Welsh proverbs 2

“Heb ei fai, heb ei eni.”
Translation: “He who has no faults is not born.” 

“Hedyn pob drwg yw diogi.”
Translation: “The seed of all evil is laziness.” 

“Mwyaf y brys, mwyaf y rhwystr.”
Translation: “More the hurry, more the obstacles.” 

“Nerth hen, ei gyngor parad.”
Translation: “The strength of the old is their ready counsel.” 

“Ni cheir da o hir gysgu.”
Translation: “No good will come of over sleeping.” 
“Rhaid cropian cyn cerdded.”
Translation: “You must crawl before walking.” 

“Y mae dafad ddu ym mhob praidd.”
Translation: “Every flock has its black sheep.” 

“Yr hen a ŵyr a’r ieuanc a dybia.”
Translation: “The old know and the young suspect.”

Welsh proverbs

“A fo ben, bid bont.”
Translation: “If you want to be a leader, be a bridge.” 
“Allwedd arian a egyr pob clo.”
Translation: “Money is the key that opens all locks.” 

“Am gwymp hen y chwardd ieuanc.”
Translation: “The young laugh when the old fall.” 

“Angel pen ffordd, diawl pen tân.”
Translation: “An Angel on the road, a Devil at the fireplace.” 

“Dyfal donc a dyr y garreg.”
Translation: “Tapping persistently breaks the stone.” 

“Dywed yn dda am dy gyfaill, am dy elyn dywed ddim.”
Translation: “Speak well of your friend; of your enemy say nothing.” 

“Gall pechod mawr ddyfod trwy ddrws bychan.”
Translation: “A great sin can enter by a small door.” 

“Gorau adnabod, d’adnabod dy hun.”
Translation: “The best knowledge is to know yourself.” 

Irish blessings 3

Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter.
Lullabies, dreams and love ever after.
A thousand welcomes when anyone comes…
That’s the Irish for You!

 

Whenever there is happiness
Hope you’ll be there too,
Wherever there are friendly smiles
Hope they’ll smile on you,
Whenever there is sunshine,
Hope it shine especially for you to make each day
for you as bright as it can be.

 

Lucky stars above you,
Sunshine on your way,
Many friends to love you,
Joy in work and play-
Laughter to outweigh each care,
In your heart a song-
And gladness waiting everywhere
All your whole life long!

 

When the first light of sun-
Bless you.
When the long day is done-
Bless you.
In your smiles and your tears-
Bless you.
Through each day of your years-
Bless you.

Irish blessings 2

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

May the embers from the open hearth warm your hands,
May the sun’s rays from the Irish sky warm your face,
May the children’s bright smiles warm your heart,
May the everlasting love I give you warm your soul.

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Irish blessings

May you always have walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,
and all your heart might desire.

 

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

 

I-rish you a very nice place to live,
I-rish God’s greatest gifts he’ll give.
I-rish you health, and wealth, and more–
I-rish your smilin’ face were at my door!

 

May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been
the foresight to know where you’re going
and the insight to know when you’re going too far.

Irish proverbs

A drink precedes a story.

Time is a great story teller.

A friend’s eye is a good mirror.

Even a small thorn causes festering.

Good as drink is, it ends in thirst.

It is a long road that has no turning.

As the big hound is, so will the pup be.

A trade not properly learned is an enemy.

Put silk on a goat, and it’s still a goat.

When the liquor was gone the fun was gone

There is no fireside like your own fireside.

It is not a secret if it is known by three people.

It takes time to build castles. Rome was not built in a day.

The man with the boots does not mind where he places his foot.

If you do not sow in the spring you will not reap in the autumn.

When a twig grows hard it is difficult to twist it. Every beginning is weak.

Irregular verbs

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Folk Tales 9.

Mary Nickelpot

Folklore story from Slovenia Translated in English by Osnova šola Pod goro, Slovenske Konjice ,Slovenia

