Tallfellow - Drilsomb Remendi Smalnger

The elders of traditional Tallfellow-speaking communities often tell stories during communal meals, both to entertain and to impart wisdom. Many tales are about a legendary halfling hero named Drilsomb and her three traveling companions, who travel through a fantastic and highly improbable version of the ancestral halfling homeland in what is now the Kingdom of Azalia, to the south of their current home in the Patchwork. In addition to their entertainment value, the characters in Drilsomb tales and the methods they use to solve problems tell us a lot about hobind mores and their traditional way of life.

Drilsomb Remendi Smalnger!

Ho bombwes, etaro, alpar pin wan ma renó gum boln Drilslomb, frono hobind sefromban. Bolnerumb sal wan remendi wirm daru flimbor etaro dombelosumb, smalnger lohon! Eborng lawu sefro bolner brorafumb eborngemiró gwéro, ho bombwes ir ho mosne ropar!

Ingumb Selembumb mo surngung lohotar, barsuner rum mwir ir warel sul rum umbur Drilsomb. Sal rum umbur grohegar ir bomb wumbohar ir, robi nu flimbor hobind lipun dombelosumb. Moweberumb sal de rum fangi ewirundumb erendung. Digowawi, tori wumbo flimbor etaro nru ubelmb rum or esombirumb fitirung roníro. Drombo, tori dundi blesilmbohar nu ereldro lohotar brande wurle. Rawar, Malelm, barsun erma ir fribori lohotar nu nar ebobund ir erelmal le wera, molmbatar ehoblind. Ondawer rum umbur hoblibwa nu egabran lawu alfrawi wurle.

Welerumb els rum bro gwadu ropa ir regi. Ewirund rum wiri mem imo soblu swoló els bren fangi ingéro.

“Ar bren ismendo wonulumb,” Digowawi rum matro. “Li ewirm lipun tabi ar ebrupar, ebomi leto bli wan sarmbe guró etaro!”

“Hobind bren ermamo ewirmumb darurung gwadúro lawu,” Malelm rum ma. “Ar bren sarmbe swobind ri gor malflir.”

“Momewer umbur dalgosri,” Drombo rum ma. “Gwadurumumb im wondlom wan umbur munge wumbohar iro fer ronan. Ar bren flembi holer ismetri.”

“Wur,” Drilsomb rum ma. “Ar flembi gur wurle, alpar welbend gul umbur ewumbund u de wirwem endargin ir, lewamb gul umbur undoni bamb reslen.” Ehengul de rum himbrimo werngung sal ma gwehar, alpar els rum bomba “resen” umbur resmi dadris flimbor Elmbumbi engombon, nung umbur baban samo molmbatar banglil. “Im fangore holerumb umbur gapwor la.”

Gwéro ehengul rum bomba bobur ewarníro Drilslomb ir etaro rum fangore gwaduró.

Ri de fangi egwating were de rum momito hoblibwarumb ri de ahon, “Gwa! Gwa!” Werngung wesiwir Malelm rum rama, “Gwa! Gwa!” Ir gwéro, iglibwa rum wibambe gupar ri de fangore im ahon, “Gwa! Gwa!”.

“Swar emb rum ma?” Drilsomb rum robro Malelm.

“Pin rum robro els selohar, so ren wan orno ar imo flembi bilfungim ri ar de fangi gwadurumb lerng?” Malelm rum swimbe. “Els rum ma, glan.”

“So emb wan robro els lawu, smom ar sufwimo ronanerumb lohonung le?” Drombo rum ma. “Sefe ri de engormbe umbur sefon ombeg.”

Engrémo ewirund rum bro ebon. Glemb ir brimb gul rum umbur eblun rowemb ir befamur.

“Pin wan biwambu ebonum molmbatar sarmemri!” Digowawi rum matro ir, sal rum sombi guró ir rum lobum gur imo bilfen gur hahera. Gwéro sal rum sarmbe gur blunó.

Baban rum mon alfeldo holtro, POSSSSS!

“Ho wur, Digowawi!” Drombo rum glato. “Emb wan hora etaro gwadurumb gwehar!”

Ir, ri sal de rum ma gwehar, nambatar befnembi ropa dadris rum wiri rowémbo. Famurleni sul rum flimbor esombir ongra ir mondemi sálo rum umbur esombir wera. Ingerumb sal rum rambi Digowawi ebrupar!

Gupar Drilsomb rum prigle bwarnd blúno ir sarmbe gapworó lirm. Befnembi rum or ir, Drilsomb rum fangore im brobwar holumumb lohotar imo noma fnendwen wumbo ombi.

“Hu, ebwarnd sildo,” Malelm rum ma. “Wonderó ren rum orno ar imo alfmeri bobunder. Ho fangi ropar.” Gwéro sal rum ma befnembiró, “Ar de sildomo alpar ar rum hifurd baginumb leng. So ar morten gur awe le?”

“Wur,” befnembi rum ma. “Emb rum nolo eblarnder pin wondehar pa, smalnger nu samwi gwaduwerumb rum bilfa pin imo bilam etaro nu fangi rugwenumb sulng olar. Pin wan mawu ren wur pa, im bilfen ren sogirmó bliró umbur gapwor gum.”

Gwéro els rum fangi guró befnembirumb pa, Drombo rum reli momalar.

