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asakiyumeThis is a story that Nando (Fernando da Costa Pires), whom I met in 2013 when I visited Ainaro, Timor-Leste, wrote. Stories of special relationships between people and the natural and supernatural world are not uncommon in Timor, but this story is unique: it's part of Nando's own family history. I've translated it into English, and we present you with both versions, so that readers of both Tetun and English can enjoy it. Tomorrow I will post an interview with Nando.
Fernando da Costa Pires
Versaun Tetun iha versaun Inglés nia okos. Ami espera imi gosta istória ida ne'e husi Ainaro. Aban ha'u sei ta'u intervista ida ho Nando iha website ne'e.
Mr. Mau Leki Meets an Eel
by Fernando da Costa Pires
translated by Francesca Forrest
Mr. Mau Leki lived with his wife Bui Mali and their two sons and one daughter. The couple loved their children very much. One day Mr. Mau Leki planned to clear new land to farm. He consulted with his wife, and they decided they would clear a patch in a part of the forest that people called Aimalilu.
Aimalilu Forest (photo from Nando)
On the first day, Mr. Mau Leki and his wife left their children behind with relatives who lived in the area. The two parents prepared what they would need for opening up the land: a machete, an axe, and food and drink: cassava, sweet potatoes, and water. Mr. Mau Leki carried the tools to the spot they were going to clear, and his wife carried the food and water. When they arrived, they got down to business. They put small stones all around the spot they were going to clear—the place was more or less one hectare.
At noon, Mr. Mau Leki’s wife called him to come eat their midday meal. When they had eaten it all, Mr. Mau Leki said, “In this life it’s not easy to get food.”
His wife replied, smiling, “Very true, but we have to strive to get it. We need to work really hard.” The husband listened to his wife talking like this and remained silent, and after that the wife brought her husband some water to drink, and in time she spoke again to her husband:
“Even if the two of us meet with hard times and difficulties, I’ll always be here for you, in whatever condition we find ourselves.”
And then the husband answered the wife, smiling, “These beautiful words are what I’ve been waiting to hear from you so that I could confess something to you.” His wife answered him only with a smile, and he continued, “No matter what we confront, no matter what happens to us in the future, I’ve promised myself that I will always be here for you and our children, in whatever condition.” The two of them returned to work, and they worked until late in the afternoon and then they went home.
On the second day, the two began preparing things at the break of dawn to bring to their clearing site. When they arrived, the husband began cutting away weeds, grasses, and other plants. The wife fetched water from a little river near to where they were working. The little river was called the Sarai. Once she had gotten the water, the wife prepared food for them to have at noon. When they finished eating, the wife once again helped the husband clear the land until late in the afternoon, at which time they bathed in the river there beside their new field. When they were finished bathing, they returned home, and Mrs. Bui Mali prepared an evening meal for everyone to eat.
Sarai River (photo from Nando)
Every day, the couple always went to the new field like this. In the afternoon, before returning home, they would always bathe in the Sarai river. At home, the wife always worked preparing the evening meal and watching over their children.
A few days later, the couple were waiting for the cut grasses and other plants to dry so that they could burn them on the future field. When they had burned all the grasses and all the weeds and all the other plants, they weren’t able to come for a few days due to rain. With the coming of the rainy season, the husband and wife went to buy seeds at the market to sow in their newly cleared field. Because it was the rainy season, it rained day after day, and the husband and wife consulted with each other about planting their seeds in the new field.
Early one morning, they woke up and took their seeds to the field. When they got there, the wife went as always to fetch water from the river to prepare food for the two of them. Mr. Mau Leki brought the seeds to plant all around the inside of the field. At noon, his wife called him to eat a midday meal, and after they had eaten, she helped her husband, as she always did, this time with the planting. In the afternoon, they went to bathe in the Sarai river, and while they were bathing in a deep pool of water, Mr. Mau Leki went swimming, when suddenly he discovered a giant EEL in the water. After this encounter, he got out of the water and just sat in silence.
Mrs. Bui Mali also got out of the pool and asked him, “Why are you just sitting there, silent?”
He replied, “It’s nothing. I just want to sit like this, that’s all.”
After that his wife went swimming in the deep pool, but she didn’t encounter the EEL. The couple noticed the sun had already set, so they started for home. They arrived in the middle of the night and went right to bed.
Early the following morning, they prepared some food for their children to eat, and then they began getting everything ready to go to their field. When they got to the field, they worked as usual, and in the late afternoon, they bathed in the Sarai river as always. When Mr. Mau Leki swam in the pool, he came across the EEL, which rose up and revealed itself to him, but the EEL never showed itself to Mrs. Bui Mali. When she went swimming in the pool, she never encountered this EEL. After they finished bathing, they started for home, but when they reached the middle of the road, the husband asked, “Did you find anything in the water today?”
The wife answered, “I didn’t find anything in the water,” and then she asked in return, “Do you think you found something in the water today?”
Her husband replied to her, “Today when I was swimming in the water, I came across an EEL, a giant one.”
The wife added by way of a response, “I swam in the water, but I didn’t come across any EEL in that water.” The husband was quiet, hearing this. The two of them walked and continued to talk, so that they didn’t even notice when they reached home. At home they continued to work as usual. The next morning when they woke up, they felt tired, so they didn’t go to the field that day. That day they stayed home, cleaning the house and taking care of their children.
During the night, while he was sleeping, the husband dreamed of the EEL that was in the river, who said to him, “I am your grandfather.”
Startled awake, he got himself some water to drink. He woke his wife and said to her, “I just dreamed about the EEL that I found in the water,” and his wife kept on saying, “Your dream—what kind of a dream was it?”
And he responded, “I dreamed this EEL was my grandfather, who died in the time of the Portuguese invasion—he transformed himself into this EEL!” Mrs. Bui Mali listened silently without saying a word, but Mr. Mau Leki continued, “The EEL must have given me this dream.” And the two of them conversed with each other until their eyes were closing and each one had to rest.
In the morning, Mr. Mau Leki and his wife went to work in their field as usual. In the afternoon, they bathed as always in the river, and Mr. Mau Leki swam in the water and met again the EEL, swimming round and round in the water, but Mrs. Bui Mali didn’t meet the EEL, even though she too bathed in the pool. The EEL only showed itself to Mr. Mau Leki. After they bathed, the two went home.
They didn’t go to the field for two weeks, and then they went back to the field just to check on how the crops they had planted earlier were doing. The two of them continued to work in the field as usual until the sun went down and they returned home.
The following day, Mrs. Bui Mali felt very tired and didn’t go to the field, so Mr. Mau Leki went alone. When he was working by himself in the field, he didn’t know that something was about to happen to him. The EEL whom Mr. Mau Leki always met swimming in the pool transformed itself into a woman like Mr. Mau Leki’s own wife. The EEL then performed miracles, transforming some rocks into cassava and other rocks into sweet potatoes, and took them to Mr. Mau Leki’s field, calling Mr. Mau Leki to come eat his midday meal. Mr. Mau Leki thought that his wife had come from the house with the food, but really it was the EEL, transformed into a woman whose face looked just like his wife’s.
When he had finished eating, Mr. Mau Leki went back to his work in the field, and the EEL who had turned into a woman looking like his wife said to him, “I’m going home now.”
Mr. Mau Leki replied, “All right, safe travels; I’ll follow, later in the afternoon.” And the woman answered, “Do your work first.”
When the woman reached the river, she entered the water in order to transform back into an EEL and swim away. When the sun was beginning to set, Mr. Mau Leki went to bathe in the Sarai river, where he encountered the EEL as always, swimming round and round. Mr. Mau Leki finished bathing and returned home. When he arrived at the house, he didn’t ask his wife if she had brought him food that day or not. He felt tired and just went to bed.
The following day, Mr. Mau Leki still went to the field alone. At noon, the EEL came from the water and transformed into a woman who looked just like his wife in order to transform stones into food to bring to him. When this woman arrived at the field, she called Mr. Mau Leki to eat a noonday meal. He thought that his wife was bringing him food to give him, but really it was the EEL, transformed to look like his wife. He ate everything and then went back to work in the field.
The woman said, “I’ll go home first, and you follow later,” and Mr. Mau Leki said to her, “Yes, you go first, and I’ll follow later in the afternoon.”
The woman was silent and continued walking ahead. When she reached the river, she entered the water so as to transform back into an EEL and swim away.
The sun had begun to set when Mr. Mau Leki went to bathe in the river. He met the EEL as always, swimming round and round, but he wasn’t worried about this. He bathed as usual. When he was finished bathing, he returned home. When he arrived, his wife had already prepared an evening meal for everyone. His wife knew nothing about who had brough him food at noon.
Every day Mr. Mau Leki went to the field alone. By now the EEL understood Mr. Mau Leki’s situation well. It continued to transform itself into a woman with a face like Mr. Mau Leki’s wife in order to bring him food to eat. Mr. Mau Leki didn’t know who was bringing him this food each day at noon, and his wife had no idea about this either. He thought she was bringing him food each day, but actually it was not her at all.
One night, when Mr. Mau Leki was sleeping, the EEL sent a dream to him: “Every day you go alone to the field. For your sake, I turn into a woman like your wife to make you food to eat at noon.” He was startled awake and called out to his wife.
His wife asked, “Why are you calling me in the middle of the night with such a loud voice?”
He replied, “Every day, it’s you who follows me out to the field and brings me food, isn’t it?”
His wife answered him, “No, during these days I haven’t brought you food at midday.” At that Mr. Mau Leki just sat in silence and didn’t say a thing.
Early in the morning, the two of them went to the field to see how the seedlings which they had planted were doing, and they saw that they were beginning to bear fruit. When they returned home that evening, Mr. Mau Leki was still thinking about his dream.