Mary Nickelpot was sweeping the house when she found a nickel in the rubbish. She took it and bought a little pot. It was freezing outside and there was hoarfrost. She was very tired and fell asleep. But then a strong knocking on her little house’s door woke her up. “Who is it?” she asked. “It’s me, the fox. Oh, Mary Nickelpot. I beg you – let me come in. Bora is blowing and it’s freezing. I’ll freeze to death if you don’t let me in,” she whined. Mary Nickelpot hesitated and asked the fox, “If you are good at something, I’ll let you in, otherwise no!” “I’m a dressmaker,” answered the fox. Mary Nickelpot let her came inside the little pot. They lay down and fell asleep. But soon after they had fallen asleep the knocking on the door woke them up again. When Mary asked who it was, somebody moaned, “Oh, Mary Nickelpot, please, bora is blowing and it’s freezing. I’ll freeze to death. I’m a wolf and I’m a butcher.” “Because you are good at something, you may come in,” she answered. Mary Nickelpot opened the door and let the wolf in her little pot.While sleeping they heard the moaning again, “Mary Nickelpot, please, open the door! The bora is blowing, there is hoarfrost and I, the bear, will freeze to death if you don’t let me in.” “What are you good at?” asked Mary Nickelpot. “I’m a shoemaker!” answered the bear. Mary opened the door wide. “Oh, we won’t have any peace this night!” Mary said angrily when she heard the knocking and the moaning again. “Mary Nickelpot, I beg you, let me in, I’m freezing!” “Who are you and what are you good at?” asked the housekeeper. “I’m the rabbit, and I can sew like a tailor!” came the answer. She let him in, too. Mary Nickelpot was very angry, when she heard the knocking and moaning again. “Mary Nickelpot, I beg you, let me in. I can’t stand the bora and the hoarfrost anymore.” It was a deer. Mary Nickelpot let him in too, as she found out that he is a qualified lumberjack. After that they all fell asleep. The next morning, Mary Nickelpot sent all the guests to work. The wolf provided a delicious dinner. He brought several bee hives and put the honey in a pot. They ate the dinner and went to bed. During the night the fox moaned: “Oh my, I’ve got a stomach ache!” Mary Nickelpot said to her, “Go to the kitchen and make yourself some chamomile tea.” The fox went to the kitchen. As soon as they had fallen asleep again, the fox began to moan for the second time and was moaning for so long that Mary Nickelpot repeated the advice and sent her to the kitchen in order to take some more chamomile tea. And the fox went to the kitchen for three times to make herself some tea. But there was no pinching in her belly and she made no chamomile tea. Actually, she knew where the honey was and she licked it all.Then she fell soundly asleep. In the morning, Mary Nickelpot sent everybody to work and said to the fox, “Poor little dressmaker, as you were sick last night and you couldn’t sleep, you can rest now”. But soon everybody in the kitchen started arguing, “You ate the honey!” “No, I didn’t! You did!” And so on and so on. Mary said: “The thief was somebody from the house. Nobody else could know about the honey because the door was closed. In order for the guests to avoid the shame the wolf suggested, “Let’s all lie down on the back, open the mouth and sunbathe! The animal that ate the honey will be discovered as the honey will be leaking from that person’s mouth!” Everybody lay down on the grass in front of the little pot and immediately fell asleep. Only the fox couldn’t sleep because she felt guilty. Indeed, the honey came out of her mouth. She quickly wiped the honey and spread it around bunny’s mouth. Then she, like the others, fell asleep. The uproar woke her up. Meanwhile the others woke up and saw the honey round the rabbit’s mouth. They started chasing him. He ran as fast as he could, but while running he broke both of his front legs and only after that he managed to escape. Everyone ran after him and Mary Nickelpot was left alone with her little pot. The legs of poor little rabbit stayed like that for ever and that’s why even nowadays his front legs are shorter than his back ones.

Folk Tales 8.

THE TALE OF THREE BROTHERS AND THE WHITE EAGLE

Folklore story from Poland Translated in English by Szkoła Podstawowa nr 4 im. Orła Białego, Czechowice-Dziedzice , Poland