Gromb gwadlu fung, bromwundumb rugwenung dadrisung, fnendwen ropa de rum nar smalngum imo maslo momre sal. “Egelolind rum wiri snosrirumb leng gum, er fahend. Etaro umbur ehobind ir, befnembirum de bilfen els aró gum.”

Smalngum wumbo rum mamblo ri de malwir mond lohon. “Rondle.”

Ridwiri befnembi rum rati Drilsomb, Digowawi ir Malelm broneberumb wumborung roparung gromb ronri. Rawar els rum hengi bromwundó ung umbur mardom wumbemon ung umbur henda, esarmben ir edrol were.

“Hu! Esmigal gwehar!” Digowawi rum ma. Gwéro befnembi rum engi belgohar. “Esmigal were flimbor im bilfen, gwadurumb mubohar ri smalng de endwemon ren. Emb bren rel im borbon momema lipun!”

Gwéro sal rum rati els mardómo olimbó henguló ung umbur esarm selohar ir, weralmban bronumb, rum woma im suti.

“Swar ar bren nar, Drilsomb?” Digowawi rum ma. “Drombo rum reli ir, holerumb umbur ebobund elbwimb u Malelm robro le imo orno ar. Swar ar bren nar?”

“Pin wan mosne,” Drilsomb rum rama.

Engremo pa gropar, ing ung smalng wan hengi imo remendi els rum ronir elwemumb sleng ir, Drilsomb rum morten ungi gwere wur.

“Ar de remendi wondehar! Hu, delmbo gwehar!” smalng rum ma, ri de hengro olimb. Wur, ubelmb sul selohar rum hengro olimb, alpar ehortomb hengul rum umbur muswi gul wur. Urhe sul rum mon delisri ir ehortomb sul rum umbur ropa molmbatar engeglo.

“Embrom,” Drilsomb rum ma. “Ar roblis selohar im fangi gwadurumb leng rimbupar. So emb wan bosram ar wur?”

“Glan,” smalng rum rama. “Pin wan nar gwehar wur. Ri ren umbur elwemumb bling, pin de wirwem imo rondlemo momewer engombe.”

“Pa, gwadurumb umbur ebwarnd nodli were, so glan?” Malelm rum ma. “De fri ar, so emb mawu els wurle?”

“Ho bombwes,” smalng rum rama, “mwiwir bli umbur wodel. Gum pin rum mawu esumbla wermitwil ir, sumblarumb tarorung, pin mawu ebwarnd dolgwes nambatar. Gropar pin rum mawu ehobind elbwimb.”

“Li emb mawu ar wur, pin wan swimbe embó wirmwir delmbo molmban wonrul nu emb rum delnur surngung,” Drilsomb rum ma.

“Emb alfurd pin wurle,” smalng rum rama. “Pin wan mawu momewer ri safri!”

Gwéro pa gropar, ri smalng de rum wirwem im range ren, sriwir rum wiri webelndumb sulng! Drombo rum wiri, ri de brawo droler desri lipun.

“Digowawi! Ho hom sralng i bronebler!” Drilsomb rum ahon ir, gupar, Digowawi rum brawo norasin sefromban imo hom sralng olímbo engombe. Ewirund taro rum rehe olímbo ir broneberumb.

“Ho mawu rondle!” Drombo rum ahon ri de wiri sriwir embegu smalngumb ir gwéro, sal rum fangore im rehe.

“Smom emb rum bro ar?” Malelm rum robro Drombo.

“Egwating rum rati pin broneberó,” Drombo rum swimbe. “Swar ar wan nar gum?”

“Mardomó!” Drilsomb rum ma.

“Swar emb de wirwem?” Digowawi rum robro, ri els de rehe olimbó mardomó.

“Wirwemim,” Drilsomb rum ma.

Werngung els hengro olimb, Digowawi rum woma im bilfen erebon mulbwa imo neri bron. Gupar Drilsomb rum rondlobro rugwin drol sul. Lotúro sal rum bilu bwarnd ir rum wigro gur rugwinó, ri gur de rum warneng imbor mablin rondlesrilil.

“EHOBINDEMI MUNGE GWEHAR! PIN WAN BRAWIR ELWEM GUM!” smalng rum ahon, ri etor sul de alglamb defangore. Digowawi rum alfor erebon ri smalng de rum hom gul i olimbil ebrupar.

Ridwiri Drilsomb de rum driln esarmben libwar ri de brawo mungomb odrof nu Drombo rum bro mardomumb. Barsun rum aldeli samawer imo ruglin.

Smalng rum fangore im hom letohar ingó nung sal sarmbe erebon ir Digowawi olimbumb mardomó rimbupar! Gupar Drilsomb rum biwambu rugwin sul hifuró sralng.

“Gur umbur wirmi,” Drilsomb rum ma.

Smalng rum wiri hars. “Ombileni bli umbur muswi ruglin wur!” Pa, mome rum umbur rondlesri gwehar imo alfor wirm wumbo.

Smalng rum grosaf imbor ir, ubelmb rum rogro imo marfmo gur. Sal rum delnur wirmwir lohar, gwéro eretar ir, engremo sal rum mawu gur engombe.

“Swar umbur deln?” Drilsomb rum robro sal.