The next day he went alone to the field, where he worked as usual. At noon, the EEL turned into a woman who looked like his wife so as to prepare him food for a midday meal. He ate the food that she brought him, but he had begun to distrust her. When he finished eating, he didn’t go back to work because of this distrust.
The woman asked him, “Aren’t you going to work in the field?”
He replied, “I’m not going to work anymore because I feel very tired.” When turned his back on her, the woman walked away and no longer spoke him as she had before. When Mr. Mau Leki turned back to face her, he could no longer find her. Had she truly been there? He called out his wife’s name in a loud voice: “Bui Mali! Bui Mali! Bui Mali!” But no one answered his call. He felt afraid and left the field to go to the river, where he met the EEL swimming round and round in the water.
He finished bathing and returned home right away, even though the sun had not yet set. When he arrived at home, his wife asked him, “Why did you come home so early today?” and he answered, “I felt tired, so I came home early.” He didn’t tell her what had happened to him that day at the field.
At night he slept, and the EEL sent him a dream: “I have come to show you something.” And also in the dream, the EEL said, “Tomorrow morning you will come and get a golden bracelet from the Sarai river, near the pool where you found me swimming round and round.” Mr. Mau Leki was startled awake and sat very silent, thinking about his dream.
In the early morning, he got dressed quickly, picked up his machete, and went alone to the field. When he arrived at the Sarai river, he walked beside the pool and saw the EEL swimming round and round there. Mr. Mau Leki swam down into the pool and did indeed discover a golden bracelet, which the dream had promised him. He admired it greatly and picked it up, when suddenly the EEL swimming in the water disappeared from his sight. But he wasn’t worried about the EEL’s disappearance because he still had the golden bracelet, which he put into his bag. Then he went to the field to work as usual. In the afternoon, he returned home. At home, he said not a word to his family about what he had retrieved from the water. He didn’t tell the story to anyone.
At night, he slept and dreamed again about the EEL, who came to him and said, “You must tell no one about what you took from the water. The bracelet will bring you good luck for your health, and one day you will become a shaman, curing people’s illnesses.” Startled awake, Mr. Mau Leki immediately fetched his bag so he could look at the bracelet he had picked up that day.
A month later, the husband and wife went to harvest the fruit that they had planted in their field. Some days after that, at night while Mr. Mau Leki was sleeping, the EEL sent him a dream asking, “Tomorrow will you come meet me at 12 midnight so I can tell you something else?” He was startled, but not for long and soon went back to sleep again. Early in the morning he got dressed and said to his wife, “Tonight I’m going somewhere, and I will return late,” and his wife replied, “You can go, but be careful because nighttime isn’t like daytime.”
When it was almost night, he picked up his machete and the bracelet that he had taken from the river. He started off for the field. When he arrived at the field, it was not yet midnight, so he sat down in the field and waited several hours until midnight arrived, and only then did he walk to the river. At midnight he stood beside the river pool where he had discovered the EEL. He saw the EEL swimming round and round in the pool. The EEL came out of the water and transformed into his grandfather, with white hair and a very long beard. Mr. Mau Leki was very surprised to suddenly see him with his own eyes. The EEL who had transformed into his grandfather said to him, “I am the one who has been speaking to you through dreams,” and Mr. Mau Leki just sat silently, listening to what his grandfather was saying to him.
And this eel who had transformed into his grandfather had many things to talk about with him. He instructed Mr. Mau Leki, saying, “When someone gets sick and comes to you, ask them to bring a box of candles and a bottle of water. You will light the candle and say a prayer and fetch the water and give it to them to drink, saying to them, ‘This water is like a miracle for you; you are going to gain good health.”
His grandfather also said, “I have a taboo for you that you must pass on to your descendants: you cannot eat EEL meat. If any of your descendants eat EEL, they will die.” Mr. Mau Leki replied to his grandfather that from that day on, his descendants would not eat EEL meat. After the conversation ended, his grandfather went into the water in order to transform back into an EEL and swim there. Mr. Mau Leki also left and went home, but when he arrived it was already nearly light.
A month later, there were several illnesses in his neighborhood, and he went to see and ask about them. He bought a candle for his prayer, and he lit the candle. When he had finished saying the prayer, he fetched water to give to the sick people. They drank the water, and after a week passed, they returned to good health.
In the time that followed, a young woman became ill with a heart ailment. The girl’s father had heard that Mr. Mau Leki could cure sick people. Early one morning, the father went to find Mr. Mau Leki and asked, “Can you help cure my daughter, who has a heart ailment?
And Mr. Mau Leki answered, “I can cure your daughter of her heart ailment, but I must request that you bring a small box of candles and a bottle of water so I can pray.” The man did what he had been told and bought a bottle of water and a small box of candle to give to Mr. Mau Leki. After Mr. Mau Leki had said a prayer, he fetched the water and gave it to the girl’s father to give to her to drink. The girl drank the water. After several days, the girl began to return to good health.
From that moment on, many people started to understand that Mr. Mau Leki could cure sick people by praying and giving them water to drink, and that after several days, people who drank the water would get well. Straightaway from then on, every day sick people came to visit him in order to be cured of their illness.
From then on, Mr. Mau Leki no longer worked in his field because every day sick people came from everywhere to visit him so he could pray for them and they could recover their health.
Sr. Mau Leki Hetán Majiku Husi Tuna
Hakerek Na'in: Fernando da Costa Pires
Sr. Mau Leki nia ferik naran Bui Mali no sira iha oan mane na’in rua no oan feto na’in ida. Sira hadomi tebes sira nia oan. Iha loron ida Sr. Mau Leki planu atu halo to’os, nia halo konsultasaun ho nia ferik oan, atu halo to’os ai-laran fuik ida, ne’ebé mak ema hanaran Aimalilu.
Al-Laran Aimalilu (foto husi Nando)
Iha loron dahuluk Sr. Mau Leki ho nia ferik oan atu ba lere to’os, iha fatin ne’ebá, sira na’in rua husik hela sira nia oan ho sira nia familia balun ne’ebé mak hela iha sira nia bairu viziñu. Sira na’in rua prepara material no han hodi lori ba lere to’os ni’an mak, katana, baliu no ai-han balun mak ai-farina, fehuk no be’e. Sr. Mau Leki mak lori sasán ne’ebé hodi lere to’os nian. Nia ferik oan mak lori hahán no be’e. Bainhira sira to iha fatin ne’ebé, mak sira atu lere toos. Sira la’o ba fatin hodi tau fatuk kiik hodi haleu fatin ne’ebé mak sira atu lere to’os ba. Maizumenus fatin ne’ebé mak sira atu lere mak hektare ida.
Iha tempu meudia Sr. Mau Leki nia ferik bolu nia ba han hahán meudia nian. Wainhira han hotu Sr. Mau Leki dehan ba nia ferik, “Moris ne’e la fasil atu hetán ai- hahán sira,” no nia ferik oan hatán no hamnasa, “Ne’e los, maibé ita tenki hakas a’an atu hodi hetan ai-hahán sira, tenki presiza servisu makas liu tan.” Nia katuas rona nia ferik oan ko’alia hanesan ne’e nia nonok deit, no depois nia ferik oan foti be’e fó ba nia katuas oan hemu no iha tempu hanesan nia ferik oan dehan tan ba nia katuas oan, “Maski ita na’in rua hasoru terus no susar ha’u sempre iha ba ó iha kualker kondisaun saida de’it mak ita hasoru.” Nia katuas hatán ba nia ferik oan ho hamnasa, “Liafaun furak ida ne’e mak ha’u hein hela husi ó atu hateten sai liafuan ne’e mai ha’u.” Nia ferik oan hatán ho hamnasa deit ba nia katuas oan. No nia katuas oan aumenta tan, “Maski ita hasoru saida de’it ne’ebé sei akontese mai ita nain rua iha future; ha’u promete ba ha’u nia aan sempre iha ba ó no oan sira iha kondisaun saida de’it.” Sira na’in rua komesa kontinua fali sira nia servisu to’o lokraik no sira fila ba uma.
Iha loron daruak iha dadersaan madrugada sira na’in rua komesa prepara sasán sira atu lori ba to’os. Bainhira sira na’in rua to’o ona iha fatin ne’ebá. Nia katuas mak ba tesi ai-sira no tesi duut sira. Nia ferik oan ba kuru be’e iha mota ne’ebé mak besik iha fatin ne’ebá. No mota ne’e sira bolu ho naran Sarai. Depois fila husi kuru be’e, nia prepara ai-han balun ba sira na’in rua atu han iha tempu meiu-dia. Iha tempu meiu-dia nia bolu nia katuas oan ba sira na’in rua atu han hahán meiu-dia nian, ne’ebé mak prepara tiha ona ba sira na’in rua atu han. Han hotu nia ferik oan ajuda tan nia katuas oan hodi lere to’os ne’e to lokraik. Iha lokraik sira na’in rua ba hariis iha mota ne’ebé mak besik ba sira nia toos. Bainhira sira hariis hotu sira fila ba uma. To’o iha uma Sra. Bui Mali prepara ai-han kalan nian ba sira hotu hodi han.
Mota Sarai (foto husi Nando)
Lor-loron sira na’in rua nafatin ba to’os hodi halo servisu hanesan bainbain iha to’os laran. Iha tempu lokraik molok sira fila ba uma sira sempre ba hariis iha mota Sarai ne’e. Bainhira sira iha uma nia ferik sempre servisu hanesan bainbain prepara han ba sira han kalan no haree sira nia oan.
