FluentFiction - Afrikaans

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Balancing Dreams and Delight: Anton's Library Epiphany Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-02-23-34-02-af Story Transcript:Af: In die koelte van die skoolbiblioteek, net verlig deur die sagte sonstrale wat deur die groot vensters instroom, sit Anton en Mariska aan 'n houttafel vol boeke gestapel.En: In the coolness of the school library, only lit by the soft sunbeams streaming through the large windows, Anton and Mariska sit at a wooden table piled with books.Af: Dit is die laaste dae van die somervakansie, en daar is 'n stil opgewondenheid in die lug vir die naderende Nuwejaarsdag.En: It is the last days of the summer vacation, and there is a quiet excitement in the air for the approaching New Year's Day.Af: Anton vryf sy oë moeg-af.En: Anton rubs his eyes wearily.Af: Hy is gefokus op sy boeke, vasbeslote om sy eksamens met vlieënde vaandels te slaag.En: He is focused on his books, determined to pass his exams with flying colors.Af: Hy weet dié prestasie kan hom ‘n beurs na 'n prestigeryke universiteit besorg.En: He knows this achievement can secure him a scholarship to a prestigious university.Af: Die druk is tasbaar, en sy gefrons is diep.En: The pressure is palpable, and his frown is deep.Af: Mariska aan die ander kant van die tafel, sit agteroor met haar tekenboekjie.En: Mariska, on the other side of the table, leans back with her sketchbook.Af: Sy is in haar eie wêreld, 'n wêreld vol kleur en vorms.En: She is in her own world, a world full of color and forms.Af: Sy weet dat Anton gestres is, en dit pla haar dat hy lyk asof hy vergeet om te leef.En: She knows that Anton is stressed, and it bothers her that he seems to forget to live.Af: "Anton, los daardie boeke en laat ons iets gaan regmaak vir die Nuwe Jaar," stel Mariska met 'n glimlag voor.En: "Anton, put those books down and let's do something to prepare for the New Year," suggests Mariska with a smile.Af: Haar oë blink van energie.En: Her eyes sparkle with energy.Af: Anton sug en kyk op.En: Anton sighs and looks up.Af: "Ek kan nie nou speel nie, Mariska.En: "I can't play now, Mariska.Af: Die eksamens is om die draai, en ek móét goed doen.En: The exams are around the corner, and I must do well."Af: ""Maar Anton," herinner Mariska hom sag, "jy kan nie jou hele lewe in boeke versteek nie.En: "But Anton," Mariska gently reminds him, "you can't hide your whole life in books.Af: Dis uiteindelik hoe jy die lewe geniet wat saak maak.En: Ultimately, it's about how you enjoy life that matters."Af: "Anton sit sy pen neer, sy vingers blink van inkvlekke.En: Anton puts his pen down, his fingers shiny with ink stains.Af: Hy voel die frustrasie in hom opbou.En: He feels the frustration building inside him.Af: "Jy neem niks ernstig op nie, Mariska.En: "You don't take anything seriously, Mariska.Af: Ek het drome waarvoor ek moet werk.En: I have dreams I need to work for."Af: ""Ek het ook drome," antwoord Mariska, "maar drome beteken niks as jy nie die reis geniet nie.En: "I have dreams too," Mariska responds, "but dreams mean nothing if you don't enjoy the journey."Af: "Hierdie woorde laat Anton stil staan.En: These words stop Anton.Af: Hy kyk na die blomtuin buite die venster, die wat ongelukkig onopgemerk was in al sy ywer.En: He looks at the flower garden outside the window, one that unfortunately went unnoticed in all his diligence.Af: Na 'n lang stilte, stoot hy die boeke van hom weg.En: After a long silence, he pushes his books away.Af: Hy staan op en haal diep asem, die koelheid van die biblioteek wat om sy oorverhitte vel draai.En: He stands up and takes a deep breath, the coolness of the library wrapping around his overheated skin.Af: "Miskien het jy reg," sê Anton uiteindelik, en 'n klein glimlag breek deur sy somber gesig.En: "Maybe you're right," says Anton finally, and a small smile breaks through his somber face.Af: "Ek kan 'n breek neem.En: "I can take a break."Af: "Die twee verlaat die stille heiligdom van die biblioteek en stap in die laatmiddagson.En: The two leave the quiet sanctuary