Smalng rum wiri simo wumbo ir fahi. “Deln umbur... blesilmbo. Bwarnd rum mon rondle gwehar surngung wore.”

“Pin swimbe momema le,” Drilsomb rum ma. “Pin wan nolo rugliner emb lohotar. Pin bro hengul le dermetar pa, emomema umbur wawindumb bling selohar.”

“Pin bomba wur swar emb rum nar imo wiri edeln delmbo gwehar,” smalng rum ma. “Rom, rom. Pin wan bosram ren.” Gwéro smalng rum bilu rugwin drol Drilslomb ir rum bilfen gur mardomó.

“Wonderó, bwarnd, alpar emb rum ango la smalng,” Malelm rum ma. “Eber ho fangore.”

“So ar bren sneltor rugwin flimbor bwarnd lipun?” Digowawi rum ma.

Gwéro, Drilsomb rum fandar smalng emomema blarnd taro nu sal umbel ir, smalng rum wiri dewimend imo mawu ehobind ebrupar lohar wore. Sal rum nolo edlol libwaril mardómo els lohotar, dlol desrilil nu Drombo rum bro mubohar, imo gelolind hengul wan brawo gur saló lohar wurle. Gwéro els rum ma ho fangore smalngó ir befnembiró, ri Malelm ma gur ebwarndó taroró lawu. Etaro rum bod eberumb imo bro holumrandom browi.

Gur bendo.

Drilsomb Meets a Dragon!

Listen, everyone, for I will now tell you a tale of Drilsomb, the legendary halfling hero. In this tale she will meet the most vicious monster in the world, a dreadful dragon! Even the larks sing this tale to their larklings in the nest, so pay attention and remember it well!

In Zelev times or even before, there lived a woman whose name was Drilsomb. She was very brave and wise, and a chef who surpassed anyone in the world. On her coming-of-age journey she was traveling with three companions: Digowawi, the tallest man of all, who stood seven steps (about 5 feet) high from head to toe; Drombo, a wonderfully short and sneaky man whom even the elves could not detect; and finally, Malelm, an incredibly kind and humble woman who could speak with animals and wild plants as well as she could with people. The four of them were a team of bosom companions that the goblins themselves could not disband.

One day they came to a dark and smelly swamp. The companions had a discussion so as to decide where to go from here.

“We have nothing to fear,” Digowawi declared. “If any monsters try to attack us, my strong hands will hurl them all away!”

“One should act with kindness even toward the savage beasts of the swamp,” Malelm said. “We should not hurl anybody without a reason.”

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Drombo said. “It'll be really difficult to sneak around in that swamp because of the muddy ground. We should avoid this fearful place.”

“No,” Drilsomb said. “We can't avoid it, because to the west of it humans are preparing to go to war, and to the east of it is a tall cliff over the sea.” The others shuddered as she said so, for they understood that the “sea” was a lake more vast than the entire Patchwork, with water that was salty like tears. “We have no choice but to continue through here.”

So it was that the others saw the wisdom of Drilsomb's words and they all continued into the swamp.

While they were traveling, many ducks gathered around the adventuring party crying, “Quack! Quack!” Having heard this, Malelm replied, “Quack! Quack!” After that, the flock immediately dispersed, still crying “Quack! Quack!”

“What did you say?” Drilsomb asked Malelm.

“I only asked them whether they would help us to avoid danger while we're traveling through their swamp,” Malelm explained. “They said yes.”

“Can you also ask them how to move about quietly in this dreadful mud?” Drombo said. “The sound of squishing is too loud.”

Soon the travelers reached a boulder. To its right and left were deep, wide rivers.

“I will lift that boulder as though it were a pebble!” Digowawi declared, and he walked over to it and seized it, carrying it easily. Then he hurled it into the river.

Water sprayed everywhere, SPLASSSSSH!

“Don't do that, Digowawi!” Drombo whispered. “You'll attract everything in the swamp that way!”

And as he said so, indeed, a huge black crocodile appeared from the deep waters. It was over forty steps long (about 30 feet) and had teeth of two steps (about a foot and a half). Then it tried to bite Digowawi!

Immediately Drilsomb grabbed a fish from the river with both her hands and hurled it into the beast's mouth. The crocodile stopped still, and Drilsomb continued, incredibly, to catch fish right there so as to feed the great hungry lizard.

“Ah, the poor fish,” Malelm said. “It means so much that you have helped us to befriend this creature. Go in peace.” Then she said to the crocodile, “We feel bad that we made such a commotion in your home. Could we work this out together?”

“No,” the crocodile said. “I'm grateful for the fish you've given me, but the dragon who lives in this swamp has commanded me to capture everyone who travels past his lair. I won't eat you, but I must bring you to my master now.”

And so they went away with the crocodile, but Drombo seemed to have disappeared.

Far beneath the swamp, in a vast cave lair, a black lizard was speaking with that dragon so as to inform him of the situation. “Intruders have appeared in your territory, O Master. They are all halflings, and the crocodile is bringing them to us now.”

The great dragon smiled, showing his awful teeth. “Wonderful.” (lit. delicious)

Meanwhile, the crocodile was leading Drilsomb, Digowawi and Malelm through a great dark tunnel beneath the earth. At last they came to a cave in which there was a magnificent treasure hoard of much gold, jewels, and magic items.

