The children learned to read the water before going in: if it is dark and fast it is deeper than it looks; if you cannot see the bottom you cannot know the depth, and a crossing misjudged is a life lost.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman bana nyajinka bana dunganyjiku ngadiku: kaki bana ngungul junkurr nyulu bada-baja nyajilmuny; kaki yundu bundal murruji nyajil, yundu bada binal murruji, bana mumbunmuny wawu kilba.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny bana nyaji-nka bana dunga-nyjiku ngadiku: kaki bana ngungul junkurr nyulu bada-baja nyaji-l-muny; kaki yundu bundal murruji nyaji-l, yundu bada binal murruji, bana mumbu-ny-muny wawu kilba | children learned water read-DAT water enter-before: if water dark fast it deeper looks-ABL; if you bottom unable see, you depth know unable, water misjudged-ABL life lost

karrkay bana nyajil dungay ngungul junkurr bada bundal murruji kilba

two kaki+NONPAST; bundal 'bottom'; bada-baja 'deeper'


The old man said the river is patient and always gives you another day to cross, but it never gives back a life, so when in doubt, wait — the far bank will still be there tomorrow.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bana maku-janay, yabarrka yundu wungar yindu bana dunganka dajil, yambada wawu kari dajil baja, yundu binal-karinya, maku-jana, bana kudamundu wunkun janay baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bana maku-jana-y, yabarrka yundu wungar yindu bana dunga-nka daji-l, yambada wawu kari daji-l baja, yundu binal-kari-nya, maku-jana, bana kudamundu wunkun jana-y baja | old man said: river waits, always you day other water cross-PURP gives, but life NEG gives back, you uncertain-SUB, wait-IMP, river far.bank tomorrow stands too

bana maku-janay wungar dungay wawu dajil binal kudamundu wunkun

binal-kari-nya SUB 'when in doubt'; river-gives-no-life-back


The children learned that the bravest thing is often to turn back, and that there is no shame in a journey abandoned to save a life, for the country will still be there, and so, because you turned back, will you.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman wawu-junkurr bajaku yabarrka kudamundu murninka, kari milka-murruji kalbay bawanmuny wawu kujinka, bubu kudamundu janay baja, yundu, yundu murninmuny, janay baja.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny wawu-junkurr bajaku yabarrka kudamundu murni-nka, kari milka-murruji kalbay bawa-ny-muny wawu kuji-nka, bubu kudamundu jana-y baja, yundu, yundu murni-ny-muny, jana-y baja | children learned bravest thing often turn.back-DAT, NEG shame journey abandoned-ABL life save-DAT, country still stands too, you, you turned.back-ABL, stand too

karrkay wawu-junkurr kudamundu murnil milka-murruji kalbay bawal bubu kujil


The old woman said: The mountain will always be there for another attempt, but you have only one life to spend attempting it, so spend it wisely, come home, and try again.

Wulbumanangka balkan: manjal yabarrka janay baja kirraji yinduka, yambada yundu wawu nyubun nganga kirrajinka, ngulkurr wundi, bayanka kada, kirraji baja.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: manjal yabarrka jana-y baja kirraji yindu-ka, yambada yundu wawu nyubun nganga kirraji-nka, ngulkurr wundi, bayan-ka kada, kirraji baja | old.woman said: mountain always stands too attempt other-DAT, but you life one only spend-DAT, wisely spend-IMP, home-DAT come-IMP, attempt again

manjal kirraji yindu wawu nyubun ngulkurr wundil bayan kaday


The children asked how you tell healthy caution from cowardice, and the old man said: Caution asks what is the wise thing; cowardice asks what is the safe thing; and the two give the same answer only about half the time.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babajin yala yundu nyaji-ngarr yinil-bamamuny binal, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: nyaji-ngarrbu babajil wanya yamba binal, yinil-bamabu babajil wanya yamba yukil, jambulku kuku nyubun dajil wungar buban nganga.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babaji-ny yala yundu nyaji-ngarr yinil-bama-muny binal, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: nyaji-ngarr-bu babaji-l wanya yamba binal, yinil-bama-bu babaji-l wanya yamba yukil, jambul-ku kuku nyubun daji-l wungar buban nganga | children asked how you caution cowardice-ABL tell, old man said: caution-INST asks what thing wise, coward-INST asks what thing safe, both.of.them answer same give time half only

nyaji-ngarr yinil binal babaji yamba yukil jambul wungar


The old man said fear says 'do not', and caution says 'not yet, and not this way' — the first holds you forever, the second only until you have found the safe path, and knowing the difference is half of wisdom.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yinilbu balkal kari, nyaji-ngarrbu balkal kariku, kari yala yinya, ngadiku yundu karrbal yabarrka, yindu nganga yundu jina yukil nyajinyjiku, jambulku murni binal wungar buban nganga.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yinil-bu balka-l kari, nyaji-ngarr-bu balka-l kariku, kari yala yinya, ngadiku yundu karrba-l yabarrka, yindu nganga yundu jina yukil nyaji-nyjiku, jambul-ku murni binal wungar buban nganga | old man said: fear-INST says no, caution-INST says not.yet, NEG way this, first you holds forever, second only you path safe find-SUCC, difference-of-both know wisdom half only

yinil nyaji-ngarr balkal kariku karrbal jina yukil murni binal


The children learned to take the precaution and then let the worry go, for worry after precaution is a debt paid twice, and the whole point of preparing is to be free to act without fear.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman nyaji-ngarr maninka, milka-badil yindu bawanka, milka-badil nyaji-ngarrmuny yala yamba jambul dajil, nyaji-ngarrmu yala nganga kaja-kari yinil-kari ngaranka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny nyaji-ngarr mani-nka, milka-badil yindu bawa-nka, milka-badil nyaji-ngarr-muny yala yamba jambul daji-l, nyaji-ngarr-mu yala nganga kaja-kari yinil-kari ngara-nka | children learned precaution take-DAT, worry then let-DAT, worry precaution-after like thing twice pays, precaution-POSS point only free fearless act-DAT

nyaji-ngarr manil milka-badil bawal yamba jambul dajil kaja yinil


The old woman said the goal of all foresight is not to live in fear of the future but to be so ready for it that you can live entirely in the present, unafraid.

Wulbumanangka balkan: nyaji-ngarr wubulmu yala kari wunkun yinilba bundanka, yambada wunkunka yukil bajaku janayka yundu nyiku nganga bunday, yinil-kari.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: nyaji-ngarr wubul-mu yala kari wunkun yinil-ba bunda-nka, yambada wunkun-ka yukil bajaku jana-y-ka yundu nyiku nganga bunda-y, yinil-kari | old.woman said: foresight all-POSS goal NEG future fear-LOC live-PURP, but future-DAT ready most be-DAT you now only live, fearless

nyaji-ngarr wunkun yinil bunday yukil nyiku kaja

yinil-ba LOC(l); yinil-kari 'fearless'; prepared-live-in-present


The children carried this last of the old ones' teachings, and it served them all their lives: prepare like a pessimist, then live like an optimist, for the one who has prepared for rain can walk in the sun without a care.

Karrkay-karrkayangka yinya kuku ngadikumu ngadiku wundin, nyulu jana kirrajin wawu wubulku: yamba mumbuka ngara-ngarr, yalada wawu-mini bunda, bama nyulu kabaka ngaranmuny wungara nyulu jilbay milka-kari.

karrkay-karrkay-angka yinya kuku ngadiku-mu ngadiku wundi-ny, nyulu jana kirraji-ny wawu wubul-ku: yamba mumbu-ka ngara-ngarr, yala-da wawu-mini bunda, bama nyulu kaba-ka ngara-ny-muny wungar-a nyulu jilba-y milka-kari | children this teaching elders-POSS last carried, it them served life all: thing worst-DAT prepare-first, then happy live-IMP, person who rain-DAT prepared-ABL sun-LOC he walks care-less

kuku ngadiku wundil kirraji mumbu ngaral wawu-mini kaba jilbal

ngara-ngarr TEMP3(a); wungar-a LOC(r); prepare-then-live-free


The old man said: I have lived a long life in a hard country, and I have seen friends die who were braver and stronger than me, and the only reason I am still here is that I was careful when it counted.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Ngayu kalbay wawu bundan bubu dandinga, ngayu yaba wulan nyajin jana wawu-junkurr-baja ngayamuny, junkurr-baja ngayamuny, ngayu nyiku nganga janay nyubun kuku nganga: ngayu nyaji-nyaji wanja yamba dandi.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: ngayu kalbay wawu bunda-ny bubu dandi-nga, ngayu yaba wula-ny nyaji-ny jana wawu-junkurr-baja ngaya-muny, junkurr-baja ngaya-muny, ngayu nyiku nganga jana-y nyubun kuku nganga: ngayu nyaji-nyaji wanja yamba dandi | old man said: I long life lived country hard-LOC, I friends died saw who braver me-ABL, stronger me-ABL, I now only stand one reason only: I careful when thing counted

kalbay wawu bunday bubu dandi yaba wulay wawu-junkurr nyaji

bubu dandi-nga LOC(i); nyaji-nyaji 'careful'; survivor's-testimony


The children came to understand that all his rules and cautions were not the fussing of an old man but the distilled wisdom of everyone who had not lived to pass it on, spoken by the one who had.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman nyungu kuku nyaji-ngarr wubulku kari mukul dingkarmu milka-badil, yambada bama wubulku jana kariku nyiku janay balkanka wulanmuny binal, bama nyulu janaymuny balkan.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny nyungu kuku nyaji-ngarr wubul-ku kari mukul dingkar-mu milka-badil, yambada bama wubul-ku jana kariku nyiku jana-y balka-nka wula-ny-muny binal, bama nyulu jana-y-muny balka-ny | children understood his rules caution all NEG old man-POSS fussing, but people all who not.yet now stand tell-PURP died-ABL wisdom, person who survived-ABL spoke

nyaji-ngarr mukul milka-badil bama kariku balkal wulay binal


The old woman said every safe old person is a store of dangers survived, and the young who will not listen must write, in their own pain, the lessons the old already knew.

Wulbumanangka balkan: mukul wubulku yinilmu kudamundu jananmuny binal, warru jana kari milka jana nyungu kakabu milbil kuku mukulbu ngadiku binalmuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: mukul wubul-ku yinil-mu kudamundu jana-ny-muny binal, warru jana kari milka jana nyungu kaka-bu milbi-l kuku mukul-bu ngadiku binal-muny | old.woman said: old.people all dangers behind stood-ABL wise, young who NEG listen their pain-INST write lessons old-INST already knew-ABL

mukul yinil kudamundu binal warru milka kaka milbil kuku

yinilmu kudamundu janan 'dangers survived'; kaka-bu 'with pain'


The children asked the old man what was the single most important precaution of all, and he thought a long time and said: Never let your want for a thing blind you to the cost of getting it.

Karrkay-karrkayangka mukul dingkar babajin wanya nyaji-ngarr nyubun dandi bajaku wubulmuny, nyulu milka-bu baykan kalbay, balkan: Kari yundu yamba wawubu yundu yamba-nka dandika milka-kari-mani.

karrkay-karrkay-angka mukul dingkar babaji-ny wanya nyaji-ngarr nyubun dandi bajaku wubul-muny, nyulu milka-bu bayka-ny kalbay, balka-ny: kari yundu yamba wawu-bu yundu yamba-nka dandi-ka milka-kari-mani | children old man asked which precaution one important most all-ABL, he thought long, said: NEG you thing want-INST you thing-DAT cost-DAT blind-make

nyaji-ngarr nyubun dandi baykal kalbay yamba wawu milka

dandi bajaku wubulmuny 'most important of all'; want-blinds-to-cost


The old man said the cost of every choice is the road not taken, so before you choose, walk both roads in your mind to the very end, and only then decide which regret you would rather carry.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yamba wubulku manilmu dandi jina kari maninmuny, yundu maninyjiku ngadiku, jina jambul milkanga murru bajakuka jilba, yalada nganga binal wanya milka-badil yundu wundinka wawu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yamba wubul-ku mani-l-mu dandi jina kari mani-ny-muny, yundu mani-nyjiku ngadiku, jina jambul milka-nga murru bajaku-ka jilba, yala-da nganga binal wanya milka-badil yundu wundi-nka wawu | old man said: choice every-POSS cost road NEG taken-ABL, you choose-before, roads two mind-LOC end very-DAT walk-IMP, then only decide which regret you carry-DAT want

manil dandi jina mani-nyjiku jambul milka jilbal milka-badil wundil

milka-nga LOC(a); jina kari maninmuny 'road not taken'


And that, said the old man, is the last and deepest precaution of all: to look clearly, before you act, at who you will have become when the acting is done — for of all the things you must prepare for, the hardest to face is yourself.