of the library and step into the late afternoon sun.Af: Die somerhitte is norse, 'n herinnering aan die wêreld buite boeke en studies.En: The summer heat is intense, a reminder of the world outside books and studies.Af: Saam besluit hulle om 'n bietjie verlore tyd op te vang, te lag en die helder kleure van die tuin te geniet.En: Together they decide to make up for lost time, laugh, and enjoy the bright colors of the garden.Af: Anton besef, terwyl hulle deur die tuin loop, dat om groot drome na te jaag, hy soms net 'n stap terug moet neem.En: Anton realizes, as they walk through the garden, that in chasing big dreams, sometimes he just needs to take a step back.Af: Die balans tussen werk en ontspan, vind hy, is waar die regte geluk lê.En: The balance between work and relaxation, he finds, is where true happiness lies.Af: Mariska glimlag tevrede langs hom, want sy weet dat hulle albei 'n waardevolle les daardie dag geleer het.En: Mariska smiles contentedly beside him, for she knows that they both learned a valuable lesson that day.Af: En Anton besef: die lewe se vervulling lê gelyk in die strewe sowel as die vreugde.En: And Anton realizes: life's fulfillment lies equally in the pursuit as well as the joy. Vocabulary Words:coolness: koeltestreaming: instroomweary: moeg-afprestigious: prestigerykepalpable: tasbaarfrown: gefronslean: sit agteroorsketchbook: tekenboekjieapproaching: naderendeexcited: opgewondenheidfrustration: frustrasieink stains: inkvlekkediligence: ywersanctuary: heiligdomoverheated: oorverhitteultimate: uiteindelikfulfillment: vervullingjourney: reiscontentedly: tevredebalance: balansachievement: prestasiereminder: herinneringscholarship: beursdetermined: vasbeslotesparkle: blinkremind: herinnerpiled: gestapelachievement: prestasieenjoyment: vreugderealization: besef

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Locked, Laughed, and Rescued: A New Year's Ward Adventure Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-02-08-38-20-af Story Transcript:Af: Jaco staan ongemaklik voor die gang van die psigiatriese saal.En: Jaco stands uncomfortably in front of the hallway of the psychiatric ward.Af: Dit is die dag na Nuwejaarsdag, en die helder baniere en ballonne wat oral hang, maak die plek ongewoon vrolik.En: It is the day after New Year's Day, and the bright banners and balloons hanging everywhere make the place unusually cheerful.Af: Sy maag grom.En: His stomach growls.Af: Hy verlang na ‘n vinnige sjokolade uit die outomaat.En: He longs for a quick chocolate from the vending machine.Af: Maar Marinda, die pligsgetroue suster, hou 'n arendsoog oor die personeel se eetgewoontes.En: But Marinda, the dutiful nurse, keeps a hawk's eye on the staff's eating habits.Af: Met die tradisionele roete na die outomaat wat versper is deur kleurvolle versierings, besluit Jaco om 'n "korter" pad te neem.En: With the traditional route to the vending machine blocked by colorful decorations, Jaco decides to take a "shorter" path.Af: Hy trek ‘n deur oop wat hy dink langs die gang sal uitkom, maar in plaas daarvan, bevind hy homself in 'n klein, donker stoor vertrek.En: He opens a door he thinks will lead to the hallway, but instead, he finds himself in a small, dark storage room.Af: "'n Slim plan, Jaco," mompel hy vir homself, net om te hoor hoe die deur saggies, maar beslissend, agter hom toemaak.En: "A smart plan, Jaco," he mutters to himself, only to hear the door quietly, but decisively, close behind him.Af: Jaco lig sy hand na die knop en probeer om dit te draai.En: Jaco raises his hand to the knob and tries to turn it.Af: Toe besef hy die grimmige waarheid: die deur is gesluit van buite.En: Then he realizes the grim truth: the door is locked from the outside.Af: Hy frons en rol sy oë.En: He frowns and rolls his eyes.Af: Sonder sy snack is hy nou ook vasgekeer.En: Without his snack, he is now also trapped.Af: Hy sug en dink aan Marinda.En: He sighs and thinks of Marinda.Af: Sy gaan beslis vir weke lank oor hierdie een grap.En: She's definitely going to make a joke about this one for weeks.Af: Met ‘n mengsel van verslaenheid en