Mogau! 

I think they lied to me! 

When I was growing up, I used to see my mother as well as other mothers, (particularly on Sundays) picking up the naturally growing leafy green relish, similar to spinach – outside our yard.  She called it various names: ’’morogo wa Setswana’’, ’’Rotho’’, ’’Thepe’’.  Just like spinach, we would later cook it – rather, she cooked it. 

 Now, I am a young man. Michaela’s mother and other mothers (particularly on Sundays), towards the end of summer, would go to pick up mushrooms outside their yard – usually, in the forest. Just like my mother’s cooked “thepe”, her mother would cook the mushrooms. 

 At home, we’ve never picked up any mushrooms; although, we had the mushrooms; usually, in the forest. It’s only that we were told they were (all) poisonous! “Mogau!” With love, they warned us. 

 Perhaps, the “thepe” that I saw in the Slovakian forests is a “mogau” to them? 

P. S. Lo se ka lwa ja mogau!