which you your home-across carry, steps loneliest first, camp behind falls alone road ahead long empty

jilbay jina ngamu kulur bayan jarrakulbal jirrbu-jirrbu baral

ngamu-baja 'sweetest'; jina 'step/foot'; the-last-three-and-first-three-steps


They walked the coast road at low tide when the sand was firm, watching for the tracks of the turtles that come up the beaches at night, and where they found the tracks they dug and found the eggs buried in the warm sand.

Jana jalun baral jilban bana badanya wanja jukar junkurr, jana nyajil ngawiya jina nyulu jalunba wujurr wandina, wanja jana jina nyajin jana bikan ngawiya kabul nyajin jukar wumbulba kunjinmu.

jana jalun baral jilba-ny bana bada-nya wanja jukar junkurr, jana nyaji-l ngawiya jina nyulu jalun-ba wujurr wandi-nya, wanja jana jina nyaji-ny jana bika-ny ngawiya kabul nyaji-ny jukar wumbul-ba kunji-ny-mu | they coast road walked water low-SUB where sand firm, they watched turtle tracks which beach-LOC night rise-SUB, where they tracks saw they dug turtle eggs saw sand warm-LOC buried-POSS

jalun baral bana janyul ngawiya jina bikal kabul

jalun-ba LOC(n); bana bada-nya 'low tide'; janyul 'sand'; bikal 'dig'


The old man said a good traveller reads three things: the sky, to know the weather coming; the ground, to know who and what has passed; and their own body, to know when to walk and when to rest, and the greatest of these is the last.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: jilba-bama yukil kulur nyajil: jiri, wangkar kadanya binalka; bubu, wanyu wanya ngadiku dunganmu binalka; nyungu bangkarr, wanjinya jilbanka wanjinya mara-kunbanka, yalbay bajaku yinyamu ngamu-baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: jilba-bama yukil kulur nyaji-l: jiri, wangkar kada-nya binal-ka, bubu, wanyu wanya ngadiku dunga-ny-mu binal-ka, nyungu bangkarr, wanji-nya jilba-nka wanji-nya mara-kunba-nka, yalbay bajaku yinya-mu ngamu-baja | old man said: traveller good three reads: sky, weather coming know-DAT, ground, who what before passed-POSS know-DAT, his body, when walk-DAT when rest-DAT, biggest these-POSS last

jilba-bama kulur nyajil guyu bubu bangkarr jilbay kalkal


They followed the ridge single file, the old man first, then the women, then the children, then the young men at the rear watching behind, for that is the old way of walking in country where you do not know who else is travelling.

Jana yumal juru-kulbaway jilban, mukul ngadiku, jalbu baja, karrkay-karrkay baja, warru dumbay-mba kurrka-nyaji-ji, yinya jilbalmu yukil ngadiku bubungu wanja yundu murruji binal wanya yindu jilbanya.

jana yumal juru-kulbaway jilba-ny, mukul ngadiku, jalbu baja, karrkay-karrkay baja, warru dumbay-mba kurrka-nyaji-ji, yinya jilba-l-mu yukil ngadiku bubu-ngu wanja yundu murruji binal wanya yindu jilba-nya | they ridge single.file walked, old first, women too, children too, young.men rear-LOC look.back, that walking-POSS way old country-LOC where you unable know who other travelling-SUB

yumal juru-kulbaway jilbay jalbu warru kurrka-nyaji-ji bubu

juru-kulbaway 'single file'; kurrka-nyaji-ji 'look back' (REFL); bubu-ngu LOC(u)


When the young man ran ahead out of sight, the old man did not call him back but walked steadily on, knowing the boy would grow anxious in the empty country and come running back to the safety of the group, which is how the young learn the worth of company.

Warruwu wangkar warrinya nyaji-karinga, mukulungku dingkarangka nyulu kariku kunja baja, yambada nyulu yaba jilban, binalnya buban wawu-mumbu jananka bubu yamba-karinga, warri kadanka bama wubulku yukilka, yinyabu warru binalman bama wubulmu dandi.

warru-wu wangkar warri-nya nyaji-kari-nga, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka nyulu kariku kunja baja, yambada nyulu yaba jilba-ny, binal-nya buban wawu-mumbu jana-nka bubu yamba-kari-nga, warri kada-nka bama wubul-ku yukil-ka, yinya-bu warru binal-ma-ny bama wubul-mu dandi | young.man ahead ran sight-out-LOC, old man him NEG call back, but he steady walked, knowing boy anxious become-DAT country empty-LOC, run come-DAT people all safety-DAT, that-INST young learn company-POSS worth

warru warri kunja jilbay bubu yamba-kari kaday binal

nyaji-kari-nga 'out of sight' (see-PRIV-LOC); yamba-kari-nga LOC(a); the-young-learn-the-worth-of-company


The old woman said the road always looks longer going out than coming back, though the distance is the same, for on the way out you carry the weight of not-knowing, and on the way home you carry only your tiredness and your stories.

Wulbumanangka balkan: baral yabarrka kalbay-baja wangkar dungalmu kadalmuny, murni nyubun, wangkar dungalba yundu jarrakulbal dandi binal-karimu, bayan-mundu kadalba yundu jarrakulbal nyungu wawu-wula-y nyungu jangkar baja.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: baral yabarrka kalbay-baja wangkar dunga-l-mu kada-l-muny, murni nyubun, wangkar dunga-l-ba yundu jarrakulba-l dandi binal-kari-mu, bayan-mundu kada-l-ba yundu jarrakulba-l nyungu wawu-wula-y nyungu jangkar baja | old.woman said: road always longer out going-POSS coming-ABL, distance same, out going-LOC you carry weight not-knowing-POSS, home-toward coming-LOC you carry your tiredness your stories too

baral kalbay dungay kaday jarrakulbal binal wawu-wula-y jangkar

binal-kari-mu 'of not-knowing'; the-road-out-feels-longer


They came to a fork where one path went up into the ranges and the other followed the river, and the old man chose the river path, saying: When you do not know the way, follow water, for water has walked this country longer than any person and always knows the shortest way down.

Jana baral jambul-manda kadan wanja nyubun baral wangkar-mundu yumalngu dungay yindu wawubaja wukurril, mukulungku dingkarangka wawubaja baral manin, balkan: Yundu murruji baral binal, bana wukurri, bana bubu jilbanmuny kalbay-baja bama wubulmuny, yabarrka binal baral buban bada-mundu.

jana baral jambul-ma-nda kada-ny wanja nyubun baral wangkar-mundu yumal-ngu dunga-y yindu wawubaja wukurri-l, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka wawubaja baral mani-ny, balka-ny: yundu murruji baral binal, bana wukurri, bana bubu jilba-ny-muny kalbay-baja bama wubul-muny, yabarrka binal baral buban bada-mundu | they fork came where one path up-toward ranges-LOC goes other river follows, old man river path chose, said: you unable way know, water follow, water country walked-ABL longer people all-ABL, always knows way small down-toward

baral dungay yumal wawubaja wukurril bana jilbay binal

jambul-manda 'fork' (two-DYAD); yumal-ngu LOC(u→? yumal l-final→-ba, but 'ranges'=yumal → yumal-ba)


The children learned to leave a sign at every fork so those coming after would know which way they went: a broken branch pointing the way, three stones stacked, or an arrow scratched in the sand, for a traveller thinks always of the one who follows.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman wari bawanka baral jambul-manda wubulku bama jana nganga wukurrinya binalka wanja jana dungan: juku murrnga baral milbil, kulji kulur jajirril, dubu jukara bikal, jilba-bama yabarrka milkal bama nyulu wukurrilmu.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny wari bawa-nka baral jambul-ma-nda wubul-ku bama jana nganga wukurri-nya binal-ka wanja jana dunga-ny: juku murrnga baral milbi-l, kulji kulur jajirri-l, dubu jukar-a bika-l, jilba-bama yabarrka milka-l bama nyulu wukurri-l-mu | children learned sign leave-DAT fork every people who after follow-SUB know-DAT where they went: branch broken.off way shows, stones three stacked, mark sand-LOC scratched, traveller always thinks person who follows-POSS

burri bawal baral wukurril juku murrnga kulji janyul

murrnga 'break off' (verb, whitelisted); janyul-nga LOC(l→? janyul l-final→-ba)


The old man said the country has no roads of its own; every path was made by the feet of those who walked before, and every time you walk it you make it a little deeper, so that to walk the old paths is to walk with all the ancestors at once.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bubu nyungu baral kari; baral wubulku jina bama jana ngadiku jilbanmu bungan, wungar wubulku yundu jilbanya yundu buban bada-baja bungal, yinyabu baral ngadiku jilbanka bama ngadiku wubulku nyubunji jilbanka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bubu nyungu baral kari, baral wubul-ku jina bama jana ngadiku jilba-ny-mu bunga-ny, wungar wubul-ku yundu jilba-nya yundu buban bada-baja bunga-l, yinya-bu baral ngadiku jilba-nka bama ngadiku wubul-ku nyubun-ji jilba-nka | old man said: country its road NEG, roads all feet people who before walked-POSS made, time every you walk-SUB you little deeper make, that-INST paths old walk-DAT ancestors all with walk-DAT

bubu baral jina jilbay bungal ngadiku bada nyubun


They rested at midday in the shade of a big fig tree by a waterhole, and while the others slept the old woman sat watching the birds come down to drink, and she said this is the best part of any journey, the stopping, when the country comes to you instead of you going to it.