vasberadenheid, trek Jaco sy foon uit sy sak en skakel Marinda.En: With a mix of despondency and determination, Jaco takes his phone out of his pocket and calls Marinda.Af: Intussen staan Marinda by die tafels waar party pasiëntë juig en gesels oor die nuwe jaar se vooruitsigte.En: Meanwhile, Marinda stands by the tables where some patients cheer and chat about the new year's prospects.Af: Langs haar sit Eben, wat altyd 'n snaakse opmerking gereed het.En: Next to her sits Eben, who always has a witty remark ready.Af: "Marinda," Jaco se stem klink benoud oor die foon.En: "Marinda," Jaco's voice sounds anxious over the phone.Af: "Ek is vasgekeer in die stoor vertrek. Kan jy help?"En: "I'm stuck in the storage room. Can you help?"Af: Marinda lag en skud haar kop, haar plig is duidelik.En: Marinda laughs and shakes her head, her duty clear.Af: "Ons kom nou, Jaco, bly kalm," antwoord sy met ‘n glimlag wat Eben dadelik opmerk.En: "We're coming now, Jaco, stay calm," she answers with a smile that Eben immediately notices.Af: "Wag, wag," sê Eben met glimlaggende oë.En: "Wait, wait," says Eben with smiling eyes.Af: "Ons moet ‘n reddingsdrama van hierdie maak.En: "We have to make a rescue drama out of this.Af: Ons gee hom ‘n dramatiese telling af soos in ‘n fliek!"En: Let's give him a dramatic countdown like in a movie!"Af: Marinda stem in, en saam met Ebenezer, gaan hulle met die sleutels na die stoor vertrek.En: Marinda agrees, and together with Eben, they head to the storage room with the keys.Af: Voor hulle die deur oopmaak, begin Eben tel, "Tien, nege, agt..." die res van die personeel lag en tel saam.En: Before they open the door, Eben starts counting, "Ten, nine, eight..." the rest of the staff laughs and counts along.Af: Teen "een" maak hulle die deur oop en Jaco tree uit, sy gesig rooi van verleentheid, maar hy onderdruk 'n lag.En: At "one" they open the door and Jaco steps out, his face red with embarrassment, but he suppresses a laugh.Af: "Die held van die jaar!" verklaar Eben en klop Jaco liggies op die rug terwyl Marinda 'n foto van die hele storie neem vir toekomstige tergery.En: "The hero of the year!" declares Eben and pats Jaco lightly on the back while Marinda takes a photo of the whole story for future teasing.Af: Jaco se planne vir 'n vinnige ontsnapping het tot 'n opwindende avontuur gelei, en hy glimlag nou terwyl die uitdagings van die saal skielik nie meer so vervelig is nie.En: Jaco's plans for a quick escape led to an exciting adventure, and he smiles now while the challenges of the ward suddenly don't seem so boring anymore.Af: Hy besef dat die onverwagse dinge soms die beste deel van sy dag is.En: He realizes that the unexpected things are sometimes the best part of his day.Af: Terwyl hy terugstap, selfvoldaan, is hy dankbaar vir die geselskap wat die saal lewendige maak.En: As he walks back, self-satisfied, he is grateful for the company that makes the ward lively. Vocabulary Words:uncomfortably: ongemaklikward: saalbright: helderballoons: ballonnecheerful: vrolikgrowls: gromvending machine: outomaatdutiful: pligsgetrouehawk's eye: arendsoogblocked: versperbanners: banierehallway: gangstorage room: stoor vertrekgrim: grimmigdespondency: verslaenheiddetermination: vasberadenheidprospects: vooruitsigtewitty: snaakseremark: opmerkinganxious: benoudembarrassment: verleentheidsuppresses: onderdrukteasing: tergeryadventure: avontuurboring: verveligunexpected: onverwagseself-satisfied: selfvoldaangrateful: dankbaarlively: lewendigerescue: reddingsdrama

