A story in Kriol and English
written and illustrated by Marshia
with some illustrations by Tamua
Cook
Nuggett
THE MOON STORY
A story in Kriol and English written and illustrated by Marshia Cook with some illustrations by Tamua Nuggett
E e’im koal weathu diem.
Dijun oalman bin telim is famlee, “Kumon, we gon kambinout.”
Daibin orl pakem dijun mooddigar en daibin gon. It was cold weather time.
This old fella told his family, “Come on, we are going to camp out.” They all packed the car and off they went.
Dijun oalman bin say,
“Diswun mien favit spot en we gudda maigimbud kamp heeyu.”
Daibin sedle en maigim der kamp.
The old fella said,
“This is my favourite spot, so we are going to make a camp here.” They settled in and made their camp.
Dijun oalman bin telim orl is granson,
“Youbala go gedmbud firuwood now.”
That old fella told his grandsons, “You mob go collect firewood now.”
Wen daibin maigimbud firu,
thuddun oalman
bin sidoun lungu oalwun wied tree
waiding for dat moon to ged up.
When they were making the fire, the man sat under this old white gumtree, waiting for that moon to rise.
Wen dat moon bin geding up, ee bin stard singim song en wen ee’im singing, orlu kid bin kumroun lijining. As the moon was rising, he started to sing a song. As he was singing, all the children gathered around and listened.
Dijun bigiju n m o o n bin rising
e bin s hi n e t h rou lunga
diju n b i g ijun gumtree
T h i s big moon was rising and shone down through this big gumtree.
Wen
dat
bigijun
moon bin g e d u p
e bin shine down lunga orl mie famlee .
When that big m o o n wa s r i s i n g it shone do w n on all my fa m i l y.
Dijun bigiju n m o o n bin shine
obu lung B o o t Hill ,
obu lu n g S hip Hill ,
e bin s h i ne obu lung Sandbar
we r M elu orl bin sleepinubud.
This big m oon shone
ove r t h at Boot Hill,
a n d shone over that Sandbar where we were sleeping. ove r that Ship Hill,
E n d i jun bigijun moon bin shine lunga ebreebodee I lub.
And this big moon shone down on everyone I love.
Dislud kid bin feelimbudjel tied.
Daibin wotjimbud dat moon shining throu lungu dat gum tree.
The children began to feel tired. They watched the moon, shining through the gumtree.
Ee’im shine oabu lungu ribu.
Ee’im shine oabu lunga hil.
It shone over the river. It shone over the hills.
En ee’im shine lungu orlu kid. And it shone on the children.
Dislud famlee bin sleep peecfulee orlniet lungu dat moon en stars.
The family slept peacefully all night under the moon and the stars.
About the Indigenous Literacy Foundation
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) is a national charity working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities across Australia. We are Community-led, responding to requests from remote Communities for culturally relevant books, including early learning board books, resources, and programs to support Communities to create and publish their stories in languages of their choice.
This edition published in 2025 irst published in 2024 by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation Gadigal Country Level 17/207 Kent Street Sydney NSW 2000
ilf.org.au
Text and illustrations copyright © Marshia Cook, 2024 Additional illustrations copyright © Tamua Nuggett, 2024
The illustrations for this book were produced in workshops with ILF Lifetime Ambassador Alison Lester, and children’s author and publisher Jane Godwin.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations) in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
Cataloguing-in-Publication details are available from the National Library of Australia www.trove.nla.gov.au
Print ISBN 9781922592552
eBook ISBN 9781923456075
Typesetting and design by Lee Burgemeestre
Printed in China by 1010 Printing International Limited
Dijun bigijun moon bin shine lunga ebreebodee I lub.
This big moon shone down on everyone I love.
Join a family from Fitzroy Crossing as they go out camping under the light of the moon.
ilf.org.au