Yinya, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, nyaji-ngarr ngadiku bada bajaku wubulmuny: yaral nyaji, ngaranyjiku ngadiku, wanya yundu kambanya ngaran dunganyjiku, yamba wubulmuny yundu ngaranka, dandi bajaku nyajinka yundu nyulu-nyulu.

yinya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, nyaji-ngarr ngadiku bada bajaku wubul-muny: yaral nyaji, ngara-nyjiku ngadiku, wanya yundu kamba-nya ngara-ny dunga-nyjiku, yamba wubul-muny yundu ngara-nka, dandi bajaku nyaji-nka yundu nyulu-nyulu | that, old man said, precaution last deepest all-ABL: clearly look-IMP, act-before, who you become act done-SUCC, thing all-ABL you prepare-PURP, hardest face-DAT you yourself

nyaji-ngarr yaral nyajil kamba ngaral dandi nyulu-nyulu

nyaji-ngarr bada bajaku 'deepest precaution'; hardest-to-face-is-yourself


The old grandmother sat the little grandchild beside her and began to teach the names of all their relatives, one by one, starting with the nearest and working outward.

Babi mukul jija buban nyungu ngundu bundaman, nyungu jawun-karra wubulku burri milbin, nyubun-nyubun, ngundu bajakumuny kalakalbayka.

babi mukul jija buban nyungu ngundu bunda-ma-ny, nyungu jawun-karra wubul-ku burri milbi-ny, nyubun-nyubun, ngundu bajaku-muny kalakalbay-ka | grandmother old grandchild little her beside sat-CAUS, their relatives all names taught, one.by.one, nearest-ABL outward-DAT

babi jija bunday jawun burri milbil nyubun kalakalbay

babi grandmother; jija grandchild; jawun-karra 'relatives'(kin-plural)


This is your mother, she said, ngamu, the one who carried you and fed you; and this is your father, nganjan, the one who hunts for you and will teach you the country.

Yinya yundu ngamu, nyulu balkan, ngamu, nyulu yundu wundinmuny nukamaninmuny; yinya yundu nganjan, nganjan, nyulu yunduka balbil, bubu yundu milbil.

yinya yundu ngamu, nyulu balka-ny, ngamu, nyulu yundu wundi-ny-muny nuka-mani-ny-muny; yinya yundu nganjan, nganjan, nyulu yundu-ka balbi-l, bubu yundu milbi-l | this your mother, she said, mother, who you carried fed; this your father, father, who you-for hunts, country you teaches

ngamu balkal wundil nukal nganjan balbi bubu milbil


This is your older brother, yaba, who walks before you and clears the path; and this your younger brother, yabaju, who walks behind and for whom you must clear the path in turn.

Yinya yundu yaba, nyulu yundu ngundu jilbay jina yukil-manil; yinya yundu yabaju, nyulu kudamundu jilbay, yundu nyungunka jina yukil-manil baja.

yinya yundu yaba, nyulu yundu ngundu jilba-y jina yukil-ma-ni-l; yinya yundu yabaju, nyulu kudamundu jilba-y, yundu nyungu-nka jina yukil-ma-ni-l baja | this your elder.brother, who you before walks path clears; this your younger.brother, who behind walks, you him-for path clear too

yaba 'elder brother'; yabaju 'younger brother'


This is your older sister, babarr, and this your younger sister, jinkurr, and among the four of you — two brothers and two sisters — you will hold each other up all your lives.

Yinya yundu babarr, yinya yundu jinkurr, yurra jambul-jambul, yaba jambul babarr jambul, yurra nyubun-nyubunji mara-daji-way wawu wubulku.

yinya yundu babarr, yinya yundu jinkurr, yurra jambul-jambul, yaba jambul babarr jambul, yurra nyubun-nyubun-ji mara-daji-way wawu wubul-ku | this your elder.sister, this your younger.sister, you.PL four, brothers two sisters two, you.PL each.other help.each.other life all

babarr jinkurr jambul yaba mara-daji-way wawu

babarr 'elder sister'; jinkurr 'younger sister'; mara-daji-way RECIP


This old man is your grandfather, your mother's father, ngaji, and this old woman your grandmother, and from these two the whole of your mother's line flows down to you like water down a hill.

Yinya mukul dingkar yundu ngaji, yundu ngamumu nganjan, yinya wulbuman yundu babi, jambulmuny yundu ngamumu jawun-karra wubulku yundunka badaka bana yala manjalmuny.

yinya mukul dingkar yundu ngaji, yundu ngamu-mu nganjan, yinya wulbuman yundu babi, jambul-muny yundu ngamu-mu jawun-karra wubul-ku yundu-nka bada-ka bana yala manjal-muny | this old man your grandfather, your mother-POSS father, this old.woman your grandmother, two-ABL your mother-POSS relatives all you-DAT down-DAT water like hill-ABL

ngaji ngamu nganjan wulbuman babi jawun bana manjal

ngaji 'mother's father'; ngamu-mu 'mother's'(POSS); line-flows-like-water


The grandmother said: A person who does not know their kin is like a tree that does not know its own ground — it may stand for a while, but the first big wind will take it down.

Babingka balkan: bama nyulu nyungu jawun-karra murruji binal yala juku nyulu nyungu bubu murruji binal, nyulu janay kanbalka, yambada muyar yalbay ngadiku nyulu badaka manil.

babi-ngka balka-ny: bama nyulu nyungu jawun-karra murruji binal yala juku nyulu nyungu bubu murruji binal, nyulu jana-y kanbal-ka, yambada muyar yalbay ngadiku nyulu bada-ka mani-l | grandmother said: person who his relatives unable know like tree which its ground unable knows, it stands while, but wind big first it down-DAT takes

bama jawun murruji binal juku bubu muyar yalbay


The grandmother said your relatives are of three kinds: those above you whom you must respect and care for, those beside you whom you share everything with, and those below you whom you must teach and protect.

Babingka balkan: yundu jawun-karra kulur yala: jana wangkar yundunka yundu wawu-yukil nyaji, jana ngundu yundunka yundu yamba wubulku daji-way, jana bada yundunka yundu milbil kujil.

babi-ngka balka-ny: yundu jawun-karra kulur yala: jana wangkar yundu-nka yundu wawu-yukil nyaji, jana ngundu yundu-nka yundu yamba wubul-ku daji-way, jana bada yundu-nka yundu milbi-l kuji-l | grandmother said: your relatives three kinds: those above you-for you respect care, those beside you-for you things all share, those below you-for you teach protect

jawun kulur wangkar wawu-yukil nyajil daji-way bada milbil

kulur 'three'; wawu-yukil 'respect'; three-kinds-of-kin


This is the most important lesson of all, the grandmother said: you are never a single person alone; you are the living end of a long line of people, and every choice you make, they make through you.

Yinya milbil dandi bajaku wubulmuny, babingka balkan: yundu kari nyubun bama nganga; yundu bama kalbaymu wawu murru, yundu yamba wubulku manilnya, jana yundubu manil.

yinya milbi-l dandi bajaku wubul-muny, babi-ngka balka-ny: yundu kari nyubun bama nganga; yundu bama kalbay-mu wawu murru, yundu yamba wubul-ku mani-l-nya, jana yundu-bu mani-l | this lesson most important all-ABL, grandmother said: you NEG one person alone; you people long-POSS living end, you choice all make-SUB, they you-INST make

milbil dandi nyubun bama kalbay wawu murru manil

you-are-the-living-end-of-a-line; jana yundu-bu manil


When the whole family gathered for the season of plenty, they came from every direction, and the grandmother named each group as they came over the ridge.

Jawun-karra wubulku bangkanda mayi wubulmu wungara, jana kadan wanjabu wubulmuny, babingka wubulku kunjan jana wangkara kadanya.

jawun-karra wubul-ku bangka-ny-da mayi wubul-mu wungar-a, jana kada-ny wanjabu wubul-muny, babi-ngka wubul-ku kunja-ny jana wangkar-a kada-nya | relatives all gathered-then plenty season-LOC, they came where all-ABL, grandmother all named them ridge-LOC coming-SUB

jawun bangkal mayi wungar kaday wanjabu burril wangkar

wungar-a LOC(r); wangkar-a LOC(r); family-gathering


First came the mother-and-child pairs, the ngamu-manda, the little ones riding on hips; then the father-and-son pairs, the nganjan-manda, the boys carrying their first small spears with pride.

Ngadiku kadan ngamu-manda, karrkay buban mirrimara wundin; yindu nganjan-manda, karrkay-karrkay nyungu kalka buban ngadiku wundin wawu-yalbayji.

ngadiku kada-ny ngamu-manda, karrkay buban mirrimar-a wundi-ny; yindu nganjan-manda, karrkay-karrkay nyungu kalka buban ngadiku wundi-ny wawu-yalbay-ji | first came mother-child.pairs, children little hip-LOC carried; then father-son.pairs, boys their spears small first carried pride-COMIT

ngamu karrkay mirrimar wundil nganjan kalka wawu-yalbay

ngamu-manda/nganjan-manda DYAD(-manda); mirrimar-a LOC(r)


Then the brothers came together, the yaba-karra, walking in a line from oldest to youngest, and behind them the sisters, the babarr-karra, carrying dilly bags heavy with the season's food.

Yindu yaba-karra nyubun kadan, jarran warru bajakumuny buban bajakuka, kudamundu babarr-karra, balji dandi mayi wungarmu wundin.

yindu yaba-karra nyubun kada-ny, jarra-ny warru bajaku-muny buban bajaku-ka, kudamundu babarr-karra, balji dandi mayi wungar-mu wundi-ny | then brothers together came, lined oldest-ABL youngest-DAT, behind sisters, dilly.bags heavy food season-POSS carried

yaba jarral warru buban babarr balji dandi mayi

yaba-karra 'brothers'/babarr-karra 'sisters'(kin-plural); balji 'dilly bag'


The grandmother said a family gathering is a living map of the whole people: in one camp you see every kind of kin, every age, every relation, the whole web that holds a people together laid out for your eyes to see.

Babingka balkan: jawun-karra bangkanmuny bama wubulmu bubu wawu: nyubun bayanba yundu jawun-karra wubulku nyajil, wungar wubulku, murni wubulku, kaji wubulku bama nyubun-manilmu yundu miyilba nyajinka.

babi-ngka balka-ny: jawun-karra bangka-ny-muny bama wubul-mu bubu wawu: nyubun bayan-ba yundu jawun-karra wubul-ku nyaji-l, wungar wubul-ku, murni wubul-ku, kaji wubul-ku bama nyubun-ma-ni-l-mu yundu miyil-ba nyaji-nka | grandmother said: family gathering people whole-POSS map living: one camp-LOC you relatives all see, ages all, relations all, ties all people join-POSS your eyes-LOC see-DAT

jawun bangkal bama bubu bayan nyajil murni kaji miyil

bayan-ba LOC(n); miyil-ba LOC(l); living-map-of-the-people


The children ran between the legs of the grownups, and no one minded, for at a gathering every adult is an uncle or an aunt to every child, and every child belongs to everyone.

Karrkay-karrkay jilbay bama yalbay jinanga, kari bama dukul-wuri, bangkanmuny bama yalbay wubulku karrkay wubulmu kalnga bimay, karrkay wubulku bama wubulkunka.

karrkay-karrkay jilba-y bama yalbay jina-nga, kari bama dukul-wuri, bangka-ny-muny bama yalbay wubul-ku karrkay wubul-mu kalnga bimay, karrkay wubul-ku bama wubul-ku-nka | children ran big.people legs-LOC, NEG people angry, at.gathering people big all children all-POSS uncle aunt, children all people all-belong

karrkay jilbal jina dukul-wuri bama kalnga bimay

jina-nga LOC(a); kalnga 'uncle'(MB); bimay 'aunt'(FZ)


The old man said this is the great difference between our way and the lonely way of the newcomers: they raise a child in a single house with two people, but we raise a child in a whole country with a hundred.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yinya murni yalbay nganamu yala yindu bamamu nganga yala baja: jana karrkay kambaman nyubun bayanba bama jambulji, ngana karrkay kambaman bubu wubulba bama wubulji.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yinya murni yalbay ngana-mu yala yindu bama-mu nganga yala baja: jana karrkay kamba-ma-ny nyubun bayan-ba bama jambul-ji, ngana karrkay kamba-ma-ny bubu wubul-ba bama wubul-ji | old man said: this difference big our way other people-POSS alone way too: they child raise one house-LOC people two-COMIT, we child raise country whole-LOC people many-COMIT

murni yalbay ngana karrkay kamba bayan bubu wubul

bayan-ba LOC(n); bubu wubul-ba LOC(l); raise-a-child-with-a-hundred


By the end of the day the grandmother had named every relation in the camp for the child, and the child, who had felt small and alone that morning, now felt held on every side by a great warm net of people.

Wungar dungaymuny babingka jawun-karra wubulku bayanba karrkayka kunjan, karrkay nyulu buban nganga wunkuwingku milkabu baykanmuny, nyiku nyulu milkabu baykal wanya wubulku ngundu bama wumbul yalbaybu karrbal.

wungar dunga-y-muny babi-ngka jawun-karra wubul-ku bayan-ba karrkay-ka kunja-ny, karrkay nyulu buban nganga wunkuwingku milka-bu bayka-ny-muny, nyiku nyulu milka-bu bayka-l wanya wubul-ku ngundu bama wumbul yalbay-bu karrba-l | day end-ABL grandmother relatives all camp-LOC child-for named, child who small alone morning felt-ABL, now he felt sides all near people warm big-INST held

wungar jawun bayan karrkay buban wunkuwingku milkal wumbul karrbal


The old woman said no child raised knowing a hundred relatives ever truly believes themselves worthless, for a person who is loved by many cannot easily be persuaded that they are nothing.