“Oh! Such treasures!” Digowawi said. At that, the crocodile laughed coldly. “More treasures than you could carry, especially through a swamp while a dragon is hunting you. You should abandon any plans you might have!”

And so he led them away from the treasure hoard to another room where there were only rocks, and, blocking the exit with his body, went to sleep.

“What should we do, Drilsomb?” Digowawi said. “Drombo has disappeared, and there are no animals here that Malelm could ask to help us. What should we do?”

“I'll think about it,” Drilsomb replied.

And yet, soon enough, the time had arrived for the dragon to come and meet them, and Drilsomb had still not solved the problem.

“A pleasure to meet you! Oh, how fascinating!” (lit. Oh, how good-tasting in a new and interesting way!) the dragon said, entering the room. No, only his head entered the room, for the rest of his body wouldn't fit. His breath smelled revolting and his body was black like tar.

“Hello,” Drilsomb said. “We only wish to pass through your swamp. Will you not release us?”

“Correct,” the dragon answered. “I will not do any such thing. While you are here, I plan to thoroughly enjoy the situation.” (but lit.: While you are on my plate, I am cooking in order to enjoy eating this meal completely.)

“But there are many fish in the swamp that are delicious (in a comfortable and familiar way), aren't there?” Malelm said. “Rather than us, couldn't you eat them?”

“Look,” the dragon replied, “my life is tedious (lit. tasteless). I have lived for (lit. eaten) a thousand years, and every year, I eat that many boring fish. But I have never eaten a single halfling.”

“If you don't eat us, I will show you a new and delicious dish like nothing you have ever tasted before,” Drilsomb said.

“You can't fool me,” the dragon replied. “I will strike while the iron is hot!” (lit. I will eat this meal while it's hot)

But then, as the dragon was preparing to devour them, a flash of light appeared in its face! Drombo appeared, wielding some sort of shining magical item.

“Digowawi! Push the dragon into the tunnel!” Drilsomb shouted, and immediately, Digowawi used his legendary strength to push the dragon out of the room altogether. All the traveling companions ran out of the room and through the tunnel.

“Have a nice day!” (lit. Eat something delicious!) Drombo yelled as he produced another flash of light around the dragon, and then he continued running.

“How did you find us?” Malelm asked Drombo.

“The ducks led me to the tunnel,” Drombo explained. “What are we going to do now?”

“To the treasure hoard!” Drilsomb said.

“What are you planning (lit. cooking)?” Digowawi asked, as they ran toward the treasure room.

“Cookery,” Drilsomb said.

After they had entered the room, Digowawi began to carry nearby boulders so as to block the entrance. Immediately Drilsomb pulled out her magical cooking pot. From her backpack she took a fish and put it into the pot, while it filled itself with delicious-smelling broth.

“SUCH DIFFICULT (lit. crunchy) LITTLE HALFLINGS! NOW I SHALL FINISH THIS! (lit. Now I will clean the plate!)” the dragon shouted, and the sound of its voice drew closer and closer. Digowawi held the boulders still as the dragon tried to push them into the room.

Meanwhile Drilsomb was crushing some gems, using a magical hammer that Drombo had found in the dragon hoard. She sprinkled the powder into the pot.

The dragon kept pushing forcefully until he hurled the boulders and Digowawi clear across the room and into the hoard! Immediately Drilsomb lifted her pot to the dragon's nose.

“It's ready,” Drilsomb said.

The dragon snarled. “My hunger knows no bounds!” (lit. My hunger does not fit in a pot!) But the meal smelled so good that it stopped the great beast in his tracks.

The dragon hesitated, and lowered his head to have a taste of it. He tasted the dish again, then a third time, and soon he had eaten it completely.

“How's it taste?” Drilsomb asked him.

The dragon let out a great, long sigh. “It tastes... delicious. Fish have never tasted this good before.”

“I can show you the recipe,” Drilsomb said. “I'll even give you this cooking pot. I can surely find another, but the recipes are only in my mind (lit. stomach).”

“I don't understand what you did to make the flavors so new and delicious,” the dragon said. “Fine, fine. I'll let you go.” Thereupon the dragon took Drilsomb's magic cooking pot and carried it to the hoard.

“Thank you, fish, for you have saved us from the dragon,” Malelm said. “Farewell.”

“Shouldn't we miss the cooking pot more than some fish?” Digowawi said.

And so, Drilsomb taught the dragon all the fish recipes she knew, and the dragon made a promise never to try to eat halflings again. He even gave them a few magic items from the hoard, notably the shining magic item that Drombo had found, so that another invader wouldn't be able to use it against him again. And so they all said goodbye to the dragon and the crocodile (and Malelm said it to all the fish as well). They all set out on the road to find a new adventure.

The end.

Translation with Gloss

(in progress!)

In the glosses below I use the abbreviations GER1 and GER2 to handle Tallfellow's two gerunds. GER1 refers to the practice gerund (warel brawom), which turns a verb into a noun that describes a general action or practice, e.g. "I hate flying". GER2 refers to the event gerund (warel wirim), which describes a specific instance of an action, as in "I missed my flight".