Jana wungar dukurrbu mara-kunban juku yalbay wabarrba bana ngundu, yindu jana wunanya wulbumanangka bundan jujubala nyajil bada kadan bana janganka, nyulu balkan: yinya jilbalmu yukil bajaku, mara-kunbay, bubu nyulu yundunka kaday kari yundu bubungu dungay.

jana wungar dukurr-bu mara-kunba-ny juku yalbay wabarr-ba bana ngundu, yindu jana wuna-nya wulbuman-angka bunda-ny jujubala nyaji-l bada kada-ny bana janga-nka, nyulu balka-ny: yinya jilba-l-mu yukil bajaku, mara-kunba-y, bubu nyulu yundu-nka kada-y kari yundu bubu-ngu dunga-y | they day middle-LOC rested tree big shade-LOC water near, others they sleeping-SUB old.woman sat birds watched down came water drink-DAT, she said: this journey-POSS best, resting, country it you-to comes NEG you country-to go

wungar dukurr kalkal juku ngambur bana jujubala kaday

dukurr-a LOC(rr); ngambur-ba LOC(rr→?) shade; bubu-ngu LOC(u); stopping-lets-country-come-to-you


When they finally reached the sea after four days in the ranges, the children who had never seen it before ran straight into the waves shouting, and the old man stood on the sand and wept, for he had walked this same last mile as a boy with his own grandfather.

Jana dukul jalunba kadan wungar jambul-jambulmuny yumalngu, karrkay-karrkay jana kariku jalun nyajinmu wangkar warrin dunguru kaya-kaya, mukulungku dingkarangka jukara janay badi, nyulu baral yinya kilba jilban buban janaymuny nyungu kamiji.

jana dukul jalun-ba kada-ny wungar jambul-jambul-muny yumal-ngu, karrkay-karrkay jana kariku jalun nyaji-ny-mu wangkar warri-ny dungur-u kaya-kaya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka jukar-a jana-y badi, nyulu baral yinya kilba jilba-ny buban jana-y-muny nyungu kami-ji | they at.last sea-LOC came days four-ABL ranges-LOC, children who never sea saw-POSS ahead ran waves-LOC shouting, old man sand-LOC stood wept, he road that same walked boy was-ABL his grandfather-COMIT

jalun kaday yumal jalun warri dungur janyul badi kami

jalun-ba LOC(n); dungur-nga LOC(rr→?) waves; janyul-nga LOC(l→?); the-old-man-weeps-at-the-sea


The old woman said the longest journey any person makes is not across country but across a life, from the first breath to the last, and the same rules hold: go steadily, carry little, help those you meet, learn the way from those ahead of you, and leave good signs for those behind.

Wulbumanangka balkan: jilbal kalbay bajaku bama nyubun bungal kari bubu naka-naka yambada wawu naka-naka, wawu ngadikumuny wawu bada bajakunku, kuku nyubun karrbal: yaba dunga, buban jarrakulba, bama yundu nyaji-wanmuny mara-daji, baral binal bama wangkarmuny, wari yukil bawa bama dumbay-mba.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: jilba-l kalbay bajaku bama nyubun bunga-l kari bubu naka-naka yambada wawu naka-naka, wawu ngadiku-muny wawu bada bajaku-nka, kuku nyubun karrba-l: yaba dunga, buban jarrakulba, bama yundu nyaji-wa-ny-muny mara-daji, baral binal bama wangkar-muny, wari yukil bawa bama dumbay-mba | old.woman said: journey longest person makes NEG country across but life across, breath first-ABL breath last-DAT, rule one holds: steady go, little carry, people you met help, way learn people ahead-ABL, signs good leave people behind-LOC | ...

jilbay kalbay bubu naka-naka wawu dunga jarrakulba mara-daji

nyaji-wanmuny RECIP 'met'; life-as-the-longest-journey; ties the domain to wisdom


They travelled north for many days, following the coast where the sea was always on their right hand, past the great sea-points and the river mouths, until they came to the country where the language changed and they needed a man who could speak both tongues.

Jana kungkarr-mundu jilban wungar wubulku, jalun wukurrin wanja jalun yabarrka nyungu mara yukilba, jalun-ngandal yalbay julay wubulku baja, dukul jana bubungu kadan wanja kuku murni, jana wawu dingkar nyulu kuku jambul balkalmu.

jana kungkarr-mundu jilba-ny wungar wubul-ku, jalun wukurri-ny wanja jalun yabarrka nyungu mara yukil-ba, jalun-ngandal yalbay julay wubul-ku baja, dukul jana bubu-ngu kada-ny wanja kuku murni, jana wawu dingkar nyulu kuku jambul balka-l-mu | they north-toward walked days many, coast followed where sea always his hand right-LOC, sea-points big river.mouths all too, at.last they country-LOC came where language changed, they wanted man who tongues two speak-POSS

kungkarr jilbay jalun wukurril mara yukil buburr bubu

kungkarr-mundu 'northward'; mara yukil-nga 'on the right hand' LOC(l→?); bubu-ngu LOC(u)


The old man said there is a kind of walking that is really a kind of praying: you walk slowly through country that holds your dead, and at each place you speak their name aloud, and by the end of that walk the grief has walked itself out of you and left peace in its place.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: jilbal nyubun nyulu yala wawu-balkal: yundu buban-buban jilba bubungu nyulu yundu wula karrbal, kanban wubulku yundu nyungu burri junkurr balka, jilbal dumbaymuny walu-jirrbu-jirrbu jananmuny jilban dungan wunbu bawan yinyanga.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: jilba-l nyubun nyulu yala wawu-balka-l: yundu buban-buban jilba bubu-ngu nyulu yundu wula karrba-l, kanba-ny wubul-ku yundu nyungu burri junkurr balka, jilba-l dumbay-muny walu-jirrbu-jirrbu jana-ny-muny jilba-ny dunga-ny wunbu bawa-ny yinya-nga | old man said: walking one it like praying: you slowly walk country-LOC which your dead holds, stop each you their name aloud say, walk end-ABL grief you-from walked went peace left its.place-LOC | ...

jilbay wawu bubu wula kanbal balkal walu-jirrbu-jirrbu wunbu

wawu-balkal 'praying'; bubu-ngu LOC(u); grief-walks-itself-out


When a great storm caught them in the open on the third day, they could not go forward or back, so they made a shelter of bark against the wind and waited two days for the rain to pass, and the old man told stories the whole time so no one grew afraid.

Jarramali yalbay jana manin bubu yaralba wungar kulurmuny, jana murruji wangkar dunga bada dunga, jana bayan wawun bungan wangkarka, jana maku-janay jambul wungar bana dunganka, mukulungku dingkarangka jangkar balkan wungar wubulku bama nyubun kari yinil-manda.

jarramali yalbay jana mani-ny bubu yaral-ba wungar kulur-muny, jana murruji wangkar dunga bada dunga, jana bayan wawun bunga-ny wangkar-ka, jana maku-jana-y jambul wungar bana dunga-nka, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka jangkar balka-ny wungar wubul-ku bama nyubun kari yinil-ma-nda | storm big them caught country open-LOC day three-ABL, they unable forward go back go, they shelter bark made wind-against, they waited two day rain pass-DAT, old man stories told time all people one NEG fear-become | ...

jarramali yalbay bubu yaral bayan wawun maku-janay jangkar

bubu yaral-nga LOC(l→? yaral l-final→-ba); storytelling-keeps-fear-away


The children learned that you must always tell someone where you are going and when you will return, and never change your route without leaving word, for the country is large and a searcher who does not know where to look may as well not search at all.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman yundu yabarrka bama yindunka milbil wanjabu yundu dungay wanju yundu nyunbay, kari nyungu baral murni kuku kari bawal, bubu yalbay, nyaji-bama nyulu murruji binal wanjabu nyajinka nyulu yala kari nyajilmu.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny yundu yabarrka bama yindu-nka milbi-l wanjabu yundu dunga-y wanju yundu nyunba-y, kari nyungu baral murni kuku kari bawa-l, bubu yalbay, nyaji-bama nyulu murruji binal wanjabu nyaji-nka nyulu yala kari nyaji-l-mu | children learned you always person other-to tell where you go when you return, NEG your route change word NEG leave, country big, searcher who unable know where look-DAT he like NEG look-POSS | ...

milbil dungay nyunbay baral bubu yalbay nyajil binal

wanjabu 'where(to)'; nyunbay 'return'; always-tell-someone-your-route


The old man said the hardest part of any long journey is the middle, when the excitement of setting out is spent and the joy of arriving is still far off, and it is in the middle that a traveller is tested and a companion is proven.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: jilbal kalbaymu dandi bajaku dukurrbu, wawu-mini dungalmu kilban wawu-mini kadalmu kala-kalbay yamba, dukurranga jilba-bama nyaji-nyajin jawun murni.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: jilba-l kalbay-mu dandi bajaku dukurr-bu, wawu-mini dunga-l-mu kilba-ny wawu-mini kada-l-mu kala-kalbay yamba, dukurr-a-nga jilba-bama nyaji-nyaji-ny jawun murni | old man said: journey long-POSS hardest middle, joy setting.out-POSS spent joy arriving-POSS far still, middle-LOC traveller tested companion proven | ...

jilbay kalbay dandi dukurr wawu-mini dungay kaday jawun


They came down out of the ranges at last onto the coastal plain, and the walking became easy, and they made good time along the beaches, but the old man went slower now, not from tiredness but because he knew this was the last long journey his legs would carry him on.