Iha loron balun tuir mai sira hein ba ai-sira ne’ebé mak sira tesi no duut sira ne’ebé mak sira lere to nia maran hodi sira sunu iha toos laran. Bainhira sira sunu hotu ai sira no duut sira no sein ba loron balun hodi udan mai. Iha tempu udan mai nia katuas oan ho nia ba sosa fini iha sira merkadu hodi nune’e sira bele ba kuda iha to’os laran ne’ebé mak sira na’in rua lere iha tempu hirak liu ba. Iha tempu udan mai loro-loron ona. Sira na’in rua halo konsultasaun ba malu hodi ba kuda fini sira iha to’os laran.
Iha dadersaan ida sira hader mai no sira lori fini sira ba to’os laran. Bainhira sira na’in rua to iha to’os nia ferik oan nafatin ba kuru be’e no prepara hahán ba sira na’in rua. Sr. Mau Leki lori fini sira ba kuda haleu to’os laran. Iha meiudia nia Sra. Bui Mali bolu nia katuas oan ba sira han hahán meiudia nia. Bainhira sira haan hotu Sra. Bui Mali sempre ajuda mos nia la’en hodi hodi kuda lisuk fini sir aba toos laran. Molok lokraik sira na’in rua ba hariis iha mota Sarai ne’e. Bainhira sira hariis iha be’e lihun ne’ebé mak naruk Sr Mau Leki nani ba be’e laran no derepente nia hetan TUNA ida ne’ebé boot los iha be’e laran, depois nia sai mai liur no nia tur nonok deit.
Sra. Bui Mali mos sai husi be’e lihun ne’e, no husu nia, “Oinsa mak tuur nonok deit ne’e?”
Nia hatán, “La iha buat ida, ha’u mak hakarak tur hanesan ne’e.”
Depois nia ferik nani ba be’e laran nia la hetan TUNA ida. Sira hare loromatan mos atu tun ona, entaun sira na’in rua komesa fila ba uma. Sira to’o iha uma kalan boot, no sira deskansa kedas.
Iha dadersaan tuir mai sira na’in rua prepara tiha ai-han balun ba sira nia oan hodi han. Sira nain rua komesa prepara sasán atu lori ba to’os nian. Bainhira sira iha to’os laran ona, sira na’in rua halo servisu hanesan bainbain. Iha tempu lokraik sira sempre ba hariis iha mota sarai ne’e. Bainhira nia Sr. Mau Leki nani ba be’e laran nia, nia hetan TUNA ne’e mosu no hatudu an ba nia, maibé TUNA ne’e nunka hatudu an ba nia Sra. Bui Mali. Bainhira Sra. Bui Mali nani ba be’e laran nia nunka hetan TUNA ne’e. Depois hariis hotu sira na’in rua komesa fila ba uma, maibé to’o dalan klaran nia husu ba nia ferik oan, “Ohin ó hetan buat ruma iha be’e laran ne’e ka la’e?”
No nia ferik oan hatán ba nia, “Ha’u la hetan buat ida iha be’e laran ne’e”; no nia ferik oan husi fila fali ba nia katuas oan, “Tuir ó nia hanoin ohin ó hetan saida mak iha be’e laran ne’e?”
Nia katuas hatán ba nia, “Ohin ha’u nani iha be’e laran ne’e ha’u hetan TUNA ida iha be’e laran ne’e boot tebes.” Nia ferik oan mos hatutan tan ba nia, “Ha’u nani iha be’e laran maibé ha’u la hetan TUNA ida iha be’e laran ne’e.” Nia katuas rona nonok deit iha laran. Sira na’in rua la’o no ko’alia nafatin la sente katak sira na’in rua to tiha uma ona. Iha uma sira nafatin halo servisu hanesan bainbain. Wainhira iha dadersaan sira na’in rua hader mai no sente kolen no sira la ba to’os ba loron ida ne’e. Iha loron ne’e mos sira hamoos uma laran no tau matan ba sira nia oan.
Iha tempu kalan nia katuas oan toba no hetan mehi ida husi TUNA ne’ebé mak iha mota laran no dehan ba nia, “Ha’u mak nia abo mane.”
Nia hakfodak husi toba fatin no foti be’e ba hemu. Nia fanu nia ferik oan no nia dehan ba nia ferik oan, “Ha’u foin mehi kona-ba TUNA ne’ebé ha’u hetan iha be’e laran,” no nia ferik husu nafatin ba nia, “Ó nia mehi oinsa?”
Nia hatán, “Ha’u mehi TUNA ne’e mak ha’u nia abo mane ne’ebé mate iha tempu invazaun Portugal nian, no nia nakfila aan sai TUNA ne’e.” Sra. Bui Mali rona no nook de’it no nia la ko’alia bu’at ida maibé Sr. Mau Leki aumenta tan, “TUNA ne’e mak fó mehi ba ha’u hanesan ne’e. No sira nain rua halo konversasaun ba malu to sente matan dukur no idak-idak ba deskansa.
Iha tempu dader Sr. Mau Leki no ferik nafatin ba halo servisu iha to’os laran hanesan bainbain. Iha tempu lokraik sira nafatin ba hariis iha mota ne’e, no Sr. Mau Leki nani ba be’e laran no nia hetan nafatin TUNA ne’e nani ba mai iha be’e laran, maibé Sra. Bui Mali la hetan TUNA ne’e mezmu sira sira hariis hamutuk iha be’e lihun ne’e. TUNA ne’e so hatudu nia aan ba de’it mak Sr. Mau Leki. Sira hariis hotu sira fila ba uma.
Sira la ba tiha toos durante semana rua nia laran. No depois sira foin ba fali to’os hodi haree ba ai-han sira ne’ebé mak sira na’in rua kuda iha tempu hirak liu ba. Sira na’in rua nafatin halo servisu iha to’os laran hanesan bainbain, to’o loromatan monu mak sira fila ba uma.
Depois iha loron tuir mai Sra. Bui Mali sente kolen los, nia la ba to’os maibé Sr. Mau Leki mesak ba to’os. Wainhira nia halo servisu mesak iha to’os laran nia la hatene saida mak atu akontese ba nia. TUNA ne’ebé bainbain Sr. Mau Leki hetan nani iha mota laran ne’e, nakfila an sai feto ida hanesan Sr. Mau leki nia ferik oan. TUNA ne’e halo miligre ba fatuk balun nakfila sai ai-farina no fatuk balun nakfila sai fehuk no lori ba Sr. Mau Leki nia to’os laran, no bolu Sr Mau leki ba han ai-han meiudia nian. Sr. Mau Leki hanoin katak nia ferik oan mak lori hahán husi uma mai; afinal TUNA ne’ebé nani iha be’e laran ne’e mak nakfila aan ba feto ida oin hanesan nia ferik oan.
Bainhira han hotu Sr. Mau Leki ba kontinua halo servisu iha to’os laran nafatin no TUNA ne’ebé nakfila aan ba feto ida hanesan nia ferik oan dehan ba Sr. Mau Leki, “Ha’u fila uma ona,” no Sr. Mau Leki mos hatán ba nia, “Di’ak ba haree dalan, ha’u sei lokraik mak fila ba uma.” No feto ne’e hatán ba nia, “Servisu lai ba.”
Bainhira feto ne’e to’o iha mota laran nia tama be’e laran hodi nakfila sai fali ba TUNA hodi nani iha be’e laran. Loromatan atu tun ona, Sr. Mau Leki mos mai hariis iha mota sarai ne’e, no nia haree nafatin TUNA ne’e nani ba mai hela iha mota laran ne’e. Hariis hotu nia mos fila ba uma. To’o iha uma, Sr. Mau Leki la husu ba nia ferik, katak ohin nia mak lori hahán ba nia ne’e ka lae. Nia sente kolen no nia deskansa tiha.
Iha loron tuir mai nia nafatin mesak ba to’os, hodi halo servisu mesak iha to’os laran; no iha tempu meu-dia TUNA ne’e sai husi be’e laran mai liur hodi nakfila sai feto ida ho oin hanesan nia ferik oan, hodi halo nakfila fatuk balun sai ba ai-han hodi nia lori ba fó Sr. Mau Leki. Bainhira feto ne’e to’o iha to’os laran nia bolu Sr. Mau Leki hodi han hahán meiu-dia. Nia hanoin katak nia ferik oan mak lori hahán mai fo nia han afinal TUNA ne’e mak nakfila ba feto ifa oin hanesan nia ferik oan. Nia han hotu nia nafatin ba halo servisu iha to’os laran.
Feto dehan ba Sr. Mau Leki, “Ha’u ba uluk ona depois mak o tuir,” no Sr. Mau Leki hatán ba feto ne’e, “Ba uluk ba depois mak ha’u tuir ba iha teumpu lokraik.”
Feto ne’e nonook de’it no nia la’o ba oin nafatin. Feto ne’e la’o to iha mota laran nia nia tama ba be’e laran hodi nakfila nia aan ba TUNA hodi nani iha be’e laran.
Loromatan komesa tun ona nia ba hariis iha mota laran, nia hetan nafatin TUNA ne’e nani ba mai, maibé Sr. Mau Leki la preokupa ho TUNA ne’e, maibé nia hariis nafatin. Wainhira hariis hotu nia fila ba uma. Too iha uma nia ferik oan prepara tiha ai-han kalan nian ba sira hotu. Nia ferik lahatene ida kona-ba se mak lori hahán ba nia haan iha tempu meiudia.
Lor-loron nia ba to’os mesak. TUNA ne’e komesa hatene. Entaun TUNA ne’e kontinua nakfila an ba feto ida oin hanesan nia ferik oan hodi lori hahán ba nia han iha tempu meiudia. Maibé Sr. Mau Leki la hatene se’e mak lori hahán ba nia han kada lor-loron iha tempu meiudia; nia ferik mos la hatene kona-ba ida ne’e. Nia hanoin katak nia ferik oan mak lori hahán ba nia han kada lor-loron afinal laos nia ferik oan.
