Stories From Kiribati

I heard mother sang songs

When the sun rose in the east

I could smell hard burning woods

Early in the morning

Nearby the hut

When she called, children! Time for tea

Grated fresh coconut meat

With hot babai and saltfish

Served with reddish kamaimai

Oh! My favourite dish!

 

Daddy rose early as rooster flapped his wings

His toddy ibu screamed happily

Marked the new day for duty

His handsome face with strong ribs

Provided me a wealthy home

Of love and care.

 

In dreams I saw him

With doubtful eyes

His worries of today and tomorrow

Of how our well being would be

Our education and life

Our traditions and customs

To holdfast that like an ironwood

To prolong it to our new generation

From day to day

To never vanish it from sight.

 

(Written by: Mrs Karibannang - School Teacher)