The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

[PTSnoop]

135. Anʉ, nia peluáratsai tsataphánlaun, nia koz tsatapháman etø?
[ ʔány, njá pelwáʁatsaj tsatapʰánlawn, nja koʃ tsatapʰáman ʔétø ? ]
a-nʉ, nia peluár-thsai tsata-phán-lau-n, nia koz tsata-phán-má-n e-tø?
TOPIC-such, or only-from speak-PREVTOPIC-2SG-BAD, or 2SG speak-PREVTOPIC-3PL-BAD ADJ-1SG?
Do you say this on your own or have others said this to you about me?

136. Anga pain, nøkhaun fnóle khaipsi ui cauaungakén khakh, nʉzáie phan.
[ ʔáŋa pájn, nǿkʰawn fnóle kʰájpsi wí xawawŋakén kʰakʰ, nyʃáje pʰan . ]
a-nga páin, nøkhaun fnól-e khaiphsi ui cauau-nga-ké-n khákh, nʉ-zá-ie phán .
TOPIC-3 war, shoe horse-GEN one INDEF leave-3-SUBJ-BAD become, such-seem-because PREVTOPIC.
The war seems to have been caused by just one horse's shoe having fallen off.

[Lao Kou]

136. Chü gadaks lé cha ekönsab saukhvürwazölönab vaçka söi skatsöis síretöis öiü böb kíkfeth verözh.
DEF war-NOM AUX.PAST DEF horseshoe-POST drop.PresPrfPTPL-POST because.of INDEF horse-GEN one-GEN only AdADJ PTCL-PresPRFCausPASS start seem.to.be
The war seems to have been caused by just one horse's shoe having fallen off.

137. Shtanö chü zhameks lí semethauth, kfö lí, gü trízh la shahöchensat ftelönat sfa'u höikalaf sho, néçaf sho, öçek la, gü sük lí sö kawabsöt zhö sa zçansat hülekwen sho, hürönjöth.
when DEF waitron-NOM AUX.FUT come.back, and AUX.FUT, CONJ 1DUAL-NOM AUX.PRES something-ACC other-ACC still would.like-DISC PTCL, ask PTCL, 2SG-NOM AUX.PRES, CONJ 3SG-NOM AUX.FUT INDEF coffee-ACC and INDEF cake-ACC bring-IMPER PTCL, tell-IMPER
When the waitron comes back and asks if we'd like anything else, tell them to bring some coffee and cake.

[PTSnoop]

137. Anʉlıph khorathe, nia mutháken, muphʉzmʉlıph, nʉia, foth muzaromiu raláthia foth ecáf mianopháph.
[ ánylɨpʰ kʰóʁatʰe, nja mutʰáken, múpʰyʃmylɨpʰ, nýja, fotʰ múʃaʁomju ʁalɛ́tʰja fotʰ ʔexáf mjanopʰápʰ . ]
á-nʉ-no-ph khorthe, nia mu-thá-ké-n, muphʉz-nʉ-no-ph, nʉ-ia, foth múzrommiu rláthia foth e-cáf mie-no-phá-ph.
return-FUT-3SG-GOOD waiter, or want-1PL-SUBJ-BAD, ask-such-3SG-GOOD, such-TEMP, list coffee cake list ADJ-some carry-3SG-IMP-GOOD.
When the waitron comes back and asks if we'd like anything else, tell them to bring some coffee and cake.

138. Iuflaphutføképh maucná ekhus paiinilará, nʉ liklenatøiun riam.
[ juflapʰutføképʰ mawxná ʔékʰus pajinilaʁá, ny líklenatøjun ʁjam . ]
iuflaphuf-tø-ké-ph máu-cná e-khus pait-nil-rá, nʉ li-khlena-tø-iu-n riám.
find-1SG-SUBJ-GOOD type-shell ADJ-every beach-entire-LOC, such try-stop-1SG-OPT-BAD plausible.
I should probably stop trying to find every type of shell on the beach.

[Lao Kou]

138. Sí la höi sök chekengebsöch sí kabílsín fanfurölín cha zhefüdönsav híau ba zvaun che jebethset ba balaf gvuzukhala'u haudaikh.
1SG-NOM AUX.PRES PTCL INDEF.PL shell-ACC.PL INDEF type-INSTR each.and.every-INSTR DEF beach-LOC all-ADV PTCL find DEF trying-ACC PTCL stop be.probable.PresPTPL-ADV should-SPEC
I should probably stop trying to find every type of shell on the beach.

