FluentFiction - Afrikaans

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: The Unplanned Magic of a Summer Family Gathering
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-28-08-38-19-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Johan kyk buite uit die groot kombuisvenster.
En: Johan looks outside from the large kitchen window.

Af: Die tuin is perfek, net soos hy dit wou hê.
En: The garden is perfect, just as he wanted it.

Af: Tafels onder bont sambrele, die braai gereed vir vleis, en die swembad vonkel in die somerson.
En: Tables under colorful umbrellas, the braai ready for meat, and the pool sparkling in the summer sun.

Af: Familielede is reeds aan die aankom en die huis ruik heerlik na melktert en boerewors.
En: Family members are already arriving, and the house smells wonderful of melktert and boerewors.

Af: Dit is die somerfamiliesaamtrek van die Bothas.
En: It is the summer family gathering of the Bothas.

Af: Johan is baie opgewonde.
En: Johan is very excited.

Af: Hierdie jaar wil hy alles perfek laat verloop.
En: This year he wants everything to go perfectly.

Af: Hy het maande lank beplan.
En: He has been planning for months.

Af: Maar sy planne gaan gou verrassings kry.
En: But his plans are in for some surprises.

Af: "Johan!" klink 'n geluid van die voordeur af.
En: "Johan!" a voice calls from the front door.

Af: Dit is Elna, Johan se suster.
En: It is Elna, Johan's sister.

Af: Sy het pas uit Europa aangekom.
En: She has just arrived from Europe.

Af: Sy dra 'n dik winterjas en 'n vrolike hoed, heeltemal onvanpas vir die warm Suid-Afrikaanse somer.
En: She is wearing a thick winter coat and a cheerful hat, completely inappropriate for the warm South African summer.

Af: "Elna!" roep Johan en omhels haar.
En: "Elna!" Johan calls and hugs her.

Af: Hy voel al klaar 'n bietjie bekommerd.
En: He already feels a bit worried.

Af: Wanneer Elna naby is, is dinge geneig om onvoorspelbaar te raak.
En: When Elna is near, things tend to become unpredictable.

Af: "Ek het 'n gas saamgebring," sê Elna met 'n ondeunde glimlag.
En: "I brought a guest," says Elna with a mischievous smile.

Af: Agter haar stap 'n man binne.
En: Behind her, a man steps inside.

Af: Hy stel homself voor as Pierre, 'n mede-Afro-Europeër wat sy in Parys ontmoet het.
En: He introduces himself as Pierre, a fellow Afro-European whom she met in Paris.

Af: Johan is eers verleë.
En: Johan is initially embarrassed.

Af: Hy het nie vir 'n ekstra gas voorberei nie.
En: He had not prepared for an extra guest.

Af: Hy glimlag struikelend.
En: He smiles awkwardly.

Af: “Welkom, Pierre,” sê hy beleefd.
En: "Welcome, Pierre," he says politely.

Af: Uur na uur kom familie aan.
En: Hour after hour, family arrives.

Af: Die huis is vol lag en geselskap.
En: The house is full of laughter and conversation.

Af: Elna en Pierre voeg 'n besonderse gees toe.
En: Elna and Pierre add a special spirit.

Af: Maar Johan probeer om alles volgens sy plan te hou.
En: But Johan tries to keep everything according to his plan.

Af: Hy hou sy skedulekorrels fyn dop.
En: He closely monitors his schedule.

Af: Dan, net toe alles volgens die omvattende lys verloop, het Elna 'n idee.
En: Then, just as everything is going according to the comprehensive list, Elna has an idea.

Af: “Kom ons hou 'n impromptu speletjiedag!” stel sy voor.
En: “Let's have an impromptu game day!” she suggests.

Af: Die kinders skreeu van opgewondenheid.
En: The children scream with excitement.

Af: Selfs die volwassenes lyk ingeneem met die gedagte.
En: Even the adults seem taken with the idea.

Af: Johan is in die knoop.
En: Johan is in a dilemma.

Af: Sy planne kan totaal ontspoor.
En: His plans could completely derail.