Iha tempu kalan ida Sr. Mau Leki toba no TUNA ne’e fo mehi ba nia, “Lor-loron ó mesak iha to’os laran ha’u hanoin los ó mak hau nakfila an ba feto ida oin hanesan ho nia ferik oan, hodi prepara ai-han ba ó han iha tempu meu-dia ne’e.” Nia hakfodak husi toba fatin no nia bolu ferik oan.
Nia ferik oan hatán ba nia, “Tanbasa ó bolu ha’u iha tempu kalan ho lian makaas ne’e?”
Nia hatán ba nia ferik oan, “Lor-loron ó mak lori hahán tuir ha’u ba toos laran ne ka laos ó?”
Nia ferik oan hatán ba nia, “Lae, durante ne’e ha’u la lori hahán ba ó han iha tempu meu-dia.” Entaun Sr. Mau Leki tur nonok tiha no la ko’alia buat ida.
Iha dadersaan sira ba to’os hodi haree sira niaai-oan sira ne’ebé mak sira na’in rua kuda iha to’os laran. No sira nia ai-oan ou fini ne’ebé sira na’in rua kuda komesa fo fuan ona. Bainhira sira na’in rua fila ba uma iha tempu kalan Sr. Mau Leki nafatin hanoin hela deit ba nia mehi nee.
Iha loron hirak tuir mai Sr. Mau Leki mesak ba to’os, no nia halo servisu nafatin iha to’os laran hanesan bainbain. Iha tempu meu-dia, TUNA ne’e komesa nakfila an ba feto ida oin hanesan nia ferik oan hodi lori hahán ba nia han. Bainhira nia hahán ne’ebe mak feto ne’e lori ba nia, nia komesa deskonfia ona feto ne’e. Sr. Mau Leki han hotu nia la ba servisu tan iha to’os laran tanba nia deskonfia tiha ona feto ne’e.
Feto ne’e husu nia, “Ó la ba servisu iha to’os laran ka?”
Nia hatán, “Ha’u la ba servisu ona iha to’os laran tanba ha’u sente kolen los.” Bainhira nia fila kotuk hela, feto ne’e la’o uluk no la hase’e tan nia katak nia ba ona. Sr. Mau Leki fila oin mai nia la hetan tan feto ne’e ba iha ne’ebe los? No nia bolu ferik oan nia naran ho lian makas, “Bui Mali, Bui Mali, Bui Mali, Bui Mali …” Maibé la iha ema ida mak hatán ba nian bolu ne’e. Nia sente ta’uk no nia fila husi to’os ba iha mota nia hetan TUNA nee nani ba mai iha be laran ne’e hela.
Nia hariis hotu no nia fila kedas ba uma maske loromatan seidauk tun. Sr. Mau Leki to iha uma nia ferik husu ba nia, “Ohin loron ó fila sedu deit ne’e?” no nia hatán, “Ha’u sente kolen mak ha’u fila sedu nee.” Nia la konta saida mak ohin akontese ba nia iha to’os laran ne’e ba nia ferik oan.
Iha tempu kalan nia toba, no TUNA ne’e mai fo mehi ba nia: “Ha’u mai atu hatudu buat ruma ba ó.” No mos iha mehi TUNA ne’e dehan tan, “Aban dader ó ba mai foti kelu mean ida iha mota sarai, besik iha be lihun ne’ebé mak ó hetan ha’u nani ba mai ne’e.” Depois Sr. Mau Leki hakfodak husi toba fatin, nia tur nonok los hodi hanoin hela ba nia mehi.
Iha dadersaan de’it Sr. Mau Leki hader sedu no nia foti nia katana no nia ba mesak to’os. Bainhira nia to’o iha mota sarai ne’e no nia la’o besik ba be’e lihun ne’e no nia haree TUNA nee nani ba mai hela iha be’e laran ne’e. Nia nani tun ba be lihun laran, nia hetan duni kelu mean, ne’ebé mak fó mehi ba nia. Nia admira tebes no nia foti kelu ne’e no derepente TUNA ne’e nani iha be’e laran lakon tiha husi nia haree. Maibé nia la preokupa kona-ba TUNA ne’ebé lakon husi nia hare’e nia nafatin foti kelu ne’e no tau iha karteira laran. Depois nia ba to’os laran hodi halo servisu hanesan bainbain. Iha tempu lokraik fila ba uma. Bainhira nia iha uma nunka konta tuir saida mak nia foti husi be’e laran ne’eba nia familia sira la konta ba ema ida.
Iha tempu kalan nia toba nia nafatin mehi, “TUNA ne’e mai no hatete ba nia katak la bele dehan ema ida kona-ba saida mak ó foti husi bee laran ne’e; no mos kelu ne sei lori sorte di’ak ba ó nia moris, no loron ida ó sei sai hanesan ema matan dok hodi kura ema nia moras.” Nia hakfodak husi toba fatin nia foti kedan nia karteira hodi hare ba kelu ne’ebé mak ohin nia foti nee.
Liu tiha fulan ida sira ba koileta ai-fuan sira ne’ebé mak sira kuda ba iha sira nia to’os. Liu tiha tan loron balun, iha tempu kalan Sr. Mau Leki toba no TUNA ne’e mai fó mehi ba nia, “Aban ó mai hasoru iha oras jam duabelas kalan, ha’u atu ko’alia bu’at balun ba ó?” Lakluer nia hakfodak tiha, no nia toba fila fali. Iha dadersan nia hader mai no hateten ba nia ferik oan, “Orsida kalan ha’u sei ba fatin ida no ha’u sei fila tarde,” no nia ferik oan mos hatán ba nia, “Bele ba maibé kuidadu an didiak ba tanba tempu kalan ne la hanesan loron.”
Rai atu besik kalan ona, nia foti nia katana no kelu ne’ebé uluk nia foti iha mota laran ne’e. Nia komesa ba ona toos. Wainhira nia to’o iha toos seidauk kalan boot, entaun nia ba tuur iha nia toos laran, no nia hein oras balun hodi paz oras sanulu resin rua, nia foin la’o ba mota laran. Oras paz sanulu resin rua nia hamriik oha mota laran besik ba lihun ne’ebé mak nia hetan TUNA ne’e. Nia hare TUNA nani ba mai iha be lihun ne’e. TUNA ne’e sai mai be’e ninin, nia nakfila an sai abo mane ida ho fuuk mutin no hasrahun naruk los, nia hakfodas tanba foin mak nia haree ho nia matan rasik. TUNA ne’ebé nakfila ba abo mane ne’e dehan ba nia, “Ha’u mak fó hatene ba ó liuhusi mehi ne’e,” no Sr. Mau Leki nonok deit no rona saida mak abo mane ko’alia ba nia.
No TUNA ne’ebé nakfila an ba abo mane koa’lia buat barak ba nia. No fó instrusaun ba nia katak “bainhira ema ruma hetan moras mai hato ba ó, no husu sira lori lilin kaisa ida no be’e agua ida; ó mak sunu no halo orasaun no foti be’e ne’e fó nia hemu no dehan ba nia; be’e ne’e hanesan miligre ida ba ita boot atu hetan saúde di’ak.”
Abo mane dehan tan, “Ha’u bandu ba ó katak fo hatene ba ó-nia jerasaun sira tuir mai la bele han na’an TUNA, se bainhira o nia jerasaun balun han TUNA sira sei isin to mate.” Nia hatán ba abo mane katak “hodi ohin ba oin hau ho nia jeresaun sei la han tan naan TUNA.” Depois konversasaun hotu abo mane ne’e tama ba be’e laran hodi nakfila an ba TUNA hodi nani iha be’e laran ne’e. Nia mos sai husi be’e laran no fila ba uma, maibé nia iha uma rai atu besik naroman ona.
Liu tiha tinan ida, iha balun moras iha nia bairu laran no nia ba haree no nia husu moras ne’e atu sosa lilin ida hodi fó ba nia atu hasae orasaun husi sunu lilin. Depois nia hasae orasaun hotu no nia foti be’e ne’e fó ema moras ne’e atu be’e ne’e. Ema moras ne’e hemu tiha be’e ne’e liu tiha semana ida ema moras ne’e hetan saúde di’ak fali.
Iha tempu balun tuir mai, feto klosan ida hetan moras fuan, iha sira nia nia bairu vizinu. Labarik feto nia apa rona katak Sr. Mau Leki bele kura ema moras. Iha dadersan ida, labarik feto nia apa mai buka Sr. Mau Leki no dehan ba nia, “Ita bele ajuda kura ha’u nia oan feto ne’ebé hetan moras fuan?” No Sr. Mau Leki hatán ba tiu ne’e, “Ha’u bele kura ita nia oan ne’ebé hetan moras fuan ne’e, maibé ha’u husu ba ita atu lori lilin kaisa kiik ida, be’e aqua ida no lori mai ha’u halo orasaun.” Tiu ne’e halo tuir saida mak nia ko’alia, hodi ba sosa be’e no lilin kaisa kiik ida, hodi fó ba nia. Depois nia halo orasaun hotu no foti be’e ne’e fó ba tiu ne’e hodi lori ba fó ba nia feto ne’e hemu. Depois nia oan feto ne’e hemu tiha be’e nee. Liu loron balun hanesan nia oan feto komesa hetan fali saúde di’ak.
Entaun iha momentu ne’ebé ema barak komesa hatene ona katak nia bele kura ema moras liu husi nia orasaun no fó be’e ba ema hemu, liu loron balun ema ne’ebé hemu be’e ne’e bele hetan isin di’ak fali. Iha momentu ne’e kedan kada lor-loron ema moras sempre mai vizita hodi bele kura sira nia moras.
