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Tsuro paTsime reMhuka

The Hare at the Animals' Well
Difficulty: Early Readers · Reading Time: 4 min
Sarungano: "Kare kare zvakako..."  ·  Vateereri: "Dzepfunde!"
Scene 1 ☀️
Scene 1: A long, long time ago, a terrible drought struck the savanna, drying up rivers and pools until all creatures grew thirsty.
Kare kare zvakako, nzara nemutoro wezuva zvakawira sango, nzizi nemadziva zvikaoma mhuka dzikashaya mvura.
A long, long time ago, a terrible drought struck the savanna, drying up rivers and pools until all creatures grew thirsty.
Scene 2 🦁
Scene 2: King Lion rallied all the animals to dig a well together, but lazy Tsuro laughed, "My hands are too delicate, I will not dig!"
Mambo Shumba akati mhuka dzose dzichere tsime pamwe chete, asi Tsuro akati, "Ini ndinofa nemaoko, handicheri tsime!"
King Lion rallied all the animals to dig a well together, but lazy Tsuro laughed, "My hands are too delicate, I will not dig!"
Scene 3 💧
Scene 3: The animals toiled and dug until cool, sparkling water sprang forth. They left Baboon to stand guard so Tsuro would not drink.
Mhuka dzakachera nesimba mvura inotonhorera ikabuda. Vakasiya Gudo kuti arinde tsime Tsuro asanonwe.
The animals toiled and dug until cool, sparkling water sprang forth. They left Baboon to stand guard so Tsuro would not drink.
Scene 4 🍯
Scene 4: At midnight, sly Tsuro came bearing a pot of sweet wild honey. He gave Baboon a taste, whispering, "Taste this, it is sweeter than water!"
Pakati pousiku, Tsuro akauya akaviga hari yeuchi hunotapira. Akapa Gudo akati, "Ravidza uchi hunonaka kupfuura mvura!"
At midnight, sly Tsuro came bearing a pot of sweet wild honey. He gave Baboon a taste, whispering, "Taste this, it is sweeter than water!"
Scene 5 🪢
Scene 5: Tsuro tied Baboon tightly to a tree trunk promising a grand feast, then drank his fill and mischievously splashed in the clean well!
Tsuro akasunga Gudo pamuti netambo achiti uchi hunozobuda zvakanaka. Tsuro akanwa mvura achibva asvibisa tsime ose!
Tsuro tied Baboon tightly to a tree trunk promising a grand feast, then drank his fill and mischievously splashed in the clean well!
Scene 6 🐢
Scene 6: The next day clever Tortoise smeared herself with sticky tree resin and waited silently. When Tsuro leaped onto her back, he was stuck fast!
Zuva rakatevera Kamba akazvizora namo yomuti pamusana akagara patsime. Tsuro paakasvetuka pamusana paKamba, akabva anamatira!
The next day clever Tortoise smeared herself with sticky tree resin and waited silently. When Tsuro leaped onto her back, he was stuck fast!
Scene 7 ⭐
Scene 7: The animals rushed in and cheered as quiet Tortoise captured the trickster! That is where our storyteller rests. Moral: He who will not work shall not eat!
Mhuka dzose dzakasvika dzikawana Tsuro abatwa naKamba! Ndipo pakafira sarungano. Chidzidzo: Nyope inodya cheziya!
The animals rushed in and cheered as quiet Tortoise captured the trickster! That is where our storyteller rests. Moral: He who will not work shall not eat!
🏆 Chidzidzo cheNgano (Moral of the Tale):
Uyo asingashandi haafaniri kudya zvaakashandirwa nevamwe. Nyope inodya cheziya.
English: He who will not work shall not enjoy the harvest of others. Laziness always ends in shame.
🔤 Mashoko eMungano (Key Words)
ChiShona Pronunciation English
Tsime TSEE-meh Water well / spring
Nzara NZAH-rah Hunger / Drought
Uchi OO-chee Honey
Nyope NYOH-peh Lazy person / Sluggard
Kurinda koo-REE-ndah To keep guard
Namo NAH-moh Sticky tree resin / pitch
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