Af: Maar dan kyk hy hoe vreugdevol almal reageer.
En: But then he sees how joyfully everyone reacts.

Af: Hy onthou waarom familiebyeenkomste belangrik is – nie net oor die orde nie, maar oor die saamwees.
En: He remembers why family gatherings are important – not just about order, but about togetherness.

Af: Hy besef dat spontaan wees nie sleg is nie.
En: He realizes that being spontaneous isn't bad.

Af: Dit voeg opwinding en avontuur by.
En: It adds excitement and adventure.

Af: Hy neem 'n diep asem en sê, "Goed! Kom ons begin speletjies!"
En: He takes a deep breath and says, "Okay! Let's start the games!"

Af: Die familie breek uit in gejuig.
En: The family erupts in cheers.

Af: Pierre blyk 'n geniale speletjie-aanbieder te wees.
En: Pierre turns out to be a brilliant game host.

Af: Die res van die dag is gevul met lag en onverwagse vreugdes.
En: The rest of the day is filled with laughter and unexpected joys.

Af: Johan is bly.
En: Johan is happy.

Af: Hy sien dat die mooiste produkte van planne altyd 'n bietjie chaos insluit.
En: He sees that the most beautiful outcomes of plans always include a bit of chaos.

Af: Teen die einde van die aand, wanneer die laaste ligte nadruppel in die tuin, weet Johan dat hierdie somerfamiliesaamtrek vir altyd onthou gaan word.
En: By the end of the evening, when the last lights flicker in the garden, Johan knows that this summer family gathering will be remembered forever.

Af: Hy het geleer om aanpasbaar te wees en die skoonheid van spontane oomblikke te waardeer.
En: He has learned to be adaptable and to appreciate the beauty of spontaneous moments.

Af: Die Bothas het 'n wonderlike dag gehad.
En: The Bothas had a wonderful day.

Af: Johan glimlag tevrede.
En: Johan smiles contentedly.

Af: Hy omhels Elna. “Dankie dat jy chaos gebring het,” sê hy met 'n knipoog.
En: He hugs Elna. “Thank you for bringing chaos,” he says with a wink.

Af: En sy glimlag terug, beide van hulle verstaan nou die krag van die onverwagte.
En: And she smiles back, both now understanding the power of the unexpected.

Vocabulary Words:
gathering: saamtrek
appropriate: vanpas
unpredictable: onvoorspelbaar
mischievous: ondeunde
comprehensive: omvattende
impromptu: onvoorbereide
sparkling: vonkel
schedule: skedule
derail: ontspoor
chaos: chaos
contentedly: tevrede
adventure: avontuur
plan: planne
grin: glimlag
unexpected: onverwagte
togetherness: saamwees
spontaneous: spontaan
outcomes: produkte
adaptable: aanpasbaar
appreciate: waardeer
walking: stap
fellow: mede
brilliant: geniale
host: aanbieder
power: krag
reaction: reageer
excited: opgewonde
inhale: asem
chaotic: chaos
dilemma: knoop

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: A New Year's Eve on Tafelberg: Friends Above Fireworks
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-27-23-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son sak stadig oor Kaapstad se helder horison, liggies vonkel in die verte terwyl die stad gereed maak vir nog 'n Nuwejaarsviering.
En: The sun set slowly over Kaapstad's bright horizon, lights twinkling in the distance as the city prepared for another New Year's celebration.

Af: Pieter het sy hart daarop gesit om van bo, vanaf die bergtop van Tafelberg, die vuurwerke te sien wat die nuwe jaar sou inlui.
En: Pieter had his heart set on watching the fireworks usher in the new year from above, atop the mountain peak of Tafelberg.

Af: Saam met sy beste vriende, Annelie en Johan, het hy vroeg die oggend die stap begin.
En: Together with his best friends, Annelie and Johan, he began the hike early that morning.

Af: Die avontuur het belowe om gedenkwaardig te wees.
En: The adventure promised to be memorable.

Af: Tafelberg strek majestieus bo die stad uit, omring deur digte fynbos.
En: Tafelberg majestically towers over the city, surrounded by dense fynbos.