Drilsomb	remendi	smalng-er
Drilsomb	meet	dragon-PROX

"Drilsomb meets a dragon!"

ho	bombwes	e-taro	alpar	pin	wan	ma	ren-ó	gum	boln	Drils<l>omb	frono	hobind	sefromban
IMP	pay_attention	PL-all	because	1SG	FUT	say	2PL-ALL	now	tale	Drilsomb<GEN>	hero	halfling	legendary

"Listen, everyone, for I will now tell you a tale of Drilsomb, the legendary halfling hero."

boln-er-umb	sal	wan	remendi	wirm	daru	flimbor	e-taro	dombelos-umb	smalng-er	lohon
tale-PROX-LOC	3SG.AN	FUT	meet	monster	vicious	exceed	PL-all	world-LOC	dragon-PROX	dreadful

"In this tale she will meet the most vicious monster in the world, a dreadful dragon!"

e-borng	lawu	sefro	boln-er	broraf-umb	e-borng-emi-ró	gwéro	ho	bombwes	ir	ho	mosne	ropar
PL-lark	also	sing	tale-PROX	plains_nest-LOC	PL-lark-DIM-ALL	thus	IMP	listen	and	IMP	remember	good.ADV

"Even the larks sing this tale to their larklings in the nest, so pay attention and remember it well!"

ing-umb	Selemb-umb	mo	surngung	lohotar	barsun-er	rum	mwir	ir	warel	sul	rum	umbur	Drilsomb
time-LOC	Zelev-LOC	XOR	before	dreadful.ADV	woman-PROX	PST	live	and	name	3SGP.AN	PST	be	Drilsomb

"In Zelev times or even before, there lived a woman whose name was Drilsomb."

sal	rum	umbur	grohegar	ir	bomb	wumbo-har	ir	robi	nu	flimbor	hobind	lipun	dombelos-umb
3SG.AN	PST	be	brave	and	wise	great-ADV	and	chef	that	surpass	person	any	world-LOC

"She was very brave and wise, and a chef who surpassed anyone in the world."

mow-eber-umb	sal	de	rum	fangi	e-wirund-umb	erend-ung
eat-road-LOC	3SG.AN	PROG	PST	travel	PL-travel_companion-LOC	three-LOC

"On her coming-of-age journey she was traveling with three companions:"

Digowawi	tori	wumbo	flimbor	e-taro	n<r>u	ubelmb	rum	or	e-sombir-umb	fiti-rung	roní-ro
Digowawi	man	tall	surpass	PL-all	that<GEN>	head	PST	stay	PL-step-LOC	seven-LOC	ground-ABL

"Digowawi, the tallest man of all, who stood seven steps (about 5 feet) high from head to toe;"

Drombo	tori	dundi	blesilmbo-har	nu	er-eldro	lohotar	brande	wur-le
Drombo	man	sneaky_little	wonderful-ADV	that	PL-elf	dreadful.ADV	perceive	NEG-can

"Drombo, a wonderfully short and sneaky man whom even the elves could not detect;"

rawar	Malelm	barsun	erma	ir	fribori	lohotar	nu	nar	e-bobund	ir	er-elmal	le	wera	molmbatar	e-hob<l>ind
last.ADV	Malelm	woman	kind	and	humble	dreadful.ADV	that	talk_with	PL-animal	and	PL-wild_plant	can	both	similar.ADV	PL-person<GEN>

"And finally, Malelm, an incredibly kind and humble woman who could speak with animals and wild plants as well as she could with people."

onda-wer	rum	umbur	hoblibwa	nu	e-gabran	lawu	alf-rawi	wur-le
four-PROX	PST	be	party	that	PL-goblin	also	make-parted	NEG-can

"The four of them were a team of bosom companions that the goblins themselves could not disband."

wel-er-umb	els	rum	bro	gwadu	ropa	ir	regi
day-PROX-LOC	3PL	PST	reach	swamp	dark	and	smelly

"One day they came to a dark and smelly swamp."

e-wirund	rum	wiri	mem	imo	soblu	swol-ó	els	bren	fangi	ing-ér-o
PL-travel_companion	PST	make_happen	discussion	so_as_to	choose	where-ALL	3PL.AN	should	go	time-PROX-ABL

"The companions had a discussion so as to decide where to go from here."

ar	bren	ismend-o	wonul-umb	Digowawi	rum	matro
1PL	should	afraid-go_about	nothing-LOC	Digowawi	PST	declare

"'We have nothing to fear,' Digowawi declared."

li	e-wirm	lipun	tabi	ar	ebrupar	e-bomi	leto	bli	wan	sarmbe	guró	e-taro
if	PL-monster	any	fight	1PL	try_to	PL-hand	strong	1SGP	FUT	hurl	away	PL-all

"'If any monsters try to attack us, my strong hands will hurl them all away!'"

hobind	bren	erma-mo	e-wirm-umb	daru-rung	gwadú-ro	lawu	Malelm	rum	ma
person	should	kind-go_about	PL-monster-LOC	fierce-LOC	swamp-ABL	even	Malelm	PST	say

"'One should act with kindness even toward the savage beasts of the swamp,' Malelm said."

ar	bren	sarmbe	swobind	ri	gor	malflir
1PL	should	hurl	nobody	while	lacking	reason.GEN

"'We should not hurl anybody without a reason.'"

mome-wer	umbur	dalgo-sri	Drombo	rum	ma
meal-PROX	be	bad_taste-smelling	Drombo	PST	say

"I have a bad feeling about this," Drombo said.