Wulbumanangka balkan: karrkay nyulu jawun-karra wubul binalji kambanmuny kari yabarrka nyulu-nyulu yamba-kari binal, bama nyulu wubulbu wawu jirray janay kari junkurr binal-manil nyulu yamba-kari.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: karrkay nyulu jawun-karra wubul binal-ji kamba-ny-muny kari yabarrka nyulu-nyulu yamba-kari binal, bama nyulu wubul-bu wawu jirray jana-y kari junkurr binal-ma-ni-l nyulu yamba-kari | old.woman said: child who relatives many knowing raised-ABL NEG ever himself worthless knows, person whom many love NEG easily persuaded he nothing

karrkay jawun binal kamba yamba-kari bama wubul jirray


The old man said the bond between an older and younger brother is the model for all bonds in the world: the older leads and protects, the younger follows and honors, and each becomes, in the other, more than they could be alone.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yaba yabaju jambulku kaji yala kaji wubulku bubungu: yaba ngundu jilbay kujil, yabaju kudamundu jilbay wawu-yukil, jambulku nyubun-nyubunba yalbay-manda nyubun jananmuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yaba yabaju jambul-ku kaji yala kaji wubul-ku bubu-ngu: yaba ngundu jilba-y kuji-l, yabaju kudamundu jilba-y wawu-yukil, jambul-ku nyubun-nyubun-nga yalbay-ma-ny-da nyubun jana-ny-muny | old man said: elder.brother younger.brother bond like bonds all world-LOC: elder before walks protects, younger behind walks honors, both each.other-LOC bigger-became one stood-ABL

yaba yabaju kaji bubu jilbal kujil wawu-yukil yalbay


Two brothers who quarrel, the old man said, are still brothers when the quarrel ends, but two friends who quarrel may not be friends by nightfall, so a brother is a friend you can never lose — and that is why kin runs deeper than choosing.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yaba jambul kuni-wanmuny kariku yaba kuni-way dungaymuny, yambada jawun jambul kuni-wanmuny kari jawun kunarangkalka, yaba jawun yundu kari kilbal yabarrka, yinyamu kaji bada-baja manilmuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yaba jambul kuni-wa-ny-muny kariku yaba kuni-way dunga-y-muny, yambada jawun jambul kuni-wa-ny-muny kari jawun kunarangkal-ka, yaba jawun yundu kari kilba-l yabarrka, yinya-mu kaji bada-baja mani-l-muny | old man said: brothers two argued-ABL still brothers argument end-ABL, but friends two argued-ABL NEG friends nightfall-DAT, brother friend you NEG lose ever, that-POSS bond deeper choosing-ABL

yaba kunil jawun kunarangkal kilba kaji bada

kin-runs-deeper-than-choosing; kaji bada-baja 'deeper bond'


The old woman said sisters share a different bond: an older sister is a second mother, and a younger sister a first daughter, and between them passes down the whole knowledge of the women's work, mother to daughter to sister to daughter, unbroken.

Wulbumanangka balkan: babarr jinkurr yindu kaji daji-way: babarr ngamu jambulku, jinkurr kangkal nyubunku, jambulku ngundu jalbumu kirraji wubulku badaka dungay, ngamumuny kangkalka babarrka kangkalka, kari kaka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: babarr jinkurr yindu kaji daji-way: babarr ngamu jambul-ku, jinkurr kangkal nyubun-ku, jambul-ku ngundu jalbu-mu kirraji wubul-ku bada-ka dunga-y, ngamu-muny kangkal-ka babarr-ka kangkal-ka, kari kaka | old.woman said: elder.sister younger.sister different bond share: elder.sister mother second, younger.sister child first, between women-POSS work all down-DAT passes, mother-ABL child-DAT sister-DAT child-DAT, NEG broken

babarr jinkurr kaji daji-way ngamu kangkal jalbu kirraji

jalbu-mu kirraji 'women's work'; kari kaka 'unbroken'


The grandmother said the worst thing a person can do is turn against their own brother or sister, for it breaks the bond that holds them both, and a person who will betray their own blood can be trusted by no one.

Babingka balkan: yamba mumbu bajaku bamamu nyulu nyungu yaba babarr kudamundu murninka, yinya kaji jambulku karrbal kaka-manil, bama nyulu nyungu jawun-karra kilbamanil kari bamabu manu-baja-bunganka.

babi-ngka balka-ny: yamba mumbu bajaku bama-mu nyulu nyungu yaba babarr kudamundu murni-nka, yinya kaji jambul-ku karrba-l kaka-ma-ni-l, bama nyulu nyungu jawun-karra kilba-ma-ni-l kari bama-bu manu-baja-bunga-nka | grandmother said: thing worst person-POSS he his brother sister against turn-DAT, that bond both holds breaks, person who his kin betrays NEG person-INST trust-PURP

yamba mumbu yaba babarr kudamundu murnil kaji kilbal

kaka-ma-ni-l 'break bond'; betray-blood-trusted-by-none


The children asked what to do when a brother is unkind, and the old man said: A brother is not always kind, but he is always your brother; correct him when you must, forgive him when you can, but never, ever cut the cord.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babajin wanya ngaranka yaba mumbunya, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Yaba kari yabarrka ngulkurr, yambada yabarrka yundu yaba; murni nyungu yundu wawunya, milka-wula nyungu yundu binalnya, yambada kari, kari yabarrka, kaji kudamundu bawa.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babaji-ny wanya ngara-nka yaba mumbu-nya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yaba kari yabarrka ngulkurr, yambada yabarrka yundu yaba; murni nyungu yundu wawu-nya, milka-wula nyungu yundu binal-nya, yambada kari, kari yabarrka, kaji kudamundu bawa | children asked what do-DAT brother unkind-SUB, old man said: brother NEG always kind, but always your brother; correct him you must-SUB, forgive him you can-SUB, but NEG, NEG ever, bond behind leave

yaba mumbu ngulkurr murni milka-wula binal kaji bawal


The old woman said forgiveness within a family is not weakness but strength, for it takes a strong person to swallow their pride for the sake of the whole, and a family that cannot forgive itself will not survive to its grandchildren.

Wulbumanangka balkan: milka-wulay jawun-karranga kari junkurr-kari, yambada junkurr, bama junkurr nyungu wawu-yalbay nukanka jawun-karra wubulmu, jawun-karra nyulu murruji milka-wula-ji kari janay kangkalmu kangkalka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: milka-wula-y jawun-karra-nga kari junkurr-kari, yambada junkurr, bama junkurr nyungu wawu-yalbay nuka-nka jawun-karra wubul-mu, jawun-karra nyulu murruji milka-wula-ji kari jana-y kangkal-mu kangkal-ka | old.woman said: forgiveness family-LOC NEG weakness, but strength, person strong his pride swallow-DAT family whole-POSS, family which unable forgive-REFL NEG survives child-POSS child-DAT

milka-wulay jawun junkurr wawu-yalbay nukal kangkal murruji

jawun-karra-nga LOC(a); junkurr-kari 'weakness'; milka-wula-ji REFL


The old man said: I have four brothers and three sisters, and though we have quarreled a thousand times over eighty years, not once has any of us walked away for good, and that unbreakable holding is the richest thing I own.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Ngayku yaba jambul-jambul, babarr kulur, ngana kuni-wan wubul wungar wubulmuny, yambada nyubun kari nganamuny kudamundu dungan yabarrka, yinya kaji kari kaka ngayku yamba ngulkurr bajaku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: ngayku yaba jambul-jambul, babarr kulur, ngana kuni-wa-ny wubul wungar wubul-muny, yambada nyubun kari ngana-muny kudamundu dunga-ny yabarrka, yinya kaji kari kaka ngayku yamba ngulkurr bajaku | old man said: my brothers four, sisters three, we argued many times many-ABL, but one NEG us-ABL away went ever, that bond NEG broken my thing best

yaba jambul babarr kulur ngana kunil kaji kilba

jambul-jambul 'four'; kulur 'three'; kaji kari kaka 'unbreakable bond'


The children learned that the sibling bond is the first practice-ground for every relationship they will ever have: how you treat your brother is how you will treat your friend, your partner, your own children, and the world.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman yaba-babarr kaji ngadiku kirraji-bubu kaji wubulmu jana yabarrka manilmu: yala yundu yaba ngaral, yala yundu jawun ngaral, kuban ngaral, nyungu kangkal ngaral, bubu wubulku ngaral.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny yaba-babarr kaji ngadiku kirraji-bubu kaji wubul-mu jana yabarrka mani-l-mu: yala yundu yaba ngara-l, yala yundu jawun ngara-l, kuban ngara-l, nyungu kangkal ngara-l, bubu wubul-ku ngara-l | children learned sibling bond first practice-ground bonds all-POSS they ever have-POSS: how you brother treat, how you friend treat, partner treat, your children treat, world all treat

yaba babarr kaji kirraji bubu jawun kuban kangkal

kirraji-bubu 'practice-ground'; kuban 'partner/wife'; kangkal 'own child'


The grandmother said there are four living generations in the camp: herself and the old man, their children now grown, their children's children, and the newest babies, and she had watched the pattern turn four times like the seasons.

Babingka balkan: bama jambul-jambul bubu wawu bayanba: nyulu-nyulu mukul dingkar baja, nyungu kangkal nyiku yalbay, nyungu kangkalmu kangkal, ngawa jirakal, nyulu nyajin murni jambul-jambul murninya yala wungar.

babi-ngka balka-ny: bama jambul-jambul bubu wawu bayan-ba: nyulu-nyulu mukul dingkar baja, nyungu kangkal nyiku yalbay, nyungu kangkal-mu kangkal, ngawa jirakal, nyulu nyaji-ny murni jambul-jambul murni-nya yala wungar | grandmother said: people four living camp-LOC: herself old man too, her children now grown, her children-POSS children, babies new, she saw pattern four turn-SUB like seasons

bama jambul bubu bayan kangkal ngawa jirakal murni wungar

bayan-ba LOC(n); four-generations; kangkal-mu kangkal 'grandchildren'


She said each generation carries two duties: one upward, to care for the old who cared for them, and one downward, to raise the young who will one day care for them, and a life well lived pays both in full.

Nyulu balkan: bama wungar wubulku kirraji jambul karrbal: nyubun wangkarka, mukul nyaji jana ngadiku nyajinmuny, nyubun badaka, warru kamba-mani jana nyubun wungara nyajilnya, wawu ngulkurr bundanmuny jambulku yukil dajil.

nyulu balka-ny: bama wungar wubul-ku kirraji jambul karrba-l: nyubun wangkar-ka, mukul nyaji jana ngadiku nyaji-ny-muny, nyubun bada-ka, warru kamba-mani jana nyubun wungar-a nyaji-l-nya, wawu ngulkurr bunda-ny-muny jambul-ku yukil daji-l | she said: generation each duties two carries: one upward, old care.for who before cared-ABL, one downward, young raise who one day care-SUB, life well lived-ABL both fully pays

kirraji jambul karrbal wangkar mukul nyajil warru kamba


The old man said the young think the old are looking backward, but the old are really looking forward — further forward than the young can see — for the old have watched the same story play out many times and know how it ends.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: warru milka mukul kudamundu nyajil, yambada mukul yaral wunkunka nyajil, kalakalbay-baja warru nyajilmuny, mukul milbi nyubun wubul nyajinmuny, binal yala dungay.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: warru milka mukul kudamundu nyaji-l, yambada mukul yaral wunkun-ka nyaji-l, kalakalbay-baja warru nyaji-l-muny, mukul milbi nyubun wubul nyaji-ny-muny, binal yala dunga-y | old man said: young think old backward look, but old ahead future-DAT look, farther young see-ABL, old story same many seen-ABL, know how ends

warru milka mukul kudamundu nyajil yaral wunkun kalakalbay

kalakalbay-baja ...-muny 'farther than'; old-look-forward


The grandmother said the greatest gift the old can give the young is not answers but questions, not the memory of how things were but the wisdom to see how things are, and above all the knowledge that they are loved.

