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English version
In English, this story by Aloihio Kave Kelemete is:
What a Sweet Song!
page 2
Whotovalu and Telehia were chatting at home. “What date is it today?” asked Whotovalu.
Telehia replied, “It’s the 13th of March. Are you training tomorrow?”
“Yes,” said Whotovalu. “Our team’s playing rugby this Saturday. You know what, only four weeks to go till the Tournament.”
“Yeah, that’s right!” replied Telehia. “Great, eh?”
page 3
Saturday arrived. The game was almost over. Suddenly, Whotovalu cried, “Ouch, my leg!”
They could hear the cry from the other side of the rugby field. When Telehia looked over she saw her brother sitting on the ground. How awful! He’d broken his leg!
page 4
On Wednesday, Telehia and her parents were getting ready to go to dance practice. Whotovalu was lying on the sofa in the lounge. He was bored.
“My poor son” said his mum. “Stay here with your nena. We’ll be back soon.”
“Bye, everyone,” said Whotovalu. “Have a good time!” Whotovalu was feeling sad. He couldn’t play rugby. He couldn’t dance.
page 5
His grandmother came into the room, singing. She was always singing. She sang sweet songs. “Hey, why are you so sad?” she asked Whotovalu.
Whotovalu replied, “I like to dance. I like to play rugby, too. But look at my leg,” he said. “There are three weeks to go till the Tournament, but I can’t dance and I can’t run!”
His grandmother replied, “So what are you going to do about it?”
page 6
Whotovalu thought about it. Then he had an idea. “Hmm, Nena, what’s that song you’re always singing?”
His grandmother sang the song while Whotovalu listened.
“Nena, that’s a sweet song. I have an idea. You could sing your song at the concert, and I could play my guitar. How about it? Would you please teach me the song?” asked Whotovalu. “And don’t tell the others we’re learning a song, OK? It’ll be a surprise for everyone.”
page 7
In the remaining weeks leading up to the Tournament, Telehia and her parents went to the training and dance practices, while Whotovalu and his nena practised their song at home. Soon it was Easter. Everyone gathered for the Tournament. They came together from many different places.
page 8
On Saturday afternoon, they all got together to watch the rugby. Whotovalu watched his father play. His team won. He watched his friends play. Their team won. He felt sad because he wasn’t playing.
page 9
On Saturday evening, they all went together to the dancing. Whotovalu watched Telehia and his mother dance in their group. They both danced well. Everyone clapped for a long time. He felt sad because he wasn’t dancing.
page 10
On Sunday evening, Whotovalu called out to his family, “Come, let’s go and watch the concert together.”
Telehia replied, “I’m tired. I played netball yesterday. Let’s stay here, OK?”.
His dad said, “I’m tired, I played a lot of rugby yesterday. Let’s stay here, OK?”.
His mum replied, “I’m tired. I was dancing last night. Let’s stay here, OK?”.
page 11
“No! Come on, let’s go now, the concert’s about to start!” growled Nena.
“OK,” said Telehia, “Let’s go then!”
Nena looked at Whotovalu and laughed. They all went off to the concert.
page 12
“This is the final item in tonight’s concert,” announced the M.C. “The item is called ‘A Sweet Song’. Please put your hands together …”
Whotovalu and Nena appeared on the stage. Nena sang beautifully. Whotovalu played the guitar beautifully.
“Lovely!” called out Telehia.
Everyone clapped for a long time. Hey, what a sweet song!
