Meromero – The Little Boy and his House

I was going through some old photos recently, just tidying things up, when I came across this one. It immediately brought to mind a short piece of scripture I once read in an old LMS newsletter. What struck me even more was realising that it was written and published this very month – 75 years ago. Surreal, isn’t it, how words can travel across time like that?

I took this photograph in Hula, one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited outside of Port Moresby, thanks to my uncle Nakula Pala and Aunty Hera. This little boy looked innocent and curious. The photo appeared in the Air Niugini inflight magazine decades ago.

As I looked at the image again, it felt as though the scripture and the photograph were speaking to each other. I’ve translated the passage, but not in a literal sense. The words carry a deeper meaning, one that goes beyond direct translation and speaks instead to values, family, and the quiet foundations of life.

Ina na “sina” edia Ahegoada herevana tuana, be mani boma duahia hadaihadai bona boma lalohadailai, bena anina korikorina lalomui ai bema hedinarai horeahorea.

Below is the original text, followed by my own interpretation.

MEROMERO ta, sinana bona tamana ida ese edia rumaruma ta e karia, edia noho gabuna.

Ia tau-anina ena bona ana bona laumana (lalona) ena bona ana idoidia ai ina ruma amo evaramu. – Kohu, Aniani, Maino, Moale bona Aonega.

Ena mauri, ena ruma lalonai na, dia “namo” mo hanaihanai; nega haida ai na darana e dokomu, e hitoloamu, e badumu bona kara-kava taidia e karamu, to sinana bona tamana ese e duruamu.

Ruma haida, enabe nanamo heherea to, ia ese na asine moalelaimu, ia na ena rumaruma nohona mo e moalelaimu.

Ia ena rumaruma nohona ihamoalena be daika?

– SINANA BONA TAMANA –

Benaini! Natudia edia noho bae hamoale “Sina”—dia bona “tama”—dia iboudiai na Dirava ese e lalonamo henidiamu, a unu asie kara tomamu taudia na lasi.

– English –

A child does not live because of the house, the house lives because of the parents.

A home is built with walls and a roof, but it is lived in with food, peace, patience, and teaching.

There are days when laughter fills the rooms, and days when hunger, anger, or sadness sit quietly inside.

Yet the child does not fall, because his mother and father hold him steady.

Many houses shine from the outside, but joy does not follow paint and timber. Joy follows love.

Where parents give so their child may live well, God gives so the parents may provide.

Blessing does not rest on the building, it rests on the hands that feed, guide, and endure.

May you receive all the blessings you deserve in the New Year!