Babingka balkan: dajil yalbay bajaku mukulmu warruka kari kuku-yukil, yambada babajil, kari milbi yala yamba ngadiku janan, yambada binal yala yamba nyiku janay nyajinka, wangkar bajaku binal jana wawu jirray janay.

babi-ngka balka-ny: daji-l yalbay bajaku mukul-mu warru-ka kari kuku-yukil, yambada babaji-l, kari milbi yala yamba ngadiku jana-ny, yambada binal yala yamba nyiku jana-y nyaji-nka, wangkar bajaku binal jana wawu jirray jana-y | grandmother said: gift greatest old-POSS young-for NEG answers, but questions, NEG memory how things before stood, but wisdom how things now stand see-DAT, above all knowledge they loved are

dajil yalbay mukul warru babaji milbi binal jirray


The children asked why the old grow slow and forgetful, and the grandmother said: The mind is a dilly bag; when it is full of a whole long life, you must set some things down to pick up others, and we have simply gathered more than we can carry.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babajin wanya mukul buban-buban janay milka-wulay baja, babingka balkan: Milka balji yala; nyulu wawu kalbay wubulji nandanya, yundu yamba kanbal bada bunga yindu maninka, ngana wubul-baja bangkan ngana wundilmuny.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babaji-ny wanya mukul buban-buban jana-y milka-wula-y baja, babi-ngka balka-ny: milka balji yala; nyulu wawu kalbay wubul-ji nanda-nya, yundu yamba kanbal bada bunga yindu mani-nka, ngana wubul-baja bangka-ny ngana wundi-l-muny | children asked why old slow become forgetful too, grandmother said: mind dilly.bag like; it life long much-COMIT full-SUB, you things few down put other take-DAT, we more gathered we carry-ABL

mukul buban milka-wulay balji wawu kalbay bunga bangkal

milka balji yala 'mind is a dilly bag'; gathered-more-than-we-carry


The old man said do not pity the old for what they have lost, but envy them for what they have had, for every wrinkle is a summer survived and every grey hair a winter come through, and a very old person is simply someone who has been very lucky for a very long time.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kari mukul dukul-kulnkul jana yamba kilbanmuny, yambada ngujan jana yamba karrbanmuny, murru-murru wubulku wungar nyubun kudamundu janan, bingaji wubulku wungar nyubun kudamundu janan, mukul bajaku bama nyulu ngulkurr yabarrka kalbay wungarmuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kari mukul dukul-kulnkul jana yamba kilba-ny-muny, yambada ngujan jana yamba karrba-ny-muny, murru-murru wubul-ku wungar nyubun kudamundu jana-ny, bingaji wubul-ku wungar nyubun kudamundu jana-ny, mukul bajaku bama nyulu ngulkurr yabarrka kalbay wungar-muny | old man said: NEG old pity them thing lost-ABL, but envy them thing had-ABL, wrinkles all summer one survived, grey all winter one survived, old most person who lucky always long time-ABL

mukul dukul-kulnkul ngujan murru-murru wungar kudamundu bingaji kalbay

dukul-kulnkul 'pity'; ngujan 'envy'; envy-the-old-not-pity


The grandmother said death is not the enemy of the old but the completion of their work: the seed does not mourn when it becomes the tree, and the old, if they have lived well, do not mourn to become the spirits who watch over the young.

Babingka balkan: wulay kari mukulmu yamba yinil, yambada nyungu kirraji dungaymu: diburr kari jiba-badil nyulu juku-mandanya, mukul, kaki jana ngulkurr bunday, kari jiba-badil dubu-mandanya jana warru wangkar nyajil.

babi-ngka balka-ny: wula-y kari mukul-mu yamba yinil, yambada nyungu kirraji dunga-y-mu: diburr kari jiba-badi-l nyulu juku-ma-ny-da-nya, mukul, kaki jana ngulkurr bunda-y, kari jiba-badi-l dubu-ma-ny-da-nya jana warru wangkar nyaji-l | grandmother said: death NEG old-POSS thing dangerous, but their work completion-POSS: seed NEG grieves it tree-becoming-SUB, old, if they well live, NEG grieve spirit-becoming-SUB they young over watch

wulay mukul yinil kirraji diburr jiba juku dubu

kaki+NONPAST(bunday); dubu 'spirit of dead'; seed-becomes-tree


The children did not fully understand, being young, but they remembered the grandmother's calm face as she spoke of it, and later, when they were old themselves, they finally understood, and were not afraid.

Karrkay-karrkay kari yukil binalman, warru janaymuny, yambada jana binalku babingkamu walu janka nyulu yinya balkanya, yindu wungara, jana mukul-mandanya nyulu-nyulu, jana yukil binalman, kari yinil janay.

karrkay-karrkay kari yukil binal-ma-ny, warru jana-y-muny, yambada jana binalku babi-ngka-mu walu janka nyulu yinya balka-nya, yindu wungar-a, jana mukul-ma-ny-da-nya nyulu-nyulu, jana yukil binal-ma-ny, kari yinil jana-y | children NEG fully understood, young being-ABL, but they remembered grandmother-POSS face calm she it speaking-SUB, later day-LOC, they old-becoming-SUB themselves, they fully understood, NEG afraid were

karrkay binal warru binalku walu janka mukul yinil

walu janka 'calm face'; wungar-a LOC(r); understood-only-when-old


The old woman looked at the new baby and said: This one has her grandmother's eyes and her father's mouth and the laugh of an uncle who died before she was born — the dead are not gone; they are shared out again.

Wulbumanangka ngawa jirakal nyajin, balkan: Yinya nyulu nyungu babimu miyil, nyungu nganjanmu ngandal, yajarril kalngamu nyulu wulanmuny nyulu kambanmuny ngadiku, dubu kari dungan; jana yindu-yindumandan.

wulbuman-angka ngawa jirakal nyaji-ny, balka-ny: yinya nyulu nyungu babi-mu miyil, nyungu nganjan-mu ngandal, yajarri-l kalnga-mu nyulu wula-ny-muny nyulu kamba-ny-muny ngadiku, dubu kari dunga-ny; jana yindu-yindu-ma-ny-da-ny | old.woman baby new saw, said: this one her grandmother-POSS eyes, her father-POSS mouth, laugh uncle-POSS who died she born-ABL before, dead NEG gone; they shared.out.again

ngawa jirakal babi miyil nganjan ngandal yajarril kalnga dubu

family-resemblance; dubu kari dungan 'the dead not gone'


The grandmother said a child is a new arrangement of old pieces: the nose comes from one line, the temper from another, the gift for song from a great-grandfather nobody now remembers, and yet there it is, singing again.

Babingka balkan: karrkay yamba ngadikumu jirakal yijarril: murru nyubun jawun-karramuny kadan, dukul-wuri yindumuny, kuku ngulkurr juwaymu nyulu bama kari nyiku binalku, yambada yinya janay, kuku ngulkurr baja.

babi-ngka balka-ny: karrkay yamba ngadiku-mu jirakal yijarri-l, murru nyubun jawun-karra-muny kada-ny, dukul-wuri yindu-muny, kuku ngulkurr juway-mu nyulu bama kari nyiku binalku, yambada yinya jana-y, kuku ngulkurr baja | grandmother said: child pieces old-POSS new arrangement, nose one line-ABL came, temper other-ABL, song fine great-grandfather-POSS whom people NEG now remember, but there is, song fine again

karrkay yamba jirakal yijarril murru jawun dukul-wuri juway kuku


The old man said this is why you must know your ancestors: not to worship them, but to understand yourself, for you are a letter they wrote and sent forward into a future they would never see, and you are still being read.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yinyamu yundu jawun-karra ngadiku binal: kari jana wawu-yukilka, yambada yundu nyulu-nyulu binalka, yundu kuku jana kunjanmuny yungalmuny wunkunka jana kari nyajilnya, yundu kariku milbil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yinya-mu yundu jawun-karra ngadiku binal: kari jana wawu-yukil-ka, yambada yundu nyulu-nyulu binal-ka, yundu kuku jana kunja-ny-muny yungal-muny wunkun-ka jana kari nyaji-l-nya, yundu kariku milbi-l | old man said: that-POSS you ancestors before know: NEG them worship-DAT, but you yourself know-DAT, you letter they wrote sent future-DAT they NEG see-SUB, you not.yet read

jawun ngadiku binal wawu-yukil kuku burril yungal wunkun

jawun-karra ngadiku 'ancestors'; you-are-a-letter-still-being-read


The grandmother said: When you are tempted to shame the family, think of the hundred who made you; and when you are tempted to give up, remember that you carry the future of a hundred more who are not yet born.

Babingka balkan: Yundu jawun-karra milka-murruji-manka wawunya, milka bama wubul yundu bunganmuny; yundu bawanka wawunya, binalku yundu wunkun karrbal bama wubul-baja jana kariku kambanmuny.

babi-ngka balka-ny: yundu jawun-karra milka-murruji-ma-nka wawu-nya, milka bama wubul yundu bunga-ny-muny; yundu bawa-nka wawu-nya, binalku yundu wunkun karrba-l bama wubul-baja jana kariku kamba-ny-muny | grandmother said: you family shame-make-PURP want-SUB, think people many you made-ABL; you give.up-PURP want-SUB, remember you future carry people more who not.yet born-ABL

jawun milka-murruji milka bama wubul bawal binalku wunkun


The old man said the family is the first country a child knows, and if that country is warm and safe and just, the child will look for warmth and safety and justice in the wider world, and will know them when they find them.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: jawun-karra bubu ngadiku karrkay binal, kaki yinya bubu wumbul marral yukil, karrkay wumbul marral yukil bubungu yalbay nyajil, binal jana nyajinya.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: jawun-karra bubu ngadiku karrkay binal, kaki yinya bubu wumbul marral yukil, karrkay wumbul marral yukil bubu-ngu yalbay nyaji-l, binal jana nyaji-nya | old man said: family country first child knows, if that country warm safe just, child warmth safety justice country-LOC big seeks, knows them find-SUB

jawun bubu karrkay binal wumbul marral yukil nyajil

kaki+stative; bubu-ngu LOC(u); family-is-the-first-country


The grandmother said that is why the greatest work a person ever does is not out in the world at all, but at home, in the raising of children, for a person who raises one good child has done more for the world than one who builds a hundred houses.

Babingka balkan: yinyamu kirraji yalbay bajaku bama yabarrka ngaran kari bubungu yalbay, yambada bayanba, karrkay kamba-manilka, bama nyulu karrkay nyubun ngulkurr kamba-manilmuny wubul-baja bubuka ngaran bama nyulu bayan wubul bunganmuny.

babi-ngka balka-ny: yinya-mu kirraji yalbay bajaku bama yabarrka ngara-ny kari bubu-ngu yalbay, yambada bayan-ba, karrkay kamba-mani-nka, bama nyulu karrkay nyubun ngulkurr kamba-mani-l-muny wubul-baja bubu-ka ngara-ny bama nyulu bayan wubul bunga-ny-muny | grandmother said: that-POSS work greatest person ever does NEG country-LOC big, but home-LOC, children raising-DAT, person who child one good raised-ABL more world-for did person who houses many built-ABL

kirraji yalbay bama bubu bayan karrkay kamba bunga

bubu-ngu LOC(u); bayan-ba LOC(n); raising-a-child-is-the-greatest-work


The children asked the old man which of all his relatives he had loved the most, and he smiled and said: That is like asking which of my fingers I would keep — I need them all, and each one differently, and a hand is not a hand without every one.

Karrkay-karrkayangka mukul dingkar babajin wanya nyungu jawun-karramuny nyulu wawu jirray bajaku, nyulu yajarrin, balkan: Yinya yala babajil wanya ngayku maramuny ngayu karrbal, ngayu wubulku wawu, wubulku yindu-yindu, mara kari mara nyubun-karimuny.

karrkay-karrkay-angka mukul dingkar babaji-ny wanya nyungu jawun-karra-muny nyulu wawu jirray bajaku, nyulu yajarri-ny, balka-ny: yinya yala babaji-l wanya ngayku mara-muny ngayu karrba-l, ngayu wubul-ku wawu, wubul-ku yindu-yindu, mara kari mara nyubun-kari-muny | children old man asked which his relatives-ABL he loved most, he smiled, said: that like asks which my fingers-ABL I keep, I all want, all differently, hand NEG hand one-without-ABL

jawun wawu jirray yajarril babaji mara karrbal nyubun


The old woman said blood makes you kin but it does not make you family — kin is given, family is earned, and there are relatives you share no blood with who are more truly your family than the ones you do.

Wulbumanangka balkan: mula yundu jawun-karra manil, yambada kari jawun-karra yukil manil: jawun-karra dajin, jawun-karra yukil manin, jawun-karra mula-kari yundunji jana jawun-karra yukil-baja jana yundu mulaji.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: mula yundu jawun-karra mani-l, yambada kari jawun-karra yukil mani-l: jawun-karra daji-ny, jawun-karra yukil mani-ny, jawun-karra mula-kari yundu-nji jana jawun-karra yukil-baja jana yundu mula-ji | old.woman said: blood you kin makes, but NEG family true makes: kin given, family earned, relatives blood-without you-COMIT they family truer they you blood-COMIT


The grandmother said choose your friends with care, for the friends you keep for life become family, and their children and yours will grow up as cousins, and the choosing you do now will shape a family tree you will never see the top of.

