Most of my friends will kill themselves laughing if I attempt to read them a story out loud, the others I suspect will consider me having finally gone totally barmy. But when I do a project (such as 100 Ideas) I get a bit obsessive. I have to do each task, there is no skipping or passing things over or putting them off or thinking that I will do it one day in the distant future, perhaps when I have a grandchild...
So I decided to record the story and put it on the web, where friends and enemies alike may listen to it (or not). It is one of the first books I got as a 6-year old, and I still have it. Called Tafelberg se Wit Karos, it is the story of where Table Mountain's silver trees come from, and how the mountain got the white blanket of clouds that we sometimes see rolling over with a South Easter. It is a lovely book, published in 1964, written by Pieter W. Grobbelaar, with gorgeous illustrations by J.J. Bredenkamp.
Listen to it here.
Oops. I forgot to add that I am reading in Afrikaans, so most of you will not understand it. Also, it is quite long - about 15 minutes. But I have added some pictures, so let's test that old adage of a picture being worth a thousand words ...
(All illustrations by J.J. Bredenkamp.)
12 comments:
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this Anairam! I have never outgrown my love of being read to and I sometimes treat myself to an audiobook because I don't have anyone who will do so now that I'm all "growedup". Whether I understood it or not, I would happily be a friend you read to as your lovely voice wrapped my up and took me to a very happy place - Thank you!
...wrapped me up... :)
What a wonderful idea - I am looking forward to sitting down and listening to your story (possibly with a mug of hot chocolate!) .... even if I won't understand a word of it!!
Oh Anairam, you have the most soothing voice! I did not understand a single word but it is such a lovely language-Like a creek tumbling over stones, I could listen to this all day and all evening and snooze comfortably - listening. WONDERFUL- something must be wrong with your friends who don't like to listen to you read- they need to wash their ears. Thank you!
I'm with Linda Sue. Your voice is wonderfully soothing, even though I can't understand the words. I LOVE Bredemkamp's illustrations. Maybe I'll look for an English translation of Tafelberg se Wit Karos. If done right the internet is a great way to make friends and learn about the world. Best wishes on getting through all 100 ideas!
What a special gift you have given us! I do not know Afrikaans, yet I understood, in a way. Your voice is beautiful
That was just beautiful. It took me back to a time long, long ago when I was a little girl. En wat het geword van Maren en die Uiltjie?
Ek luister! Jy is 'n baie goeie storie verteller/leser!! [Ek is nie 'n baie goeie Afrikaans spreker, al is ek in Pretora gebore!] 'n Baie goeie idee!
Liewe suzi!
Het nou nie die boek gelees maar hoor jou stem so tussen sketse! Ek's mal oor die hottentotsgot wat die karos oor Tafelberg trek! Lyk of jy dalk 4 glimlaggende, stilsittende? kleinkinners gaan he^ waarvoor jy heeldag kan stories lees!
What a creative and fun way to get by on this exercise! I will give a listen the second I get back to my computer. There is something magical about reading stories outloud.
I've finally had a chance to listen to your story - I don't care if I didn't understand it - your voice is lovely!!!
This is so nice. Not only do you have a beautiful voice, but you tell stories like a professional (sorry, i can't find a better word - like a book on tape type on reading). And the illustrations are wonderful!
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