I’ve been singing Malay pantun (rhymes) to Nora. I want her to grow up knowing both Malay and English. As I am the only Malay speaking person in her vicinity, I’m speaking Malay to her as much as I can.

Starting with this song that I heard mom singing to my little sister over and over again when she was a baby.

Tanya pada pokok
Apa sebab goyang?
Nanti jawab pokok
Angin yang goncang

Tanya pada langit
Apa sebab hujan?
Nanti jawab langit
Tanyalah awan

Awan nanti kata
Aku kandung air
Sampai tempat sejuk
Aku pun cair

Lihat dalam air
Nampak bayang-bayang
Campak satu batu
Bayang pun hilang

The direct translation to the song:

Ask the tree
Why do you sway?
The tree will answer
The wind is shaking me

Ask the sky
Why does it rain?
The sky will answer
You should ask the cloud

The cloud will say
I’m filled with water
When I reach the cold
I melt

Look in the water
See your image
Throw a stone
The image disappears

Very educational don’t you think?