Once upon a time there was a beautiful country where Slavs lived. They were sincere and candid people. They were famous for their hospitality, bravery, great strength and diligence. Among Slavs there was a special tribe. It was ruled by an old grey-haired man who had three sons, Lech, Czech and Rus. They had a lot of virtues like their father and they were famous for their intelligence.One day the old father called for his three sons and said them: “My dearest sons!” “We are listening to you, father!” replied the sons.“I’m old and soon I’ll die. It’s time to nominate my heir, and it should be one of you …” “We are on your orders, father!” said Lech.“What should we do?” asked Czech.“So it will be this way, bring here your bows and arrows. Draw your bows and aim them in three different directions!” ordered the father.“Done!” replied the sons.“Now saddle your horses and go as fast as you can where your arrows flew. And when you will find them, look around and hunt for a big animal. And the one of you who will come back with the greatest hunting trophy will be my heir. Go!”  The young men rushed in three different directions. Czech found his arrow as the first one. He looked around and suddenly … He saw a huge auroch. They fought hard and Czech strained every nerve to break its neck. He won!   Lech found his arrow high on a great royal fir tree. He climbed it fast. Suddenly, he saw a herd of Polish bison running toward him. Lech jumped down and the herd stopped. A huge bison came forward and they fought hard. The animal fell down at Lech’s feet. He won! Rus’s arrow lay in front of a big bear’s den. Rus had no choice – a bear barred his way to the arrow. They looked deeply into each others eyes and then the bear stood on its legs. It seemed that it would tear Rus to shreds but he didn’t give up. He won and went home.   “I have to admit that you trophies are impressive.” said the father. “It is hard to name the winner. So you will share the power.” “But father, you said that only one of us could rule our tribe.” said Rus. “Yes, I said so and I still believe it, but it will be wise and fair if all of you are my heirs. Your arrows flew in different directions and you will go these ways too. It is there you will create your countries which you will rule according to your will.” replied the father. “And what about you, father?” asked Czech. “And what about our home?” asked Lech. “I will stay here alone. Forever.” said the father. “Father …” said the sons. “No, my dearest sons, it is not the right time for sorrow and tears. I’m asking you for one more thing. Be kind to each other, respect each other and support each other. Now go and remember what I taught you. Be well Czech, my dear son and go your way!” said the father. “Be well my father. I will always think about you.” replied Czech. “Goodbye Rus and be happy!” said the father. “Goodbye father!” replied Rus. “And you, Lech – live and rule wisely and in peace!” “Be well father! Goodbye forever!” said Lech.Three brothers: Lech, Czech and Rus looked deeply in each others eyes and they shook their strong hands for a long time in silence. As their old father ordered, they went their ways with their people and property. Czech’s people went south. After a long journey they stopped in wide land. There were huge fields and high mountains. Rus went in different direction, he went west. He went with his people through forests, swamps and endless steppes. One day he said to his people: “Here is our land. This land is cold and icy, but it’s our dearest land!”   Lech was a bit different from his brothers. You could recognize his thick fair hair and linen clothes. His people weren’t similar to his brothers’ people either. Lech’s arrow flew where the sun sets. His people went there looking for their own land. But it wasn’t that easy for Lech to find his place. He walked for long months; he lost his way and found many obstacles. He and his people were very tired and dissatisfied too. So Lech stood in front of them and said: “We will bear it!” During a council of elders, Lech put his head in his hands and thought. He dreamt that a strange power lifted him up and he flew in unknown direction for a long time until he saw broad fertile valleys and blue rivers full of fishes. Yes, it was their dream land! “Wake up! Wake up!” shouted the night guards. Soon they woke up the whole camp. Prince Lech wiped his eyes and reminded himself about his dream. This huge bird, these huge wings … Suddenly, he saw a large eagle which gave him a sign to follow it. Yes! It was the bird from his dream! The white eagle, the royal eagle gave him a sign! “Come here my friends! Come here Bolko, Przemko and you, Ziemko!” said Lech. “We are with you and your people are ready!” said Lech’s friends. “Let’s go right now! We’ll follow the eagle!” shouted Lech. Lech’s people went through thick forest. The white eagle flew over them all the time, and it led them in one direction. Suddenly, they found themselves by a beautiful lake. The water was crystal clear. They set up a camp. Lech sat down under an old oak, which grew by the lake and he looked for the eagle. Suddenly, Bolko shouted: “Look over there! The eagle is in the oak!” “He’s got the nest there!” said Przemko. “I can see royal eaglets in the nest.” said Ziemko. “Thank you eagle! You led my people to this place. I will build my nest here, as you did. Near the lake we will build a town, which we will call Gniezno. And your image will be on our standards.” said Lech proudly. “Vivat Lech! Vivat the white eagle, our symbol forever!” shouted the people. “Vivat Poles!” Lech’s people settled down and build a town called Gniezno. The town was the first capital city of Poland, and the white eagle is still our national symbol.

Folk Tales 7.

The Liar Shepherd

A Story from Greece

Translated in English by Δημοτικό Σχολείο Ζερβοχωρίων, Χαλκιδική ,Greece

Once upon a time it was a shepherd who was grazing his sheep on a hill. As he was sitting there alone, he thought to have a joke with his friends. So he started shouting loudly to his friends. “Help ! Help ! Somebody help me ! A wolf has come and is eating my sheep!”“Help !!!” Some of his friends, who were grazing their sheep near to him, ran and tried to help him save his sheep from the wolf. When they arrived, they saw that there was no wolf at all ! So, they asked him. “Where is the wolf ?” “There isn’t any wolf,” he said,. “I just wanted to make a joke and laugh !” “So you wanted to laugh with us ! Shame on you !” they angrily said to him and they left. As the days were passing, the shepherd was bored just sitting there with his sheep so he thought to make the same joke with his friends again. He started shouting, “Help ! Help ! Please help me my friends !” This time I tell you the truth, a wolf is eating my sheep please help me !” Most of his friends didn’t believe him but there were some of them who thought, “This time maybe it’s true and he maybe really needs our help. Let’s go and see what’s going on and help our friend.”But when they went to him they saw for the second time that he was lying and there was no wolf at all. They felt so angry and they said that from now on, no one would ever go to him again because he was not a serious person and they didn’t want to have him a friend anymore. Time passed by and no one talked about him again. Suddenly one day, as the shepherd was grazing his sheep as he did every day, a real wolf started to approach his sheep. The shepherd was really in a panic seeing the wolf coming closer and closer to his sheep and he didn’t know what to do to save them. He knew that his friends were angry with him but as he didn’t have any other choice he started shouting one more time, “Help me! Please help !! A wolf has come to my sheep and started eating them. Somebody help me !” But his friends “took their lesson” and as they were talking between them they said,   “We don’t want to hear him anymore he is a lier and he always is laughing at us. He is lying again and he is trying to make jokes with us. We are not going to believe him this time because we are sick of him.” And they didn’t go to help him. So, the wolf ate his sheep and as he was watching and he couldn’t do anything to stop the tragedy. He thought, “They are right .I was always making jokes and telling them lies. Now I need them and they don’t believe me. How stupid I have been. I deserve to be punished. From now on, I’ll never lie again to them but it’s too late for my sheep”. From that moment the liar shepherd never lied again and he lived with his friends happily ever after.