Af: Annelie het aan die voorkant geloop, haar stapstokkie speels in die lug geswaai.
En: Annelie walked at the front, playfully swinging her walking stick in the air.

Af: Sy was altyd die avontuurlustige een, oorgehaal om enige uitdaging met entoesiasme aan te pak.
En: She was always the adventurous one, eager to tackle any challenge with enthusiasm.

Af: Johan het agter haar gestap, sy pas stadig en berekenend.
En: Johan walked behind her, his pace slow and calculating.

Af: Hy het altyd 'n plan, altyd 'n kaart byderhand.
En: He always had a plan, always a map at hand.

Af: Pieter, vasberade in sy strewe, het tussen hulle instap.
En: Pieter, determined in his pursuit, walked between them.

Af: Teen middagdae het hulle 'n klein rusplek gevind.
En: By midday, they found a small resting place.

Af: Hulle het gesit en die uitsig oor die stad bewonder.
En: They sat and admired the view of the city.

Af: Die vars reuk van die oseaan het in die koelte gebring.
En: The fresh scent of the ocean brought in the coolness.

Af: Pieter kon nie wag vir die groot oomblik wanneer die vuurwerke die lug sou versier nie.
En: Pieter couldn't wait for the big moment when the fireworks would decorate the sky.

Af: Elke Nouejaarsviering was spesiaal vir hom, en hierdie keer sou dit besonders wees.
En: Every New Year's celebration was special for him, and this time it would be particularly so.

Af: Maar toe, soos uit die bloute, het die weer begin verander.
En: But then, as if out of the blue, the weather began to change.

Af: Donker wolke het oor die berg getrek, en 'n dik mis het soos 'n kombers oor die landskap gelê.
En: Dark clouds rolled over the mountain, and a thick mist lay over the landscape like a blanket.

Af: Die paaie het minder sigbaar geword, en die roete wat voorheen duidelik was, lyk nou vreemd en verwarrend.
En: The paths became less visible, and what once was a clear route now seemed strange and confusing.

Af: "Wat nou?
En: "What now?"

Af: " het Johan bekommerd gevra, terwyl hy na sy kaart gekyk het.
En: Johan asked worriedly, looking at his map.

Af: Annelie het haar kop geskud, die altyd-optimistiese glimlag 'n bietjie gedemp.
En: Annelie shook her head, her always-optimistic smile a little dampened.

Af: Pieter moes 'n besluit neem: sal hulle voortgaan, die risiko loop om heeltemal verlore te raak, of omdraai, met die wete dat sy droom om die vuurwerke bo van die berg te sien sou verbygaan?
En: Pieter had to make a decision: would they continue, risking getting completely lost, or turn back, knowing his dream of seeing the fireworks from the top of the mountain would pass by?

Af: Die mis het verder ingetrek, en die donker het vinniger geval as wat verwag is.
En: The mist pulled in further, and darkness fell faster than expected.

Af: Pieter het moedeloos gevoel, sy droom so naby maar tog onbereikbaar.
En: Pieter felt disheartened, his dream so close yet unattainable.

Af: "Ons moet 'n veilige plek vind," stel Annelie voor.
En: "We need to find a safe place," Annelie suggested.

Af: "Ons kan nie nou meer verder gaan nie.
En: "We can't go on any further now."

Af: "Uiteindelik het Pieter ingestem.
En: Finally, Pieter agreed.

Af: Hulle het saam gesoek na 'n skuiling tussen 'n paar groot rotse, een met 'n bietjie skadu teen die winderigheid.
En: Together they looked for shelter among some large rocks, one offering a bit of shade from the wind.

Af: Terwyl hulle daar gesit het, het die horlosie nader aan middernag getik, en tog het iets verander.
En: As they sat there, the clock ticked closer to midnight, yet something changed.

Af: Die gesprekke het liggies gevloei, verhale van die afgelope jaar en planne vir die toekoms.
En: Conversations flowed lightly, stories of the past year and plans for the future.

Af: Tussen gesels en lag, het die oomblik self spesiaal geword.
En: Between chatting and laughing, the moment itself became special.