Babingka balkan: jawun nyaji-nyaji mani, jawun yundu wawu wubulku karrbal jawun-karra-manda, nyungu kangkal yundu kangkal bangunji yala kamba-mani, yundu nyiku manilbu jawun-karra juku yundu murru bajaku kari nyajilnya wandi-manil.

babi-ngka balka-ny: jawun nyaji-nyaji mani, jawun yundu wawu wubul-ku karrba-l jawun-karra-ma-ny-da, nyungu kangkal yundu kangkal bangunji yala kamba-mani, yundu nyiku mani-l-bu jawun-karra juku yundu murru bajaku kari nyaji-l-nya wandi-ma-ni-l | grandmother said: friends carefully choose-IMP, friends you life all keep family-become, their children your children cousins as grow, you now choosing-INST family tree you top very NEG see-SUB build

jawun nyajil karrbal kangkal bangunji kamba juku wandil

bangunji 'cousin'; jawun-karra-ma-l 'become family'; family-tree


The children learned that the family is not a thing you are given once and have forever, but a fire you must tend every day, that dies the moment everyone assumes someone else is feeding it.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman jawun-karra kari yamba yundu nyubun dajinmuny yabarrka karrbal, yambada baya yundu wungar wubulku nyaji, nyulu wula bama wubulku milka bama yindu nyulu nukamanilnya.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny jawun-karra kari yamba yundu nyubun daji-ny-muny yabarrka karrba-l, yambada baya yundu wungar wubul-ku nyaji, nyulu wula bama wubul-ku milka bama yindu nyulu nuka-mani-l-nya | children learned family NEG thing you once given-ABL forever hold, but fire you day all tend, it dies people all think person other it feeds-SUB

jawun yamba dajil karrbal baya nyajil wulay nukal


The old man said: I am an old man now, and my own parents are long dead, but I am still their son; you do not stop being a child when your parents die, you simply become the keeper of their memory and the teller of their story.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Ngayu mukul dingkar nyiku, ngayku ngamu nganjan ngadiku wulan, yambada ngayu kariku nyungu kangkal; yundu kari kangkal bawal nyungu ngamu-nganjan wulanya, yundu nganga nyungu binalkumu kujibama-manda, nyungu milbimu balkabama.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: ngayu mukul dingkar nyiku, ngayku ngamu nganjan ngadiku wula-ny, yambada ngayu kariku nyungu kangkal; yundu kari kangkal bawa-l nyungu ngamu-nganjan wula-nya, yundu nganga nyungu binalku-mu kuji-bama-ma-ny-da, nyungu milbi-mu balka-bama | old man said: I old man now, my mother father long.ago died, but I still their child; you NEG child leave your parents dying-SUB, you just their memory-POSS keeper-become, their story-POSS teller

mukul ngamu nganjan kangkal bawal binalku kujil milbil

ngamu nganjan 'parents'; you-become-keeper-of-their-memory


The children carried the grandmother's teaching all their lives, and when they in turn became grandparents, they sat their own grandchildren beside them and taught the names of all their relatives, one by one, exactly as it had always been done.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babingkamu milbil wundin wawu wubulku, jana baja babi kami-mandanya, jana nyungu jija nyungu ngundu bundaman, nyungu jawun-karra wubulku burri milbin, nyubun-nyubun, yala yabarrka ngaranmuny.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babi-ngka-mu milbi-l wundi-ny wawu wubul-ku, jana baja babi kami-ma-ny-da-nya, jana nyungu jija nyungu ngundu bunda-ma-ny, nyungu jawun-karra wubul-ku burri milbi-ny, nyubun-nyubun, yala yabarrka ngara-ny-muny | children grandmother-POSS teaching carried life all, they too grandmother grandfather-becoming-SUB, they their grandchildren their beside sat, their relatives all names taught, one.by.one, as always done-ABL

babi milbil wundil kami jija bunday jawun burri

babi kami 'grandparents'; jija 'grandchildren'; closing-the-circle


The old woman said this is the deepest magic there is: that love, given to a child, does not disappear but flows onward through them into children not yet born, so that a grandmother's love reaches, unbroken, into a future she will never live to see.

Wulbumanangka balkan: yinya yamba dandi bajaku wubulmuny: wawu jirray, karrkayka dajinmuny, kari dungay, yambada nyulubu badaka dungay karrkay kariku kambanmuny, babimu wawu jirray kalakalbay dungay, kari kaka, wunkunka nyulu kari nyajilnya.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yinya yamba dandi bajaku wubul-muny: wawu jirray, karrkay-ka daji-ny-muny, kari dunga-y, yambada nyulu-bu bada-ka dunga-y karrkay kariku kamba-ny-muny, babi-mu wawu jirray kalakalbay dunga-y, kari kaka, wunkun-ka nyulu kari nyaji-l-nya | old.woman said: this thing deepest all-ABL: love, child-DAT given-ABL, NEG disappears, but it-INST down-DAT flows children not.yet born-ABL, grandmother-POSS love far flows, NEG broken, future-DAT she NEG see-SUB

yamba dandi wawu jirray karrkay dajil kalakalbay wunkun

love-flows-onward-unbroken; babi-mu wawu jirray


The old man said: We do not own our children; we are only allowed to borrow them for a while, to walk beside them for a stretch of the road, and then they walk on without us, as we walked on without those who raised us.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Ngana kari nyungu kangkal karrbal; ngana nganga nyungu kangkal manil kanbalka, jana ngundu jilbanka jinamu kanbalka, yalada jana jilbay nganakari, yala ngana jilban jana nganaka ngadiku kambanmunykari.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: ngana kari nyungu kangkal karrba-l; ngana nganga nyungu kangkal mani-l kanbal-ka, jana ngundu jilba-nka jina-mu kanbal-ka, yala-da jana jilba-y ngana-kari, yala ngana jilba-ny jana ngana-ka ngadiku kamba-ny-muny-kari | old man said: we NEG our children own; we only our children borrow while, them beside walk-PURP road-POSS while, then they walk us-without, as we walked those us-DAT before raised-ABL-without

ngana kangkal karrbal manil jilbal jina kamba


The grandmother said the measure of how you were loved is how you love, and the measure of how you will be remembered is not what you kept but what you gave away, above all to those too young to thank you and those not yet born to know your name.

Babingka balkan: yala yundu wawu jirray jananmuny dandi yala yundu wawu jirray, yala yundu binalku karra dandi kari yundu yamba karrbanmuny, yambada yamba dajinmuny, wangkar bajaku warru jana buban-baja yundu wawu-mini balkanka, jana kariku kamba yundu burri binalka.

babi-ngka balka-ny: yala yundu wawu jirray jana-ny-muny dandi yala yundu wawu jirray, yala yundu binalku jana-nyji dandi kari yundu yamba karrba-ny-muny, yambada yamba daji-ny-muny, wangkar bajaku warru jana buban-baja yundu wawu-mini balka-nka, jana kariku kamba yundu burri binal-ka | grandmother said: how you loved-ABL measure how you love, how you remembered be-PRECAUT measure NEG you thing kept-ABL, but thing given-ABL, above all young who too.little you thank speak-DAT, those not.yet born your name know-DAT

wawu jirray binalku dandi karrbal dajil warru burri


The children asked what happens to the family when the last person who remembers the old ways dies, and the old man was quiet a long time and then said: That is why I am teaching you — so that day never comes.

Karrkay-karrkayangka babajin wanya jawun-karra janay bama bajaku nyulu kuku ngadiku binalku wulanya, mukulungku dingkarangka wunbu janay kalbay, balkan: Yinyamu ngayu yurra milbil, yinya wungar kari kadanyji yabarrka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka babaji-ny wanya jawun-karra jana-y bama bajaku nyulu kuku ngadiku binalku wula-nya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka wunbu jana-y kalbay, balka-ny: yinya-mu ngayu yurra milbi-l, yinya wungar kari kada-nyji yabarrka | children asked what family happens person last who ways old remembers dies-SUB, old man quiet was long, said: that-POSS I you.PL teach, that day NEG come-PRECAUT ever

jawun bama kuku binalku wulay wunbu milbil kaday

kada-nyji PRECAUT 'so that day never comes'; last-rememberer


The old woman said: When you are gone, you will not be remembered for your possessions or your victories, but for how you made people feel, and above all for whether the children were glad, or afraid, when you walked into the camp.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Yundu dunganya, jana kari yundu binalku yundu yambamu junkurr-manilmu, yambada yala yundu bama wawu-manilmu, wangkar bajaku karrkay wawu-mini, yinil baja, yundu bayanba wandinya.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yundu dunga-nya, jana kari yundu binalku yundu yamba-mu junkurr-ma-ni-l-mu, yambada yala yundu bama wawu-ma-ni-l-mu, wangkar bajaku karrkay wawu-mini, yinil baja, yundu bayan-ba wandi-nya | old.woman said: you gone-SUB, they NEG you remember your things victories-POSS, but how you people feel-made-POSS, above all children happy, afraid too, you camp-LOC entering-SUB

yundu binalku yamba junkurr bama wawu-mini yinil bayan


And so the grandmother finished, and she held the child's head and said: Now you know your people. Wherever you go and whatever happens, you are never alone, and you are never nothing, for you are one of us, and we are many, and we love you. Never forget it.

Yalaku babingka bawan, nyulu karrkaymu walu-wangkar karrban, balkan: Nyiku yundu binal yundu bama. Wanjabu yundu dungay wanya kadanya, yundu kari nyubun nganga, yundu kari yamba-kari, yundu ngana nyubun, ngana wubul, ngana yundu wawu jirray. Kari yabarrka milka-wula.

yala-ku babi-ngka bawa-ny, nyulu karrkay-mu walu-wangkar karrba-ny, balka-ny: nyiku yundu binal yundu bama. wanjabu yundu dunga-y wanya kada-nya, yundu kari nyubun nganga, yundu kari yamba-kari, yundu ngana nyubun, ngana wubul, ngana yundu wawu jirray. kari yabarrka milka-wula | thus grandmother finished, she child-POSS head held, said: now you know your people. wherever you go whatever happens, you NEG one alone, you NEG nothing, you us one, we many, we you love. NEG ever forget

babi bawal karrkay karrbal binal bama wanjabu ngana wawu milka-wula


When the two family groups met at the river for the first time in a year, they saw each other from across the water and called out to each other with joy.

Jawun-karra jambul bananga nyaji-wanda wungar nyubunmuny ngadiku, jana nyaji-wan bana kudamundumuny, jana kunja-wan wawu-minibu.

jawun-karra jambul bana-nga nyaji-wa-ny-da wungar nyubun-muny ngadiku, jana nyaji-wa-ny bana kudamundu-muny, jana kunja-wa-ny wawu-mini-bu | family.groups two river-LOC met-then year one-ABL first, they saw.each.other water across-ABL, they called.to.each.other joy-INST

jawun bana nyaji-way kunja-way wawu-mini kudamundu

nyaji-wanda RECIP(ABS subj); kunja-way; bana-nga LOC(a)


The two old men who had been boys together sixty years before embraced each other and wept together, for they had thought never to see each other again in this life.

Mukul dingkar jambul jana karrkay nyubun ngadiku bajaku wawu wubulmuny, jana karrba-wan badi-wan, jana milkabu baykan kari nyaji-way baja wawu nyubunba.

mukul dingkar jambul jana karrkay nyubun ngadiku bajaku wawu wubul-muny, jana karrba-wa-ny badi-wa-ny, jana milka-bu bayka-ny kari nyaji-way baja wawu nyubun-nga | old men two who children together long.ago very life many-ABL, they embraced.each.other wept.together, they thought NEG see.each.other again life one-LOC

mukul karrkay karrba-way badi-way milkal nyaji-way wawu

karrba-wan/badi-wan RECIP; wawu nyubun-nga LOC(a)


The children of the two groups were shy at first and stood apart watching each other, until one small boy walked across and gave another small boy a piece of fruit, and after that they were all friends.

Jawun-karra jambulmu karrkay-karrkay ngadiku milka-murruji kanbal janay, jana nyaji-way, nyubun karrkay buban jilban ngundu, karrkay buban yindu mayi daji, yindumuny jana wubulku jawun janay.

jawun-karra jambul-mu karrkay-karrkay ngadiku milka-murruji kanbal jana-y, jana nyaji-way, nyubun karrkay buban jilba-ny ngundu, karrkay buban yindu mayi daji-ny, yindu-muny jana wubul-ku jawun jana-y | family.groups two-POSS children first shy apart stood, they see.each.other, one child little walked near, child little other fruit gave, after they all friends were

jawun karrkay milka-murruji nyaji-way jilbal mayi dajil


The old woman said: When strangers meet, watch how they treat each other in the first hour, for people show their true nature not in how they act alone but in how they act toward one another.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama yindu-yindu nyaji-wanya, nyaji yala jana nyubun-nyubun ngaral wungar ngadikungu, bama nyungu wawu yukil milbil kari jana nganga ngaralba, yambada jana nyubun-nyubunji ngaralba.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama yindu-yindu nyaji-wa-nya, nyaji yala jana nyubun-nyubun ngara-l wungar ngadiku-nga, bama nyungu wawu yukil milbi-l kari jana nganga ngara-l-nga, yambada jana nyubun-nyubun-ji ngara-l-nga | old.woman said: strangers meet-SUB, watch how they each.other treat hour first-LOC, people their nature true show NEG they alone acting-LOC, but they each.other-COMIT acting-LOC

bama yindu nyaji-way nyajil wawu yukil milbil

nyaji-wanya RECIP SUB; ngadiku-nga LOC(a); character-shown-in-relation


The two leaders sat down facing each other and talked together for a long time, watching each other with careful words, each trying to understand the other before deciding whether to trust.

