Ua la Chumvi

Siku ilikuwa ya joto na tulivu. Jioni vidimbwi vilikuwa bapa na kimya. Polly alisimama ukingoni mwa kidimbwi akasubiri.

The day was hot and still. In the evening, the pools were flat and quiet. Polly stood at the edge of a pool and waited.

Kisha fuwele nyembamba nyeupe zilikua juu ya maji. Zilionekana kama barafu. Wafanyakazi huziita ua la chumvi. Huja tu katika siku tulivu za joto. Hii ndiyo chumvi bora kuliko zote.

Then thin white crystals grew on the top of the water. They looked like frost. The workers call them the flower of salt. They come only on calm, warm days. This is the finest salt of all.

Mfanyakazi mmoja alikuja na wavu laini juu ya fremu ndefu ya mbao. Aliyainua maua meupe kwa upole sana. Polly alikaa kwenye ncha ya fremu akatazama.

A worker came with a fine net on a long wooden frame. He lifted the white flowers very gently. Polly sat on the end of the frame and watched.

Jua lilizama. Vidimbwi vikawa vya waridi na vya chungwa. Fuwele moja ndogo sana ilikaa kwenye unyoya wa Polly. Aliionja. Ilikuwa na ladha ya bahari na ya jua.

The sun went down. The pools turned pink and orange. One tiny crystal sat on Polly's feather. She tasted it. It tasted of the sea and the sun.