Af: Met die klok wat twaalf slaan, het hulle die vreugde van mekaar se geselskap gevier, die stad se vuurwerke 'n stil agtergrond vanaf waar hulle sit.
En: With the clock striking twelve, they celebrated the joy of each other's company, the city's fireworks a quiet backdrop from where they sat.

Af: Pieter het besef dat hierdie reis hom meer geleer het as wat enige uitsig kon.
En: Pieter realized this journey taught him more than any view could.

Af: Hy het geleer om die reis te waardeer, en dat die geselskap van goeie vriende belangriker was as enige persoonlike prestasie.
En: He learned to appreciate the journey, and that the company of good friends was more important than any personal achievement.

Af: 'n Nuwe jaar het begin, met hoop, vreugde, en die kosbare teenwoordigheid van die vriende om hom.
En: A new year had begun, with hope, joy, and the precious presence of friends around him.

Vocabulary Words:
twinkling: vonkel
majestic: majestieus
dense: dikte
adventure: avontuur
enthusiasm: entoesiasme
calculating: berekenend
resting place: rusplek
coolness: koelte
admired: bewonder
unattainable: onbereikbaar
mist: mis
risking: risiko loop
confusing: verwarrend
disheartened: moedeloos
shelter: skuiling
winds: winderigheid
joy: vreugde
companionship: geselskap
presence: teenwoordigheid
precious: kosbaar
horizon: horison
celebration: viering
challenge: uitdaging
pursuit: strewe
route: roete
blanket: kombers
visible: sigbaar
strange: vreemd
decision: besluit
valuable: waardevolle

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Rainy Encounters and Botanical Bonds at Kirstenbosch
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-27-08-38-20-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Onder 'n helder somerdag by die Kirstenbosch Botaniese Tuin, stap Karel stadig tussen die kronkelende paadjies.
En: Under a bright summer day at the Kirstenbosch Botaniese Tuin (Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden), Karel walks slowly among the winding paths.

Af: Hy neem elke detail van die plante in.
En: He takes in every detail of the plants.

Af: Die ryk geure van die tuin is soos 'n simfonie vir sy sintuie.
En: The rich aromas of the garden are like a symphony to his senses.

Af: Sy doel is om 'n spesiale plant te vind vir sy volgende navorsingsprojek, iets ongewoon wat sy wetenskaphart vinniger laat klop.
En: His goal is to find a special plant for his next research project, something unusual that makes his scientist heart beat faster.

Af: Anika, met haar kamera gereed, beweeg ook deur die tuin.
En: Anika, with her camera ready, also moves through the garden.

Af: Haar passie om die perfekte foto van die somerblomme vas te vang, dryf haar vorentoe.
En: Her passion to capture the perfect photo of the summer blooms drives her forward.

Af: Haar vriendin Elsa het haar die besoek aanbeveel.
En: Her friend Elsa had recommended the visit.

Af: Sy het gesê daar is geen beter plek om die oorspronklike skoonheid van die Kaap vas te vang nie.
En: She said there's no better place to capture the original beauty of the Cape.

Af: Skielik trek donker wolke oor die tuin saam.
En: Suddenly, dark clouds gather over the garden.

Af: Die somerson maak plek vir 'n vinnige bui.
En: The summer sun makes way for a quick shower.

Af: 'n Spatsel reën begin val.
En: A splash of rain begins to fall.

Af: Karel, wat nie verwag het om natgemaak te word nie, besluit om vinnig skuiling te soek.
En: Karel, who didn’t expect to get wet, decides to quickly seek shelter.

Af: Hy vind beskutting onder die breë, beskermende takke van 'n groot boom.
En: He finds protection under the wide, sheltering branches of a large tree.

Af: Op dieselfde oomblik kyk Anika vinnig rond.
En: At the same moment, Anika looks around quickly.

Af: Sy sien Karel by die boom en hardloop ook daarheen.
En: She sees Karel by the tree and runs there too.

Af: Die reën is vinnig en koud, druppels spat op die grond soos duisende klein sterretjies.
En: The rain is fast and cold, drops splashing on the ground like thousands of tiny stars.