Jana yumalmuny dukul bada kadan jalun bubu yaralngu, jilbal yukil-manda, jana warri jalunba, mukulungku dingkarangka nyiku buban-buban dungan, kari wawu-wula-ymuny yambada nyulu binal yinya jilbal kalbay dumbay nyungu jadal nyulu jarrakulbalmu.

jana yumal-muny dukul bada kada-ny jalun bubu yaral-ngu, jilba-l yukil-ma-nda, jana warri jalun-ba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka nyiku buban-buban dunga-ny, kari wawu-wula-y-muny yambada nyulu binal yinya jilba-l kalbay dumbay nyungu jadal nyulu jarrakulba-l-mu | they ranges-ABL at.last down came sea country flat-LOC, walking easy-became, they ran beach-LOC, old man now slowly went, NEG tiredness-ABL but he knew this journey long last his legs him carry-POSS | ...

yumal kaday jalun bubu yaral jilbay warri jadal

yumal-muny ABL; jalun-ba LOC(n); the-old-man's-last-long-journey


The old woman said: I have walked this country for seventy years, and I have learned that you never really arrive anywhere; you only stop for a while, and then the road picks you up again, and the last road, the one we do not speak of, is just the longest walk of all.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Ngayu bubu yinya jilban wungar wubulku bajaku, ngayu binalman yundu kariku nyubun bubu nganga kaday; yundu nganga mara-kunbay buban, baral yundu manil baja, baral bada bajaku, nyulu ngana kari balkalmu, nyulu jilbal kalbay bajaku wubulmuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: ngayu bubu yinya jilba-ny wungar wubul-ku bajaku, ngayu binal-ma-ny yundu kariku nyubun bubu nganga kada-y, yundu nganga mara-kunba-y buban, baral yundu mani-l baja, baral bada bajaku, nyulu ngana kari balka-l-mu, nyulu jilba-l kalbay bajaku wubul-muny | old.woman said: I country this walked years many very, I learned you never one place truly arrive, you just stop little, road you takes again, road last, it we NEG speak-POSS, it walk longest all-ABL | ...

bubu jilbay binal kaday kalkal baral manil dungay


When they parted at the crossroads, each family to its own country, they did not say goodbye but said instead the old traveller's words: walk well, sleep dry, and may your feet find the good road, and may we meet again on it before too long.

Jana baral jambul-mandanga bawa-wanya, jawun-karra wubulku nyungu bubungu, jana kari dunga-kuku balka yambada jana jilba-bamamu kuku ngadiku balkan: yukil jilba, karra wuna, nyungu jina baral yukil nyaji, ngali baralba nyaji-way baja kari kalbaymuny.

jana baral jambul-ma-nda-nga bawa-wa-nya, jawun-karra wubul-ku nyungu bubu-ngu, jana kari dunga-kuku balka yambada jana jilba-bama-mu kuku ngadiku balka-ny: yukil jilba, karra wuna, nyungu jina baral yukil nyaji, ngali baral-ba nyaji-way baja kari kalbay-muny | they crossroads-LOC parted.each.other, families all their country-to, they NEG goodbye say but they traveller-POSS words old said: well walk, dry sleep, your feet road good find, we road-LOC meet.each.other again NEG long-ABL | ...

baral jawun bubu jilbay janyji jina nyajil nyaji-way

bawa-wanya RECIP 'parted'; nyaji-way RECIP 'meet'; jambul-manda 'crossroads'; the-traveller's-blessing


The old man taught the boy to walk at night by starlight, keeping the bright star behind his right shoulder, moving from tree-shadow to tree-shadow, freezing when a night-bird called, for the country at night belongs to other travellers and a wise one moves through it like water, seen by no one.

Mukulungku dingkarangka bubanwu milbin wujurr jilbanka dawarbu, dawar milka nyungu jibi yukilba dumbay karrbal, juku-ngamba jukungamba dungal, jajil jujubala wujurrumu kunjanya, bubu wujurrba bama yindu jilba-bamamu, binal nyulu bana yala dungay, bama nyubun kari nyajil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka buban-wu milbi-ny wujurr jilba-nka dawar-bu, dawar milka nyungu jibi yukil-ba dumbay karrba-l, juku-ngamba juku-ngamba dunga-l, jaji-l jujubala wujurr-umu kunja-nya, bubu wujurr-ba bama yindu jilba-bama-mu, binal nyulu bana yala dunga-y, bama nyubun kari nyaji-l | old man boy taught night walk-DAT starlight-INST, star bright his shoulder right-LOC behind held, tree-shadow tree-shadow moved, freezes bird night-POSS call-SUB, country night-LOC other travellers-POSS, wise he water like moves, person one NEG sees | ...

milbil kunya jilbay jarrakay jibi juku jujubala bana

jarrakay 'star'; kunya-nga LOC(a) 'at night'; move-like-water-unseen


The children learned to walk in country they did not know: touch nothing until you know it, drink only from running water, watch where the birds and animals go for they know the safe paths, and above all never travel alone, for the country is patient and the lone walker is the one it takes.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman bubu jana murruji binal jilbanka: yamba nganga karrba yundu binalnya, bana warri nganga janga, jujubala minya baja nyaji wanjabu jana dungay jana binal baral yukil, wubul bajaku kari nganga jilba, bubu wawu kanban nyulu jilba-bama nganga manil.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny bubu jana murruji binal jilba-nka: yamba nganga karrba yundu binal-nya, bana warri nganga janga, jujubala minya baja nyaji wanjabu jana dunga-y jana binal baral yukil, wubul bajaku kari nganga jilba, bubu wawu kanba-ny nyulu jilba-bama nganga mani-l | children learned country they unable know walk-DAT: thing nothing touch you know-SUB, water running only drink, birds animals too watch where they go they know paths safe, most NEG alone walk, country patient which traveller lone takes | ...

bubu binal jilbay bana warri jujubala minya baral


They followed the flooded river down toward the sea after the wet, moving carefully along the high bank where the ground was firm, watching the brown water carry whole trees past them, and the old man said this is why we do not build our camps on the low ground by the river.

Jana wawubaja bana-yalbay wukurrin bada jalun-mundu bana-wungarmuny, jana buban-buban jilban dungur wangkara wanja bubu junkurr, jana nyajil bana yalbaybu juku wubulku jarrakulbal jana ngundu, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yinyabu ngana kari nyungu bayan bungal bubu bada wawubaja ngundu.

jana wawubaja bana-yalbay wukurri-ny bada jalun-mundu bana-wungar-muny, jana buban-buban jilba-ny dungur wangkar-a wanja bubu junkurr, jana nyaji-l bana yalbay-bu juku wubul-ku jarrakulba-l jana ngundu, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yinya-bu ngana kari nyungu bayan bunga-l bubu bada wawubaja ngundu | they river flood followed down sea-toward wet-ABL, they carefully walked bank high-LOC where ground firm, they watched floodwater trees all carry them past, old man said: that-INST we NEG our camp build ground low river near | ...

wawubaja wukurril jalun jilbay dungur juku bayan bubu

bana-yalbay 'flood'; dungur wangkar-ba 'high bank' LOC(rr→?); don't-camp-on-low-ground


The old woman said every child should be taken on one long hard journey before they are grown, not for any place at the end of it, but so that they learn in their own legs and their own hunger what their people endured, and carry that knowing for the rest of their lives.

Wulbumanangka balkan: karrkay wubulku jilbal nyubun kalbay dandinga maninka nyulu warru-manda ngadiku, kari bubu dumbay-mba yamba, yambada jana binalka nyungu jadalba nyungu dakwuy-mbu wanya jana bama kilban, yinya binal karrbal wawu wubulmuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: karrkay wubul-ku jilba-l nyubun kalbay dandi-nga mani-nka nyulu warru-ma-nda ngadiku, kari bubu dumbay-mba yamba, yambada jana binal-ka nyungu jadal-ba nyungu dakwuy-mbu wanya jana bama kilba-ny, yinya binal karrba-l wawu wubul-muny | old.woman said: child every journey one long hard-LOC taken-DAT he grown-becomes before, NEG country end-LOC thing, but they learn-DAT their legs-LOC their hunger-LOC what their people endured, that knowing hold life all-ABL | ...

karrkay jilbay kalbay dandi warru jadal dakwuy binal

dandi-nga LOC(i); jadal-nga LOC(l→?); one-hard-journey-teaches-endurance


When the old man could no longer walk the long journeys, the young ones would carry him the last part on a litter of poles and bark, and he did not feel shame in it, for he had carried others in his own strong years, and he said the litter carries everyone in the end.