Mala-bama jambul nyubun-nyubun yaral bundan, balka-wan kalbay, jana nyubun-nyubun nyaji-nyaji-way kuku nyaji-nyajiji, wubulku yindu binalka manu-baja-bunganka ngadiku.

mala-bama jambul nyubun-nyubun yaral bunda-ny, balka-wa-ny kalbay, jana nyubun-nyubun nyaji-nyaji-way kuku nyaji-nyaji-ji, wubul-ku yindu binal-ka manu-baja-bunga-nka ngadiku | leaders two each.other facing sat, talked.together long, they each.other watched.each.other words careful-COMIT, both other understand-DAT trust-PURP first

mala-bama yaral bunday balka-way nyaji-way binal


The old man said talking is how people find each other in the dark: two people who talk long enough will always discover the ground they share, and standing on that shared ground, they can build anything.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: balka-way yala bama nyubun-nyubun nyajil wujurrbu: bama jambul jana kalbay balka-wanya jana yabarrka bubu jana daji-way nyajil, yinya bubungu janay, jana yamba wubulku bungal.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: balka-way yala bama nyubun-nyubun nyaji-l wujurr-bu: bama jambul jana kalbay balka-wa-nya jana yabarrka bubu jana daji-way nyaji-l, yinya bubu-nga jana-y, jana yamba wubul-ku bunga-l | old man said: talking how people each.other find dark-LOC: people two who long talk-SUB they always ground they share find, that ground-LOC stand, they thing all build

balka-way bama nyajil wujurr kalbay bubu daji-way bungal

balka-wanya RECIP SUB; wujurr-ba LOC(rr); bubu-nga LOC(a)


The children learned to greet a stranger properly: look them in the eye, say your name and your people, ask their name and their people, and find the relative you share, for everyone shares a relative if you look far enough.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman bama yindu ngulkurr nyajinka: miyilba nyaji, nyungu burri nyungu bama balka, nyungu burri nyungu bama babaji, jawun yundu daji-way nyaji, bama wubulku jawun daji-way kaki yundu kalakalbay nyajil.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny bama yindu ngulkurr nyaji-nka: miyil-ba nyaji, nyungu burri nyungu bama balka, nyungu burri nyungu bama babaji, jawun yundu daji-way nyaji, bama wubul-ku jawun daji-way kaki yundu kalakalbay nyaji-l | children learned stranger well greet-DAT: eye-LOC look, your name your people say, their name their people ask, relative you share find, people all relative share if you far look

bama yindu nyajil miyil burri babaji jawun daji-way

miyil-ba LOC(l); jawun daji-way 'shared relative'; kaki+NONPAST


The old woman said the first thing two peoples must learn is each other's language, for you cannot love what you cannot understand, and you cannot understand what you cannot name, and naming begins with the willingness to sit and talk together.

Wulbumanangka balkan: yamba ngadiku bama jambul binalka nyubun-nyubunmu kuku, yundu murruji wawu jirray yamba yundu murruji binalmuny, yundu murruji binal yamba yundu murruji kunjalmuny, kunjal bundanka balka-wayka wawubu wandin.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yamba ngadiku bama jambul binal-ka nyubun-nyubun-mu kuku, yundu murruji wawu jirray yamba yundu murruji binal-muny, yundu murruji binal yamba yundu murruji kunja-l-muny, kunja-l bunda-nka balka-way-ka wawu-bu wandi-ny | old.woman said: thing first peoples two learn-DAT each.other-POSS language, you unable love thing you unable understand-ABL, you unable understand thing you unable name-ABL, naming sit-PURP talk-DAT willingness-INST begins

yamba bama binal kuku wawu jirray burril balka-way

nyubun-nyubun-mu 'each other's'; balka-way-ka RECIP DAT


The men worked together to drag the great log from the forest, ten of them pulling as one, calling to each other to keep the rhythm, and what no one could move alone they moved easily together.

Dingkar-dingkar nyubun kirrajin juku yalbay madjamuny jarrakulbanka, jana wubul nyubunku jarrakulban, jana kunja-wan nyubun-nyubunji yala nyubun, yamba nyubun bama murruji manil jana nyubun buban-buban manin.

dingkar-dingkar nyubun kirraji-ny juku yalbay madja-muny jarrakulba-nka, jana wubul nyubun-ku jarrakulba-ny, jana kunja-wa-ny nyubun-nyubun-ji yala nyubun, yamba nyubun bama murruji mani-l jana nyubun buban-buban mani-ny | men together worked log big forest-ABL drag-PURP, they many one-DAT carried, they called.to.each.other each.other-COMIT like one, thing which person alone unable move they together easily moved

dingkar kirraji juku madja jarrakulbal kunja-way nyubun

kunja-wan RECIP; madja 'forest'; together-move-what-one-cannot


The old man said this is the secret the newcomers never learned: that ten weak people who help each other are stronger than one strong person alone, for a load shared is a load halved, and a joy shared is a joy doubled.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yinya kuku bama yindu-yindu kari binalman: bama wubul junkurr-kari jana mara-daji-way junkurr-baja bama nyubun junkurr ngangamuny, dandi daji-wanmuny buban-manil, wawu-mini daji-wanmuny jambul-manil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yinya kuku bama yindu-yindu kari binal-ma-ny: bama wubul junkurr-kari jana mara-daji-way junkurr-baja bama nyubun junkurr nganga-muny, dandi daji-wa-ny-muny buban-ma-ni-l, wawu-mini daji-wa-ny-muny jambul-ma-ni-l | old man said: this secret strangers NEG learned: people many weak who help.each.other stronger person one strong alone-ABL, load shared-ABL halves, joy shared-ABL doubles

bama junkurr mara-daji-way nyubun dandi daji-way wawu-mini

mara-daji-way 'help each other'; load-halved-joy-doubled


When one family's roof was torn off in the storm, every other family came the next morning without being asked, and by day's end the roof was rebuilt, and that is how a people survives what would destroy a single household.

Nyubun jawun-karramu bayan wangkar jarramalibu manin, jawun-karra wubulku yindu kadan wunkuwingku kari babajinmuny, wungar dungaymuny bayan wangkar bungan baja, yinyabu bama wubulku janay yamba nyubun bayan kilba-manilnya.

nyubun jawun-karra-mu bayan wangkar jarramali-bu mani-ny, jawun-karra wubul-ku yindu kada-ny wunkuwingku kari babaji-ny-muny, wungar dunga-y-muny bayan wangkar bunga-ny baja, yinya-bu bama wubul-ku jana-y yamba nyubun bayan kilba-ma-ni-l-nya | one family-POSS house roof storm-INST took, families all other came morning NEG asked-ABL, day end-ABL house roof built again, that-INST people all survive thing one household destroy-SUB

jawun bayan wangkar jarramali babaji bungal kilbal


The children learned to work as one body: the strong ones carried, the quick ones fetched, the clever ones planned, the small ones ran messages, and even the very old had a task, for a people that wastes no one wants for nothing.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman nyubun bangkarr yala kirrajinka: junkurr jana jarrakulban, warri jana manin, binal jana ngaran, buban jana kuku wundin, mukul bajaku baja nyungu kirraji, bama nyulu bama nyubun kari kilbamanil kari yamba wawu.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny nyubun bangkarr yala kirraji-nka: junkurr jana jarrakulba-ny, warri jana mani-ny, binal jana ngara-ny, buban jana kuku wundi-ny, mukul bajaku baja nyungu kirraji, bama nyulu bama nyubun kari kilba-ma-ni-l kari yamba wawu | children learned one body like work-DAT: strong they carried, quick they fetched, wise they planned, small they messages carried, old most too their task, people who person one NEG wastes NEG thing wants

bangkarr kirraji junkurr jarrakulbal warri binal mukul

nyubun bangkarr yala 'as one body'; wastes-no-one


The old woman said a community is not a place but a practice: it is the daily choice, made by everyone at once, to carry a little of each other's weight, and it dies the day people stop making that choice.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama nyubun kari bubu, yambada kirraji: wungar wubulku manil, bama wubulku nyubunku, nyubun-nyubunmu dandi buban jarrakulbanka, nyulu wula wungar bama nyulu yinya manil bawalnya.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama nyubun kari bubu, yambada kirraji: wungar wubul-ku mani-l, bama wubul-ku nyubun-ku, nyubun-nyubun-mu dandi buban jarrakulba-nka, nyulu wula wungar bama nyulu yinya mani-l bawa-l-nya | old.woman said: community NEG place, but practice: day all made, people all one-DAT, each.other-POSS weight little carry-PURP, it dies day people who that choice leave-SUB

bama nyubun bubu kirraji dandi jarrakulbal wula

bama nyubun 'community'; nyubun-nyubun-mu dandi 'each other's weight'


Two women weaving side by side worked twice as fast as one, not because four hands are faster than two, but because each kept the other's spirits up through the long hours, and the talk made the work light.

Jalbu jambul nyubun-nyubun ngundu wukurrinya jambul-baja junkurr nyubunmuny, kari mara jambul-jambul warri mara jambulmuny, yambada nyubun-nyubun wawu wangkar karrban wungar kalbayka, balka-waybu kirraji buban-manin.

jalbu jambul nyubun-nyubun ngundu wukurri-nya jambul-baja junkurr nyubun-muny, kari mara jambul-jambul warri mara jambul-muny, yambada nyubun-nyubun wawu wangkar karrba-ny wungar kalbay-ka, balka-way-bu kirraji buban-ma-ni-ny | women two side.by.side weaving twice fast one-ABL, NEG hands four faster hands two-ABL, but each.other spirit up held hours long-DAT, talking-INST work light-made

jalbu wukurril junkurr mara warri wawu balka-way kirraji

balka-way-bu 'by talking together'; talk-makes-work-light


The old man said the deepest kind of help makes the other person stronger, not weaker: do not carry a person who can learn to walk, but walk beside them until they can, and then let them walk, and then let them carry you.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: mara-daji-way bada bajaku nyulu bama yindu junkurr-manil, kari junkurr-kari-manil: kari bama jarrakulba nyulu jilbay binalmanka, yambada nyungu ngundu jilba nyulu binalmuny, yalada nyulu jilbay bawa, yalada nyulu yundu jarrakulba bawa.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: mara-daji-way bada bajaku nyulu bama yindu junkurr-ma-ni-l, kari junkurr-kari-ma-ni-l: kari bama jarrakulba nyulu jilba-y binal-ma-nka, yambada nyungu ngundu jilba nyulu binal-muny, yala-da nyulu jilba-y bawa, yala-da nyulu yundu jarrakulba bawa | old man said: help deepest which person other stronger-makes, NEG weaker-makes: NEG person carry who walk learn-DAT, but him beside walk-IMP he learns-ABL, then he walks let, then he you carry let

mara-daji-way bada junkurr jarrakulbal jilbal binal bawal


The children learned that to receive help gracefully is as important as to give it, for a person who will only give and never receive holds themselves above others, and true community needs everyone sometimes to be the one who is carried.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman mara-daji maninka dandi yala dajinka, bama nyulu nganga dajil kari manil nyulu-nyulu bama yindu wangkar karrbal, bama nyubun yukil wawu bama wubulku kanbalka nyubun jana jarrakulbanmuny.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny mara-daji mani-nka dandi yala daji-nka, bama nyulu nganga daji-l kari mani-l nyulu-nyulu bama yindu wangkar karrba-l, bama nyubun yukil wawu bama wubul-ku kanbal-ka nyubun jana jarrakulba-ny-muny | children learned help receive-DAT important like give-DAT, person who only gives NEG receives himself people other above holds, community true needs people all sometimes one they carried-ABL

mara-daji manil dajil bama wangkar karrbal nyubun jarrakulbal


When the coast people and the rainforest people met to trade, they laid their goods on the ground facing each other — shells and fish for stone and other things — and gave to each other until both were satisfied.