gwadu-rum-umb	im	wond-lom	wan	umbur	munge	wumbo-har	iro	fer	ronan
swamp-DIST-LOC	INF	stealth-use	FUT	be	difficult	great.ADV	due_to	surface	mud

"'It'll be really difficult to sneak around in that swamp because of the muddy ground.'"

ar	bren	flembi	hol-er	ismetri
1PL	should	avoid	place-PROX	fear.smelling

"'We should avoid this fearful place.'"

wur	Drilsomb	rum	ma
no	Drilsomb	PST	say

"'No,' Drilsomb said."

ar	flembi	gur	wur-le	alpar	welbend	gul	umbur	e-wumbund	u	de	wirwem	endargin	ir	lewa-mb	gul	umbur	undoni	ba-mb	res<l>en
we	avoid	3SG.INAN	NEG-can	because	west.LOC	its.INAN	be	PL-human	that	PROG	prepare	war	and	east-LOC	its.INAN	be	cliff	top-LOC	sea<GEN>

"'We can't avoid it, because to the west of it humans are preparing to go to war, and to the east of it is a tall cliff over the sea.'"

e-hengul	de	rum	himbri-mo	werngung	sal	ma	gwehar	alpar	els	rum	bomba	resen	umbur	resmi	dadris	flimbor	Elmbumbi	engombon	nu-ng	umbur	baban	samo	molmbatar	bang<l>il
PL-other	PROG	PST	cold-go_about	after	3SG.AN	say	this_way	because	3PL.AN	PST	understand	sea	be	lake	huge	surpass	the_Patchwork	entire	that-LOC	be	water	salt	similar.ADV	tears<GEN>

"The others shuddered as she said so, for they understood that the 'sea' was a lake more vast than the entire Patchwork, with water that was salty like tears."

im	fangore	hol-er-umb	umbur	gapwor	la
INF	continue	place-PROX-LOC	be	necessary	1PLP

"'We have no choice but to continue through here.'"

gwéro	e-hengul	rum	bomba	bobur	e-warní-ro	Drils<l>omb	ir	e-taro	rum	fangore	gwadu-ró
thus	PL-other	PST	see	wisdom	PL-word-ABL	Drilsomb<GEN>	and	PL-all	PST	continue	swamp-ALL

"So it was that the others saw the wisdom of Drilsomb's words and they all continued into the swamp."

ri	de	fangi	e-gwating	were	de	rum	momito	hoblibwa-rumb	ri	de	ahon	gwa	gwa
while	PROG	travel	PL-duck	many	PROG	PST	gather	party-LOC	while	PROG	shout	quack	quack

"While they were traveling, many ducks gathered around the adventuring party crying 'Quack! Quack!'"

werngung	wesi-wir	Malelm	rum	ra-ma	gwa	gwa
after	hear-GER2	Malelm	PST	back-say	quack	quack

"Having heard this, Malelm replied, 'Quack! Quack!'"

ir	gwéro	iglibwa	rum	wibambe	gupar	ri	de	fangore	im	ahon	gwa	gwa
and	then	flock_of_birds	PST	disperse	current.ADV	while	PROG	continue	INF	shout	quack	quack

"After that, the flock immediately dispersed, still crying 'Quack! Quack!'"

swar	emb	rum	ma	Drilsomb	rum	robro	Malelm
what	2SG	PST	say	Drilsomb	PST	ask	Malelm

"'What did you say?' Drilsomb asked Malelm."

pin	rum	robro	els	selo-har	so	ren	wan	orno	ar	imo	flembi	bilfungim	ri	ar	de	fangi	gwadu-rumb	ler-ng	Malelm	rum	swimbe
1SG	PST	ask	3PL.AN	only-ADV	Q	2PL	FUT	help	1PL	so_as_to	avoid	threaten.GER1	while	1PL	PROG	travel	swamp-LOC	2PLP-LOC	Malelm	PST	explain

"'I only asked them whether they would help us avoid danger while we're traveling through their swamp,' Malelm explained."

els	rum	ma	glan
3PL.AN	PST	say	yes

"'They said yes.'"

so	emb	wan	robro	els	lawu	smom	ar	sufwi-mo	ronan-er-umb	lohon-ung	le	Drombo	rum	ma
Q	2SG	FUT	ask	3PL.AN	also	how	1PL	quiet-go_about	mud-PROX-LOC	dreadful-LOC	can	Drombo	PST	say

"'Can you also ask them how to move about quietly in this dreadful mud?' Drombo said."

sefe	ri	de	engormbe	umbur	sefon	ombeg
sound	while	PROG	squish	be	loud	too_much

"'The sound of squishing is too loud.'"

engremo	e-wirund	rum	bro	ebon
soon	PL-traveler	PST	reach	boulder

"Soon the travelers reached a boulder."

gle-mb	ir	bri-mb	rum	umbur	e-blun	rowemb	ir	befamur
right-LOC	and	left-LOC	PST	be	PL-river	deep	and	broad

"To its right and left were deep, wide rivers."

pin	wan	biwambu	ebon-um	molmbatar	sarm-em<r>i	Digowawi	rum	matro	ir	sal	rum	sombi	gur-ó	ir	rum	lobum	gur	imo	bilfen	gur	haher-a
1SG	FUT	lift	boulder-DIST	similar.ADV	rock-DIM<GEN>	Digowawi	PST	declare	and	3SG.AN	PST	walk	3SG.INAN-ALL	and	PST	seize	3SG.INAN	so_as_to	carry	3SG.INAN	easy-ADV

