The Little Bird in the Clock

In the Black Forest in Germany, people make beautiful clocks out of wood. These are called cuckoo clocks. Skilled makers carve them by hand, with little leaves, birds, and houses cut into the dark wood. Each clock takes time and care, and no two are exactly the same. They hang on the wall and tick softly all day long.

Katika Msitu Mweusi nchini Ujerumani, watu hutengeneza saa nzuri kwa mbao. Saa hizi huitwa saa za kuku. Mafundi stadi huzichonga kwa mikono, na majani madogo, ndege, na nyumba zilizochorwa kwenye mbao nyeusi. Kila saa huchukua muda na uangalifu, na hakuna mbili zinazofanana kabisa. Hutundikwa ukutani na kutoa mlio laini siku nzima.

Then something special happens. Every hour, a tiny door near the top of the clock opens. A small wooden bird pops out and calls, cuckoo, cuckoo, two clear notes into the room. After the call, the little door shuts again, and the house grows quiet. The bird waits inside for the next hour to come.

Kisha jambo la pekee hutokea. Kila saa moja, mlango mdogo karibu na juu ya saa hufunguka. Ndege mdogo wa mbao hutoka na kuita, kuku kuku, sauti mbili wazi ndani ya chumba. Baada ya kuita, mlango mdogo hufungwa tena, na nyumba hiyo hunyamaza. Ndege husubiri ndani kwa ajili ya saa inayofuata.

Children love to watch and wait for the door to open. They sit very still, with their eyes on the clock, and when the bird appears they laugh with joy. In the Black Forest, this craft is old and well loved. Parents teach it to their children, and the skill of making these clocks is passed down from one generation to the next.

Watoto hupenda kutazama na kusubiri mlango ufunguke. Huketi kimya kabisa, macho yao yakielekea saa, na ndege anapotokea hucheka kwa furaha. Katika Msitu Mweusi, ufundi huu ni wa kale na unapendwa sana. Wazazi huwafundisha watoto wao, na ustadi wa kutengeneza saa hizi hupitishwa kutoka kizazi kimoja hadi kingine.