Iha momentu ne’ebá nia la halo tan to’os tanba kada lor-loron ema moras husi fatin hotu hotu mai vizita nia atu nune’e nia bele halo orasaun ba ema hirak ne’ebé hetan moras ne’e bele rekopera sira nia saúde.
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by Fernando da Costa Pires
translated by Francesca Forrest
Mr. Mau Leki lived with his wife Bui Mali and their two sons and one daughter. The couple loved their children very much. One day Mr. Mau Leki planned to clear new land to farm. He consulted with his wife, and they decided they would clear a patch in a part of the forest that people called Aimalilu.
On the first day, Mr. Mau Leki and his wife left their children behind with relatives who lived in the area. The two parents prepared what they would need for opening up the land: a machete, an axe, and food and drink: cassava, sweet potatoes, and water. Mr. Mau Leki carried the tools to the spot they were going to clear, and his wife carried the food and water. When they arrived, they got down to business. They put small stones all around the spot they were going to clear—the place was more or less one hectare.
At noon, Mr. Mau Leki’s wife called him to come eat their midday meal. When they had eaten it all, Mr. Mau Leki said, “In this life it’s not easy to get food.”
His wife replied, smiling, “Very true, but we have to strive to get it. We need to work really hard.” The husband listened to his wife talking like this and remained silent, and after that the wife brought her husband some water to drink, and in time she spoke again to her husband:
“Even if the two of us meet with hard times and difficulties, I’ll always be here for you, in whatever condition we find ourselves.”
And then the husband answered the wife, smiling, “These beautiful words are what I’ve been waiting to hear from you so that I could confess something to you.” His wife answered him only with a smile, and he continued, “No matter what we confront, no matter what happens to us in the future, I’ve promised myself that I will always be here for you and our children, in whatever condition.” The two of them returned to work, and they worked until late in the afternoon and then they went home.
On the second day, the two began preparing things at the break of dawn to bring to their clearing site. When they arrived, the husband began cutting away weeds, grasses, and other plants. The wife fetched water from a little river near to where they were working. The little river was called the Sarai. Once she had gotten the water, the wife prepared food for them to have at noon. When they finished eating, the wife once again helped the husband clear the land until late in the afternoon, at which time they bathed in the river there beside their new field. When they were finished bathing, they returned home, and Mrs. Bui Mali prepared an evening meal for everyone to eat.
Every day, the couple always went to the new field like this. In the afternoon, before returning home, they would always bathe in the Sarai river. At home, the wife always worked preparing the evening meal and watching over their children.
A few days later, the couple were waiting for the cut grasses and other plants to dry so that they could burn them on the future field. When they had burned all the grasses and all the weeds and all the other plants, they weren’t able to come for a few days due to rain. With the coming of the rainy season, the husband and wife went to buy seeds at the market to sow in their newly cleared field. Because it was the rainy season, it rained day after day, and the husband and wife consulted with each other about planting their seeds in the new field.
Early one morning, they woke up and took their seeds to the field. When they got there, the wife went as always to fetch water from the river to prepare food for the two of them. Mr. Mau Leki brought the seeds to plant all around the inside of the field. At noon, his wife called him to eat a midday meal, and after they had eaten, she helped her husband, as she always did, this time with the planting. In the afternoon, they went to bathe in the Sarai river, and while they were bathing in a deep pool of water, Mr. Mau Leki went swimming, when suddenly he discovered a giant EEL in the water. After this encounter, he got out of the water and just sat in silence.
Mrs. Bui Mali also got out of the pool and asked him, “Why are you just sitting there, silent?”
He replied, “It’s nothing. I just want to sit like this, that’s all.”
After that his wife went swimming in the deep pool, but she didn’t encounter the EEL. The couple noticed the sun had already set, so they started for home. They arrived in the middle of the night and went right to bed.
Early the following morning, they prepared some food for their children to eat, and then they began getting everything ready to go to their field. When they got to the field, they worked as usual, and in the late afternoon, they bathed in the Sarai river as always. When Mr. Mau Leki swam in the pool, he came across the EEL, which rose up and revealed itself to him, but the EEL never showed itself to Mrs. Bui Mali. When she went swimming in the pool, she never encountered this EEL. After they finished bathing, they started for home, but when they reached the middle of the road, the husband asked, “Did you find anything in the water today?”
The wife answered, “I didn’t find anything in the water,” and then she asked in return, “Do you think you found something in the water today?”
Her husband replied to her, “Today when I was swimming in the water, I came across an EEL, a giant one.”
The wife added by way of a response, “I swam in the water, but I didn’t come across any EEL in that water.” The husband was quiet, hearing this. The two of them walked and continued to talk, so that they didn’t even notice when they reached home. At home they continued to work as usual. The next morning when they woke up, they felt tired, so they didn’t go to the field that day. That day they stayed home, cleaning the house and taking care of their children.
During the night, while he was sleeping, the husband dreamed of the EEL that was in the river, who said to him, “I am your grandfather.”
Startled awake, he got himself some water to drink. He woke his wife and said to her, “I just dreamed about the EEL that I found in the water,” and his wife kept on saying, “Your dream—what kind of a dream was it?”
And he responded, “I dreamed this EEL was my grandfather, who died in the time of the Portuguese invasion—he transformed himself into this EEL!” Mrs. Bui Mali listened silently without saying a word, but Mr. Mau Leki continued, “The EEL must have given me this dream.” And the two of them conversed with each other until their eyes were closing and each one had to rest.
In the morning, Mr. Mau Leki and his wife went to work in their field as usual. In the afternoon, they bathed as always in the river, and Mr. Mau Leki swam in the water and met again the EEL, swimming round and round in the water, but Mrs. Bui Mali didn’t meet the EEL, even though she too bathed in the pool. The EEL only showed itself to Mr. Mau Leki. After they bathed, the two went home.
They didn’t go to the field for two weeks, and then they went back to the field just to check on how the crops they had planted earlier were doing. The two of them continued to work in the field as usual until the sun went down and they returned home.
The following day, Mrs. Bui Mali felt very tired and didn’t go to the field, so Mr. Mau Leki went alone. When he was working by himself in the field, he didn’t know that something was about to happen to him. The EEL whom Mr. Mau Leki always met swimming in the pool transformed itself into a woman like Mr. Mau Leki’s own wife. The EEL then performed miracles, transforming some rocks into cassava and other rocks into sweet potatoes, and took them to Mr. Mau Leki’s field, calling Mr. Mau Leki to come eat his midday meal. Mr. Mau Leki thought that his wife had come from the house with the food, but really it was the EEL, transformed into a woman whose face looked just like his wife’s.
When he had finished eating, Mr. Mau Leki went back to his work in the field, and the EEL who had turned into a woman looking like his wife said to him, “I’m going home now.”
Mr. Mau Leki replied, “All right, safe travels; I’ll follow, later in the afternoon.” And the woman answered, “Do your work first.”
When the woman reached the river, she entered the water in order to transform back into an EEL and swim away. When the sun was beginning to set, Mr. Mau Leki went to bathe in the Sarai river, where he encountered the EEL as always, swimming round and round. Mr. Mau Leki finished bathing and returned home. When he arrived at the house, he didn’t ask his wife if she had brought him food that day or not. He felt tired and just went to bed.
The following day, Mr. Mau Leki still went to the field alone. At noon, the EEL came from the water and transformed into a woman who looked just like his wife in order to transform stones into food to bring to him. When this woman arrived at the field, she called Mr. Mau Leki to eat a noonday meal. He thought that his wife was bringing him food to give him, but really it was the EEL, transformed to look like his wife. He ate everything and then went back to work in the field.
The woman said, “I’ll go home first, and you follow later,” and Mr. Mau Leki said to her, “Yes, you go first, and I’ll follow later in the afternoon.”
The woman was silent and continued walking ahead. When she reached the river, she entered the water so as to transform back into an EEL and swim away.
The sun had begun to set when Mr. Mau Leki went to bathe in the river. He met the EEL as always, swimming round and round, but he wasn’t worried about this. He bathed as usual. When he was finished bathing, he returned home. When he arrived, his wife had already prepared an evening meal for everyone. His wife knew nothing about who had brough him food at noon.
Every day Mr. Mau Leki went to the field alone. By now the EEL understood Mr. Mau Leki’s situation well. It continued to transform itself into a woman with a face like Mr. Mau Leki’s wife in order to bring him food to eat. Mr. Mau Leki didn’t know who was bringing him this food each day at noon, and his wife had no idea about this either. He thought she was bringing him food each day, but actually it was not her at all.
One night, when Mr. Mau Leki was sleeping, the EEL sent a dream to him: “Every day you go alone to the field. For your sake, I turn into a woman like your wife to make you food to eat at noon.” He was startled awake and called out to his wife.
His wife asked, “Why are you calling me in the middle of the night with such a loud voice?”
He replied, “Every day, it’s you who follows me out to the field and brings me food, isn’t it?”
His wife answered him, “No, during these days I haven’t brought you food at midday.” At that Mr. Mau Leki just sat in silence and didn’t say a thing.
Early in the morning, the two of them went to the field to see how the seedlings which they had planted were doing, and they saw that they were beginning to bear fruit. When they returned home that evening, Mr. Mau Leki was still thinking about his dream.
The next day he went alone to the field, where he worked as usual. At noon, the EEL turned into a woman who looked like his wife so as to prepare him food for a midday meal. He ate the food that she brought him, but he had begun to distrust her. When he finished eating, he didn’t go back to work because of this distrust.
The woman asked him, “Aren’t you going to work in the field?”