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Stolen Heirloom Unveils Secret Family History Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-01-23-34-02-af Story Transcript:Af: Die somer was warm in Stellenbosch.En: The summer was warm in Stellenbosch.Af: Die son het helder geskyn oor die klein polisiestasie aan die hoek van 'n besige straat.En: The sun shone brightly over the small police station on the corner of a busy street.Af: Ruan en Melinda het haastig daar ingestap.En: Ruan and Melinda hurried inside.Af: Die nuwejaarsparty die vorige aand was vol lewenslustigheid, maar nou was daar 'n ernstige probleem.En: The New Year's party the previous night was full of vibrancy, but now there was a serious problem.Af: Die ou halssnoer van hulle ouma was weg.En: Their grandmother's old necklace was missing.Af: Dit was 'n kosbare erfstuk vol geskiedenis en waarde vir die familie.En: It was a precious heirloom full of history and value for the family.Af: Ruan, die plaaslike kunshistorikus, het terselfdertyd ontsteld en vasberade gelyk.En: Ruan, the local art historian, looked both upset and determined.Af: Hy het die snuisterye van sy familie baie hoog geag.En: He held his family's trinkets in high regard.Af: Melinda, sy jonger suster, was by hom.En: Melinda, his younger sister, was with him.Af: Sy was lief vir avontuur, maar dikwels het sy nie die dringendheid van die saak verstaan nie.En: She loved adventure, but often did not understand the urgency of the situation.Af: "Goie môre," het Ruan die beampte aan die toonbank gegroet.En: "Good morning," Ruan greeted the officer at the counter.Af: Die ontvangsarea was vol mense, elk met hul eie probleme.En: The reception area was full of people, each with their own problems.Af: Ruan het senuweeagtig met sy vingers op die houttoonbank getik.En: Ruan nervously tapped his fingers on the wooden counter.Af: "Hoe kan ek julle help?En: "How can I help you?"Af: " het die polisiebeampte gevra.En: the police officer asked.Af: "Ons moet 'n gesteelde item aanmeld," het Ruan gesê.En: "We need to report a stolen item," Ruan said.Af: " 'n Antieke halssnoer het verdwyn tydens ons nuwejaarsviering.En: "An antique necklace disappeared during our New Year's celebration."Af: "Die beampte het met aandag geluister, sy pen gereed om notas te maak.En: The officer listened attentively, pen ready to take notes.Af: Melinda het rondgekyk, betower deur die besige atmosfeer van die polisiestasie.En: Melinda looked around, enchanted by the busy atmosphere of the police station.Af: Ruan het besluit om die diefstal aan te meld en ook 'n eie ondersoek te begin.En: Ruan decided to report the theft and also begin his own investigation.Af: Hy het die gaste van die partytjie begin ondervra.En: He started questioning the guests from the party.Af: 'n Vriend van hulne, wat homself maar vreemd gedra het, het hom laat nadink oor die moontlikheid van 'n skelm tussen vriende.En: A friend of theirs, who had behaved rather oddly, made him ponder the possibility of a rogue among friends.Af: "Niks is ooit eenvoudig nie," het Ruan gedink.En: "Nothing is ever simple," Ruan thought.Af: Hy het die vermoedelike vriend eenkant toe geroep en wou die waarheid uit hom kry.En: He pulled the suspicious friend aside and wanted to get the truth out of him.Af: Die gesprek het egter 'n verrassende twist geneem.En: However, the conversation took a surprising turn.Af: "Ek het meer oor daardie halssnoer uitgevind," het die vriend skielik gesê.En: "I found out more about that necklace," the friend suddenly said.Af: "Die halssnoer het 'n dubbele agtergrond.En: "The necklace has a double background.Af: Dit bevat 'n geheime geskiedenis.En: It contains a secret history."Af: "Ruan was stomverbaas en ook nuuskierig.En: Ruan was astonished and also curious.Af: Hulle gesprek het lig gewerp op 'n onbekende sy van sy familie.En: Their conversation shed light on an unknown side of his family.Af: Die halssnoer was meer as 'n mooi stuk juweliersware.En: The necklace was more than a beautiful piece of jewelry.Af: Dit was 'n sleutel tot 'n ou familiegeheim.En: It was a key to an old family secret.Af: Nie lank daarna nie, het Melinda die halssnoer in 'n onverwagse plek gevind — versteek binne 'n ou koffertjie in die solder.En: Not long after, Melinda found the necklace in an unexpected place—hidden inside an old suitcase in the attic.Af: Dit het 'n ou brief bevat wat die geskiedenis van die halssnoer verduidelik het, en wat nuwe lig op hul familieverlede gewerp het.En: It contained an old letter that explained the history of the necklace and shed new light on their family past.Af: Ruan het besef dat dinge nie altyd is wat dit lyk nie.En: Ruan realized