Af: Saam onder die boom, verskuil van die nat reën, ontmoet hul oë.
En: Together under the tree, hidden from the wet rain, their eyes meet.

Af: "Hallo," sê Karel en gee 'n effense glimlag.
En: "Hello," says Karel with a slight smile.

Af: "Ek is Karel, 'n botanikus.
En: "I'm Karel, a botanist."

Af: ""Anika," antwoord sy terug, haar kamera styf vasklem.
En: "Anika," she replies, clutching her camera tightly.

Af: "Ek neem foto's van die somerbloeisels.
En: "I'm taking photos of the summer blossoms."

Af: "Die reën val swaar om hulle, maar onder die beskerming van die digte blare, begin hulle gesels.
En: The rain falls heavily around them, but under the protection of the dense leaves, they start to chat.

Af: Gesprek vloei natuurlik tussen hulle.
En: Conversation flows naturally between them.

Af: Karel vertel van sy soeke na 'n unieke plant, terwyl Anika foto's van haar pogings wys.
En: Karel talks about his search for a unique plant, while Anika shows photos of her efforts.

Af: Hulle deel stories oor hul liefde vir die natuur en wat elkeen inspireer.
En: They share stories about their love for nature and what inspires each of them.

Af: Die reën bedaar stadig maar seker.
En: The rain gradually lets up.

Af: Die lug is skoon en vars, en die tuin glinster soos 'n nat kaart.
En: The air is clean and fresh, and the garden glistens like a wet map.

Af: Anika kyk op na die lig wat deur die wolke begin breek.
En: Anika looks up at the light beginning to break through the clouds.

Af: Die perfekte foto, dink sy, is miskien net hier – ook in die ontmoeting self.
En: The perfect photo, she thinks, might be right here – also in the encounter itself.

Af: Met die reën wat bedaar, kyk hulle na mekaar met nuwe oë.
En: As the rain subsides, they look at each other with new eyes.

Af: "Kom ons ontmoet weer," stel Karel voor.
En: "Let's meet again," suggests Karel.

Af: "Ek kan nie wag om saam met jou meer van die tuin en plante te ontdek nie.
En: "I can't wait to discover more of the garden and plants with you."

Af: "Anika glimlag breed.
En: Anika smiles widely.

Af: "Ek sal daarvan hou," sê sy.
En: "I'd love that," she says.

Af: Hulle vertrek saam, die tuin agterlaat, nou ryker as tevore.
En: They leave together, leaving the garden behind, now richer than before.

Af: Beide weet die natuur het meer gebied as net plante en blomme - dit het 'n verbinding gesmee.
En: Both know that nature had offered more than just plants and flowers – it had forged a connection.

Af: En so vertrek hulle, hand aan hand, na die volgende avontuur.
En: And so they leave, hand in hand, to the next adventure.

Vocabulary Words:
botanist: botanikus
symphony: simfonie
shelter: skuiling
aromas: geure
passion: passie
capture: vas te vang
blossoms: blaarblomme
encounter: ontmoeting
drops: druppels
unique: unika
gather: saamtrek
details: besonderhede
protection: beskerming
conversation: gesprek
connected: verbind
clouds: wolke
gradually: stadig
glistens: glinster
sympathetic: deernisvol
chat: gesels
unusual: ongewoon
smile: glimlag
clutching: vasklem
adventure: avontuur
research: navorsing
pursue: nastreef
blizzards: sneeustorms
inspirational: inspirerend
windswept: rommelrig
patience: geduld

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Atop Tafelberg: Annelie's Journey of Friendship and Triumph
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-26-23-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die sonbak klop op die platterand van Tafelberg, omvou deur die vars blou lug en die klanke van veraf Kaapstad.
En: The sunbake beats on the flat edge of Tafelberg, enveloped by the fresh blue sky and the sounds of distant Kaapstad.

Af: Annelie, met haar rugsak styf vas, weg oor die kronkelende roete.
En: Annelie, with her backpack secured tightly, makes her way over the winding route.