139. Íöhans lé, gü chak vürinsach síluthalönach chöik sékletsöing, shtanö rhöit la chak ürönsach tail sho, chau telalörs lan sanat höi sfalöken ífa'u höinöi sho, ngamath.
John-NOM AUX.PAST, CONJ DEF.PL face-ACC.PL smile.PresPTPL-ACC.PL DEF.PL child-GEN.PL, when 3PL-NOM AUX.PRES DEF.PL present-ACC.PL open PTCL, DEF see.PresGER-NOM AUX.PRESCAUS 3SG-ACC PTCL happy-NOM also be-DISC PTCL, say
John said that seeing the smiling faces of children when they open their presents makes him happy as well.

[PTSnoop]

139. Ano tzon, khanai iø i iúungakeph phesnóf fuiørı nʉia rafsuiøph nʉ nølıph, nʉia rasnoph nʉp, tsatanol.
[ ʔáno tʃon, kʰánaj jø ʔi jú:ŋakepʰ pʰesnóf fújɔʁɨ nyjá ʁáfsujɔpʰ ny nølɨpʰ, nýja ʁásnopʰ nyp, tsátanol. ]
a-no Tzon, khánai iø i iukh-má-ké-ph phensóf fuiø-e nʉ-ia ras-fuiø-ph nʉ nø-no-ph, nʉ-ia ras-no-ph tnʉp, tsata-no-l.
TOPIC-3SG John, child PL IRRELEV unwrap-3PL-SUBJ-GOOD gift 3PL-GEN such-TEMP smile-3PL-GOOD such see-3SG-GOOD, such-TEMP smile-3SG-GOOD also, speak-3SG-TOPICGOOD.
John said that seeing the smiling faces of children when they open their presents makes him happy as well.

140. Foth khefin laura foth fefngiklomáph ngóonai.
[ fótʰ kʰɪfín láwʁa fotʰ fefŋiklomápʰ ŋó:naj . ]
foth Khefin Laura foth féng-filko-má-ph ngóth-nái.
list Kevin Laura list brother-sister-3PL-GOOD other-REFLEX.
Kevin and Laura are brother and sister.

[Lao Kou]

140. Kevins zhö Laurs lü síl zbwafölsízh nöi.
Kevin-NOM and Laura-NOM AUX.TRANSC INDEF.DUAL sibling-NOM.DUAL be
Kevin and Laura are brother and sister.

141. Sí la, gü Zheshketh Héperans cha lé Römbelek Gaékhfersaut chau chau zhlöparsaun cha rhínsav cha sebutfínsav chí mnesekfélsív haunggavökh sho, övaz.
[si la, gy ʒɛʃkɛθ hepɛɾɑ̃s tʃa le ɾømbɛlɛk ga.exfɛɾsɔt tʃɔ tʃɔ ʒløpaɾsɔn tʃa Xĩsav tʃa sɛbutfĩsav tʃi mnɛsɛfelsiv hɔŋgavøx ʃo, øvaz]
1SG-NOM AUX.PRES, CONJ purple professor-NOM DEF AUX.PAST yellow colonel-ACC DEF DEF rope-INSTR DEF afternoon-LOC DEF fourth.one-LOC DEF library-LOC kill-SPEC PTCL, think
I think Teacher Purple killed Soldier Yellow in the library at four o'clock in the afternoon with the rope.

[PTSnoop]

141. Phʉrunlo Eløslo lizará nuazuamia ficia ta luatsuáno Fian Epáintua, nʉ nuáathøn.
[ pʰýʁunlo ʔéløslo liʃaʁá nwáʃwɛmja fíxja ta lwatswáno fjan ʔepájntwa, ny nwá:tʰøn. ]
phʉrulno e-løslo liz-rá nuázuam-ia fic-ia ta luas-tuá-no-n fian e-páintua, nʉ nuath-tø-n.
Purple ADJ-teach library-LOC afternoon-TEMP hour-TEMP four kill-rope-3SG-BAD Yellow ADJ-soldier, such think-1SG-BAD.

I think Teacher Purple killed Soldier Yellow in the library at four o'clock in the afternoon with the rope.

