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Mbudzi Nhatu paZambuko

The Three Goats at the River Crossing
Difficulty: Beginner · Reading Time: 3 min
Sarungano: "Kare kare zvakako..."  ·  Vateereri: "Dzepfunde!"
Scene 1 🐐
Scene 1: Long ago, Little Goat, Middle Goat, and Big Goat grazed together beside a rushing river.
Kare kare zvakako, kwaiti Mbudzi Diki, Mbudzi Pakati, naMbudzi Huru dzaifura pedyo nerwizi rukuru.
Long ago, Little Goat, Middle Goat, and Big Goat grazed together beside a rushing river.
Scene 2 🌿
Scene 2: Across the river stood a hill covered in lush green grass, but a greedy Hyena guarded the narrow bridge.
Mhiri kwerwizi kwaiva negomo raiva nehuswa hwakasvibira, asi pazambuko paigara Bere aityisidzira mhuka.
Across the river stood a hill covered in lush green grass, but a greedy Hyena guarded the narrow bridge.
Scene 3 🌉
Scene 3: Little Goat stepped onto the wooden bridge first—trip-trap, trip-trap—and Hyena leaped up roaring, "Who crosses my bridge?"
Mbudzi Diki yakatanga kuyambuka zambuko ichiti go-go-go netsoka dzayo, Bere ndokusimuka achibvunza kuti ndiani.
Little Goat stepped onto the wooden bridge first—trip-trap, trip-trap—and Hyena leaped up roaring, "Who crosses my bridge?"
Scene 4 💬
Scene 4: Little Goat answered cleverly, "I am only a tiny kid; wait for my much bigger brother walking right behind me!"
Mbudzi Diki yakapindura neuchenjeri ikati, "Ndiri mudiki kwazvo, mirira mukoma wangu mukuru ari kuuya shure kwangu!"
Little Goat answered cleverly, "I am only a tiny kid; wait for my much bigger brother walking right behind me!"
Scene 5 🐐
Scene 5: When Middle Goat arrived, he used the very same wise plan, and greedy Hyena let him pass too, waiting for the biggest prize.
Mbudzi Pakati payakasvika, yakashandisawo zano rimwe chetero, Bere ndokurega ichipfuura achimirira Mbudzi Huru.
When Middle Goat arrived, he used the very same wise plan, and greedy Hyena let him pass too, waiting for the biggest prize.
Scene 6 💥
Scene 6: Then Big Goat marched onto the bridge, lowered his strong curved horns, and tossed the bully straight into the river below!
Mbudzi Huru yakasvika nenyanga dzayo refu dzakasimba, ikasundidzira Bere mumvura inoyerera!
Then Big Goat marched onto the bridge, lowered his strong curved horns, and tossed the bully straight into the river below!
Scene 7 🎉
Scene 7: The three goats grazed happily together on the green hillside in peace. That is where our story ends. Moral: Unity and wisdom prevail!
Mbudzi nhatu dzakafura huswa murugare pamusoro pegomo. Ndipo pakafira sarungano. Chidzidzo: Kubatana kune simba!
The three goats grazed happily together on the green hillside in peace. That is where our story ends. Moral: Unity and wisdom prevail!
🏆 Chidzidzo cheNgano (Moral of the Tale):
Uchenjeri nekubatana zvinokunda hudzvanyiriri.
English: Cleverness and family unity overcome any bully.
🔤 Mashoko eMungano (Key Words)
ChiShona Pronunciation English
Mbudzi MBOO-dzee Goat
Zambuko zah-MBOO-koh Bridge / River crossing
Huswa HOO-swah Grass / Pasture
Nyanga NYAH-ngah Horns
Rwizi RWEE-zee River
Kuyambuka koo-yah-MBOO-kah To cross over
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