Af: Sy voel die opwinding soos 'n warm golf in haar bors.
En: She feels the excitement like a warm wave in her chest.

Af: Stefan en Jaco, haar metgeselle, stap 'n ent agter haar.
En: Stefan and Jaco, her companions, walk a bit behind her.

Af: Hulle lag en praat, hul stemme dra oor die droë gras en klein klippe.
En: They laugh and talk, their voices carrying over the dry grass and small stones.

Af: Annelie het altyd haar eie koers gevolg, maar hierdie klim na die kruin was die laaste stap in haar jarelange doelwit om alle bekende roetes op Tafelberg te voltooi.
En: Annelie had always followed her own path, but this climb to the summit was the last step in her long-standing goal to complete all known routes on Tafelberg.

Af: Sy het gehoor die uitsig bo is asemrowend, 'n ware kunswerk van Moeder Natuur.
En: She had heard the view at the top is breathtaking, a true masterpiece of Mother Nature.

Af: Die pad raak 'n bietjie rof, en Jaco, met sy kamera om sy nek, versadig homself in die detail van die omgewing.
En: The path becomes a bit rough, and Jaco, with his camera around his neck, immerses himself in the details of the surroundings.

Af: “Kyk hier, ek het ’n pragtige skoot gevang!” roep hy uit, en Stefan knik goedkeurend.
En: “Look here, I captured a beautiful shot!” he exclaims, and Stefan nods approvingly.

Af: Maar skielik tree Annelie stil.
En: But suddenly Annelie stops.

Af: Sy voel 'n skerp steek op haar enkel.
En: She feels a sharp sting on her ankle.

Af: Sy kyk neer en sien 'n klein wesp wat vinnig wegvlieg.
En: She looks down and sees a small wasp quickly fly away.

Af: Aanvanklik probeer sy nie daaraan dink nie, maar kort voor lank begin sy sweter en sukkel om asem te haal.
En: Initially, she tries not to think about it, but before long she begins to sweat and struggles to breathe.

Af: Haar enkel raak geswel.
En: Her ankle becomes swollen.

Af: “Stefan,” roep sy, haar stem effens benoud.
En: “Stefan,” she calls out, her voice slightly anxious.

Af: Stefan storm nader en kyk na Annelie.
En: Stefan rushes over and looks at Annelie.

Af: “Ons moet jou dadelik help,” dring hy aan.
En: “We need to help you right away,” he insists.

Af: Jaco deins effens terug, bietjie onrustig.
En: Jaco steps back a little, somewhat uneasy.

Af: “Annelie, laat ons die hulp kry,” stel hy sag voor.
En: “Annelie, let's get some help,” he gently suggests.

Af: Sy huiwer, vasgevang tussen haar onafhanklikheid en die situasie.
En: She hesitates, caught between her independence and the situation.

Af: Maal gedagtes omhelm haar, maar sy weet sy moet op Stefan en Jaco vertrou.
En: Swirling thoughts envelop her, but she knows she must rely on Stefan and Jaco.

Af: In 'n sagte, maar ferm stem, sê sy: “Goed, help my asseblief.”
En: In a soft but firm voice, she says, “Okay, please help me.”

Af: Stefan draf af na sy rugsak, trek 'n eerstehulpkissie uit en begin dadelik werk.
En: Stefan jogs over to his backpack, pulls out a first aid kit, and immediately gets to work.

Af: Jaco neem sy selfoon en bel vir hulp.
En: Jaco takes out his cellphone and calls for help.

Af: Hulle werk saam, en Annelie voel haar gespanne skouers stadig ontspan as die kleur terugkom in haar wange.
En: They work together, and Annelie feels her tense shoulders slowly relax as the color returns to her cheeks.

Af: “Dankie, julle,” fluister sy, emosie warm in haar oë.
En: “Thank you, both,” she whispers, emotion warm in her eyes.

Af: Sy het besef dat selfs die strongest onder ons soms 'n hand nodig het.
En: She realized that even the strongest among us sometimes need a helping hand.

Af: Hulle is vinnig terug op die roete, stadig, maar beslis.
En: They quickly return to the route, slow but determined.