142. Nez ileiiáanʉmakléph, nez kia iuflaphutføph.
[ néʃ ʔilɪijá:nymaklépʰ, neʃ kja júflapʰutføpʰ . ]
nez ileiiap-nʉ-mal-ké-ph, nez kie iuflaphuf-tø-ph.
ifthen method-such-0-SUBJ-GOOD, ifthen NEG find-1SG-GOOD.
If there's a better way of doing that, I haven't found it.

[Lao Kou]

142. Che hereçkethset sü dravnathbdönöks zçalíkfoshkök íe la haumiçnakh sho, fí lö füdüt sfa'u hezvaun.
DEF that-ACC INDEF do.method-NOM good-NOM more-AdADJ AUX.PRES there.be-SPEC PTCL, 1SG-NOM.NEG AUX.PresPRF 3SG-ACC.NEG still find-CONCL
If there's a better way of doing that, I haven't found it.

143. Ve hereçkegs lü, gü seth lav höitloraz ar'hetaum höibzuréth sho, arkfö gü seth lav chí íönselsít cheveçö höidravnath sho, brin.
DEF.NEG that-NOM.NEG AUX.TRANSC, CONJ 3SG-NOM AUX.PRES.IMPERS win-DISC or lose-DISC PTCL, but 3SG-NOM AUX.PRES.IMPERS DEF game-ACC how do-DISC PTCL, be.important
It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game.

[PTSnoop]

143. Nia phetøph nia usainuʉtøn nʉ kia paungan, poph iiclauph ileiiap nauslauph paungac.
[ nja pʰétøpʰ nja ʔúsajnwytøn ny kja páwŋan, popʰ jíxlawpʰ ʔilɪjíap náwslawpʰ páwŋax . ]
nia phe-tø-ph nia usainuʉ-tø-n nʉ kie pau-nga-n, póph iic-lau-ph ileiiap naus-lau-ph pau-nga-c .
or win-1SG-GOOD or lose-1SG-BAD such NEG big-3-BAD, but game play-2SG-GOOD method take-2SG-GOOD big-3-RELGOOD.
It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game.

144. Ano inaunte, nia phamalph, kléemuanorøph uempørapsap pørúzmaképh nʉ rokléfonol.
[ ʔáno ʔínawnte, nja pʰámalpʰ, klé:mwanoʁøpʰ wémpøʁapsap pøʁúʃmaképʰ ny ʁokléfonol . ]
a-no inaumte, nia phán-mal-ph, khleth-mua-no-rø-ph uémpørphsap pøcrúz-nga-ké-ph nʉ rokléfom-no-l.
TOPIC-3SG someone, or PREVTOPIC-0-GOOD, enter-can-3SG-TOPICSUBJ-GOOD aeroplane fly-3-SUBJ-GOOD such understand-3SG-TOPICGOOD?
Does anyone [among us] know how to fly an aeroplane?

[Lao Kou]

144. Shahöcheths makhlamad bdau la sö içvangabsöt ba vangafshaval högöbrekh?
anyone-NOM 1PL-POST from.among AUX.PRES INDEF airplane-ACC PTCL fly know.how
Does anyone [among us] know how to fly an aeroplane?

145. Mva hözçuz? Öçek lí gvenüa'u íe ézçon hauböz sho, seth lív sí vbulítöthset ba nadíshaval hekalokh.
"n'est-ce pas"-ADV be.bored-INTERR? 2SG-NOM AUX.FUT wide-ADV more-AdADV enough-AdAADV yawn-SPEC PTCL, 3SG-NOM AUX.FUT.IMPERS INDEF truck-ACC PTCL drive.in be.able-CONCL
Bored, are we? Yawn any wider and we'll be able to drive a truck in.

[PTSnoop]

145. Nia thøplauph? Nez mailaukén elaimuaun nez nʉliámuathaph ráapiakh ngaue .
[ nja tʰǿplawpʰ ? neʃ majlawkén ʔélajmwawn neʃ nyljámwatʰapʰ ʁá:pjakʰ ŋáwe . ]
nia thøp-lau-ph? nez mai-lau-ké-n e-laim-uaun nez nʉliáng-mua-thá-ph rappiákh nga-ue .
or bored-2SG-GOOD? ifthen yawn-2SG-SUBJ-BAD ADJ-wide-more ifthen drive-can-1PL-GOOD walrus 3-into .
Bored, are we? Yawn any wider and we'll be able to drive a truck in.

