mc_nafsan_tafra

When we got to the end of the year we would give the children a present for them to take to their Apu and Ati, a small present they could give to them at Eratap.

Selwan tupaakor nametp̃ag ntau, rato tu teesa tete nanromien ruto nig Apu go Ati negarwes nanromien sees pan tuer kin Ertap.

The year 1956, we gave them the small present again for them to give to them.

Ntau 1956, komam ramer tuer tete nanromien sees rumer negar wesi pan tuer kin.

Apu from Elaknar and Apu from Elaau they went to give it, then came back.

Apu ni Elaknar, go Apu nig Elaau rupan tuer kin kailer mai utu.

After we passed January, and Limaas and I said "Let's go visit them".

Me utol Janweri go komam Limaas ramer nag rakfan saofir.

Pastor Kalagis wanted us to go to Eratap.

Pastor Kalagis, imurin na komam komau pak Ertap.

We went to Elaknar and Tata Sailas was at his house. When he saw us

Upan paakor Elaknar go Tata Sailas ito esum̃ nega to. Selwan ilek mam

and he said, "Webe, small fish they come and eat all the good food.

go ina, "Webe naik seserik rumai kaifam nafnag wi pan.

But the whales will come later.

Me tafra rupo inrok mai.

The whales eat stones then they return."

Tafra rukfam faat nen ruto me rukmer ler pan."

When Pastor Kalagis heard Sailas' talk he felt bad. But I didn't feel bad.

Selwan Paster Kalagis inrog nafsan ni Sailas inrogteesa wes. Me kineu atap nrogteesa wes mau.

I already knew that he would tell us the meaning of this story that Sailas told us. And then he told us.

Atae nag kefo nrik mam ki nap̃et nafsan nag itili. Go ipo nrik mam kin.

He said one day small fish came would come out to eat

Itili nag naliati iskei naik seserik ruto fam,

but the whale was hitting the water (with its tail).

me tafra ito wat ur elau.

But the small fish said now the tide is high

Me naik seserik runag malfanen elau imu,

some would go and say he should come." "We will all come and eat at the turn of the tide.

tete rukfan tili nag kemai, "Tukmaui en nasusu fam."

When the tide was out and he returned

Selwan elau kemat go kefo mer ler

and the whale said, "Okay, you eat on the incoming tide.

go tafra inag, "Iwi akam koen nasusu fam.

I will come later." The small fish lay down and ate and the tide went out and they went back.

Me kineu kafo mailum net." Naik seserik ruen fam panpan go elau kimat rukoiler.

The whale stayed at sea thrashing its tail

Tafra ipato elau to pulki nam̃elen

and jumped and spurted water until it became hungry. And he thought he would go and eat.

me isok ipturki ntas panpan kaiptol. Go kimro kin nag kefo mer mai fam.

When he came and the tide had gone out, he got stuck and went back.

Selwan imai me elau kipe mat ikon kailer.

Okay, when you look around our Efate, you will see whale shit rings the points around Efate.

Or selwan kulefeki Efat negakit, p̃afo lek nasi tafra iuserek nagis negakit nig Efat.

And we call it whale shit. A story from the old people.

Go akit tusoso ki nasi tafra. Natrauswen nig tiawi negakit nig teetwei.