Af: Die sonbegin sak soos die groep die top bereik.
En: The sun begins to set as the group reaches the top.

Af: Toe die drie uiteindelik bo-op die berg staan, is die uitsig oor die stad inderdaad 'n meesterstuk.
En: When the three finally stand atop the mountain, the view over the city is indeed a masterpiece.

Af: Annelie staan tussen Stefan en Jaco, haar vriende wat haar deur die ongelukkige gebeurtenis gehelp het.
En: Annelie stands between Stefan and Jaco, her friends who helped her through the unfortunate event.

Af: Sy haal diep asem in en glimlag vir elkeen van hulle.
En: She takes a deep breath and smiles at each of them.

Af: “Ek kon dit nie sonder julle gedoen het nie,” erken sy opreg.
En: “I couldn't have done it without you,” she admits sincerely.

Af: Die son straal oor die Atlantiese Oseaan, en Annelie voel dankbaarheid tintel soos ‘n sagte bries deur elke deel van haar menswees.
En: The sun shines over the Atlantiese Oseaan, and Annelie feels gratitude tingle like a soft breeze through every part of her being.

Af: Op daardie dag het Annelie meer as net die berg oorwin; sy het ook haar vrese en haarself oorkom.
En: On that day, Annelie conquered more than just the mountain; she also overcame her fears and herself.

Af: Sy het geleer om haarself oop te stel en die onskatbare waarde van vriendskap en ondersteuning te aanvaar.
En: She learned to open herself up and accept the invaluable worth of friendship and support.

Af: So het Tafelberg nie net 'n nuwe betekenis vir haar gekry nie, maar ook 'n herinnering aan 'n reis gedeel en ondersteun - 'n ware avontuur van die hart.
En: Thus, Tafelberg not only gained new meaning for her but also became a memory of a shared and supportive journey—a true adventure of the heart.

Vocabulary Words:
sunbake: sonbak
enveloped: omvou
winding: kronkelende
excitement: opwinding
companions: metgeselle
breathtaking: asemrowend
masterpiece: kunswerk
rough: rof
immerses: versadig
sharp: scherp
sting: steek
anxious: benoud
uneasy: onrustig
hesitates: huiwer
swirling: maal
envelop: omhelm
firm: ferm
immediately: dadelik
emotion: emosie
tense: gespanne
relax: ontspan
gratitude: dankbaarheid
tingle: tintel
breeze: bries
overcame: oorwin
fears: vrese
invaluable: onskatbare
support: ondersteuning
shared: gedeel
adventure: avontuur

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Lost and Found: Friendship's Journey Under the Stars
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2026-01-26-08-38-20-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son sak stadig agter die majestueuse Tafelberg, terwyl Pieter, Annelie, en Sarel hulle rugsakke regmaak vir die aand se stap.
En: The sun slowly sets behind the majestic Tafelberg, as Pieter, Annelie, and Sarel prepare their backpacks for the evening hike.

Af: Die drie vriende het lank vooruit beplan om die nuwe jaar op die berg te verwelkom.
En: The three friends had planned long in advance to welcome the new year on the mountain.

Af: Pieter was die perfekte leier – altyd gereed met planne en ywerig om 'n onvergeetlike ervaring te skep.
En: Pieter was the perfect leader—always ready with plans and eager to create an unforgettable experience.

Af: Annelie voel die vars somerbries in haar hare.
En: Annelie feels the fresh summer breeze in her hair.

Af: Sy het gehoop om inspirasie vir haar gedigte in die natuur te vind.
En: She hoped to find inspiration for her poetry in nature.

Af: Sarel, egter, was stil.
En: Sarel, however, was silent.

Af: Sy drome was vol onheil, en hy was bietjie gespanne oor die dag se uitdagings.
En: His dreams were full of foreboding, and he was a bit tense about the day's challenges.

Af: Met die wind wat hul laaste kanse om te praat wegwaai, begin die groep die bekende roete op.
En: With the wind blowing away their last chances to talk, the group begins the familiar route up.

