The Impromptu Sepedi Lesson

after finishing another book this afternoon, i decided to go for a walk. the sun was low and it had cooled off enough so i wouldn't die trying to walk at a good pace. i powerwalked my usual route and found it quite enjoyable, so i kept going. i walked down past the soccer field to the motor gate and then along the front edge of the village. the new route drew lots of attention, but it didnt bother me tonight. i was in my own world daydreaming as i automatically greated people with a wave or by saying dumelang. all of a sudden, i snapped out of it as i heard a noise and glanced behind me. it was a cow, charging at me! ok, when i looked again, it was a group of kids, the human kind, not a cow. thank goodness! i actually laughed out loud at myself as the kids ran up next to me. the first one said: mam bri, what is your name? i replied with a laugh: you know my name, you just said it. her response: what is your surname. when i replied, all the kids giggled and tried it out. then each one had to ask: what is your surname. now i know this is the only english they know and someone probably told them to practice. the rest of the conversation happened in sepedi. kid 2: where are you coming from? me: i was walking. kid 3: where are you going? me: home, where are you going? kid 2: home kid 1: you speak english, we speak sepedi. kid 3: that cow is ----. me: i dont understand. all the kids imitate the cow that is walking toward us and limping. me: ah. kid 1: you great in sepedi. you speak sepedi. you say hi, how are you. we dont speak english. me: you greet in english very well. kid 1 in english: how are you. me in english: im fine how are you? all the kids giggle. our conversation continued with small talk using simple language and i picked up on a few new words that i hope i wont forget. when i reached home, i wanted to keep walking, but it was getting dark so i came in the gate and bid my tag-alongs goodbye. it turned out to be a pleasant evening.