Umvundla neNyathi eLwandle
The Rabbit and the Buffalo at the Sea
⏱ ~15 min read · 60 sentences
1
Kukho umvundla omncinci.
There is a small rabbit.
2
Kukho inyathi enkulu.
There is a big buffalo.
3
Bahlala kufutshane nolwandle.
They live near the sea.
4
Umvundla uthanda ukudlala ngolwandle.
The rabbit likes to play at the sea.
5
INyathi ithanda ukutya ingca.
The buffalo likes to eat grass.
6
Ngenye imini, umvundla waya elwandle.
One day, the rabbit went to the sea.
7
Wabona amaza amakhulu.
He saw big waves.
8
Woyika kancinci.
He was a little scared.
9
INyathi yafika emva kwexesha.
The buffalo arrived later.
10
Yabuza, 'Ufuna ntoni apha?'
It asked, 'What do you want here?'
11
Umvundla waphendula, 'Ndiyadlala.'
The rabbit answered, 'I am playing.'
12
INyathi yahleka.
The buffalo laughed.
13
Yathi, 'Ulwandle luyingozi.'
It said, 'The sea is dangerous.'
14
Umvundla akazange amamele.
The rabbit did not listen.
15
Wagxuma emanzini.
He jumped into the water.
16
Amanza aqala ukumgubungela.
The water began to cover him.
17
Wakhala, 'Ndisindise!'
He cried, 'Save me!'
18
INyathi yabaleka ngokukhawuleza.
The buffalo ran quickly.
19
Yafika kumvundla.
It reached the rabbit.
20
Yamtsala ngophondo lwayo.
It pulled him with its horn.
21
Umvundla waphuma emanzini.
The rabbit came out of the water.
22
Wayengcangcazela.
He was shivering.
23
INyathi yathi, 'Ndikuxelele.'
The buffalo said, 'I told you.'
24
Umvundla wathi, 'Uxolo.'
The rabbit said, 'I am sorry.'
25
Wambulela inyathi.
He thanked the buffalo.
26
Basekunye elunxwemeni.
They sat together on the shore.
27
Umvundla womisa uboya bakhe.
The rabbit dried his fur.
28
INyathi yamjonga.
The buffalo looked at him.
29
Yathi, 'Ufunde isifundo.'
It said, 'You learned a lesson.'
30
Umvundla wavuma.
The rabbit agreed.
31
Wathi, 'Ewe, ndifunde.'
He said, 'Yes, I learned.'
32
Emva koko, baba ngabahlobo.
After that, they became friends.
33
Umvundla akazange aphinde agxume elwandle.
The rabbit never jumped into the sea again.
34
INyathi yamfundisa ukuba ngononophelo.
The buffalo taught him to be careful.
35
Ngoku umvundla uhlala elunxwemeni.
Now the rabbit stays on the shore.
36
Ujonga amaza kodwa akangeni.
He looks at the waves but does not go in.
37
INyathi iyadla ingca kufutshane.
The buffalo eats grass nearby.
38
Bathetha rhoqo.
They talk often.
39
Umvundla ubuza imibuzo.
The rabbit asks questions.
40
INyathi iphendula ngobubele.
The buffalo answers kindly.
41
Ngenye imini, kwafika isiphepho.
One day, a storm came.
42
Umvundla wafihla emqolombeni.
The rabbit hid in a cave.
43
INyathi yema phandle.
The buffalo stood outside.
44
Imvula yayinamandla.
The rain was strong.
45
Umvundla wakhwaza, 'Ngena apha!'
The rabbit shouted, 'Come in here!'
46
INyathi yangenqaba.
The buffalo refused.
47
Yathi, 'Ndiyakwazi ukuyimelana nemvula.'
It said, 'I can handle the rain.'
48
Umvundla wamangaliswa.
The rabbit was surprised.
49
INyathi yomelele.
The buffalo was strong.
50
Isiphepho sadlula.
The storm passed.
51
Umvundla waphuma emqolombeni.
The rabbit came out of the cave.
52
Wabona inyathi imanzi.
He saw the buffalo wet.
53
Wathi, 'Uyagqitha.'
He said, 'You are amazing.'
54
INyathi yancuma.
The buffalo smiled.
55
Yathi, 'Sonke sinamandla ahlukileyo.'
It said, 'We all have different strengths.'
56
Umvundla waqonda.
The rabbit understood.
57
Wathi, 'Mna ndikhawulezile.'
He said, 'I am fast.'
58
INyathi yathi, 'Mna ndomelele.'
The buffalo said, 'I am strong.'
59
Bahlala kunye ngolonwabo.
They lived together happily.
60
Baba ngabahlobo abangcono.
They became the best friends.
📚 Study Guide: Xhosa A2 Reading Notes
1. Grammar & Level Focus (CEFR A2 · Elementary)
This A2 Elementary Xhosa story combines everyday expressions with basic connectors (and, but, because) and simple past or future references. Pay attention to how transitions link actions across sentences.
2. Key Expressions & Sentence Anchors
Kukho umvundla omncinci.
There is a small rabbit.
Wathi, 'Ewe, ndifunde.'
He said, 'Yes, I learned.'
Baba ngabahlobo abangcono.
They became the best friends.
3. Comprehension & Active Recall Check
- Can you summarize the main event of "Umvundla neNyathi eLwandle" in 2–3 simple Xhosa sentences?
- Click 👁 Hide Translation above and re-read sentences 1 to 10 — how many words can you recall without looking?
- Use ▶ Play All to shadow-read aloud along with the native Xhosa audio pronunciation.