Mukulungku dingkarangka nyiku murruji jilbal kalbay, warru jana nyulu dumbay jarrakulban juku baja wawun-ji, nyulu kari milka-murruji-manda yinyanga, nyulu bama yindu jarrakulban nyungu wungar junkurrbu, nyulu balkan: juku-jarrakay bama wubulku jarrakulbal dumbay-mba.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka nyiku murruji jilba-l kalbay, warru jana nyulu dumbay jarrakulba-ny juku baja wawun-ji, nyulu kari milka-murruji-ma-nda yinya-nga, nyulu bama yindu jarrakulba-ny nyungu wungar junkurr-bu, nyulu balka-ny: juku-jarrakay bama wubul-ku jarrakulba-l dumbay-mba | old man now unable walk long, young.men they him rear carried poles bark-COMIT, he NEG shame-becomes it-LOC, he people other carried his years strong-LOC, he said: litter people all carries end-LOC | ...

jilbay kalbay warru jarrakulbal juku wawu milka-murruji junkurr

the-litter-carries-everyone-in-the-end; junkurr-nga LOC(rr→? junkurr rr-final→-ba)


They came home from the great journey changed, thinner and browner and quieter, and the ones who had stayed behind gathered to hear the stories, and the children who went were no longer quite children, and the old man who went did not come all the way back, for a part of him stayed out on the road forever.

Jana bayan-mundu kadan jilbal yalbaymuny murni-manda, kiway-baja mula-baja janka-baja, bama jana kanban jangkar ngaranka bangkan, karrkay-karrkay jana dungan kari nyubun karrkay baja, mukul nyulu dungan nyulu kari dukul kadan, nyungu buban baral yaral wunay wawu-wubulmuny.

jana bayan-mundu kada-ny jilba-l yalbay-muny murni-ma-nda, kiway-baja mula-baja janka-baja, bama jana kanba-ny jangkar ngara-nka bangka-ny, karrkay-karrkay jana dunga-ny kari nyubun karrkay baja, mukul nyulu dunga-ny nyulu kari dukul kada-ny, nyungu buban baral yaral wuna-y wawu-wubul-muny | they home-toward came journey big-ABL changed, thinner browner quieter, people who stayed stories hear-DAT gathered, children who went NEG quite children too, old who went he NEG all.way came, his part road out lies forever | ...

bayan kaday jilbay murni kanbal jangkar dungay baral


The old woman said there are three kinds of travellers: the one who walks to get somewhere, the one who walks to get away from somewhere, and the one who walks because walking is what they are, and only the third ever truly rests, because for them the walking and the resting are the same thing.

Wulbumanangka balkan: jilba-bama kulur yala: nyubun nyulu jilbay bubungu kadanka, nyubun nyulu jilbay bubumuny dunganka, nyubun nyulu jilbay nyulu jilbal nyungu bangkarr yala, kulurmu nyubun yabarrka yukil mara-kunbay, jananka jilbal mara-kunbay baja nyubun yamba.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: jilba-bama kulur yala: nyubun nyulu jilba-y bubu-ngu kada-nka, nyubun nyulu jilba-y bubu-muny dunga-nka, nyubun nyulu jilba-y nyulu jilba-l nyungu bangkarr yala, kulur-mu nyubun yabarrka yukil mara-kunba-y, jana-nka jilba-l mara-kunba-y baja nyubun yamba | old.woman said: travellers three kinds: one who walks country-to arrive-DAT, one who walks country-from get.away-DAT, one who walks he walking his body like, three-POSS one always truly rests, them-for walking resting too one thing | ...

jilba-bama jilbay bubu kaday dungay bangkarr kalkal yamba

bubu-ngu LOC(u); bubu-muny ABL; three-kinds-of-travellers


They taught the children to make and read the smoke signals: one long column means all is well and come to us; two columns means danger, stay away; and a broken, spreading smoke means we are lost or hurt, come and find us, and these signals can be read from a full day's walk away.

Jana karrkay-karrkay milbin kubu-kuku bunganka nyajinka: kubu nyubun kalbay yala yukil wubulku kadanka nganjinji; kubu jambul yala mumbu, kala-kalbay jana; kubu kaka-manda dungay yala ngana bubu-kari kaka-manda, kada nganjin nyaji, kubu-kuku yinya nyajil wungar nyubun jilbalmuny.

jana karrkay-karrkay milbi-ny kubu-kuku bunga-nka nyaji-nka: kubu nyubun kalbay yala yukil wubul-ku kada-nka nganjin-ji, kubu jambul yala mumbu, kala-kalbay jana, kubu kaka-ma-nda dunga-y yala ngana bubu-kari kaka-ma-nda, kada nganjin nyaji, kubu-kuku yinya nyaji-l wungar nyubun jilba-l-muny | they children taught smoke-signal make-DAT read-DAT: smoke one long means well all come-DAT us-to, smoke two means danger, far.away go, smoke broken spreading means we lost hurt, come us find, smoke-signal this read day one walk-ABL | ...

karrkay milbil jibul bungal nyajil kalbay kaday bubu-kari

jibul-kuku 'smoke signal'; readable-a-day's-walk-away


The old man said the country is full of old roads that no one walks anymore, grown over and forgotten, and each was once a living path between two peoples who traded and married and shared, and when the road died, something between the peoples died too, and someone should walk them again.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bubu baral ngadiku wubulmu wawu bama nyubun kari jilbal, juku wandin milka-wulan, nyubun wubulku ngadiku baral wawu-yukil bama jambulmu jana daji-way manyarr-way daji-way baja, baral wulanya, yamba bama jambul dukurrbu wula baja, bama nyubun yinya jilbal baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bubu baral ngadiku wubul-mu wawu bama nyubun kari jilba-l, juku wandi-ny milka-wula-ny, nyubun wubul-ku ngadiku baral wawu-yukil bama jambul-mu jana daji-way manyarr-way daji-way baja, baral wula-nya, yamba bama jambul dukurr-bu wula baja, bama nyubun yinya jilba-l baja | old man said: country roads old many full which people no.one walks, plants risen forgotten, each once road living peoples two-POSS they trade married share too, road died-SUB, thing peoples two between died too, someone these walk again | ...

bubu baral ngadiku jilbay juku daji-way dukurr wulal

daji-way RECIP 'trade/share'; dukurr-a LOC(rr); dead-roads-and-what-died-with-them


When they returned, the old woman went straight to the graves of her parents and sat with them a long while telling them everything she had seen, for she said the dead travel with us on every journey, riding quiet in our memory, and it is only courteous to tell them of the country when we come home.

Jana kadanya, wulbumanangka mula-mulamu bimu-mu wulanmu dungan yaral bundan kalbay jananka wubulku nyulu nyajinmu milbin, nyulu balkan: bama wula ngananji jilbal wubulku, janka wunay ngana milkanga, yukil yala jananka bubu balkanka ngana bayan-mundu kadanya.

jana kada-nya, wulbuman-angka mula-mula-mu bimu-mu wula-ny-mu dunga-ny yaral bunda-ny kalbay jana-nka wubul-ku nyulu nyaji-ny-mu milbi-ny, nyulu balka-ny: bama wula ngana-nji jilba-l wubul-ku, janka wuna-y ngana milka-nga, yukil yala jana-nka bubu balka-nka ngana bayan-mundu kada-nya | they come-SUB, old.woman parents-POSS died-POSS to.the went sat long them-to all she saw-POSS told, she said: dead us-COMIT travel all, quiet lie our mind-LOC, courteous like them-to country tell-DAT we home-toward come-SUB | ...

kaday wulal dungay bunday milbil jilbay janka milka

ngana-nji 'with us' COMIT; the-dead-travel-with-us


The children asked the old man which was the most beautiful country he had ever walked in all his long years of travelling, and he thought for a long while and then said: The country I am standing in right now, always, for the most beautiful country is simply the one your feet are on.

Karrkay-karrkayangka mukulungku dingkar babajin wanya bubu ngulkurr bajaku nyulu jilbanmu nyungu wungar wubulku jilbalmuny, nyulu milkabu baykan kalbay yalada balkan: Bubu ngayu nyiku janay, yabarrka, bubu ngulkurr bajaku nyulu nyubun nyungu jina wangkara janay.

karrkay-karrkay-angka mukul-ungku dingkar babaji-ny wanya bubu ngulkurr bajaku nyulu jilba-ny-mu nyungu wungar wubul-ku jilba-l-muny, nyulu milka-bu bayka-ny kalbay yala-da balka-ny: bubu ngayu nyiku jana-y, yabarrka, bubu ngulkurr bajaku nyulu nyubun nyungu jina wangkar-a jana-y | children old man asked what country most.beautiful he walked his years many travelling-ABL, he thought long then said: country I now stand, always, country most.beautiful which one your feet upon-LOC is | ...

bubu ngulkurr jilbay milkal balkal jina wangkar janay

jina wangkar-nga 'the feet are upon' LOC(rr→? wangkar r-final→-a); the-country-under-your-feet


The old woman said: When my legs finally stop, do not grieve that I can no longer travel, for I have already walked more country than most, and every step of it is still inside me; on the last night, sit me facing the road we came in on, and let me look down it one last time before I go.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Ngayku jadal dukul mara-kunbanya, kari walu-jirrbu-jirrbu ngayu kari jilbal, ngayu yabarrka bubu jilban wubul-baja bama wubulmuny, jina wubulku ngayku dukurrbu karrbal; wungar bada bajakungu, ngayu bunda baral nyaji-mundu ngana kadanmu, ngayu nyaji bada nyubun dumbay ngayu dunganka ngadiku.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: ngayku jadal dukul mara-kunba-nya, kari walu-jirrbu-jirrbu ngayu kari jilba-l, ngayu yabarrka bubu jilba-ny wubul-baja bama wubul-muny, jina wubul-ku ngayku dukurr-bu karrba-l, wungar bada bajaku-ngu, ngayu bunda baral nyaji-mundu ngana kada-ny-mu, ngayu nyaji bada nyubun dumbay ngayu dunga-nka ngadiku | old.woman said: my legs at.last stop-SUB, NEG grieve I unable travel, I already country walked more people all-ABL, steps all my inside-LOC hold, night last-LOC, me sit road facing-toward we came-POSS, I look down one last I go-DAT before | ...

jadal kalkal walu-jirrbu-jirrbu jilbay bubu jina baral dungay

dukurr-a LOC(rr); bajaku-nga? (bajaku u-final→-ngu!) FIX bajakungu; facing-the-road-one-last-time


They buried the old traveller facing the sunrise road, as he had asked, and they built no big mound, only a low ring of the smooth stones he had carried home one by one from every country he walked, so that in death as in life he lay at the meeting of all his roads.