146. Anga iicnʉsøtau phemalarøph rokléfømileiiáamalph ulo, nʉp kia phemuamalarøph .
[ ʔáŋa jíxnysøtaw pʰémalaʁøpʰ ʁokléfømilɪija:malph ʔúlo, nyp kja pʰémwamalaʁøpʰ . ]
a-nga iic-nʉ-søtau phe-mal-rø-ph rokléfom-ileiiap-mal-ph ulo, tnʉp kie phe-mua-mal-rø-ph .
TOPIC-3 game-ball-foot win-0-TOPICSUBJ-GOOD know-method-0-GOOD hypothetical, also NEG win-can-0-TOPICSUBJ-GOOD.
It's possible to know how to win at football, without actually being able to do it.

[Lao Kou]

146. Chü savökühaileksüv ba tloraz chau göbrekhalörs, arde helkeveçö dhbirta'u ba dravnath vau kalokhalörs la aukhbrelü mprekh.
DEF football-LOC PTCL win DEF know.how.PresGER-NOM, and thus actual-ADV PTCL do DEF.NEG be.able-PresGER-NOM.NEG AUX.PRES nevertheless be.possible
It's possible to know how to win at football, without actually being able to do it.

147. Gnauzçü seth lav sö díbs, se gdíasözalöths önchauth, hetaum sí aidals haunöi sho, seth lav teraç ba rhoteçöth daikh.
whether 3SG-NOM AUX.PRES.IMPERS INDEF king-NOM, INDEF fisherman-NOM poor-NOM, or INDEF bear-NOM be-SPEC PTCL, 3SG-NOM AUX.PRES.IMPERS notwithstanding PTCL defecate have.to
Whether you're a king, a poor fisherman, or a bear, you still gotta poo.

[PTSnoop]

147. Nia cisin sicørik etʉ́ci khauflak fotlauph, nʉ kia siangan, poph peralaunʉ tai.
[ nja xísin síxøʁik ʔétýxi kʰáwflak fótlawpʰ, ny kja sjáŋan, popʰ péʁalawny taj . ]
nia cisin sícorik e-túci kháuflak foth-lau-ph, nʉ kie sia-nga-n, póph per-lau-nʉ-n tai.
or king fisherman ADJ-poor bear list-2SG-GOOD, such NEG distinguish-3-BAD, but empty-2SG-FUT-BAD despite.
Whether you're a king, a poor fisherman, or a bear, you still gotta poo.

148. Anga siasmaln cáa, kia nuazuamnʉfia siesiánlauiuph. Zenúpaingas cantøpue.
[ ʔáŋa sjásmaln xá:, kja nwáʃwamnyfja sjɪsjánlawjupʰ . ʃenúpajŋas xántøpwe . ]
a-nga sies-mal-n cáa, kie nuázuam-pnʉf-ia sies-ién-lau-iu-ph. zenú-páin-nga-s ccangtøpu-e.
TOPIC-3 there-0-BAD ooh, NEG evening-after-TEMP there-towards-2SG-OPT-GOOD. place-violence-3-TOPICBAD town-GEN.
Ooh, you don't want to go *there* after dark. That's the rough end of town.

[Lao Kou]

148. Nzçé, va helkedípsav fenfe la vü nlahédsüb içte ba kadiz daikh. Cha helkedíns la cha tsíremöns wörhön cha shtülansas mvaçtö nöi.
oh, DEF.NEG there-LOC.NEG 2SG-NOM.NEG AUX.PRES DEF.NEG nightfall-POST after PTCL go should//DEF there-NOM AUX.PRES DEF district-NOM violent-NOM DEF city-GEN ADV be
Ooh, you don't want to go *there* after dark. That's the rough end of town.

149. Söi sokshaitsöit sí la umpeth, söitöit sí ga öpul; chel bithsedh sítethedh dimtelala'u, söit la sít chak sönsash lomanízhakh.
INDEF guy-ACC 1SG-NOM AUX.PRES know, 3SG-ACC 1SG-NOM AUX.PRES.EMPH dream//DEF.DUAL eye-LOC.DUAL 1SG.POSS.ADJ-LOC.DUAL look.PresPTPL-ADV, 3SG-NOM AUX.PRES 1SG-ACC DEF.PL cloud-LOC.PL take.up
There's a boy I know, he's the one I dream of; looks into my eyes, takes me to the clouds above...

