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Friday, September 22, 2017

One floating cloud was hanging across the sky: 天上一条云

Everyone loves listening to story.  To me nursery rhymes, in a way is short story with rhymes and loved by kids.
As a Teo Chew, I listened to nursery rhymes 
sung by Grand parents, and enjoyed
the story embedded in it.
 
As nursery rhymes were recited to us when we are 
toddles, they were easily remembered.
It is possible for us to pass on some of them
to our the generations after if we make an effort.
 
Here is one of them in Teo Chew
which I still can recall:


=====天上一條雲One floating cloud was hanging across the sky=====

天上一條雲
One floating cloud was hanging across the sky

地下二隻船
Two boats were sailing side by side

一隻載鹦哥
One is carrying parrots

一隻載葡萄
The other is loaded with grapes


葡萄跤落水
Some grapes accidentally fell into the water

鹦哥跑去追
Parrots volunteered to rescue

(不会) 起
However, they fail the task

投阿姊
And rushed to inform the elder sister

阿姊哭到面鸟鸟
The elder sister cried sadly and her face just turned black

投仙姑
Hence, they run to report to the fairy


仙姑没在厝
Unfortunately, the fairy was not in the heavenly lodge

投富富
In despair, they quickly informed the rich neighbourhoods

富富奶
The rich were all milk feeding

满家满厝生阿弟
And good news travel fast:
All the household and the families in the neighbourhood were celebrating the arrival of new baby BOYS!


=====


Here is the full text in Chinese without translation:


=====

天上一條雲

地下二隻船

一隻載鹦哥

一隻載葡萄

葡萄跤落水

鹦哥跑去追


追(不会) 起

投阿姊

阿姊哭到面鸟鸟

投仙姑

仙姑没在厝

投富富

富富奶

满家满厝生阿弟

=====


Here is my translation:
=====

One floating cloud was hanging across the sky
=====

Two boats were getting ready to set off

One is carrying parrots

The other is loaded with grapes

Some grapes accidentally fell into the water

Parrots volunteered to rescue

However, the efforts of the parrots were in vain

They quickly rush to inform the elder sister

The elder sister cried sadly and her face just turned black

Hence, they run to report to the fairy

Unfortunately, the fairy was not in the heavenly lodge

So they cast their hope onto the rich

The rich family were milking

All the household and all the families were announcing the joyful news and celebrating the arrival of new born baby BOYS!