January 21, 2025

Summer Sun, New Beginnings: Elmarie's Journey to Openness

14 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Summer Sun, New Beginnings: Elmarie's Journey to Openness
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2025-01-21-23-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die somerson trek lui oor die maatskappy se kantien.
En: The summer sun lazily moves over the company's cafeteria.

Af: Dit is helder, die sonstrale warm op die groot glasvensters.
En: It is bright, the sun's rays warm on the large glass windows.

Af: Binne is die kantien vol lewe.
En: Inside, the cafeteria is full of life.

Af: Gelag en geselsies vul die lug soos kollegas hul middagete geniet.
En: Laughter and chatter fill the air as colleagues enjoy their lunch.

Af: Elmarie sit eenkant, maar haar oë dryf na die groepie langs haar.
En: Elmarie sits to the side, but her eyes drift to the group next to her.

Af: Elmarie het 'n roetine wat sy ywerig volg.
En: Elmarie has a routine that she diligently follows.

Af: Sy hou van bestendigheid.
En: She likes consistency.

Af: Maar in die nuwe jaar wil sy dinge anders doen.
En: But in the new year, she wants to do things differently.

Af: Meer oop wees.
En: Be more open.

Af: Sy kyk hoe Pieter met 'n nuwe werknemer, Kobus, gesels.
En: She watches as Pieter talks with a new employee, Kobus.

Af: Sy ken Pieter goed – hy is vriendelik en ken almal in die kantoor.
En: She knows Pieter well – he's friendly and knows everyone in the office.

Af: Vandag voel sy dapper.
En: Today, she feels brave.

Af: Wanneer Pieter hand opsteek en haar nooi om aan te sluit, sluk sy haar skrik in en stap nader.
En: When Pieter waves her over to join, she swallows her fear and steps closer.

Af: “Hallo, Elmarie,” sê Pieter met 'n stralende glimlag.
En: “Hello, Elmarie,” says Pieter with a beaming smile.

Af: “Dit is Kobus. Hy het onlangs begin.”
En: “This is Kobus. He recently started.”

Af: “Hallo Kobus,” sê Elmarie, haar stem 'n bietjie huiwerig, “hoe gaan dit vandag?”
En: “Hello Kobus,” says Elmarie, her voice a bit hesitant, “how's it going today?”

Af: Kobus glimlag vriendelik.
En: Kobus smiles warmly.

Af: “Dis goed, dankie. Ek probeer net my voete hier vind.”
En: “It's good, thanks. I'm just trying to find my footing here.”

Af: Die geselskap begin gemaklik vloei.
En: The conversation begins to flow comfortably.

Af: Pieter vertel stories oor snaakse insidente by werk.
En: Pieter shares stories about funny incidents at work.

Af: Kobus lag lag en Elmarie voel haarself ontspan.
En: Kobus laughs, and Elmarie finds herself relaxing.

Af: Die hitte van die somer buite oorskadu deur die warmte van die nuwe interaksies.
En: The summer heat outside is overshadowed by the warmth of new interactions.

Af: Tussendeur, terwyl hulle kerrie-en-rys deel, vra Kobus oor enige nuwejaarsvoornemens.
En: In between, while they share curry and rice, Kobus asks about any New Year's resolutions.

Af: Elmarie huiwer eers.
En: Elmarie hesitates at first.

Af: Sy krap haarself oor die skrif vir 'n oomblik.
En: She scratches at her writing momentarily.

Af: “Wel,” begin sy dan, “ek wil meer oop wees vir nuwe mense.
En: “Well,” she begins then, “I want to be more open to new people.

Af: Nuwe dinge probeer, weet jy?”
En: Try new things, you know?”

Af: Kobus knik, sy oë met begrip.
En: Kobus nods, his eyes understanding.

Af: “Ek verstaan dit. Dit is moeilik, maar altyd die moeite werd.”
En: “I get that. It's tough, but always worth it.”

Af: Die gesprek word dieper.
En: The conversation deepens.

Af: Elmarie deel hoe sy 'n bietjie bang is om kwesbaar te wees by die werk.
En: Elmarie shares how she's a bit afraid to be vulnerable at work.

Af: Kobus luister geduldig, bied sy eie voorbeelde van vroeë jare in sy loopbaan.
En: Kobus listens patiently, offering his own examples from his early career years.

Af: Wanneer die klok hul tyd merk, het Elmarie en Kobus 'n band gevorm.
En: When the clock marks their time, Elmarie and Kobus have formed a connection.

Af: “Sal ons weer môre saam eet?” vra Kobus met hoop in sy stem.
En: “Shall we have lunch together again tomorrow?” Kobus asks hopefully.

Af: Elmarie glimlag.
En: Elmarie smiles.

Af: “Ja, ek sal daarvan hou,” antwoord sy, haar hart ligter as vroeër.
En: “Yes, I would love that,” she answers, her heart feeling lighter than before.

Af: So begin 'n nuwe begin.
En: So begins a new chapter.

Af: Elmarie, ten spyte van haar vrese, voel die eerste treëtjie in 'n nuwe rigting.
En: Elmarie, despite her fears, takes the first step in a new direction.

Af: Kobus, met sy nuwigheids vriendelikheid, bied daardie wêreld aan wat sy vir haarself begeer.
En: Kobus, with his friendly newness, offers that world she desires for herself.

Af: Die kantien word 'n plek van nuwe herinneringe en die warmte van die somerson voel nog mooier met die lig van 'n nuwe vriendskap.
En: The cafeteria becomes a place of new memories, and the warmth of the summer sun feels even more beautiful with the light of a new friendship.

Vocabulary Words: