# They were thin from poverty and hunger

The word "They" refers to the fathers of the young mockers.

# They were thin from poverty and hunger

The abstract noun "poverty" can be expressed with the word "poor." The abstract noun "hunger" can be expressed with the words "hungry" or "starving." Alternate translation: "They were very thin because they were poor and starving" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns]])

# they gnawed at the dry ground

Possible meanings are that 1) "dry ground" is a metonym for the dry roots that grow in the ground. Alternate translation: "they chewed on the dry roots they found in the ground" or 2) "gnawed at the dried ground" is a metonym for eating whatever they could find in the dry ground. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])