Jana jilba-bama mukul kunjin wungar wandina baral nyaji-mundu, nyulu babajinmu yala, jana kari yumal yalbay bungan, nyubun kulji jarray buban nyulu bayan-mundu jarrakulban nyubun-nyubun bubu wubulku nyulu jilbanmuny, yinyabu wulanga yala wawungu nyulu wunay baral wubulku nyaji-wanmuny.

jana jilba-bama mukul kunji-ny wungar wandi-nya baral nyaji-mundu, nyulu babaji-ny-mu yala, jana kari yumal yalbay bunga-ny, nyubun kulji jarray buban nyulu bayan-mundu jarrakulba-ny nyubun-nyubun bubu wubul-ku nyulu jilba-ny-muny, yinya-bu wula-nga yala wawu-ngu nyulu wuna-y baral wubul-ku nyaji-wa-ny-muny | they traveller old buried sun rises-SUB road facing-toward, he asked-POSS as, they NEG mound big built, one stones smooth small he home-toward carried one.by.one country all he walked-ABL, that-INST death-LOC as life-LOC he lies roads all meet.each.other-LOC | ...

jilba-bama kunjil baral yumal kulji jarrakulbal bubu nyaji-way

nyaji-wanmunynga 'at the meeting' RECIP-LOC; buried-at-the-meeting-of-his-roads


The old woman said the last and best lesson of the road is this: that no journey is ever really made alone, even the one you walk by yourself, for you carry your people in your feet and your dead in your memory and your children in your hopes, and the whole of a life is just learning to walk well in that company.

Wulbumanangka balkan: baralmu milbil bada yukil bajaku yinya: jilbal nyubun kari nganga bungal, baja nyulu yundu nganga jilbal, yundu nyungu bama jinanga karrbal nyungu wula milkanga nyungu karrkay wawungu, wawu wubulku nyulu binalka yukil jilbanka yinya nyubun-nyubunji.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: baral-mu milbi-l bada yukil bajaku yinya: jilba-l nyubun kari nganga bunga-l, baja nyulu yundu nganga jilba-l, yundu nyungu bama jina-nga karrba-l nyungu wula milka-nga nyungu karrkay wawu-ngu, wawu wubul-ku nyulu binal-ka yukil jilba-nka yinya nyubun-nyubun-ji | old.woman said: road-POSS lesson deepest best this: journey one NEG alone made, even it you alone walk, you your people foot-LOC hold your dead mind-LOC your children hope-LOC, life whole it learn-DAT well walk-DAT that each.other-COMIT | ...

baral milbil jilbay jina karrbal wula milka karrkay

jina-nga LOC(a); milka-nga LOC(a); no-journey-is-made-alone — ties to batch-038 reciprocal


The old man said if you watch the ants carry their eggs up to high ground, you know rain is coming, and if they do it in a hurry, you know it will be a big rain, so move your camp before you feel the first drop.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu nyaji minya-buban diburr jarrakulbal wangkar-mundu, yundu binal bana kadanya, kaki jana warri bungal, yundu binal bana yalbay, nyungu bayan yilba yundu bana ngadiku maninya.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu nyaji minya-buban diburr jarrakulba-l wangkar-mundu, yundu binal bana kada-nya, kaki jana warri bunga-l, yundu binal bana yalbay, nyungu bayan yilba yundu bana ngadiku mani-nya | old man said: if you see ants eggs carry up-toward, you know rain coming, if they hurry do, you know rain big, your camp move you rain first feel-SUB

kaki nyajil diburr jarrakulbal binal bana bayan yilbal

kaki+NONPAST x2; wangkar-mundu directional; read-the-ants-for-rain


If the tide is low at dawn, the old woman said, we walk the reef for shellfish; if it is high, we fish from the rocks; and if a big wind comes from the seaward side, we do neither but stay in camp and mend the nets.

Kaki bana bada muduwajungu, wulbumanangka balkan, ngana jalun-ba jina jubulka; kaki bana wangkar, ngana kuljinga kuyu manil; kaki wangkar yalbay naka-muny kaday, ngana jambulku kari, ngana bayanba bundan makarr ngulkurr-bungal.

kaki bana bada muduwaju-ngu, wulbuman-angka balka-ny, ngana jalun-ba jina jubul-ka, kaki bana wangkar, ngana kulji-nga kuyu mani-l, kaki wangkar yalbay naka-muny kada-y, ngana jambul-ku kari, ngana bayan-ba bunda-ny makarr ngulkurr-bunga-l | if water low dawn-LOC, old.woman said, we reef foot shellfish-for, if water high, we rock-LOC fish get, if wind big seaward-ABL comes, we both NEG, we camp-LOC sit net mend | ...

kaki bana bada muduwaju jalun kulji kuyu makarr

kaki x3 (low/high/wind); bada tide; naka-muny ABL; ngulkurr-bunga-l 'mend/make-good'


The old man said if you give a hungry man a fish he eats today, but if you teach him to read the water and make a net, he eats every day of his life, and so the deepest kind of giving is always the teaching.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu bama dakwuy kuyu daji nyulu nyiku nukal, kaki yundu nyulu milbi bana nyajinka makarr bunganka, nyulu wungar wubulku nukal nyungu wawumuny, yinyabu daji bada bajaku yabarrka milbil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu bama dakwuy kuyu daji nyulu nyiku nuka-l, kaki yundu nyulu milbi bana nyaji-nka makarr bunga-nka, nyulu wungar wubul-ku nuka-l nyungu wawu-muny, yinya-bu daji bada bajaku yabarrka milbi-l | old man said: if you man hungry fish give he today eats, if you him teach water read-DAT net make-DAT, he day all eats his life-ABL, that-INST giving deepest always teaching | ...

kaki bama dakwuy kuyu dajil nukal milbil makarr

kaki x2 (give-fish vs teach); give-a-fish-vs-teach-to-fish


The old woman said: I should have listened to my mother when she warned me about that man, but I was young and my ears were full of my own wanting, and by the time I understood she was right, it was already too late to undo what was done.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Ngayu ngamu wukurrinyaku nyulu nganya yinya dingkarmuny milbinya, yambada ngayu warru ngayku milka wawubu buwun, ngayu binalnya nyulu yukil, yinya dukul kilba-baja yamba bunganmu mumbu-bungalka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: ngayu ngamu wukurri-nyaku nyulu nganya yinya dingkar-muny milbi-nya, yambada ngayu warru ngayku milka wawu-bu buwu-ny, ngayu binal-nya nyulu yukil, yinya dukul kilba-baja yamba bunga-ny-mu mumbu-bunga-nka | old.woman said: I mother follow-IRR she me that man-ABL warned-SUB, but I young my ear want-INST full, I understood-SUB she right, that at.last too-late thing done-POSS undo-DAT | ...

ngaral ngamu dingkar milbil warru milka binal mumbu

ngara-nyaku IRR 'should have listened'; regret coordinated with cause (was young)


The old man said if the fire is small, feed it slowly, one stick at a time, for if you pile on too much wood at once you smother it and it dies, and this is true of fires and true of anger and true of love.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki baya buban, buban-buban daya, juku nyubun nyubun, kaki yundu juku wubul nyubunku wangkar yijarri yundu baya wulan-manil nyulu wula, yinya yukil bayamu yukil dukul-wurimu yukil wawu-jirraymu baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki baya buban, buban-buban daya, juku nyubun nyubun, kaki yundu juku wubul nyubun-ku wangkar yijarri yundu baya wula-n-mani-l nyulu wula, yinya yukil baya-mu yukil dukul-wuri-mu yukil wawu-jirray-mu baja | old man said: if fire small, slowly feed, wood one one, if you wood much one-DAT up put you fire die-CAUS it dies, that true fire-POSS true anger-POSS true love-POSS too | ...

kaki baya juku dayal yijarril wulal dukul-wuri wawu

kaki x2; feed-fire-slowly; true-of-fire-anger-love


If you had come to me when the trouble first began, the old man told the young one, I could have helped you easily, but you hid it and let it grow, and now it has roots deep in your life and pulling it out will hurt, though we must still pull it out.

