Question

Another and another fell from the heat. Toby was there. He cried out to the fallen and reached his arms out to them. "Kum kunka yali, kum . . . tambe!” Whispers and sighs. And they too rose on the air. They rode the hot breezes. The ones flyin were black and shinin sticks, wheelin above the head of the Overseer. They crossed the rows, the fields, the fences, the streams, and were away.



Based on the clues in the excerpt, the phrase "Kum kunka yali, kum . . . tambe!” most likely means

“pity others.”
“shine down.”
“we will fly.”
“pray to escape.”

Answer 1

Based on the context of the excerpt, the phrase "Kum kunka yali, kum . . . tambe!” most likely means “we will fly.” This interpretation aligns with the imagery of the fallen rising on the air and the description of flying black and shining sticks, suggesting a theme of elevation and escape.