"'I will lift that boulder as though it were a pebble!' Digowawi declared, and he walked over to it and seized it, carrying it easily."

gwéro	sal	rum	sarmbe	gur	blun-ó
then	3SG.AN	PST	hurl	3SG.INAN	river-ALL

"Then he hurled it into the river."

baban	rum	mon	alfeldo	holtro	pos
water	PST	PASS	make.rain	everywhere	splash

"Water sprayed everywhere, SPLASSSSSH!"

ho	wur	Digowawi	Drombo	rum	glato
IMP	NEG	Digowawi	Drombo	PST	whisper

"'Don't do that, Digowawi!' Drombo whispered."

emb	wan	hora	e-taro	gwadu-rumb	gwehar
2SG	FUT	call	PL-all	swamp-LOC	this_way

"'You'll attract everything in the swamp that way!'"

ir	ri	sal	de	rum	ma	gwehar	nambatar	befnembi	ropa	dadris	rum	wiri	rowémb-o
and	while	3SG.ANIM	PROG	PST	say	this_way	same.ADV	crocodile	black	huge	PST	appear	deep-ABL

"And as he said so, indeed, a huge black crocodile appeared from the deep waters."

famur-leni	sul	rum	flimbor	e-sombir	ongra	ir	mond-emi	sál-o	rum	umbur	e-sombir	wera
long-ness	3SGP.AN	PST	exceed	PL-step	forty	and	teeth-DIM	3SG.AN-ABL	PST	be	PL-step	two

"It was over forty steps long (about 30 feet) and had teeth of two steps (about 1.5 feet)."

ing-er-umb	sal	rum	rambi	Digowawi	ebrupar
time-PROX-LOC	3SG.AN	FUT	bite	Digowawi	try_to

"Then it tried to bite Digowawi!"

gupar	Drilsomb	rum	prigle	bwarnd	blún-o	ir	sarmbe	gapwo-ró	lirm
immediate.ADV	Drilsomb	PST	grab_in_both_hands	fish	river-ABL	and	hurl	mouth-ALL	monster.GEN

"Immediately Drilsomb grabbed a fish from the river with both her hands and hurled it into the beast's mouth."

befnembi	rum	or	ir	Drilsomb	rum	fangore	im	brobwar	hol-um-umb	lohotar	imo	noma	fnendwen	wumbo	ombi
crocodile	PST	halt	and	Drilsomb	PST	continue	INF	catch_fish	place-DIST-LOC	dreadful.ADV	so_as_to	feed	lizard	great	hungry

"The crocodile stopped still, and Drilsomb continued, incredibly, to catch fish right there so as to feed the great hungry lizard."

hu	e-bwarnd	sildo	Malelm	rum	ma
ah	PL-fish	sad	Malelm	PST	say

"'Ah, the poor fish,' Malelm said."

wonde-ró	ren	rum	orno	ar	imo	alf-meri	bobund-er	ho	fangi	ropar
heart-ALL	2PL	PST	help	1PL	so_as_to	make-friend	creature-PROX	IMP	go	good.ADV

"'It means so much that you have helped us to befriend this creature. Go in peace.'"

gwéro	sal	rum	ma	befnembi-ró	ar	de	sildo-mo	alpar	ar	rum	hi-furd	bagin-umb	le-ng
then	3SG.AN	PST	say	crocodile-ALL	1PL	PROG	sad-go_about	because	1PL	PST	act_like-fool	home-LOC	2SGP-LOC

"Then she said to the crocodile, 'We feel bad that we made such a commotion in your home.'"

so	ar	morten	gur	awe	le
Q	1PL	heal	3SG.INAN	together	can

"Could we work this out together?"

wur	befnembi	rum	ma
no	crocodile	PST	say

"'No,' the crocodile said."

emb	rum	nolo	e-blarnd-er	pin	wonde-har	pa	smalng-er	nu	samwi	gwadu-wer-rumb	rum	bilfa	pin	imo	bilam	e-taro	nu	fangi	rugwen-umb	sul-ng	ol-ar
2SG	PST	give	PL-fish.INS-PROX	1SG	heart-ADV	but	dragon-PROX	who	dwell	swamp-PROX-LOC	PST	command	1SG	so_as_to	capture	PL-all	who	travel	forest_lair-LOC	3SGP.AN-LOC	outside-ADV

"'I'm grateful for the fish you've given me, but the dragon who lives in this swamp has commanded me to capture everyone who travels past his lair.'"

pin	wan	mawu	ren	wur	pa	im	bilfen	ren	sogirm-ó	bli-ró	umbur	gapwor	gum
1SG	FUT	eat	2PL	NEG	but	INF	bring	2PL	master-ALL	1SGP-ALL	be	necessary	now

"'I won't eat you, but I must bring you to my master now.'"

gwéro	els	rum	fangi	guró	befnembi-rumb	pa	Drombo	rum	reli	momalar
thus	3PL.AN	PST	go	away	crocodile-LOC	but	Drombo	PST	vanish	apparently

"And so they went away with the crocodile, but Drombo seemed to have disappeared."