He replied, “I’m not going to work anymore because I feel very tired.” When turned his back on her, the woman walked away and no longer spoke him as she had before. When Mr. Mau Leki turned back to face her, he could no longer find her. Had she truly been there? He called out his wife’s name in a loud voice: “Bui Mali! Bui Mali! Bui Mali!” But no one answered his call. He felt afraid and left the field to go to the river, where he met the EEL swimming round and round in the water.
He finished bathing and returned home right away, even though the sun had not yet set. When he arrived at home, his wife asked him, “Why did you come home so early today?” and he answered, “I felt tired, so I came home early.” He didn’t tell her what had happened to him that day at the field.
At night he slept, and the EEL sent him a dream: “I have come to show you something.” And also in the dream, the EEL said, “Tomorrow morning you will come and get a golden bracelet from the Sarai river, near the pool where you found me swimming round and round.” Mr. Mau Leki was startled awake and sat very silent, thinking about his dream.
In the early morning, he got dressed quickly, picked up his machete, and went alone to the field. When he arrived at the Sarai river, he walked beside the pool and saw the EEL swimming round and round there. Mr. Mau Leki swam down into the pool and did indeed discover a golden bracelet, which the dream had promised him. He admired it greatly and picked it up, when suddenly the EEL swimming in the water disappeared from his sight. But he wasn’t worried about the EEL’s disappearance because he still had the golden bracelet, which he put into his bag. Then he went to the field to work as usual. In the afternoon, he returned home. At home, he said not a word to his family about what he had retrieved from the water. He didn’t tell the story to anyone.
At night, he slept and dreamed again about the EEL, who came to him and said, “You must tell no one about what you took from the water. The bracelet will bring you good luck for your health, and one day you will become a shaman, curing people’s illnesses.” Startled awake, Mr. Mau Leki immediately fetched his bag so he could look at the bracelet he had picked up that day.
A month later, the husband and wife went to harvest the fruit that they had planted in their field. Some days after that, at night while Mr. Mau Leki was sleeping, the EEL sent him a dream asking, “Tomorrow will you come meet me at 12 midnight so I can tell you something else?” He was startled, but not for long and soon went back to sleep again. Early in the morning he got dressed and said to his wife, “Tonight I’m going somewhere, and I will return late,” and his wife replied, “You can go, but be careful because nighttime isn’t like daytime.”
When it was almost night, he picked up his machete and the bracelet that he had taken from the river. He started off for the field. When he arrived at the field, it was not yet midnight, so he sat down in the field and waited several hours until midnight arrived, and only then did he walk to the river. At midnight he stood beside the river pool where he had discovered the EEL. He saw the EEL swimming round and round in the pool. The EEL came out of the water and transformed into his grandfather, with white hair and a very long beard. Mr. Mau Leki was very surprised to suddenly see him with his own eyes. The EEL who had transformed into his grandfather said to him, “I am the one who has been speaking to you through dreams,” and Mr. Mau Leki just sat silently, listening to what his grandfather was saying to him.
And this eel who had transformed into his grandfather had many things to talk about with him. He instructed Mr. Mau Leki, saying, “When someone gets sick and comes to you, ask them to bring a box of candles and a bottle of water. You will light the candle and say a prayer and fetch the water and give it to them to drink, saying to them, ‘This water is like a miracle for you; you are going to gain good health.”
His grandfather also said, “I have a taboo for you that you must pass on to your descendants: you cannot eat EEL meat. If any of your descendants eat EEL, they will die.” Mr. Mau Leki replied to his grandfather that from that day on, his descendants would not eat EEL meat. After the conversation ended, his grandfather went into the water in order to transform back into an EEL and swim there. Mr. Mau Leki also left and went home, but when he arrived it was already nearly light.
A month later, there were several illnesses in his neighborhood, and he went to see and ask about them. He bought a candle for his prayer, and he lit the candle. When he had finished saying the prayer, he fetched water to give to the sick people. They drank the water, and after a week passed, they returned to good health.
In the time that followed, a young woman became ill with a heart ailment. The girl’s father had heard that Mr. Mau Leki could cure sick people. Early one morning, the father went to find Mr. Mau Leki and asked, “Can you help cure my daughter, who has a heart ailment?
And Mr. Mau Leki answered, “I can cure your daughter of her heart ailment, but I must request that you bring a small box of candles and a bottle of water so I can pray.” The man did what he had been told and bought a bottle of water and a small box of candle to give to Mr. Mau Leki. After Mr. Mau Leki had said a prayer, he fetched the water and gave it to the girl’s father to give to her to drink. The girl drank the water. After several days, the girl began to return to good health.
From that moment on, many people started to understand that Mr. Mau Leki could cure sick people by praying and giving them water to drink, and that after several days, people who drank the water would get well. Straightaway from then on, every day sick people came to visit him in order to be cured of their illness.
From then on, Mr. Mau Leki no longer worked in his field because every day sick people came from everywhere to visit him so he could pray for them and they could recover their health.
Hakerek Na'in: Fernando da Costa Pires
Sr. Mau Leki nia ferik naran Bui Mali no sira iha oan mane na’in rua no oan feto na’in ida. Sira hadomi tebes sira nia oan. Iha loron ida Sr. Mau Leki planu atu halo to’os, nia halo konsultasaun ho nia ferik oan, atu halo to’os ai-laran fuik ida, ne’ebé mak ema hanaran Aimalilu.
Iha loron dahuluk Sr. Mau Leki ho nia ferik oan atu ba lere to’os, iha fatin ne’ebá, sira na’in rua husik hela sira nia oan ho sira nia familia balun ne’ebé mak hela iha sira nia bairu viziñu. Sira na’in rua prepara material no han hodi lori ba lere to’os ni’an mak, katana, baliu no ai-han balun mak ai-farina, fehuk no be’e. Sr. Mau Leki mak lori sasán ne’ebé hodi lere to’os nian. Nia ferik oan mak lori hahán no be’e. Bainhira sira to iha fatin ne’ebé, mak sira atu lere toos. Sira la’o ba fatin hodi tau fatuk kiik hodi haleu fatin ne’ebé mak sira atu lere to’os ba. Maizumenus fatin ne’ebé mak sira atu lere mak hektare ida.
Iha tempu meudia Sr. Mau Leki nia ferik bolu nia ba han hahán meudia nian. Wainhira han hotu Sr. Mau Leki dehan ba nia ferik, “Moris ne’e la fasil atu hetán ai- hahán sira,” no nia ferik oan hatán no hamnasa, “Ne’e los, maibé ita tenki hakas a’an atu hodi hetan ai-hahán sira, tenki presiza servisu makas liu tan.” Nia katuas rona nia ferik oan ko’alia hanesan ne’e nia nonok deit, no depois nia ferik oan foti be’e fó ba nia katuas oan hemu no iha tempu hanesan nia ferik oan dehan tan ba nia katuas oan, “Maski ita na’in rua hasoru terus no susar ha’u sempre iha ba ó iha kualker kondisaun saida de’it mak ita hasoru.” Nia katuas hatán ba nia ferik oan ho hamnasa, “Liafaun furak ida ne’e mak ha’u hein hela husi ó atu hateten sai liafuan ne’e mai ha’u.” Nia ferik oan hatán ho hamnasa deit ba nia katuas oan. No nia katuas oan aumenta tan, “Maski ita hasoru saida de’it ne’ebé sei akontese mai ita nain rua iha future; ha’u promete ba ha’u nia aan sempre iha ba ó no oan sira iha kondisaun saida de’it.” Sira na’in rua komesa kontinua fali sira nia servisu to’o lokraik no sira fila ba uma.
Iha loron daruak iha dadersaan madrugada sira na’in rua komesa prepara sasán sira atu lori ba to’os. Bainhira sira na’in rua to’o ona iha fatin ne’ebá. Nia katuas mak ba tesi ai-sira no tesi duut sira. Nia ferik oan ba kuru be’e iha mota ne’ebé mak besik iha fatin ne’ebá. No mota ne’e sira bolu ho naran Sarai. Depois fila husi kuru be’e, nia prepara ai-han balun ba sira na’in rua atu han iha tempu meiu-dia. Iha tempu meiu-dia nia bolu nia katuas oan ba sira na’in rua atu han hahán meiu-dia nian, ne’ebé mak prepara tiha ona ba sira na’in rua atu han. Han hotu nia ferik oan ajuda tan nia katuas oan hodi lere to’os ne’e to lokraik. Iha lokraik sira na’in rua ba hariis iha mota ne’ebé mak besik ba sira nia toos. Bainhira sira hariis hotu sira fila ba uma. To’o iha uma Sra. Bui Mali prepara ai-han kalan nian ba sira hotu hodi han.
Lor-loron sira na’in rua nafatin ba to’os hodi halo servisu hanesan bainbain iha to’os laran. Iha tempu lokraik molok sira fila ba uma sira sempre ba hariis iha mota Sarai ne’e. Bainhira sira iha uma nia ferik sempre servisu hanesan bainbain prepara han ba sira han kalan no haree sira nia oan.
Iha loron balun tuir mai sira hein ba ai-sira ne’ebé mak sira tesi no duut sira ne’ebé mak sira lere to nia maran hodi sira sunu iha toos laran. Bainhira sira sunu hotu ai sira no duut sira no sein ba loron balun hodi udan mai. Iha tempu udan mai nia katuas oan ho nia ba sosa fini iha sira merkadu hodi nune’e sira bele ba kuda iha to’os laran ne’ebé mak sira na’in rua lere iha tempu hirak liu ba. Iha tempu udan mai loro-loron ona. Sira na’in rua halo konsultasaun ba malu hodi ba kuda fini sira iha to’os laran.
