When very young, I had problems with remembering the colours of the rainbow in the right order. My schoolteacher taught me a trick. I had to learn by heart a meaningless sentence, “Richard Of York Gained Battle In Vain” – R for red; O for orange; Y for yellow; G for green; B for blue; I for indigo; V for violet.

When my 2 daughters had a similar problem, I decided on a different approach: a song in their mother tongue.

ENN BOUKE LARKANSIEL

(LIRIK EK LAMIZIK PAR DEV VIRAHSAWMY)

Kouler rouz flanbwayan pe apel banane,
Enn papiyon oranz dan lalimier dore
Pe kas poz lor fler zonn kot legliz Kaylason,
Pe kas poz lor fler zonn kot legliz Kaylason.

Enn bouke larkarsiel do mama,
Enn bouke larkansiel;
Enn bouke larkarsiel do papa,
Enn bouke larkansiel.
Zis pou twa,
Zis pou twa.

Enn seren-dikap zonn lor pie filao ver
Laba dan lesiel ble pe kontanple lamer,
Lamer ki finn marye laba ar ble fonse,
Lamer ki finn marye laba ar ble fonse.

Enn bouke larkarsiel do mama,
Enn bouke larkansiel;
Enn bouke larkarsiel do papa,
Enn bouke larkansiel.
Zis pou twa,
Zis pou twa.

Soley finn al dormi dan dilo endigo,
Lesiel finn vinn violet, li finn sanz so palto,
Bann zetwal pe briye, tou zanfan al dodo,
Bann zetwal pe briye, tou zanfan al dodo.

Enn bouke larkarsiel do mama,
Enn bouke larkansiel;
Enn bouke larkarsiel do papa,
Enn bouke larkansiel.
Zis pou twa,
Zis pou twa.

THIS IS MY SONG FOR THE CHILDREN OF MAURITIUS.

28.03.23