Kaki yundu nganjinbu kadanyaku dukul-yamba ngadiku wandinya, mukulungku dingkarangka warru milbin, ngayu yundu buban-buban mara-daji-nyaku, yambada yundu wawun-manin bungal bawan, nyiku nyulu ngaraka bada-baja nyungu wawubu, buyunka dandi, yambada ngana yabarrka buyun.

kaki yundu nganjin-bu kada-nyaku dukul-yamba ngadiku wandi-nya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka warru milbi-ny, ngayu yundu buban-buban mara-daji-nyaku, yambada yundu wawun-ma-ni-ny bunga-l bawa-ny, nyiku nyulu ngara-ka bada-baja nyungu wawu-bu, buyu-nka dandi, yambada ngana yabarrka buyu-ny | if you me-to come-IRR trouble first rose-SUB, old man young.one told, I you easily help-IRR, but you hid grow left, now it roots deep your life-LOC, pull.out-DAT hard, but we still pull.out | ...

kaki kadal dukul mara-daji binalku ngaral bada buyul

kada-nyaku + mara-daji-nyaku IRR; the-hidden-trouble-takes-root


The old woman said if you plant in the wet you will eat in the dry, if you plant nothing you will hunger, and if you eat your seed yams now because you are hungry now, you take food from the mouth of the person you will be next year.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu bana-wungara jarra, yundu bubungu nukal, kaki yundu kari jarra, yundu dakwuy-manda, kaki yundu nyungu jarra-kuka nyiku nukal yundu nyiku dakwuy, yundu mayi manil bama yundu wungar yindungu janaymuny nyungu dayangamuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu bana-wungar-a jarra, yundu bubu-ngu nuka-l, kaki yundu kari jarra, yundu dakwuy-ma-nda, kaki yundu nyungu jarra-kuka nyiku nuka-l yundu nyiku dakwuy, yundu mayi mani-l bama yundu wungar yindu-ngu jana-y-muny nyungu dayanga-muny | old.woman said: if you wet-LOC plant, you dry-LOC eat, if you NEG plant, you hunger-become, if you your seed-yam now eat you now hungry, you food take person you year other-LOC will.be-ABL his mouth-ABL | ...

kaki jarral nukal dakwuy mayi manil bubu wungar

kaki x3; bana-wungar wet-season; eating-your-seed-yams-robs-your-future-self


The old man said if a snake lies across your path do not step over it, for you cannot see what its tail is doing, but wait, and it will move, because it wants to meet you no more than you want to meet it, and most trouble passes if you only give it room.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki jarba baral naka-naka wunay kari wangkar jilba, yundu murruji nyaji nyungu junkan wanya bungal, yambada kalka, nyulu dungay, nyulu wawu yundu nyaji-way kari junkurr-baja yundu nyulunka, dukul-yamba wubulku dungay kaki yundu nganga bubu daji.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki jarba baral naka-naka wuna-y kari wangkar jilba, yundu murruji nyaji nyungu junkan wanya bunga-l, yambada kalka, nyulu dunga-y, nyulu wawu yundu nyaji-way kari junkurr-baja yundu nyulu-nka, dukul-yamba wubul-ku dunga-y kaki yundu nganga bubu daji | old man said: if snake path across lies NEG over step, you unable see its tail what does, but wait, it goes, it wants you meet.each.other NEG more.than you it-for, trouble most passes if you just room give | ...

kaki jarba baral wunay kalkal dungay nyaji-way bubu

kaki x2; jarba snake (lexeme); give-trouble-room-and-it-passes


The old woman said if you speak in anger you will say the one thing that cannot be unsaid, so when the anger is on you, close your mouth and open your feet, walk until the heat leaves your blood, and speak only when you could speak the same words to a child.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu dukul-wuribu balka yundu kuku nyubun balkal nyulu murruji murni-manilmu, dukul-wuri nyungu jibanga janaka, nyungu ngandal nanda, nyungu jina wangkar, jilba kiway nyungu mulamuny dunganya, balka nganga kaki yundu kuku nyubun karrkaynka balka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu dukul-wuri-bu balka yundu kuku nyubun balka-l nyulu murruji murni-ma-ni-l-mu, dukul-wuri nyungu jiba-nga jana-ka, nyungu ngandal nanda, nyungu jina wangkar, jilba kiway nyungu mula-muny dunga-nya, balka nganga kaki yundu kuku nyubun karrkay-nka balka | old.woman said: if you anger-INST speak you word one say which unable unsay, anger your liver-LOC be-DAT, your mouth shut, your feet open, walk heat your blood-ABL leave-SUB, speak only if you word same child-to speak | ...

kaki dukul-wuri balkal murni jina jilbay kija mula

kaki x2; dukul-wuri-bu 'with anger'; walk-till-the-heat-leaves-your-blood


They should have turned back when the sky went green in the west, the old man said, but they were close to good hunting and greed made them foolish, and the storm caught them in the open, and two did not come home, and that is why we teach: read the sky before the belly.

Jana nyunbanyaku jiri kuwa jirakal-mandanya, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yambada jana ngundu minya ngulkurrbu jana ngujanbu binal-kari-manda, jarramali jana bubu yaralba manin, jambul kari dukul kadan, yinyabu ngana milbil: jiri nyaji ngadiku dandu ngadikumuny.

jana nyunba-nyaku jiri kuwa jirakal-ma-nda-nya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yambada jana ngundu minya ngulkurr-bu jana ngujan-bu binal-kari-ma-nda, jarramali jana bubu yaral-ba mani-ny, jambul kari dukul kada-ny, yinya-bu ngana milbi-l: jiri nyaji ngadiku dandu ngadiku-muny | they turn.back-IRR sky west green-became-SUB, old man said, but they near game good-INST they greed-INST foolish-became, storm them country open-LOC caught, two NEG home came, that-INST we teach: sky read first belly before | ...

nyunbay jiri kuwa jirakal minya jarramali yaral milbil

nyunba-nyaku IRR 'should have turned back'; read-the-sky-before-the-belly


The old man said if you follow the tracks of the wallaby you will find where it feeds, if you find where it feeds you will find where it drinks, if you find where it drinks you will know its whole country, and then you will never go hungry, so patience with the small signs is the beginning of all skill.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu darrba jina wukurri yundu nyaji wanja nyulu nukal, kaki yundu nyaji wanja nyulu nukal yundu nyaji wanja nyulu jangal, kaki yundu nyaji wanja nyulu jangal yundu binal nyungu bubu wubulku, yalada yundu kariku dakwuy dungay, yinyabu wawu-janka wari buban-mandaku balbimu wandinmu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu darrba jina wukurri yundu nyaji wanja nyulu nuka-l, kaki yundu nyaji wanja nyulu nuka-l yundu nyaji wanja nyulu janga-l, kaki yundu nyaji wanja nyulu janga-l yundu binal nyungu bubu wubul-ku, yala-da yundu kariku dakwuy dunga-y, yinya-bu wawu-janka wari buban-manda-ku balbi-mu wandi-ny-mu | old man said: if you wallaby tracks follow you see where it feeds, if you see where it feeds you see where it drinks, if you see where it drinks you know its country all, then you never hungry go, that-INST patience with small-signs-DAT skill-POSS begins | ...

kaki kangkur jina wukurril nukal jangal bubu balbi

kaki x3 chained; patience-with-small-signs-is-the-start-of-skill


The old woman said if you must choose between being right and being kind, choose kind, for the person who is only ever right ends up alone and cold, while the person who is kind is surrounded to the end, and being right was never as warm as being loved.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu jambulmuny manil yukilmuny wawu-yukilmuny, wawu-yukil mani, bama nyulu nganga yukil janay nyulu nganga kiway dumbay-mba, bama wawu-yukil bama wubulku ngunduka dumbay-mba, yukil janay kariku wumbul yala wawu-jirraymuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu jambul-muny mani-l yukil-muny wawu-yukil-muny, wawu-yukil mani, bama nyulu nganga yukil jana-y nyulu nganga kiway dumbay-mba, bama wawu-yukil bama wubul-ku ngundu-ka dumbay-mba, yukil jana-y kariku wumbul yala wawu-jirray-muny | old.woman said: if you between choose right-ABL kind-ABL, kind choose, person who only right is he alone cold end-LOC, person kind people all near-DAT end-LOC, right was never warm like loved-ABL | ...

kaki manil yukil wawu-yukil kiway dumbay wumbul wawu


The old man said if a young man asks you for advice, give it once, plainly, and then be quiet, for if he is wise he heard you the first time and needs no more, and if he is foolish he will not hear you the tenth time either, and repeating only makes both of you tired.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki warru yundunka kuku-yukil babaji, daya nyubun, ngulkurr, yalada janka, kaki nyulu binal nyulu ngaran yundu ngadiku kariku wubul wawu, kaki nyulu buban nyulu kariku ngara yundu wubulku baja, balka-balka jambulku wawu-wula-y-manil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki warru yundu-nka kuku-yukil babaji, daya nyubun, ngulkurr, yala-da karra, kaki nyulu binal nyulu ngara-ny yundu ngadiku kariku wubul wawu, kaki nyulu buban nyulu kariku ngara yundu wubul-ku baja, balka-balka jambul-ku wawu-wula-y-ma-ni-l | old man said: if young.man you-of advice asks, give once, plainly, then quiet, if he wise he heard you first never more wants, if he foolish he never hears you tenth too, repeating both tire | ...

kaki warru babaji dayal ngaral binal buban balkal


If we had shared the big catch with the other camp that season instead of drying it all for ourselves, the old woman said, they would have shared with us in the hungry time that followed, but we were greedy, and when our own hunger came no one owed us anything, and we learned the law the hard way.