[PTSnoop]

149. Aphai taitsøl, lautlíithøl, khefʉl tørı nølıl, nʉranuián enarau miatøl fatua...
[ ʔáno pʰaj tájtsøl, láwtli:tʰøl, kʰéfyl tǿʁɨ nǿlɨl, nyʁanuján ʔénaʁaw mjátøl fátwa... ]
a-phai tais-tø-l, láutliph-tø-l, khefʉl tø-e nø-no-l, nʉrnnu-ién e-nrau mie-tø-l fa-tua...
TOPIC-boy know-1SG-TOPICGOOD, dream-1SG-TOPICGOOD, eye 1SG-GEN look-3SG-TOPICGOOD, cloud-towards ADJ-above carry-1SG-TOPICGOOD 3SG-INV...
There's a boy I know, he's the one I dream of; looks into my eyes, takes me to the clouds above...

150. Anáuntong tørı, ées kia fanos, alisnol, kiniréenol.
[ ʔanáwntoŋ tǿʁɨ, é:s kja fános, ʔɛ́lisnol, kiniʁé:nol. ]
a-náuntong tø-e, iuas kie fa-no-s, Alis-no-l, ki-níiau-no-l.
TOPIC-daughter 1SG-GEN, marry NEG 3SG-3SG-TOPICBAD, Alice-3SG-TOPICGOOD, small-superlative-3SG-TOPICGOOD.
No, my daughter isn't the one getting married - she's Alice, the smallest one.

(After translating, I realised the English here was ambiguous - "Alice" is the daughter, not the bride.)

[Lao Kou]

150. Glé, va krömeps sítep la ve azhalögs, arzhö Alíts, küvans bvansíren cha, nöi.
no, DEF.NEG daughter-NOM.NEG 1SG.POSS.ADJ-NOM.NEG AUX.PRES DEF.NEG get.married.PresPTPL.one-NOM.NEG, but Alice-NOM, small.one-NOM most-NOM DEF, be
No, my daughter isn't the one getting married - she's Alice, the smallest one.

151. Sük la söi íngözatsöik hauzdozh kfö söi íngözatsöib sfen haunzdanez, kfö chau neskers la, gü sük la söi íngözatsöit höiksalaf sho, sferül, arkfö makhlama la tréska'u, gü sük la söi íngözats, arzhö fí „pofs” ftelöf, dhbirta'u höinöi sho, ba ngamath hökalokh?
3SG-NOM AUX.PRES INDEF camel-DAT resemble-SPEC and INDEF camel-POST like walk-SPEC, and DEF heaven-NOM AUX.PRES, CONJ 3SG-NOM AUX.PRES INDEF camel-ACC smell-DISC PTCL, know, but 1PL-NOM AUX.PRES correct-ADV, CONJ 3SG-NOM AUX.PRES INDEF camel-NOM, but INDEF.NEG "pol"-NOM.NEG other-NOM.NEG, real-ADV be-DISC PTCL, PTCL say be.able-INTERR
It may look like a camel and walk like a camel, and the skies know it smells like a camel, but can we say correctly it really is a camel and not some other "pol"?

[PTSnoop]

151. Riam khouángas ponglø ekiakhar, nguas eponglø ekiakhar, la ranaucngas eponglø ekiakhar nʉ nøngan uemp, poph, nia ponglarøph ekiakhar raul, kia ponglarøn epúukhei, nia nʉ maimuatháph?
[ ʁjám kʰowáŋas póŋlø ʔɪkjákʰaʁ, ŋwás ʔépoŋlø ʔɪkjákʰaʁ, la ʁánawxŋas ʔépoŋlø ʔɪkjákʰaʁ ny nǿŋan wémp, popʰ, nja póŋlaʁøpʰ ʔɪkjákʰaʁ ʁáwl, kja póŋlaʁøn ʔepú:kʰej, nja ny majmwatʰápʰ ? ]
riám khouán-nga-s pol-nglø e-kiakhar, ngu-nga-s e-pol-nglø e-kiakhar, la rnauc-nga-s e-pol-nglø e-kiakhar nʉ nø-nga-n uémp, póph, nia pol-nga-rø-ph e-kiakhar raul, kie pol-nga-rø-n e-pútkhei, nia nʉ maing-mua-thá-ph?
plausible display-3-TOPICBAD camel-like ADJ-desert, walk-3-TOPICBAD camel-like ADJ-desert, smell send-3-TOPICBAD camel-like ADJ-desert such see-3-BAD sky, but, or camel-3-TOPICSUBJ-GOOD ADJ-desert truly, NEG camel-3-TOPICSUBJ-BAD ADJ-other, or such conclude-can-1PL-GOOD?
It may look like a desertcamel and walk like a desertcamel, and the skies know it smells like a desertcamel, but can we say correctly it really is a desertcamel and not some other camel?