Iha dadersaan ida sira hader mai no sira lori fini sira ba to’os laran. Bainhira sira na’in rua to iha to’os nia ferik oan nafatin ba kuru be’e no prepara hahán ba sira na’in rua. Sr. Mau Leki lori fini sira ba kuda haleu to’os laran. Iha meiudia nia Sra. Bui Mali bolu nia katuas oan ba sira han hahán meiudia nia. Bainhira sira haan hotu Sra. Bui Mali sempre ajuda mos nia la’en hodi hodi kuda lisuk fini sir aba toos laran. Molok lokraik sira na’in rua ba hariis iha mota Sarai ne’e. Bainhira sira hariis iha be’e lihun ne’ebé mak naruk Sr Mau Leki nani ba be’e laran no derepente nia hetan TUNA ida ne’ebé boot los iha be’e laran, depois nia sai mai liur no nia tur nonok deit.
Sra. Bui Mali mos sai husi be’e lihun ne’e, no husu nia, “Oinsa mak tuur nonok deit ne’e?”
Nia hatán, “La iha buat ida, ha’u mak hakarak tur hanesan ne’e.”
Depois nia ferik nani ba be’e laran nia la hetan TUNA ida. Sira hare loromatan mos atu tun ona, entaun sira na’in rua komesa fila ba uma. Sira to’o iha uma kalan boot, no sira deskansa kedas.
Iha dadersaan tuir mai sira na’in rua prepara tiha ai-han balun ba sira nia oan hodi han. Sira nain rua komesa prepara sasán atu lori ba to’os nian. Bainhira sira iha to’os laran ona, sira na’in rua halo servisu hanesan bainbain. Iha tempu lokraik sira sempre ba hariis iha mota sarai ne’e. Bainhira nia Sr. Mau Leki nani ba be’e laran nia, nia hetan TUNA ne’e mosu no hatudu an ba nia, maibé TUNA ne’e nunka hatudu an ba nia Sra. Bui Mali. Bainhira Sra. Bui Mali nani ba be’e laran nia nunka hetan TUNA ne’e. Depois hariis hotu sira na’in rua komesa fila ba uma, maibé to’o dalan klaran nia husu ba nia ferik oan, “Ohin ó hetan buat ruma iha be’e laran ne’e ka la’e?”
No nia ferik oan hatán ba nia, “Ha’u la hetan buat ida iha be’e laran ne’e”; no nia ferik oan husi fila fali ba nia katuas oan, “Tuir ó nia hanoin ohin ó hetan saida mak iha be’e laran ne’e?”
Nia katuas hatán ba nia, “Ohin ha’u nani iha be’e laran ne’e ha’u hetan TUNA ida iha be’e laran ne’e boot tebes.” Nia ferik oan mos hatutan tan ba nia, “Ha’u nani iha be’e laran maibé ha’u la hetan TUNA ida iha be’e laran ne’e.” Nia katuas rona nonok deit iha laran. Sira na’in rua la’o no ko’alia nafatin la sente katak sira na’in rua to tiha uma ona. Iha uma sira nafatin halo servisu hanesan bainbain. Wainhira iha dadersaan sira na’in rua hader mai no sente kolen no sira la ba to’os ba loron ida ne’e. Iha loron ne’e mos sira hamoos uma laran no tau matan ba sira nia oan.
Iha tempu kalan nia katuas oan toba no hetan mehi ida husi TUNA ne’ebé mak iha mota laran no dehan ba nia, “Ha’u mak nia abo mane.”
Nia hakfodak husi toba fatin no foti be’e ba hemu. Nia fanu nia ferik oan no nia dehan ba nia ferik oan, “Ha’u foin mehi kona-ba TUNA ne’ebé ha’u hetan iha be’e laran,” no nia ferik husu nafatin ba nia, “Ó nia mehi oinsa?”
Nia hatán, “Ha’u mehi TUNA ne’e mak ha’u nia abo mane ne’ebé mate iha tempu invazaun Portugal nian, no nia nakfila aan sai TUNA ne’e.” Sra. Bui Mali rona no nook de’it no nia la ko’alia bu’at ida maibé Sr. Mau Leki aumenta tan, “TUNA ne’e mak fó mehi ba ha’u hanesan ne’e. No sira nain rua halo konversasaun ba malu to sente matan dukur no idak-idak ba deskansa.
Iha tempu dader Sr. Mau Leki no ferik nafatin ba halo servisu iha to’os laran hanesan bainbain. Iha tempu lokraik sira nafatin ba hariis iha mota ne’e, no Sr. Mau Leki nani ba be’e laran no nia hetan nafatin TUNA ne’e nani ba mai iha be’e laran, maibé Sra. Bui Mali la hetan TUNA ne’e mezmu sira sira hariis hamutuk iha be’e lihun ne’e. TUNA ne’e so hatudu nia aan ba de’it mak Sr. Mau Leki. Sira hariis hotu sira fila ba uma.
Sira la ba tiha toos durante semana rua nia laran. No depois sira foin ba fali to’os hodi haree ba ai-han sira ne’ebé mak sira na’in rua kuda iha tempu hirak liu ba. Sira na’in rua nafatin halo servisu iha to’os laran hanesan bainbain, to’o loromatan monu mak sira fila ba uma.
Depois iha loron tuir mai Sra. Bui Mali sente kolen los, nia la ba to’os maibé Sr. Mau Leki mesak ba to’os. Wainhira nia halo servisu mesak iha to’os laran nia la hatene saida mak atu akontese ba nia. TUNA ne’ebé bainbain Sr. Mau Leki hetan nani iha mota laran ne’e, nakfila an sai feto ida hanesan Sr. Mau leki nia ferik oan. TUNA ne’e halo miligre ba fatuk balun nakfila sai ai-farina no fatuk balun nakfila sai fehuk no lori ba Sr. Mau Leki nia to’os laran, no bolu Sr Mau leki ba han ai-han meiudia nian. Sr. Mau Leki hanoin katak nia ferik oan mak lori hahán husi uma mai; afinal TUNA ne’ebé nani iha be’e laran ne’e mak nakfila aan ba feto ida oin hanesan nia ferik oan.
Bainhira han hotu Sr. Mau Leki ba kontinua halo servisu iha to’os laran nafatin no TUNA ne’ebé nakfila aan ba feto ida hanesan nia ferik oan dehan ba Sr. Mau Leki, “Ha’u fila uma ona,” no Sr. Mau Leki mos hatán ba nia, “Di’ak ba haree dalan, ha’u sei lokraik mak fila ba uma.” No feto ne’e hatán ba nia, “Servisu lai ba.”
Bainhira feto ne’e to’o iha mota laran nia tama be’e laran hodi nakfila sai fali ba TUNA hodi nani iha be’e laran. Loromatan atu tun ona, Sr. Mau Leki mos mai hariis iha mota sarai ne’e, no nia haree nafatin TUNA ne’e nani ba mai hela iha mota laran ne’e. Hariis hotu nia mos fila ba uma. To’o iha uma, Sr. Mau Leki la husu ba nia ferik, katak ohin nia mak lori hahán ba nia ne’e ka lae. Nia sente kolen no nia deskansa tiha.
Iha loron tuir mai nia nafatin mesak ba to’os, hodi halo servisu mesak iha to’os laran; no iha tempu meu-dia TUNA ne’e sai husi be’e laran mai liur hodi nakfila sai feto ida ho oin hanesan nia ferik oan, hodi halo nakfila fatuk balun sai ba ai-han hodi nia lori ba fó Sr. Mau Leki. Bainhira feto ne’e to’o iha to’os laran nia bolu Sr. Mau Leki hodi han hahán meiu-dia. Nia hanoin katak nia ferik oan mak lori hahán mai fo nia han afinal TUNA ne’e mak nakfila ba feto ifa oin hanesan nia ferik oan. Nia han hotu nia nafatin ba halo servisu iha to’os laran.
Feto dehan ba Sr. Mau Leki, “Ha’u ba uluk ona depois mak o tuir,” no Sr. Mau Leki hatán ba feto ne’e, “Ba uluk ba depois mak ha’u tuir ba iha teumpu lokraik.”
Feto ne’e nonook de’it no nia la’o ba oin nafatin. Feto ne’e la’o to iha mota laran nia nia tama ba be’e laran hodi nakfila nia aan ba TUNA hodi nani iha be’e laran.
Loromatan komesa tun ona nia ba hariis iha mota laran, nia hetan nafatin TUNA ne’e nani ba mai, maibé Sr. Mau Leki la preokupa ho TUNA ne’e, maibé nia hariis nafatin. Wainhira hariis hotu nia fila ba uma. Too iha uma nia ferik oan prepara tiha ai-han kalan nian ba sira hotu. Nia ferik lahatene ida kona-ba se mak lori hahán ba nia haan iha tempu meiudia.
Lor-loron nia ba to’os mesak. TUNA ne’e komesa hatene. Entaun TUNA ne’e kontinua nakfila an ba feto ida oin hanesan nia ferik oan hodi lori hahán ba nia han iha tempu meiudia. Maibé Sr. Mau Leki la hatene se’e mak lori hahán ba nia han kada lor-loron iha tempu meiudia; nia ferik mos la hatene kona-ba ida ne’e. Nia hanoin katak nia ferik oan mak lori hahán ba nia han kada lor-loron afinal laos nia ferik oan.
Iha tempu kalan ida Sr. Mau Leki toba no TUNA ne’e fo mehi ba nia, “Lor-loron ó mesak iha to’os laran ha’u hanoin los ó mak hau nakfila an ba feto ida oin hanesan ho nia ferik oan, hodi prepara ai-han ba ó han iha tempu meu-dia ne’e.” Nia hakfodak husi toba fatin no nia bolu ferik oan.
Nia ferik oan hatán ba nia, “Tanbasa ó bolu ha’u iha tempu kalan ho lian makaas ne’e?”
Nia hatán ba nia ferik oan, “Lor-loron ó mak lori hahán tuir ha’u ba toos laran ne ka laos ó?”