gro-mb	gwad<l>u	fung	bromwund-umb	rugwen-ung	dadris-ung	fnendwen	ropa	de	rum	nar	smalng-um	imo	maslo	mom<r>e	sal
bottom-LOC	swamp<GEN>	far	cave-LOC	forest_lair-LOC	vast-LOC	lizard	black	PROG	PST	talk_with	dragon-DIST	so_as_to	inform	situation<GEN>	3SG.ANIM

"Far beneath the swamp, in a vast cave lair, a black lizard was speaking with that dragon so as to inform him of the situation."

e-gelolind	rum	wiri	snosri-rumb	le-ng	gum	er	fahend
PL-intruder	PST	appear	territory-LOC	2SGP-LOC	now	O	master

"'Intruders have appeared in your territory, O Master.'"

e-taro	umbur	e-hobind	ir	befnembi-rum	de	bilfen	els	ar-ó	gum
PL-all	be	PL-halfling	and	crocodile-DIST	PROG	bring	3PL.AN	1PL-ALL	now

"'They are all halflings, and the crocodile is bringing them to us now.'"

smalng-um	wumbo	rum	mamblo	ri	de	malwir	mond	lohon	rondle
dragon-DIST	great	PST	smile	while	PROG	display	teeth	awful	delicious

"The great dragon smiled, showing his awful teeth. 'Wonderful.' (lit. delicious)"

(The dragon in this tale speaks almost entirely in food-based puns, taking advantage of Tallfellow's extensive system of food metaphor to suggest his intentions. The effect doesn't translate easily to English.)

ridwiri	befnembi	rum	rati	Drilsomb	Digowawi	ir	Malelm	broneber-umb	wumbo-rung	ropa-rung	gro-mb	ron<r>i
meanwhile	crocodile	PST	lead	Drilsomb	Digowawi	and	Malelm	tunnel-LOC	great-LOC	dark-LOC	bottom-LOC	earth<GEN>

"Meanwhile, the crocodile was leading Drilsomb, Digowawi, and Malelm through a great dark tunnel beneath the earth."

rawar	els	rum	hengi	bromwund-ó	u-ng	umbur	mardom	wumbemon	u-ng	umbur	henda	e-sarmben	ir	e-drol	were
final.ADV	3PL.AN	PST	come	cave-ALL	that-LOC	be	treasure_hoard	magnificent	that-LOC	be	money	PL-jewel	and	PL-magic_item	much

"At last they came to a cave in which there was a magnificent treasure hoard of much gold, jewels, and magic items."

hu	e-smigal	gwehar	Digowawi	rum	ma
oh	PL-treasure	this_way	Digowawi	PST	say

"'Oh! Such treasures!' Digowawi said."

gwéro	befnembi	rum	engi	belgo-har
then	crocodile	PST	laugh	cruel-ADV

"At that, the crocodile laughed coldly."

e-smigal	were	flimbor	im	bilfen	gwadu-rumb	mubo-har	ri	smalng	de	endwemon	ren
PL-treasure	many	exceed	INF	carry	swamp-LOC	noteworthy-ADV	while	dragon	PROG	hunt	2PL

"'More treasures than you could carry, especially through a swamp while a dragon is hunting you.'"

emb	bren	rel	im	borbon	momema	lipun
2SG	should	cease	INF	prepare	plan	any

"'You should abandon any plans you might have!'"

gwéro	sal	rum	rati	els	mardóm-o	olimb-ó	hengul-ó	u-ng	umbur	e-sarm	selo-har	ir	weral-mban	bron-umb	rum	woma	im	suti
thus	3SG.AN	PST	lead	3PL.AN	treasure_hoard-ABL	room-ALL	other-ALL	that-LOC	be	PL-rock	only-ADV	and	thicket-like	door-LOC	PST	begin	INF	sleep

"And so he led them away from the treasure hoard to another room where there were only rocks, and, blocking the exit with his body, went to sleep."

swar	ar	bren	nar	Drilsomb	Digowawi	rum	ma
what	1PL	should	do	Drilsomb	Digowawi	PST	say

"'What should we do, Drilsomb?' Digowawi said."

Drombo	rum	reli	ir	hol-er-umb	umbur	e-bobund	elbwimb	u	Malelm	robro	le	imo	orno	ar	swar	ar	bren	nar
Drombo	PST	vanish	and	place-PROX-LOC	be	PL-animal	none	that	Malelm	ask	can	so_as_to	help	1PL	what	1PL	should	do

"'Drombo has disappeared, and there are no animals here that Malelem could ask to help us. What should we do?'"

pin	wan	mosne	Drilsomb	rum	ra-ma
1SG	FUT	consider	Drilsomb	PST	back-say

"'I'll think about it,' Drilsomb replied."

engremo	pa	gropar	ing	u-ng	smalng	wan	hengi	imo	remendi	els	rum	ronir	elwem-umb	sle-ng	ir	Drilsomb	rum	morten	ungi	gwere	wur
soon	but	nevertheless	time	when	dragon	FUT	come	so_as_to	meet	3PL.AN	PST	land	plate-LOC	their-LOC	and	Drilsomb	PST	heal	wound	still	NEG

"And yet, soon enough, the time had arrived for the dragon to come and meet them, and Drilsomb had still not solved the problem."