that things are not always what they seem.Af: Hy het geleer om oor die oppervlak te kyk.En: He learned to look beyond the surface.Af: Die ervaring het sy begrip van vertroue en familie geskiedenisse verander.En: The experience changed his understanding of trust and family histories.Af: Die somer was nog warm, maar hy het met 'n nuwe koelte van gemoed weggestap.En: The summer was still warm, but he walked away with a new calmness of mind. Vocabulary Words:heirloom: erfstuktrinkets: snuisteryevibrancy: lewenslustigheiddetermined: vasberadeurgent: dringendheidreception: ontvangsareanervously: senuweeagtigdisappeared: verdwynattentively: met aandagenchanted: betowerinvestigation: ondersoekquestioning: ondervraponder: nadinkrogue: skelmastonished: stomverbaascurious: nuuskierigconversation: gespreksurface: oppervlakdetermined: vasberadevaluable: kosbareastonished: stomverbaasrevealed: verduidelikcalmness: koelteunexpected: onverwagsesuitcase: koffertjieattic: soldertrust: vertrouethankful: dankbaarbackground: agtergrondhistory: geskiedenis

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Where the Grapes Ripen: A Festival Mystery Uncorked Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-01-08-38-20-af Story Transcript:Af: Die son gooi sy warm strale oor die Stellenbosch Wynlandgoed.En: The sun casts its warm rays over the Stellenbosch Wynlandgoed.Af: Die druiwe is vol en gereed om gepluk te word.En: The grapes are full and ready to be picked.Af: Dis tyd vir die jaarlikse oesfees.En: It's time for the annual harvest festival.Af: Die lug ruik na somer, vars grond, en die belofte van nuwe beginne.En: The air smells of summer, fresh earth, and the promise of new beginnings.Af: Elsie, die noukeurige landgoedbestuurder, is gespanne.En: Elsie, the meticulous estate manager, is tense.Af: 'n Kosbare ou wynbottel is skielik weg uit die landgoed se versameling.En: A precious old wine bottle has suddenly disappeared from the estate's collection.Af: Die fees moet foutloos verloop, en Elsie is vasbeslote om die bottel op te spoor voor die gaste arriveer.En: The festival must go flawlessly, and Elsie is determined to track down the bottle before the guests arrive.Af: Werner, die ervare wingerdwerker, loop tussen die rye.En: Werner, the experienced vineyard worker, walks among the rows.Af: Hy praat min, maar hy sien alles.En: He speaks little, but he sees everything.Af: Marnus, die nuuskierige jong intern, dwaal rond met 'n notaboek in sy hand.En: Marnus, the curious young intern, wanders around with a notebook in hand.Af: Almal besef dadelik die erns wanneer Elsie die verdwyning aan die span verduidelik.En: Everyone immediately understands the seriousness when Elsie explains the disappearance to the team.Af: Die voorbereiding is in volle gang.En: The preparations are in full swing.Af: Musiek speel, tafels word gedek, en gasvryheid straal van almal af.En: Music plays, tables are set, and hospitality radiates from everyone.Af: Onder die besige verkeer in die kelder is dit moeilik om stil-stil ondersoek in te stel.En: Amidst the busy traffic in the cellar, it's difficult to conduct a quiet investigation.Af: Wanneer Elsie beide Werner en Marnus uitvra, lyk hulle effens ongemaklik.En: When Elsie questions both Werner and Marnus, they seem slightly uncomfortable.Af: Hulle vermy oogkontak, en Elsie raak agterdogtig.En: They avoid eye contact, and Elsie becomes suspicious.Af: Die ure tik verby.En: The hours tick by.Af: Elsie besluit om haastig deur die kelder te soek.En: Elsie decides to hastily search through the cellar.Af: Die klammigheid van die kelder omvou haar soos sy haar pad deur die ry van wynrakke baan.En: The dampness of the cellar envelops her as she makes her way through the rows of wine racks.Af: 'n Geringe beweging vang haar oog.En: A slight movement catches her eye.Af: Daar is 'n versteekte gang agter die rakke.En: There's a hidden passage behind the racks.Af: Met moeite skuif Elsie die rak op sy plek.En: With difficulty, Elsie moves the rack into place.Af: Sy seil deur die nou opening en stap stadig die donker gang binne.En: She slips through