Stories From Kiribati

The trainee had been visiting the home of the missionary for the bible lessons. He usually arrived before 12, then after the lessons with the missionary, he waited for lunch. He then went off after the meal.

The missionary’s wife spoke out, “Did he come here to learn the bible or for the food?”

“Please, stop saying that. Show love and kindness,” missionary replied.

The wife agreed and tried to feel okay. However, the trainee kept ...

One day, on one of the outer islands, the police constable alerted the villagers of the tsunami. He rode his bicycle through the villages and for every distance of 100 meters or so, he had to shout from the road.

“Tsunami is expected today at around 2:00 pm. Prepare and get ready!” shouted the constable from his bicycle.

An elderly woman was busy cleaning around her retail store. When she heard the announcement, she instantly thought ‘tsunami’ was...

N te moaningabong teuana ao e tekateka temanna te aine (50+ ana ririki) iaon ana kiakia ae mena i tanrio. E a ti nora naba te kaibuke are e tabe n rororake n te nama. E na tabwara ao kai are e a takaruaa naba raoraona (te unaine) are e mena n te auti are irarikia, “Neiko, ko boni karauko ao kai e a roko te kaibuke aei!”

E aki manga kabanetai neiere saunaine (are e tabe n taawai ana ben) ma e a manga takaarua n titiraki, “Ao e burouti ke e aki?”

&#...

Two kids played among the plants just beside the road. They came across a green flying insect on one of the leaves. The girl quickly got hold of it. She was about to finish it when...

Boy:- Don't kill that insect or your father will die!

Girl:- My father died years ago.

Boy:- Well then, let the insect live and in return, you'll get a new dad.

Girl:- True? I think I like that.

Several da...

Aran ngkoa te reirei are i tabon Takoronga i Betio bon Takoronga Primary School. Bon anne arana ae bati n kinaaki iai n ririki aika a bati. Ma e a manga bitaki arana nakon DaiNippon Primary School imwiin bobongan te DaiNippon Causeway are imarenan Betio ma Bairiki.

Bon te bwai ae moan te kakawaki bitakin aran te reirei aingaia are e a kaman karaoa ana katauraoi te reirei aio imwaain te botaki ni katokaara. Taiani marooro, kamataku ma te amwarake a kaman tia aron baireaia. Irua...

Inside the classroom, a teacher helps pupils on pronouncing letter Q properly.

Teacher: Class, say after me Q
Class: Q
Teacher: Again Q
Class: Q

Teacher notices that Little Taata is the only one who says nothing. 

Teacher: Taata, say after me Q
Taata: No, I won't say it
Teacher: Why?
Taata: I promised Mum not to swear

(Letter Q and the Kiribati word 'kiu' (person's bottom) sound the same)

One day, someone in the family was sick therefore a 9 year old boy was sent to call the Medical Assistance (MA) for help.

Arriving at the MA’s home, the boy called out, “Where’s the MA? Someone’s sick and needs help.”

“Sorry, he left yesterday. He went overseas!” said the wife.

The boy nodded then went back home. On his way he kept saying, “Overseas, overseas, overseas, ...” The wor...

At the end of her lesson on slang, the teacher asks her students.

Teacher: What does K1 mean?

Student (Ruuka): Awesome.

Student (Tina): One person.

Student (Tata): Ringworm.

Teacher: Ruuka you were right. Tina you were also right. Tata, why ringworm?

Tata: What is 1 in word?

Teacher: ONE.

Tata: Since 1 in word is ONE so K1 together in ...

Ruka is a primary school dropout who likes singing in his village kava bars. Though his English isn't good, he knows few English country songs quite well.

One day he went to an interview for a job of an Assistant Community Worker. The interview was conducted in English. After answering the first question, he was disqualified.

Interviewers: Tell us something about you.

Ruka: I’m a man of my words, I mean what I say, my pledge is my bond, well...

One afternoon in a boarding school, a local teacher came across a very stubborn student. The boy would not listen to what the teacher told him to do and he even talked back.

The teacher tried not to lose control. But in the end he failed. He finally grabbed the boy by his shirt with his left hand, pushed him against the wall of the building. Then with his right fist held right at the boy’s face, he shouted angrily at him in English, ''I can punch you on the face, and I ...