Kaki ngana kuyu yalbay jawun-karra yindunji daji-way yinya wungara kari ngana-nyulunku wubulku kambal, wulbumanangka balkan, jana ngananji daji-way-nyaku dakwuy wungara nyulu dumbay kadanmu, yambada ngana ngujan, ngana nyungu dakwuy kadanya bama nyubun ngananka kari yamba wundil, ngana kuku dandibu binalman.

kaki ngana kuyu yalbay jawun-karra yindu-nji daji-way yinya wungar-a kari ngana-nyulu-nku wubul-ku kamba-l, wulbuman-angka balka-ny, jana ngana-nji daji-way-nyaku dakwuy wungar-a nyulu dumbay kada-ny-mu, yambada ngana ngujan, ngana nyungu dakwuy kada-nya bama nyubun ngana-nka kari yamba wundi-l, ngana kuku dandi-bu binal-ma-ny | if we catch big family other-with share that season-LOC NEG ourselves-DAT all dried, old.woman said, they us-with share-IRR hunger season-LOC which after came-POSS, but we greedy, we our hunger came-SUB people no.one us-to NEG thing owed, we law hard-INST learned | ...

kaki kuyu jawun daji-way kambal dakwuy ngujan binal

daji-way-nyaku IRR 'would have shared'; hoarding-breaks-the-law-of-return


The old man said if you want to know a person, do not listen to what they say about themselves, but watch what they do when they are tired, when they are hungry, when they think no one is looking, for anyone can be good when it is easy, and it is only under weight that the true shape shows.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu bama binalka, kari ngara nyulu nyulu-nyulunka balkalmu, yambada nyaji nyulu wanya bungal nyulu wawu-wula-y, nyulu dakwuy, nyulu milkabu baykal bama nyubun kari nyajil, bama wubulku yukil janay yamba buban-buban, dandingu nganga nyungu murni yukil milbil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu bama binal-ka, kari ngara nyulu nyulu-nyulu-nka balka-l-mu, yambada nyaji nyulu wanya bunga-l nyulu wawu-wula-y, nyulu dakwuy, nyulu milka-bu bayka-l bama nyubun kari nyaji-l, bama wubul-ku yukil jana-y yamba buban-buban, dandi-ngu nganga nyungu murni yukil milbi-l | old man said: if you person know-DAT, NEG listen he himself-about says-POSS, but watch he what does he tired, he hungry, he thinks people one NEG looks, people all good are thing easy, weight-LOC only its shape true shows | ...

kaki bama binal ngaral nyajil wawu-wula-y dakwuy milbil

kaki (know a person); dandi-ngu 'under weight' LOC(u); true-shape-shows-under-weight


The old woman said if the baby cries in one voice it is hungry, if it cries in another it is in pain, if it cries in a third it is only lonely and wants to be held, and a mother who learns the three voices in the first months saves herself a thousand sleepless nights.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki ngawa nyubun kukubu badi nyulu dakwuy, kaki yindu kukubu badi nyulu buyun, kaki kulur kukubu badi nyulu nganga jirrbu-jirrbu wawu karrbanka, ngamu nyulu kuku kulur binal ngunkul ngadikungu nyulu-nyulu wujurr wubul wunkuny-kari karrbal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki ngawa nyubun kuku-bu badi nyulu dakwuy, kaki yindu kuku-bu badi nyulu buyu-ny, kaki kulur kuku-bu badi nyulu nganga jirrbu-jirrbu wawu karrba-nka, ngamu nyulu kuku kulur binal ngunkul ngadiku-ngu nyulu-nyulu wujurr wubul wunkuny-kari karrba-l | old.woman said: if baby one voice-INST cries it hungry, if other voice-INST cries it hurt, if third voice-INST cries it just lonely wants held-DAT, mother who voices three learns months first-LOC herself nights many sleepless spares | ...

kaki ngawa kuku badil dakwuy buyun jirrbu-jirrbu kunya

kaki x3 (three cries); learn-the-baby's-three-voices


The old man said if you take only what you need and leave the rest to grow, the country will feed you forever, but if you take everything because you can, you eat well for one season and starve for ten, and the ground remembers which kind of person walked on it.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu manil nyubun yundu wawu bawal yindu bunganka, bubu yundu nukanka yabarrka, kaki yundu wubulku manil yundu murruji, yundu ngulkurr nukal nyubun wungara dakwuy wubul wungara, bubu binalku wanyu bama nyungunga jilbanmu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu mani-l nyubun yundu wawu bawa-l yindu bunga-nka, bubu yundu nuka-nka yabarrka, kaki yundu wubul-ku mani-l yundu murruji, yundu ngulkurr nuka-l nyubun wungar-a dakwuy wubul wungar-a, bubu binalku wanyu bama nyungu-nga jilba-ny-mu | old man said: if you take only you need leave rest grow-DAT, country you feed-DAT always, if you all take you can, you well eat one season-LOC hunger many season-LOC, ground remembers which person it-on walked | ...

kaki manil bawal bubu nukal dakwuy binalku jilbay

kaki x2; take-only-what-you-need; the-ground-remembers


I should have taught my son the country while my legs were still strong, the old man said, but I always thought there would be more time, and then the sickness took my walking, and now I can only point at the hills and name them, and a name without a walk is only half a teaching.

Ngayu ngayku kangkal bubu milbi-nyaku ngayku jadal junkurr janay-mba, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yambada ngayu yabarrka milkabu baykan wungar wubul-baja janayka, yalada buyun ngayku jilbal manin, nyiku ngayu nganga yumal milbal burri balkal, burri jilbal-kari nyulu nganga milbil buban.

ngayu ngayku kangkal bubu milbi-nyaku ngayku jadal junkurr jana-y-mba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yambada ngayu yabarrka milka-bu bayka-ny wungar wubul-baja jana-y-ka, yala-da buyun ngayku jilba-l mani-ny, nyiku ngayu nganga yumal milba-l burri balka-l, burri jilba-l-kari nyulu nganga milbi-l buban | I my son country teach-IRR my legs strong were-LOC, old man said, but I always thought time more would.be-DAT, then sickness my walking took, now I just hills point name say, name walk-without it only teaching half | ...

milbil kangkal bubu jadal junkurr buyun jilbay yumal

milbi-nyaku IRR 'should have taught'; a-name-without-a-walk-is-half-a-teaching


The old woman said if two people carry a heavy log and one lets go early, the other is not merely left with half but crushed with the sudden whole, so if you must set down your end of a shared burden, say so first, and set it down slowly, and never simply let go.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki bama jambul juku dandi jarrakulbal nyubun ngadiku bawal, yindu kari nganga buban bawan yambada wubul buban-buban-karibu kaka-manda, kaki yundu yabarrka nyungu dandi buban bada yijarrinka, balka ngadiku, buban-buban bada yijarri, kari nganga bawa.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki bama jambul juku dandi jarrakulba-l nyubun ngadiku bawa-l, yindu kari nganga buban bawa-ny yambada wubul buban-buban-kari-bu kaka-ma-nda, kaki yundu yabarrka nyungu dandi buban bada yijarri-nka, balka ngadiku, buban-buban bada yijarri, kari nganga bawa | old.woman said: if people two log heavy carry one first lets.go, other NEG just half left but whole suddenly-INST crushed-becomes, if you must your load part down set-DAT, say first, slowly down put, NEG just let.go | ...

kaki juku dandi jarrakulbal bawal kaka yijarril balkal


The old man said if the young ask why the old speak so slowly and repeat themselves, tell them this: we are not slow of mind but careful of word, for we have seen what a fast careless word can break, and we would rather lose a moment than lose a thing that took a lifetime to build.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki warru babaji wanyu mukul buban-buban balka balka-balka, jananka milbi yinya: ngana kari milka buban yambada kuku murni, ngana nyajinmu kuku warri binal-kari nyulu kaka-manil, ngana wawu wungar nyubun kilbanka kari yamba kilbanka nyulu wawu wubulmuny bungalmu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki warru babaji wanyu mukul buban-buban balka balka-balka, jana-nka milbi yinya: ngana kari milka buban yambada kuku murni, ngana nyaji-ny-mu kuku warri binal-kari nyulu kaka-ma-ni-l, ngana wawu wungar nyubun kilba-nka kari yamba kilba-nka nyulu wawu wubul-muny bunga-l-mu | old man said: if young ask why old slowly speaks repeats, them tell this: we NEG mind slow but word careful, we seen-POSS word fast careless it breaks, we rather moment one lose-DAT NEG thing lose-DAT which lifetime-ABL build-POSS | ...