152. Tsataphántønʉph fa céenaicia nʉ zezatøph, poph iuflaphufnos eles fanái .
[ tsatapʰántønypʰ fá xé:najxja ny ʃéʃatøpʰ, pópʰ júflapʰufnos ʔéles fanáj . ]
tsata-phán-tø-nʉ-ph fa cet-naic-ia nʉ zéza-tø-ph, póph iuflaphuf-no-s e-les fa-nái .
say-PREVTOPIC-1SG-FUT-GOOD 3SG month-next-TEMP such plan-1SG-GOOD, but discover-3SG-TOPICBAD ADJ-alone 3SG-REFLEX.
I was going to tell him next month, but he found it out by himself.

[Lao Kou]

152. Che helkefastöthsev sí lé söbök nzhí íaugavel, arkfö söb lé söbníe srédhozh.
DEF next.month-LOC 1SG-NOM AUX.PAST 3SG-DAT ADV tell, but 3SG-NOM AUX.PAST himself-ADV find.out
I was going to tell him next month, but he found it out by himself.

153. Sau marsauv stíahörauv sau öinörsaub sfen chau razhílalörsauv, san lé sík fnédolsích chí vérhalsík makhmalalík puska'u fuzh.
INDEF school-LOC small-LOC INDEF teacher-POST as DEF work.PresGER-LOC, 3SG-NOM AUX.PAST INDEF.PL article-ACC.PL DEF newspaper-DAT 1PL.POSS.ADJ-DAT before-ADV write
She once wrote some things for our newspaper while working as a teacher at a small school.

[PTSnoop]

153. Ano løslomál cʉphiløslo eki i, nʉia éenol ralápøien tharı .
[ ʔáno løslomál xýpʰiløslo ʔɪkí ʔi, nýja é:nol ʁalápøjen tʰáʁɨ . ]
a-no løslo-má-l cʉphiløslo e-ki i, nʉ-ia iaut-no-l rlápø-ién thá-e .
TOPIC-3SG teach-3PL-TOPICGOOD school ADJ-small IRRELEV, such-TEMP write-3SG-TOPICGOOD newspaper-towards 1PL-GEN.
She once wrote some things for our newspaper while working as a teacher at a small school.

154. Riøntøn muzaromiu ekhaithiu ui nʉ nuáathøn .
[ ʁjɔ́ntøn múʃaʁomju ʔékʰajtʰju wi ny nwá:tʰøn . ]
riong-tø-n múzrommiu e-khaithiu ui nʉ nuath-tø-n .
need-1SG-BAD coffee ADJ-onemore INDEF such think-1SG-BAD.
I think I need another coffee.

[Lao Kou]

154. Sí la sö kawabsöt sföböt ba kfakh övaz.
1SG-NOM AUX.PRES INDEF coffee-ACC other-ACC PTCL need think
I think I need another coffee.

155. Chí laitelsív chök aubsöng chak flahansad garhanad stíahönad çé chau bözhalörsauv, Maríabauths lé cha shkauhínsat teten kfö lén chöikh sékletsöir zçüpé mölman.
DEF up-LOC DEF.PL mountain-GEN.PL DEF.PL flower-POST.PL white-POST.PL small-POST.PL amid DEF sit.PresGER-LOC, Maria-NOM AUX.PAST DEF guitar-ACC play and AUX.PAST.CAUS DEF.SEPT child-ACC.SEPT teach-ADV sing
Sitting high in the mountains amid the small white flowers, Maria played the guitar and taught the (seven) children how to sing.