Jalunji bama majaji bama nyaji-wanda daji-wayka, jana nyungu yamba bubungu yijarrin nyubun-nyubun yaral, kuyu jalunmu kulji yamba yindu baja, jana daji-wan jambulku wawu-mini-manyjiku.

jalun-ji bama majaji bama nyaji-wa-ny-da daji-way-ka, jana nyungu yamba bubu-ngu yijarri-ny nyubun-nyubun yaral, kuyu jalun-mu kulji yamba yindu baja, jana daji-wa-ny jambul-ku wawu-mini-ma-nyjiku | sea-COMIT people rainforest people met-then trade-DAT, they their goods ground-LOC laid each.other facing, fish sea-POSS stone thing other too, they gave.each.other both happy-become-SUCC

jalun majaji nyaji-way daji-way yamba bubu kuyu kulji

jalun-ji/majaji peoples; daji-wayka RECIP 'trade'; bubu-ngu LOC(u)


The old man said trade is the first peace: two peoples who give to each other regularly will not easily make war on each other, for you do not raise a spear against the hand that gives you what you need.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: daji-way wunbu ngadiku: bama jambul jana yabarrka daji-way kari junkurr kuni-way baja, yundu kalka kari wangkar-manil maranga nyulu yundunka yamba wawu dajilnya.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: daji-way wunbu ngadiku: bama jambul jana yabarrka daji-way kari junkurr kuni-way baja, yundu kalka kari wangkar-ma-ni-l mara-nga nyulu yundu-nka yamba wawu daji-l-nya | old man said: trade peace first: peoples two who regularly give.each.other NEG easily fight.each.other, you spear NEG raise hand-LOC which you-for thing needed gives-SUB

daji-way wunbu bama kuni-way kalka wangkar mara

daji-way/kuni-way RECIP; mara-nga LOC(a); trade-is-first-peace


The children learned the law of fair exchange: you do not name your price and hold to it like a stone; you name a price, they name a price, and you move toward each other, each giving a little, until you meet in the middle and both walk away content.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman daji-waymu kuku yukil: yundu kari nyungu dandi burri karrbal yala kulji; yundu dandi burri, jana dandi burri, yundu nyubun-nyubun ngundu murni-way, wubulku buban daji, dukurrbu nyaji-wanyjiku, jambulku wawu-mini dungay.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny daji-way-mu kuku yukil: yundu kari nyungu dandi burri karrba-l yala kulji; yundu dandi burri, jana dandi burri, yundu nyubun-nyubun ngundu murni-way, wubul-ku buban daji, dukurr-bu nyaji-wa-nyjiku, jambul-ku wawu-mini dunga-y | children learned trade-POSS law fair: you NEG your price name hold like stone; you price name, they price name, you each.other toward move.each.other, both little give, middle-LOC meet-SUCC, both content go

daji-way dandi burri karrbal murni-way dukurr nyaji-way

murni-way RECIP 'move toward each other'; dukurr-a LOC(rr); meet-in-middle


The old woman said a good trade leaves both sides feeling they got the better of it, and a bad trade leaves both feeling cheated, and the difference is not in the goods exchanged but in the spirit in which they were given.

Wulbumanangka balkan: daji-way ngulkurr jambulku milkabu baykan jana ngulkurr-baja manin, daji-way mumbu jambulku milkabu baykan jana warmbin, murni kari yamba daji-wanmuny, yambada wawu jana dajinba.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: daji-way ngulkurr jambul-ku milka-bu bayka-ny jana ngulkurr-baja mani-ny, daji-way mumbu jambul-ku milka-bu bayka-ny jana warmbi-ny, murni kari yamba daji-wa-ny-muny, yambada wawu jana daji-ny-mba | old.woman said: trade good both felt they better got, trade bad both felt they cheated, difference NEG goods exchanged-in, but spirit they given-in

daji-way ngulkurr milkal warmbil murni wawu dajil


Two hunters who often shared their kills learned to read each other so well that they could hunt as a single mind, one driving the game and the other waiting, without a word passing between them.

Balbibama jambul jana yabarrka minya daji-way binalman nyubun-nyubun nyaji-way ngulkurr bajaku, jana balbin yala milka nyubun, nyubun minya wundin nyubun maku-janay, kari kuku nyubun jana ngundu dungan.

balbi-bama jambul jana yabarrka minya daji-way binal-ma-ny nyubun-nyubun nyaji-way ngulkurr bajaku, jana balbi-ny yala milka nyubun, nyubun minya wundi-ny nyubun maku-jana-y, kari kuku nyubun jana ngundu dunga-ny | hunters two who often kills share.each.other learned each.other read.each.other well most, they hunted like mind one, one game drove one waited, NEG word one them between passed

balbi minya daji-way nyaji-way milka maku-janay kuku

minya daji-way/nyaji-way RECIP; hunt-as-one-mind


The old man said the highest form of exchange is not goods for goods but gift for gift, where each gives freely without keeping count, trusting that over a lifetime the giving will balance, and it always does, and more.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: daji-way wangkar bajaku kari yamba yambaku, yambada dajil dajilku, wubulku ngulkurr-bu daji kari wubul nyajil, manu-baja-bungal wawu wubulmuny daji-way yukil-manyjiku, yabarrka yukil-manil, wubul-baja baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: daji-way wangkar bajaku kari yamba yamba-ku, yambada daji-l daji-l-ku, wubul-ku ngulkurr-bu daji kari wubul nyaji-l, manu-baja-bunga-l wawu wubul-muny daji-way yukil-ma-nyjiku, yabarrka yukil-ma-ni-l, wubul-baja baja | old man said: exchange highest NEG goods goods-for, but gift gift-for, all freely give NEG count look, trusting life whole-ABL giving balance-SUCC, always balances, more too

daji-way yamba dajil ngulkurr wubul yukil wawu


The children learned that a gift of goods can be repaid and forgotten, but a kindness is never repaid, only passed on, and this is by design, for a kindness passed forward binds a whole people together across the generations.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman yamba daji yukil-manil milka-wulal baja, yambada wawu-yukil kari yukil-manil, nganga badaka dungay, yinya yukil, wawu-yukil yaral yungalmuny bama wubulku kajil wungar wubulmuny.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny yamba daji yukil-ma-ni-l milka-wula-l baja, yambada wawu-yukil kari yukil-ma-ni-l, nganga bada-ka dunga-y, yinya yukil, wawu-yukil yaral yungal-muny bama wubul-ku kaji-l wungar wubul-muny | children learned goods gift balanced forgotten too, but kindness NEG balanced, just down-DAT passes, that right, kindness forward sent-ABL people all binds generations all-ABL

yamba daji yukil milka-wulal wawu-yukil yungal kajil


The old woman said: Give without remembering, receive without forgetting — this is the whole art of exchange between people, and a person who masters it will never be poor, for they will always be owed more love than they can ever spend.

Wulbumanangka balkan: Daji kari binalku, mani kari milka-wula, yinya daji-waymu kuku wubulku bama nyubun-nyubunji, bama nyulu yinya kujil kari mumbu janay yabarrka, jana yabarrka nyungu wawu jirray wubul-baja nyulu wundilmuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: daji kari binalku, mani kari milka-wula, yinya daji-way-mu kuku wubul-ku bama nyubun-nyubun-ji, bama nyulu yinya kuji-l kari mumbu jana-y yabarrka, jana yabarrka nyungu wawu jirray wubul-baja nyulu wundi-l-muny | old.woman said: give NEG remember, receive NEG forget, this exchange-POSS art whole people each.other-COMIT, person who this masters NEG poor is ever, they always him love more he spend-ABL

daji binalku milka-wula daji-way kujil wawu jirray


In the evening the old people and the young people taught each other: the old taught the young the names and the ways, and the young taught the old the new words and the new songs, and both were the richer for it.

Kunarangkal ngundu mukul warru baja jana milbi-wan: mukul warru milbin burri yamba baja, warru mukul milbin kuku jirakal kuku ngulkurr jirakal baja, jambulku ngulkurr-baja janay yinyabu.

kunarangkal ngundu mukul warru baja jana milbi-wa-ny: mukul warru milbi-ny burri yamba baja, warru mukul milbi-ny kuku jirakal kuku ngulkurr jirakal baja, jambul-ku ngulkurr-baja jana-y yinya-bu | evening near old young too they taught.each.other: old young taught names ways too, young old taught words new songs new too, both richer were it-INST

mukul warru milbi-way burri yamba kuku jirakal

milbi-wan RECIP 'taught each other'; old-and-young-teach-each-other


The old man said no one is too old to learn and no one too young to teach, for a child sees the world with fresh eyes and often sees what the old have stopped seeing, and the wise old person learns from the child as gladly as they teach.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bama nyubun kari mukul bajaku binalka, bama nyubun kari buban bajaku milbinka, karrkay bubu miyil jirakalbu nyajil, yabarrka nyajil yamba mukul nyajil bawanmuny, mukul binal karrkaymuny binalku wawu-mini yala nyulu milbilmu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bama nyubun kari mukul bajaku binal-ka, bama nyubun kari buban bajaku milbi-nka, karrkay bubu miyil jirakal-bu nyaji-l, yabarrka nyaji-l yamba mukul nyaji-l bawa-ny-muny, mukul binal karrkay-muny binalku wawu-mini yala nyulu milbi-l-mu | old man said: person one NEG too old learn-DAT, person one NEG too young teach-DAT, child world eyes fresh-INST sees, often sees thing old see stopped-ABL, old wise child-ABL learns gladly as he teaches-POSS

bama mukul binal milbil karrkay miyil jirakal binalku

miyil jirakal-bu 'fresh eyes'; learns-from-the-child


Two apprentices learning the same craft helped each other more than the master could help either alone, for they made the same mistakes at the same time and could laugh at them together, and shame shared is shame halved.

Warru jambul nyubun kirraji binalji jana mara-daji-way wubul-baja mala-bama nyubunka mara-dajilmuny, jana murni nyubun ngaran nyubun wungara, jana yajarril nyubunji, milka-murruji daji-wanmuny buban-manil.

warru jambul nyubun kirraji binal-ji jana mara-daji-way wubul-baja mala-bama nyubun-ka mara-daji-l-muny, jana murni nyubun ngara-ny nyubun wungar-a, jana yajarri-l nyubun-ji, milka-murruji daji-wa-ny-muny buban-ma-ni-l | apprentices two same craft learning they helped.each.other more expert one-DAT help-ABL, they mistake same made time one-LOC, they laughed together, shame shared-ABL halves

warru kirraji binal mara-daji-way murni yajarril milka-murruji

mara-daji-way RECIP; wungar-a LOC(r); shame-shared-is-halved


The old woman said the best way to learn a thing is to teach it, for when you must explain a thing to another you discover the holes in your own understanding, and so the teacher and the learner teach each other whether they mean to or not.

Wulbumanangka balkan: yamba binalka yala ngulkurr bajaku milbinka, yundu yamba bama yindunka balkanya yundu nyajil nyungu binalmu yamba-kari, yinyabu milbibama binalbama jana milbi-way jana wawunya kariku baja.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yamba binal-ka yala ngulkurr bajaku milbi-nka, yundu yamba bama yindu-nka balka-nya yundu nyaji-l nyungu binal-mu yamba-kari, yinya-bu milbi-bama binal-bama jana milbi-way jana wawu-nya kariku baja | old.woman said: thing learn-DAT way best teach-DAT, you thing person other-for explain-SUB you see your understanding-POSS holes, that-INST teacher learner they teach.each.other they meaning-SUB not.yet too

yamba binal milbil balkal nyajil milbi-way wawu

milbi-way RECIP; teach-to-learn; teacher-and-learner-teach-each-other


The children learned that the teacher who cannot learn should not teach, for teaching is not pouring water into an empty vessel but lighting a fire that both can warm themselves by, and a teacher whose own fire has gone cold has nothing left to give.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman milbibama nyulu murruji binal kari milbil, milbil kari bana yamba-karinga yijarril, yambada baya wangkal jambulku nyulu ngundu wumbul-ma-ji, milbibama nyungu baya kiwaymandanya kari yamba dajinka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny milbi-bama nyulu murruji binal kari milbi-l, milbi-l kari bana yamba-kari-nga yijarri-l, yambada baya wangka-l jambul-ku nyulu ngundu wumbul-ma-ji, milbi-bama nyungu baya kiway-ma-ny-da-nya kari yamba daji-nka | children learned teacher who unable learn NEG teaches, teaching NEG water vessel-LOC pours, but fire lights both it near warm-REFL, teacher whose fire cold-became-SUB NEG thing give-DAT

milbil binal bana yamba-kari baya wangkal wumbul kiway

yamba-kari-nga LOC(a); wumbul-ma-ji REFL 'warm themselves'; teaching-is-lighting-a-fire


The old man said watch how a person treats those who can teach them nothing and give them nothing — the child, the stranger, the very old — for that, and not how they treat the powerful, is the true measure of their heart.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: nyaji yala bama nyulu jana ngaral jana nyulunka murruji milbil murruji dajil, karrkay, bama yindu, mukul bajaku, yinya, kari yala nyulu junkurr-bama ngaral, bamamu wawu dandi yukil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: nyaji yala bama nyulu jana ngara-l jana nyulu-nka murruji milbi-l murruji daji-l, karrkay, bama yindu, mukul bajaku, yinya, kari yala nyulu junkurr-bama ngara-l, bama-mu wawu dandi yukil | old man said: watch how person them treats who him-for unable teach unable give, child, stranger, old most, that, NEG how he powerful treats, person-POSS heart measure true

nyajil bama ngaral milbil dajil karrkay junkurr wawu

junkurr-bama 'the powerful'; measure-by-how-you-treat-the-powerless


The children learned that everyone they met knew something they did not, and that if they approached each person as a teacher rather than a rival, the whole world became their school and every stranger a gift.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman bama wubulku jana nyaji-wanmuny yamba binal jana murruji binal, kaki jana bama wubulku milbibama yala ngundu kada kari kuni-way yala, bubu wubulku jana nyungu bubu-binal janay bama yindu wubulku dajil.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny bama wubul-ku jana nyaji-wa-ny-muny yamba binal jana murruji binal, kaki jana bama wubul-ku milbi-bama yala ngundu kada kari kuni-way yala, bubu wubul-ku jana nyungu bubu-binal jana-y bama yindu wubul-ku daji-l | children learned people all they met-ABL something know they unable know, if they people all teacher as near come NEG rival as, world all their school was strangers all gift

bama nyaji-way yamba binal kaday kuni-way bubu

nyaji-wanmuny RECIP; kaki+NONPAST(kada); everyone-a-teacher


The old woman said the mark of a truly educated person is not how much they know but how much they know they do not know, and how eagerly they seek out those who can teach them what they lack.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama binal yukil bajaku nyungu milbil kari nyulu wanjarrinya binal, yambada nyulu wanjarrinya binal nyulu murruji binal, yala nyulu wawu-junkurrbu nyajil bama jana nyulunka milbil yamba nyulu kari karrbal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama binal yukil bajaku nyungu milbi-l kari nyulu wanjarrinya binal, yambada nyulu wanjarrinya binal nyulu murruji binal, yala nyulu wawu-junkurr-bu nyaji-l bama jana nyulu-nka milbi-l yamba nyulu kari karrba-l | old.woman said: person educated truly its mark NEG he how.much knows, but he how.much knows he unable knows, how he eagerly seeks people who him-for teach thing he NEG holds

bama binal yukil milbil wanjarrinya wawu-junkurr nyajil

wanjarrinya binal 'how much knows'; knowing-what-you-don't-know


When two young men fought each other over a foolish insult, the whole camp gathered, not to take sides, but to hold both of them until the anger cooled and they could see each other as men again.

