The Diving Falcon

Polly thought about the peregrine for two days. She wanted to feel the shape of its dive.

Polly alifikiria kuhusu mwewe kwa siku mbili. Alitaka kuhisi jinsi unavyoruka kwa kasi.

On the third morning, she went to El Capitan. A peregrine was on a high rock. It was eating something.

Asubuhi ya tatu, alikwenda El Capitan. Mwewe alikuwa juu ya mwamba mrefu. Alikuwa anakula kitu.

She perched on a bush fifty metres away. She waited.

Alikaa kwenye kichaka umbali wa mita hamsini. Alisubiri.

The peregrine finished its meal. It looked at her. Then it stepped off the rock.

Mwewe alimaliza chakula chake. Alimtazama. Kisha aliruka kutoka kwenye mwamba.

It did not flap. It folded its wings tight. It dropped fast. It pulled out, turned, and was gone.

Hakupiga mabawa. Alikunja mabawa yake vizuri. Alidondoka kwa kasi. Alijivuta, akageuka, na akatoweka.

A peregrine falcon can dive at 380 kilometres per hour. It is the fastest animal in the world. The bird has a special third eyelid. It also has small cones in its nose to slow the air.

Mwewe anaweza kuruka kwa kasi ya kilomita 380 kwa saa. Ni mnyama wa kasi zaidi duniani. Ndege huyu ana kope maalum ya tatu. Pia ana koni ndogo puani kupunguza kasi ya hewa.

Polly is not made for this dive. But she wanted to try.

Polly hajatengenezwa kwa ajili ya kuruka hivi. Lakini alitaka kujaribu.

She flew to the high rock. She folded her wings. She fell.

Aliruka hadi kwenye mwamba mrefu. Alikunja mabawa yake. Alidondoka.

It was not a good dive. She wobbled. The wind caught her wing. She opened her wings and pulled out.

Haikuwa kuruka vizuri. Alitetemeka. Upepo ulishika bawa lake. Alifungua mabawa yake na kujivuta.

She tried again from lower. Then again, lower still. By noon she had tried eight times. Each one was a little better.

Alijaribu tena kutoka chini. Kisha tena, chini zaidi. Kufikia mchana alikuwa amejaribu mara nane. Kila moja ilikuwa bora kidogo.