the narrow opening and slowly walks into the dark passage.Af: Aan die einde van die gang staan die verlore bottel, veilig geplaas as gevolg van 'n gonsgierige storting tydens die opstel van die fees.En: At the end of the passage stands the missing bottle, safely placed due to a careless spill during the festival set-up.Af: Elsie haal die bottel versigtig uit.En: Elsie carefully retrieves the bottle.Af: Sy voel 'n mengsel van verligting en selfverwyt.En: She feels a mix of relief and self-reproach.Af: Dit was bloot 'n ongeluk.En: It was merely an accident.Af: Sy keer vinnig terug met die bottel in die hand, betyds om die glaasie op Nuwejaarsdag te lig.En: She quickly returns with the bottle in hand, just in time to raise a glass on New Year's Day.Af: By die fees heers ligduidige geesdrif.En: At the festival, a lighthearted enthusiasm prevails.Af: Die bottel word oopgemaak en Elsie hou die glas omhoog in 'n roostering vir al die gesigte wat na haar kyk.En: The bottle is opened, and Elsie holds the glass aloft in a toast to all the faces looking at her.Af: Die dag eindig met sukses.En: The day ends successfully.Af: Elsie besef dat geduldig wees en ook op haar span vertrou soms die hoogste verwagtinge oortref.En: Elsie realizes that being patient and also trusting her team sometimes exceeds the highest expectations.Af: Werner glimlag van waar hy staan, sy oë vonkel.En: Werner smiles from where he stands, his eyes sparkling.Af: Marnus teken die dag se gebeure met 'n geringe glimlag op sy notas op.En: Marnus notes the day's events with a slight smile in his notebook.Af: Almal leer iets die dag.En: Everyone learns something that day.Af: En die oesfees is presies soos Elsie dit beplan het: foutloos en vol vreugde.En: And the harvest festival is exactly as Elsie planned it: flawless and full of joy. Vocabulary Words:casts: gooirays: straleharvest: oesmeticulous: noukeurigetense: gespannedisappeared: wegcollection: versamelingexperienced: ervarecurious: nuuskierigeintern: internseriousness: ernspreparations: voorbereidinginvestigation: ondersoekconduct: in te steluncomfortable: ongemaklikavoid: vermyeye contact: oogkontaksuspicious: agterdogtigdampness: klammigheidenvelops: omvoumovement: beweginghidden: versteektenarrow: noupassage: gangretrieve: haal uitrelief: verligtingself-reproach: selfverwytaccident: ongeluklighthearted: ligduidigeenthusiasm: geesdrif

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: New Year's Courage: Jaco's Journey to Sea and Self-Discovery Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2025-12-31-23-34-01-af Story Transcript:Af: Die son sak oor die Kaapse Hawe, en die lug kleur in skakerings van oranje en pienk.En: The sun sets over the Kaapse Hawe, and the sky is colored in shades of orange and pink.Af: Die warmte van die somer se briesie bring die sout geur van die see.En: The warmth of the summer breeze brings the salty smell of the sea.Af: Jaco staan op die dek van die toeristeboot, sy oë op die skouspelagtige Tafelberg.En: Jaco stands on the deck of the tourist boat, his eyes on the spectacular Tafelberg.Af: Sy hart klop vinnig, deels van opwinding en deels van senuwees.En: His heart beats quickly, partly from excitement and partly from nerves.Af: Dit is Oujaarsaand, en die boot is tot barstens toe vol mense wat wil sien hoe die nuwe jaar oor die horison breek.En: It's New Year's Eve, and the boat is bursting with people who want to see the new year break over the horizon.Af: Jaco het groot drome.En: Jaco has big dreams.Af: Hy wil die wêreld deur die oseaan sien.En: He wants to see the world through the ocean.Af: Maar sy familie verstaan nie.En: But his family doesn't understand.Af: Hulle wil hê hy moet iets meer "vaste" doen, iets op droë grond.En: They want him to do something more "solid," something on dry land.Af: Jaco voel ver van hulle af, fisies en emosioneel.En: Jaco feels far from them, physically and emotionally.Af: Marius, die kaptein van die boot, roep na Jaco.En: Marius, the captain of the boat, calls to Jaco.Af: "Ons het hulp nodig met die passasiers!En: "We need help with the passengers!"Af: " Jaco weet die boot is oorbespreek.En: Jaco knows the boat is overbooked.Af: Dinge is besig om stressvol te raak.En: Things are getting stressful.Af: Linda, nog 'n dekhand, strompel onder die gewoel van opwinding.En: Linda, another deckhand, stumbles under the hullabaloo of excitement.Af: “Ons is te min mense,” sê sy, haar stem oor die lag en geselskap om haar hewe.En: "We are too few people," she says, her voice cutting through the laughter and chatter around her.Af: Jaco knik en neem 'n besluit.En: Jaco nods and makes a decision.Af: Hy sal ekstra werk doen.En: He will do extra work.Af: Hier op die water, weg van bakleiery en meningsverskille, voel hy tuis.En: Here on the water, away from fights and disagreements, he feels at home.Af: Hy hardloop oor die dek, help om die tafels reg te maak, verwelkom passasiers, en dra 'n wye glimlag.En: He runs across the deck, helps set up the tables, welcomes passengers, and carries a wide smile.Af: Hy is vasberade dat die aand 'n sukses sal wees.En: He is determined that the evening will be a success.Af: Die aand vorder en passasiers maak gereed vir die vuurwerke.En: The night progresses, and passengers prepare for the fireworks.Af: Jaco kyk na die see.En: Jaco looks at the sea.Af: Dis sy metgesel in drome en hoop.En: It's his companion in dreams and hope.Af: Skielik ruk die boot.En: Suddenly the boat jolts.Af: Die water raak rof.En: The water becomes rough.Af: Paniek begin in die oë van die passasiers.En: Panic begins in the passengers' eyes.Af: Jaco weet hy moet iets doen, vinnig.En: Jaco knows he must do something, quickly.Af: Marius gee bevele, maar dit is Jaco se kalm besluitnemingsvermoë wat help.En: Marius gives orders, but it is Jaco's calm decision-making ability that helps.Af: Hy sorg dat almal sitplekke behou, hou hulle gerus.En: He ensures everyone keeps their seats and reassures them.Af: Dit is 'n spanpoging.En: It is a team effort.Af: Linda help ook, haar oë ontmoet Jaco s'n in 'n woordelose ooreenkoms.En: Linda also helps, her eyes meeting Jaco's in a wordless agreement.Af: Middernag slaan, en die lug ontplof in lig en kleur.En: Midnight strikes, and the sky explodes in light and color.Af: Die boot is weer stabiel en die reisigers juig.En: The boat is stable again, and the travelers cheer.Af: Jaco voel 'n golf van trots.En: Jaco feels a wave of pride.Af: Hy het iets gewys, nie net aan homself nie, maar ook aan sy gesin - al is hulle nie hier nie.En: He has shown something, not only to himself but also to his family - even though they are not here.Af: Na die fees, in 'n stil oomblik by die reling, haal hy sy selfoon uit.En: After the celebration, in a quiet moment by the railing, he takes out his phone.Af: Hy bel sy familie.En: He calls his family.Af: Die lyn lui lank, maar uiteindelik antwoord sy ma.En: The line rings for a long time, but finally, his mother answers.Af: Haar stem is warm, soos 'n kombers op 'n koue winterdag.En: Her voice is warm, like a blanket on a cold winter's day.Af: "Jaco, ons is trots op jou," sê sy.En: "Jaco, we are proud of you," she says.Af: Trane oorweldig hom.En: Tears overwhelm him.Af: Hulle het hom nie vergeet nie.En: They haven't forgotten him.Af: Die nag eindig met 'n stil tevredenheid.En: The night ends with a quiet satisfaction.Af: Jaco weet hy het 'n plek op die see, en nou ook 'n verbindingslyn na die mense wat vir hom omgee, die ouer, sterker draad van liefde en begrip.En: Jaco knows he has a place on the sea and now also a connection to the people who care for him, the older, stronger thread of love and understanding. Vocabulary Words:sets: sakbreeze: briesiespectacular: skouspelagtigeexcitement: opwindingnerves: senuweeshorizon: horisonsolid: vasteoverbooked: oorbespreekstressful: stressvolstumbles: strompelhullabaloo: gewoeldetermined: vasberadecompanions: metgeseljolts: rukrough: rofpanic: paniekreassures: gerusteam effort: spanpogingwordless: woordeloseagree: ooreenkomscheer: juigpride: trotswave: golfoverwhelm: oorweldigblanket: kombersquiet satisfaction: stille tevredenheidthread: draadcare: omgeeconnection: verbindingslynunderstanding: begrip