Warru jambul nyubun-nyubun kuni-wanda kuku mumbu bubankamuny, bama wubulku bangkan, kari nyubun karrbanka, yambada jambulku karrbanka dukul-wuri kiwaymanyjiku jana nyubun-nyubun dingkar yala nyaji-way baja.

warru jambul nyubun-nyubun kuni-wa-ny-da kuku mumbu buban-ka-muny, bama wubul-ku bangka-ny, kari nyubun karrba-nka, yambada jambul-ku karrba-nka dukul-wuri kiway-ma-nyjiku jana nyubun-nyubun dingkar yala nyaji-way baja | young.men two each.other fought-then word bad small-DAT-ABL, people all gathered, NEG one hold-DAT, but both hold-DAT anger cool-SUCC they each.other men as see.each.other again

warru kuni-way kuku mumbu bangkal karrbal dukul-wuri nyaji-way

kuni-wanda RECIP(ABS subj); hold-both-till-anger-cools


The old man walked between the two fighters and said: You are not people who fight each other; you are two brothers who have forgotten it for a moment, and I will not let you do to each other what you would both regret for the rest of your lives.

Mukulungku dingkarangka kuni-bama jambul ngundu jilban, balkan: Yurra kari nyubun-nyubun kuni-way; yurra yaba jambul yurra kanbalka milka-wulanmuny, ngayu kari yurranka bawal yurra nyubun-nyubunka ngaranka yurra jambulku wawu wubulku milka-badil janaymuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka kuni-bama jambul ngundu jilba-ny, balka-ny: yurra kari nyubun-nyubun kuni-way; yurra yaba jambul yurra kanbal-ka milka-wula-ny-muny, ngayu kari yurra-nka bawa-l yurra nyubun-nyubun-ka ngara-nka yurra jambul-ku wawu wubul-ku milka-badil jana-y-muny | old man fighters two between walked, said: you.PL NEG each.other fight.each.other; you.PL brothers two you.PL moment forgot-ABL, I NEG you.PL-for let you.PL each.other-DAT do-DAT you.PL both life all regret be-ABL

kuni-bama jilbal kuni-way yaba milka-wulay bawal milka-badil


The two young men stood, hearts pounding, and slowly the anger left them, and they looked at each other and were ashamed, and the older one put out his hand, and the younger one took it, and it was over.

Warru jambul wawu junkurr janay, buban-buban dukul-wuri jananmuny dungan, jana nyaji-way milka-murruji janay, warru yalbaymu nyungu mara wangkar-manin, warru bubanangka manin, yinya dungan.

warru jambul wawu junkurr jana-y, buban-buban dukul-wuri jana-ny-muny dunga-ny, jana nyaji-way milka-murruji jana-y, warru yalbay-mu nyungu mara wangkar-ma-ni-ny, warru buban-angka mani-ny, yinya dunga-ny | young.men two heart hard stood, slowly anger them-ABL went, they saw.each.other ashamed were, young elder his hand up-put, young younger took, that ended

warru wawu junkurr dukul-wuri nyaji-way milka-murruji mara wangkar


The old woman said the two who have fought and made peace are bound more tightly than the two who never fought at all, for they have seen each other at their worst and chosen each other anyway, and that is a deeper trust than untested friendship.

Wulbumanangka balkan: jambul jana kuni-wanmuny wunbu-wanmuny kaji junkurr-baja jambul jana kariku kuni-wanmuny, jana nyubun-nyubun mumbu bajakungu nyaji-wanmuny, jana nyubun-nyubun manin baja, yinya manu-baja bada-baja jawun kari nyaji-nyajinmuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: jambul jana kuni-wa-ny-muny wunbu-wa-ny-muny kaji junkurr-baja jambul jana kariku kuni-wa-ny-muny, jana nyubun-nyubun mumbu bajaku-ngu nyaji-wa-ny-muny, jana nyubun-nyubun mani-ny baja, yinya manu-baja bada-baja jawun kari nyaji-nyaji-ny-muny | old.woman said: two who fought.each.other made.peace.each.other bond tighter two who never fought.each.other, they each.other worst-LOC saw.each.other, they each.other chose too, that trust deeper friendship NEG tested-ABL

kuni-way wunbu-way kaji junkurr nyaji-way manil jawun

wunbu-wan RECIP 'made peace'; bajaku-ngu LOC(u); fought-and-chosen-anyway


The old man said: Never fight a person you cannot afterward forgive, and never say in anger a thing you cannot later unsay, for the body heals but the word remembered festers, and a people that cannot forgive each other tears itself apart from within.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: Kari bama kuni nyulu yundu kudamundu milka-wula murruji, kari dukul-wuringa balka kuku yundu kudamundu murni murruji, bangkarr kakawarri-manda yambada kuku binalkumu mumbu-baja-manda, bama nyulu murruji milka-wula-way nyulu-nyulu dukurrmuny kaka-manil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kari bama kuni nyulu yundu kudamundu milka-wula murruji, kari dukul-wuri-nga balka kuku yundu kudamundu murni murruji, bangkarr kakawarri-ma-ny-da yambada kuku binalku-mu mumbu-baja-ma-ny-da, bama nyulu murruji milka-wula-way nyulu-nyulu dukurr-muny kaka-ma-ni-l | old man said: NEG person fight whom you afterward forgive unable, NEG anger-LOC say word you later unsay unable, body heals but word remembered worse-becomes, people who unable forgive.each.other itself inside-ABL breaks

bama kunil milka-wula dukul-wuri kuku bangkarr kakawarri milka-wula-way

dukul-wuri-nga LOC(i); milka-wula-way RECIP 'forgive each other'


The children learned that to make peace is harder than to make war, for war asks only that you strike, but peace asks that you look your enemy in the eye, see their humanity, and choose to build with the very hands that were raised to strike.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman wunbu-bungal dandi-baja kuni-waymuny, kuni-way babajil nganga yundu kuni, yambada wunbu babajil yundu yindu miyilba nyaji, nyungu bama-yukil nyaji, mara jana wangkar-manin kuninka nyubunji bunganka manil.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny wunbu-bunga-l dandi-baja kuni-way-muny, kuni-way babaji-l nganga yundu kuni, yambada wunbu babaji-l yundu yindu miyil-ba nyaji, nyungu bama-yukil nyaji, mara jana wangkar-ma-ni-ny kuni-nka nyubun-ji bunga-nka mani-l | children learned peace-make harder war-ABL, war asks only you strike, but peace asks you other eye-LOC look, their humanity see, hands they up-put strike-DAT with build-DAT chooses

wunbu kuni-way babajil yindu miyil bama-yukil mara bungal


The old man said the strong make peace and the weak make war, for it takes no courage to strike but great courage to offer your open hand to someone who has hurt you, not knowing whether they will take it or strike it away.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: junkurr bama wunbu-bungal, junkurr-kari bama kuni-way, wawu-junkurr-kari kuninka, yambada wawu-junkurr yalbay mara yaral dajinka bama nyulu yundu kaka-maninmuny, kari binal nyulu manil kuni baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: junkurr bama wunbu-bunga-l, junkurr-kari bama kuni-way, wawu-junkurr-kari kuni-nka, yambada wawu-junkurr yalbay mara yaral daji-nka bama nyulu yundu kaka-ma-ni-ny-muny, kari binal nyulu mani-l kuni baja | old man said: strong people peace-make, weak people fight.each.other, courage-less strike-DAT, but courage big hand open give-DAT person who you hurt-ABL, NEG know he takes strikes too

junkurr wunbu kuni-way wawu-junkurr mara yaral dajil kaka


The children learned the hardest lesson of all: that sometimes the other person will not make peace, will strike the open hand away, and that then you must have the strength to stop without striking back, and to leave the door open, and to wait.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman milbil dandi bajaku wubulmuny: kanbalka bama yindu kari wunbu-bungal, mara yaral kunil bawal, yalada yundu junkurr karrbanka kari kuni baja, jina yukil bawanka, maku-jananka.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny milbi-l dandi bajaku wubul-muny: kanbal-ka bama yindu kari wunbu-bunga-l, mara yaral kuni-l bawa-l, yala-da yundu junkurr karrba-nka kari kuni baja, jina yukil bawa-nka, maku-jana-nka | children learned lesson hardest all-ABL: sometimes person other NEG peace-makes, hand open strikes away, then you strength have-DAT NEG strike again, door open leave-DAT, wait-PURP

milbil dandi wunbu mara kunil junkurr karrbal maku-janay


The old woman said no person stands alone, however much they believe they do: the strongest hunter depends on the woman who makes his gear, on the elder who taught him the country, on the child who will carry his name, and on a hundred others he never thinks of.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama nyubun kari nganga janay, nyulu wubul manu-baja-bungalmuny nyulu nganga: balbibama junkurr bajaku jalbungu kajil nyulu nyungu yamba balkal, mukulba nyulu bubu milbin, karrkay-anda nyulu nyungu burri wundil, bama wubul yindungu nyulu kariku milkal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama nyubun kari nganga jana-y, nyulu wubul manu-baja-bunga-l-muny nyulu nganga: balbi-bama junkurr bajaku jalbu-ngu kaji-l nyulu nyungu yamba balka-l, mukul-ba nyulu bubu milbi-ny, karrkay-anda nyulu nyungu burri wundi-l, bama wubul yindu-ngu nyulu kariku milka-l | old.woman said: person one NEG alone stands, he much believes-ABL he alone: hunter strongest woman-on depends who his gear makes, elder-on who country taught, child-on who his name carries, people many other-on he not.yet thinks

bama nganga balbi jalbu kajil mukul karrkay burri milkal

jalbu-ngu/mukul-ba/karrkay-nga/yindu-ngu LOC allomorphs; no-one-stands-alone


The old man said the wise person does not resent this dependence but rejoices in it, for to need others is to be woven into the living cloth of a people, and the only person who needs no one is the one lying alone and cold in the ground.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: bama binal yinya kajinka kari dukul-wuri, yambada wawu-mini, bama yinduka wawu yala bama nyubunmu kambinga wukurrinmuny, bama nyulu nyubun kari bama yinduka wawu nyulu nganga wunay kiway bubungu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: bama binal yinya kaji-nka kari dukul-wuri, yambada wawu-mini, bama yindu-ka wawu yala bama nyubun-mu kambi-nga wukurri-ny-muny, bama nyulu nyubun kari bama yindu-ka wawu nyulu nganga wuna-y kiway bubu-nga | old man said: person wise this dependence-DAT NEG resents, but rejoices, people other-DAT need like people one-POSS cloth-LOC woven-ABL, person who one NEG people other-DAT needs he alone lies cold ground-LOC

bama binal kajil dukul-wuri wawu-mini kambi wukurril bubu

kambi-nga LOC(i); bubu-nga LOC(a); woven-into-the-cloth-of-a-people


The children learned to say two things every day, to as many people as they could: thank you, which admits you needed them, and how can I help, which offers that you are needed too, and between those two small phrases a whole community is woven.

Karrkay-karrkayangka binalman kuku jambul wungar wubulku balkanka, bama wubulku jana maninka: wawu-mini balka, yinya milbil yundu jananka wawunmuny, yala ngayu mara-daji, yinya dajil yundunka baja wawu, jambulku kuku bubanba bama nyubun wukurril.

karrkay-karrkay-angka binal-ma-ny kuku jambul wungar wubul-ku balka-nka, bama wubul-ku jana mani-nka: wawu-mini balka, yinya milbi-l yundu jana-nka wawu-ny-muny, yala ngayu mara-daji, yinya daji-l yundu-nka baja wawu, jambul-ku kuku buban-ba bama nyubun wukurri-l | children learned words two day all say-DAT, people all they take-DAT: thank say, that shows you them-for needed-ABL, how I help, that gives you-for too needed, both.of words small-LOC community woven

kuku balkal wawu-mini milbil mara-daji dajil wukurril

kuku buban-ba LOC(n); thank-you-and-how-can-I-help