Nia ferik oan hatán ba nia, “Lae, durante ne’e ha’u la lori hahán ba ó han iha tempu meu-dia.” Entaun Sr. Mau Leki tur nonok tiha no la ko’alia buat ida.
Iha dadersaan sira ba to’os hodi haree sira niaai-oan sira ne’ebé mak sira na’in rua kuda iha to’os laran. No sira nia ai-oan ou fini ne’ebé sira na’in rua kuda komesa fo fuan ona. Bainhira sira na’in rua fila ba uma iha tempu kalan Sr. Mau Leki nafatin hanoin hela deit ba nia mehi nee.
Iha loron hirak tuir mai Sr. Mau Leki mesak ba to’os, no nia halo servisu nafatin iha to’os laran hanesan bainbain. Iha tempu meu-dia, TUNA ne’e komesa nakfila an ba feto ida oin hanesan nia ferik oan hodi lori hahán ba nia han. Bainhira nia hahán ne’ebe mak feto ne’e lori ba nia, nia komesa deskonfia ona feto ne’e. Sr. Mau Leki han hotu nia la ba servisu tan iha to’os laran tanba nia deskonfia tiha ona feto ne’e.
Feto ne’e husu nia, “Ó la ba servisu iha to’os laran ka?”
Nia hatán, “Ha’u la ba servisu ona iha to’os laran tanba ha’u sente kolen los.” Bainhira nia fila kotuk hela, feto ne’e la’o uluk no la hase’e tan nia katak nia ba ona. Sr. Mau Leki fila oin mai nia la hetan tan feto ne’e ba iha ne’ebe los? No nia bolu ferik oan nia naran ho lian makas, “Bui Mali, Bui Mali, Bui Mali, Bui Mali …” Maibé la iha ema ida mak hatán ba nian bolu ne’e. Nia sente ta’uk no nia fila husi to’os ba iha mota nia hetan TUNA nee nani ba mai iha be laran ne’e hela.
Nia hariis hotu no nia fila kedas ba uma maske loromatan seidauk tun. Sr. Mau Leki to iha uma nia ferik husu ba nia, “Ohin loron ó fila sedu deit ne’e?” no nia hatán, “Ha’u sente kolen mak ha’u fila sedu nee.” Nia la konta saida mak ohin akontese ba nia iha to’os laran ne’e ba nia ferik oan.
Iha tempu kalan nia toba, no TUNA ne’e mai fo mehi ba nia: “Ha’u mai atu hatudu buat ruma ba ó.” No mos iha mehi TUNA ne’e dehan tan, “Aban dader ó ba mai foti kelu mean ida iha mota sarai, besik iha be lihun ne’ebé mak ó hetan ha’u nani ba mai ne’e.” Depois Sr. Mau Leki hakfodak husi toba fatin, nia tur nonok los hodi hanoin hela ba nia mehi.
Iha dadersaan de’it Sr. Mau Leki hader sedu no nia foti nia katana no nia ba mesak to’os. Bainhira nia to’o iha mota sarai ne’e no nia la’o besik ba be’e lihun ne’e no nia haree TUNA nee nani ba mai hela iha be’e laran ne’e. Nia nani tun ba be lihun laran, nia hetan duni kelu mean, ne’ebé mak fó mehi ba nia. Nia admira tebes no nia foti kelu ne’e no derepente TUNA ne’e nani iha be’e laran lakon tiha husi nia haree. Maibé nia la preokupa kona-ba TUNA ne’ebé lakon husi nia hare’e nia nafatin foti kelu ne’e no tau iha karteira laran. Depois nia ba to’os laran hodi halo servisu hanesan bainbain. Iha tempu lokraik fila ba uma. Bainhira nia iha uma nunka konta tuir saida mak nia foti husi be’e laran ne’eba nia familia sira la konta ba ema ida.
Iha tempu kalan nia toba nia nafatin mehi, “TUNA ne’e mai no hatete ba nia katak la bele dehan ema ida kona-ba saida mak ó foti husi bee laran ne’e; no mos kelu ne sei lori sorte di’ak ba ó nia moris, no loron ida ó sei sai hanesan ema matan dok hodi kura ema nia moras.” Nia hakfodak husi toba fatin nia foti kedan nia karteira hodi hare ba kelu ne’ebé mak ohin nia foti nee.
Liu tiha fulan ida sira ba koileta ai-fuan sira ne’ebé mak sira kuda ba iha sira nia to’os. Liu tiha tan loron balun, iha tempu kalan Sr. Mau Leki toba no TUNA ne’e mai fó mehi ba nia, “Aban ó mai hasoru iha oras jam duabelas kalan, ha’u atu ko’alia bu’at balun ba ó?” Lakluer nia hakfodak tiha, no nia toba fila fali. Iha dadersan nia hader mai no hateten ba nia ferik oan, “Orsida kalan ha’u sei ba fatin ida no ha’u sei fila tarde,” no nia ferik oan mos hatán ba nia, “Bele ba maibé kuidadu an didiak ba tanba tempu kalan ne la hanesan loron.”
Rai atu besik kalan ona, nia foti nia katana no kelu ne’ebé uluk nia foti iha mota laran ne’e. Nia komesa ba ona toos. Wainhira nia to’o iha toos seidauk kalan boot, entaun nia ba tuur iha nia toos laran, no nia hein oras balun hodi paz oras sanulu resin rua, nia foin la’o ba mota laran. Oras paz sanulu resin rua nia hamriik oha mota laran besik ba lihun ne’ebé mak nia hetan TUNA ne’e. Nia hare TUNA nani ba mai iha be lihun ne’e. TUNA ne’e sai mai be’e ninin, nia nakfila an sai abo mane ida ho fuuk mutin no hasrahun naruk los, nia hakfodas tanba foin mak nia haree ho nia matan rasik. TUNA ne’ebé nakfila ba abo mane ne’e dehan ba nia, “Ha’u mak fó hatene ba ó liuhusi mehi ne’e,” no Sr. Mau Leki nonok deit no rona saida mak abo mane ko’alia ba nia.
No TUNA ne’ebé nakfila an ba abo mane koa’lia buat barak ba nia. No fó instrusaun ba nia katak “bainhira ema ruma hetan moras mai hato ba ó, no husu sira lori lilin kaisa ida no be’e agua ida; ó mak sunu no halo orasaun no foti be’e ne’e fó nia hemu no dehan ba nia; be’e ne’e hanesan miligre ida ba ita boot atu hetan saúde di’ak.”
Abo mane dehan tan, “Ha’u bandu ba ó katak fo hatene ba ó-nia jerasaun sira tuir mai la bele han na’an TUNA, se bainhira o nia jerasaun balun han TUNA sira sei isin to mate.” Nia hatán ba abo mane katak “hodi ohin ba oin hau ho nia jeresaun sei la han tan naan TUNA.” Depois konversasaun hotu abo mane ne’e tama ba be’e laran hodi nakfila an ba TUNA hodi nani iha be’e laran ne’e. Nia mos sai husi be’e laran no fila ba uma, maibé nia iha uma rai atu besik naroman ona.
Liu tiha tinan ida, iha balun moras iha nia bairu laran no nia ba haree no nia husu moras ne’e atu sosa lilin ida hodi fó ba nia atu hasae orasaun husi sunu lilin. Depois nia hasae orasaun hotu no nia foti be’e ne’e fó ema moras ne’e atu be’e ne’e. Ema moras ne’e hemu tiha be’e ne’e liu tiha semana ida ema moras ne’e hetan saúde di’ak fali.
Iha tempu balun tuir mai, feto klosan ida hetan moras fuan, iha sira nia nia bairu vizinu. Labarik feto nia apa rona katak Sr. Mau Leki bele kura ema moras. Iha dadersan ida, labarik feto nia apa mai buka Sr. Mau Leki no dehan ba nia, “Ita bele ajuda kura ha’u nia oan feto ne’ebé hetan moras fuan?” No Sr. Mau Leki hatán ba tiu ne’e, “Ha’u bele kura ita nia oan ne’ebé hetan moras fuan ne’e, maibé ha’u husu ba ita atu lori lilin kaisa kiik ida, be’e aqua ida no lori mai ha’u halo orasaun.” Tiu ne’e halo tuir saida mak nia ko’alia, hodi ba sosa be’e no lilin kaisa kiik ida, hodi fó ba nia. Depois nia halo orasaun hotu no foti be’e ne’e fó ba tiu ne’e hodi lori ba fó ba nia feto ne’e hemu. Depois nia oan feto ne’e hemu tiha be’e nee. Liu loron balun hanesan nia oan feto komesa hetan fali saúde di’ak.
Entaun iha momentu ne’ebé ema barak komesa hatene ona katak nia bele kura ema moras liu husi nia orasaun no fó be’e ba ema hemu, liu loron balun ema ne’ebé hemu be’e ne’e bele hetan isin di’ak fali. Iha momentu ne’e kedan kada lor-loron ema moras sempre mai vizita hodi bele kura sira nia moras.
Iha momentu ne’ebá nia la halo tan to’os tanba kada lor-loron ema moras husi fatin hotu hotu mai vizita nia atu nune’e nia bele halo orasaun ba ema hirak ne’ebé hetan moras ne’e bele rekopera sira nia saúde.
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Date: 2022-06-09 07:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-09 09:58 pm (UTC)It made me think of some of the stories I read in The Penguin Book of Mermaids (2019).
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Date: 2022-06-09 10:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-09 10:32 pm (UTC)I mean, a lot has happened since 2019!
(It's a wonderful book. I recommend it as highly as I did then.)
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Date: 2022-06-09 10:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-09 10:42 pm (UTC)The Tahitian eel-king ♥ ♥ ♥