Af: Die pad was uitvoerig beplan, van Kaapse fynbos tot die granietkranse aan die bokant.
En: The path was meticulously planned, from Kaapse fynbos to the granite crags at the top.

Af: Die drie vriende stap in goeie gees terwyl die eerste sterre in die lug begin verskyn.
En: The three friends walk in good spirits as the first stars begin to appear in the sky.

Af: Pieter hou 'n oog op sy horlosie, gereed om seker te maak dat almal veilig is.
En: Pieter keeps an eye on his watch, ready to ensure that everyone is safe.

Af: Maar toe hulle by 'n afdraaipad kom, besef Annelie skielik dat Sarel weg is.
En: But when they reach a fork in the path, Annelie suddenly realizes that Sarel is missing.

Af: Paniek slaan in.
En: Panic strikes.

Af: “Hy was net nou hier agter ons!” sê Annelie bekommerd.
En: “He was just right here behind us!” says Annelie worriedly.

Af: Pieter besef dat hy 'n keuse moet maak.
En: Pieter realizes he must make a choice.

Af: Moet hulle die roete volg of op hul eie pad soek?
En: Should they follow the route or search off the beaten path?

Af: Hy dink aan die klowe en die steil hange.
En: He thinks of the ravines and the steep slopes.

Af: Maar sy instink sê vir hom om buite die roete te kyk.
En: But his instinct tells him to look outside the route.

Af: Hy lei die groep terug na 'n skeuring in die pad waar Sarel kon weggeraak het.
En: He leads the group back to a split in the path where Sarel could have gotten lost.

Af: Hulle roep sy naam terwyl die maan bo in die hemel skyn.
En: They call his name as the moon shines above in the sky.

Af: Skielik, by die rand van 'n gevaarlike krans, sien Pieter iets.
En: Suddenly, on the edge of a dangerous cliff, Pieter sees something.

Af: Dit is Sarel se waterbottel.
En: It's Sarel's water bottle.

Af: Sy hart slaan vinniger terwyl hulle nader stap.
En: His heart beats faster as they step closer.

Af: “Sarel!” roep Annelie met hoop in haar stem.
En: “Sarel!” Annelie calls with hope in her voice.

Af: Van agter 'n rots kom Sarel te voorskyn, bewend maar heel.
En: From behind a rock, Sarel emerges, shaking but intact.

Af: “Ek het my balans verloor en kon nie oop pad terugvind nie,” sê hy moeg maar dankbaar.
En: “I lost my balance and couldn't find my way back to the path,” he says, tired but grateful.

Af: Pieter verlig, neem 'n diep asem.
En: Relieved, Pieter takes a deep breath.

Af: Hy het besef dat leierskap ook beteken om na die ander se vrese en gevoelens te luister.
En: He realized that leadership also means listening to others' fears and feelings.

Af: Almal stap terug saam, hande vasgehou.
En: Everyone walks back together, holding hands.

Af: By die voet van die berg glimlag hulle vir mekaar met 'n nuwe verstaan.
En: At the foot of the mountain, they smile at each other with a new understanding.

Af: Die klokke lui, en hulle vergesel die klank met gelag en omhul mekaar in 'n vriendelike omhelsing.
En: The bells ring, and they accompany the sound with laughter, embracing each other in a friendly hug.

Af: Hierdie nuwejaar het hulle iets om werklik oor bly te wees – die geskenk van vriendskap en 'n tweede kans.
En: This new year, they have something to truly be grateful for—the gift of friendship and a second chance.

Vocabulary Words:
majestic: majestueuse
set: sak
backpack: rugsak
leader: leier
inspiration: inspirasie
breeze: bries
foreboding: onheil
tense: gespanne
meticulous: uitvoerig
route: roete
granite: graniet
crag: krans
spirits: gees
fork: afdraaipad
panic: paniek
ravine: kloof
steep: steil
instinct: instink
dangerous: gevaarlike
emerge: voorskyn
relieved: verlig
leadership: leierskap
understanding: verstaan
bells: klokke
accompany: vergesel
embrace: omhelsing
grateful: dankbaar
gift: geskenk
shake: bewend
balance: balans