kaki warru babaji mukul balkal kuku binal kilbal

kaki (why the old speak slowly); careful-of-word-not-slow-of-mind


The old woman said if you wrong someone, mend it quickly while the wound is fresh and small, for if you leave it the wrong grows a hard skin of pride over it, and then to mend it you must first break that skin again, and few are brave enough for that second pain.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu bama mumbu-bunga, ngulkurr-bunga warri buyun jirakal buban janay-mba, kaki yundu bawa mumbu ngaral kulur junkurr wawu-yalbaymu nyungunga, yalada ngulkurr-bungalka yundu ngadiku kulur yinya kaka baja, buban wawu-junkurr yinya buyun jambulmu.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu bama mumbu-bunga, ngulkurr-bunga warri buyun jirakal buban jana-y-mba, kaki yundu bawa mumbu ngara-l kulji junkurr wawu-yalbay-mu nyungu-nga, yala-da ngulkurr-bunga-nka yundu ngadiku kulji yinya kaka baja, buban wawu-junkurr yinya buyun jambul-mu | old.woman said: if you person wrong, fix quickly wound fresh small while-LOC, if you leave wrong grows skin hard pride-POSS it-on, then fix-DAT you first skin that break again, few brave that pain second-POSS | ...

kaki mumbu ngulkurr-bunga buyun jirakal ngaral junkurr kaka

kaki x2; mend-the-wrong-while-fresh; pride-grows-a-hard-skin


The old man said if you are ever lost in the argument of two people you love, do not ask which one is right, ask instead what each one is afraid of, for under every angry word there is a frightened one, and if you can answer the fear the anger has nothing left to stand on.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu nganga bama jambul yundu wawu-jirray kuni-way-mba, kari babaji wanyu nyubun yukil, babaji wanya bama wubulku yinilmu, dukul-wuri kuku wubulku badanga kuku yinil janay, kaki yundu yinil kuku-yukilka dukul-wuri kari yamba janjilka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu nganga bama jambul yundu wawu-jirray kuni-way-mba, kari babaji wanyu nyubun yukil, babaji wanya bama wubul-ku yinil-mu, dukul-wuri kuku wubul-ku bada-nga kuku yinil jana-y, kaki yundu yinil kuku-yukil-ka dukul-wuri kari yamba kaja-nka | old man said: if you lost people two you love fight.each.other-LOC, NEG ask which right, ask what people all afraid-POSS, anger word all under-LOC word afraid is, if you fear answer-DAT anger NEG thing stand-DAT | ...

kaki bama wawu kuni-way babaji yinil dukul-wuri janyjil

kaki x2; kuni-way RECIP; under-every-angry-word-a-frightened-one


We should have buried the old songs in the young ones while there were still many who remembered, the old woman said, but we were busy staying alive, and each year an old singer died and took a hundred songs into the ground, and now we hold only pieces, and a song in pieces cannot be sung.

Ngana wangkarr ngadiku warru-manda wandi-nyaku wubul jana milkanga karrban janay-mba, wulbumanangka balkan, yambada ngana yabarrka janayka wawu-karrbalka, wungar wubulku mala-burri nyubun wulan wangkarr wubul bubungu jarrakulban, nyiku ngana nganga buban karrbal, wangkarr buban-mandanga murruji balkalmu.

ngana wangkarr ngadiku warru-ma-nda kunji-nyaku wubul jana milka-nga karrba-ny jana-y-mba, wulbuman-angka balka-ny, yambada ngana yabarrka jana-y-ka wawu-karrba-nka, wungar wubul-ku mala-burri nyubun wula-ny wangkarr wubul bubu-ngu jarrakulba-ny, nyiku ngana nganga buban karrba-l, wangkarr buban-manda-nga murruji balka-l-mu | we songs old young-into bury-IRR many they remembered were-LOC, old.woman said, but we busy staying.alive-DAT, year all singer one died songs many ground-into carried, now we just pieces hold, songs pieces-in unable sing-POSS | ...

wangkarr kunjil warru milkal mala-burri wulal bubu balkal

kunji-nyaku IRR 'should have buried [the songs in the young]'; a-song-in-pieces-cannot-be-sung


The old man said if you would test whether a thing is worth doing, imagine you have already done it and grown old, and ask whether the old you looks back with pride or with regret, for the young mind lies to get what it wants but the old mind you imagine tells only the truth.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu yamba nyaji nyulu bunganka yukil, milka yundu yabarrka bungan mukul-manda, babaji mukul yundu kurrka-nyaji-ji wawu-minibu dukul walu-jirrbu-jirrbubu, milka warru warmbil nyungu wawu maninka yambada milka mukul yundu milkanya kuku yukil nganga balkal.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu yamba nyaji nyulu bunga-nka yukil, milka yundu yabarrka bunga-ny mukul-ma-nda, babaji mukul yundu kurrka-nyaji-ji wawu-mini-bu dukul walu-jirrbu-jirrbu-bu, milka warru warmbi-l nyungu wawu mani-nka yambada milka mukul yundu milka-nya kuku yukil nganga balka-l | old man said: if you thing test it do-DAT worth, imagine you already did old-became, ask old you look.back joy-INST or grief-INST, mind young lies its want get-DAT but mind old you imagine truth only tells | ...

kaki nyajil milka bungal mukul kurrka-nyaji-ji wawu-mini warmbil

kaki (test a choice); kurrka-nyaji-ji 'look back' REFL; ask-your-imagined-old-self


The old woman said if the rains fail one year, tighten your belt and share what little there is, for a people that shares scarcity survives it together, but a people that hoards in the lean time tears itself apart, and the tearing kills more than the hunger ever would.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki bana wulan nyubun wungara, nyungu mudu karrba buban mayi daji-way, bama nyulu buban daji-way nyubunji kilban, yambada bama nyulu dakwuy wungara kambal nyulu-nyulu damil, damil bama wubul kaka-manil junkurr-baja dakwuymuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki bana wula-ny nyubun wungar-a, nyungu mudu karrba buban mayi daji-way, bama nyulu buban daji-way nyubun-ji kilba-ny, yambada bama nyulu dakwuy wungar-a kamba-l nyulu-nyulu dami-l, dami-l bama wubul kaka-ma-ni-l junkurr-baja dakwuy-muny | old.woman said: if rain fails one season-LOC, your belt tighten little food share, people who little share together-COMIT survives, but people who lean season-LOC hoards itself tears, tearing people many kills more.than hunger-ABL | ...

kaki bana wulal mayi daji-way dakwuy kambal kaka

kaki (rains fail); daji-way RECIP; share-scarcity-survive-it; the-tearing-kills-more-than-hunger


The old man said if you cannot decide between two paths, sleep one night at the fork, and in the morning your feet will know what your head could not, for the body carries an older wisdom than the mind, and it does not argue, it simply leans, and you have only to notice which way you lean.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu murruji binal baral jambulmuny, wuna nyubun wujurr baral jambul-mandanga, muduwajungu nyungu jina binal wanya nyungu kaba murruji binalmu, bangkarr wawu-binal ngadiku-baja karrbal milkamuny, nyulu kari kuni-way, nyulu nganga bada janji, yundu nganga nyaji wanya-mundu yundu janjil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu murruji binal baral jambul-muny, wuna nyubun wujurr baral jambul-ma-nda-nga, muduwaju-ngu nyungu jina binal wanya nyungu kaba murruji binal-mu, bangkarr wawu-binal ngadiku-baja karrba-l milka-muny, nyulu kari kuni-way, nyulu nganga bada karra, yundu nganga nyaji wanya-mundu yundu kaja-l | old man said: if you unable decide path two-ABL, sleep one night fork-LOC, dawn-LOC your feet know what your head unable know-POSS, body wisdom older holds mind-ABL, it NEG argues, it just leans, you just notice which-way you lean | ...

kaki binal baral wunay kunya muduwaju jina bangkarr


The old woman said if a child is caught in a lie, do not shame them before others, for shame teaches only better hiding, but take them aside and ask quietly why they were afraid to tell the truth, because every lie is a fear wearing a mask, and you cannot cure what you only punish.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki karrkay warmbilba manil, kari milka-murruji-bunga bama wubulku dukurr-bu, milka-murruji milbil ngulkurr wuninka nganga, yambada nyulu ngundu manil janka babaji wanyu nyulu yinil kuku yukil balkanka, warmbil wubulku yinil nyulu kambi-ji, yundu murruji ngulkurr-bunga nyulu yundu nganga buyun-bungal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki karrkay warmbi-l-ba mani-l, kari milka-murruji-bunga bama wubul-ku dukurr-bu, milka-murruji milbi-l ngulkurr wuni-nka nganga, yambada nyulu ngundu mani-l karra babaji wanyu nyulu yinil kuku yukil balka-nka, warmbi-l wubul-ku yinil nyulu kambi-ji, yundu murruji ngulkurr-bunga nyulu yundu nganga buyun-bunga-l | old.woman said: if child lying-LOC caught, NEG shame-make people all among, shame teaches only hiding better, but him aside take quietly ask why he afraid truth tell-DAT, lies all fear it mask-COMIT, you unable fix which you only punish | ...

kaki karrkay warmbil milka-murruji milbil yinil kuku buyun

kaki (child's lie); every-lie-a-fear-in-a-mask; you-cannot-cure-what-you-only-punish