Ancient Greek Markets: A Journey of Wisdom and Healing

In this episode, we'll join Cillian on his urgent quest through the bustling markets of ancient Greece, where wisdom and perseverance hold the keys to his sister's healing.

Ga: I margaí ársa na Gréige, bhí an lá te agus an ghrian ag taitneamh go hard sa spéir.
En: In the ancient markets of Greece, the day was hot and the sun was shining high in the sky.

Ga: Bhí boladh spíosraí trom san aer agus an ionad plódaithe le trádálaithe agus ceannaitheoirí.
En: The air was heavy with the smell of spices, and the market was crowded with traders and buyers.

Ga: Ag an am sin, bhí Cillian, fear óg, ag siúl go tapa idir na stallaí.
En: At that time, Cillian, a young man, was walking quickly between the stalls.

Ga: Bhí cuma imníoch ar a aghaidh.
En: He had a worried look on his face.

Ga: D'fhéach sé ar gach áit le haghaidh luibh speisialta.
En: He was searching everywhere for a special herb.

Ga: Bhí an luibh seo an-annamh agus d'oibrigh sé i gcoinne gach tinneas.
En: This herb was very rare and worked against every ailment.

Ga: A dheirfiúr tinn, Níamh, go géar ag teastáil uaidh an leigheas seo.
En: His sick sister, Niamh, urgently needed this remedy.

Ga: Ach, bhí Cillian ag imirt i gcoinne ama, agus ní raibh mórán airgid aige.
En: But Cillian was racing against time, and he didn’t have much money.

Ga: Chonaic sé bean aosta ag stalla amháin.
En: He saw an old woman at one of the stalls.

Ga: Ba í Aisling í, mystic ciallmhar.
En: It was Aisling, a wise mystic.

Ga: Thuig sí an margadh go maith agus bhí aithne aici ar dhaoine ar fud an cheantair.
En: She understood the market well and knew people all over the area.

Ga: D'iarr Cillian uirthi, "An féidir leat cabhrú liom? Táim ag lorg luibh an-annamh."
En: Cillian asked her, "Can you help me? I'm looking for a very rare herb."

Ga: D'fhéach Aisling ar Cillian go tréan agus dúirt sí, "Tá fhios agam go bhfuil tú ag lorg sásta le do dheirfiúr. Ach fan go socair.
En: Aisling looked intently at Cillian and said, "I know you are anxious for your sister. But stay calm.

Ga: Is minic na luibheanna annamha bréige. Caithfidh tú a bheith ciallmhar. Tar liom."
En: Rare herbs are often fake. You must be wise. Come with me."

Ga: Lean Cillian í trí na bealaí cúngacha.
En: Cillian followed her through the narrow pathways.

Ga: Chonaic siad go leor stallaí le plandaí agus spíosraí.
En: They saw many stalls with plants and spices.

Ga: Go tobann, stad sé ag fear a bhí ag tairiscint luibh a aithin sé ón íomhá a léigh sé in leabhar amháin.
En: Suddenly, he stopped at a man offering a herb he recognized from an image he had read about in a book.

Ga: Bhí an luibh díreach cosúil leis an gceann in ealaín. Ach, bhí an praghas ollmhór.
En: The herb looked exactly like the one in the illustration, but the price was enormous.

Ga: D'fhéach sé ar Aisling le haghaidh comhairle.
En: He looked at Aisling for advice.

Ga: An chóir dó a bheidh chomh éadóchasach gur caitheadh gach airgead aige ar an bplanda seo? Bhí sé gléineach, beagnach ró-fhoirfe.
En: Should he be so desperate as to spend all his money on this plant? It was shiny, almost too perfect.

Ga: D'fhiafraigh sé, "An bhfuil sé fíor?"
En: He asked, "Is it real?"

Ga: "D’iarrfainn," dúirt Aisling, "ach is fearr na rudaí sábháilte ná peaca.
En: "I would question it," Aisling said, "but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Ga: Tá aithne agam ar áit eile. Má leanann tú orm, faighfimid é."
En: I know another place. If you follow me, we will find it."

Ga: B'éigean do Cillian cinneadh trom a dhéanamh.
En: Cillian had to make a tough decision.

Ga: Ach, chaith sé éisteacht le ciallmhar an tseanmathair.
En: But he had to listen to the wisdom of the old woman.

Ga: Lean sé Aisling arís.
En: He followed Aisling again.

Ga: Ag deireadh an lá, sciar siad le seanduine i gcúinne i bhfad ón bpríomhéadan.
En: By the end of the day, they met an old man in a corner far from the main market.

Ga: Thug an seanduine dó an luibh céanna - ní ró-ghlan ná róghlan, ach a raibh an cumhráin céanna ann gan cibé ceird.
En: This old man gave him the same herb—not too clean, nor too pure, but with the same aroma without any arts.

Ga: Ní raibh an luibh seo chomh gníomhach go hathair, ach bhí praghas cothrom air.
En: This herb was not as visually appealing, but it was fairly priced.

Ga: Cheannaigh sé é agus bhuíochas a ghabh sé le hAisling.
En: He bought it and thanked Aisling.

Ga: Ag dul ar ais faoi dheireadh leis, mhothaigh Cillian faoiseamh.
En: Finally heading back home, Cillian felt relieved.

Ga: D'fhoghlaim sé nach n-uair gach réiteach tapaí an bealach is fearr.
En: He learned that quick fixes are not always the best way.

Ga: Bhí foighne agus ciallmhar níos fearr.
En: Patience and wisdom were better.

Ga: D'úsáid sé an luibh a cheannaigh sé le Aisling chun a dheirfiúr a leigheas, agus bhí go maith leis an domhan arís.
En: He used the herb he bought with Aisling’s help to cure his sister, and all was well again.

Ga: Bhí meas mór aige anois ar an luach a bhaineann le hobair chiallmhar, agus bhí sé buíoch de chabhair Aisling a threoraigh é go dtí an cheart slí.
En: He now had great respect for the value of wise work, and he was grateful for Aisling’s guidance that led him to the right path.

Ga: Tá nathanna ciallmhar níos fearr ná aon rud eile.
En: Wisdom sayings are worth more than anything else.