Gareth’s Voting Lesson: A Story of Confidence and Community

In this episode, we'll follow Gareth’s unforgettable journey from uncertainty to confidence during an important mayoral election, highlighting the transformative power of a single act of voting.

Cy: Y bore oedd heulog yr haf, gwres yn llenwi'r awyr dros Gymru.
En: The summer morning was sunny, with heat filling the air over Wales.

Cy: Roedd Gareth yn sefyll tu allan i neuadd yr ysgol gymunedol yng Nghaerdydd.
En: Gareth stood outside the community school hall in Cardiff.

Cy: Roedd yn ddiwrnod pwysig – etholiad maer.
En: It was an important day – the mayoral election.

Cy: Roedd Gareth yn athro hanes, ond nid oedd bob amser yn glafoerio dros wleidyddiaeth.
En: Gareth was a history teacher, not always passionate about politics.

Cy: Ond heddiw, roedd yn wahanol.
En: But today was different.

Cy: Roedd rhaid iddo bleidleisio'n iawn i wneud argraff ar ei ffrind gwleidyddol, Rhys.
En: He had to vote correctly to impress his political friend, Rhys.

Cy: Wrth gerdded i mewn, cafodd croeso gan arolygydd pleidleisio gyfeillgar.
En: As he walked inside, he was greeted by a friendly polling inspector.

Cy: “Bore da, Gareth!” meddai’r dyn, gan wenu.
En: “Good morning, Gareth!” said the man, smiling.

Cy: Roedd Gareth yn hanner dychwelyd y cyfarch gyda gwên o ansicrwydd.
En: Gareth half-returned the greeting with a smile of uncertainty.

Cy: Roedd iard yr ysgol wedi'i thrawsffurfio'n ardal bleidleisio.
En: The schoolyard had been transformed into a polling area.

Cy: Roedd cyrtiau pêl-fasged wedi diflannu, yn eu lle cawsoch chi fwthiau pleidleisio a llwyth o daflenni gwybodaeth.
En: The basketball courts had disappeared, replaced by voting booths and loads of informational pamphlets.

Cy: Clywodd Gareth sŵn pêl-fasged yn rholio yn y cefndir, gan atgoffa pawb o swyddogaeth arferol y lle.
En: Gareth heard the sound of a basketball rolling in the background, reminding everyone of the place's usual function.

Cy: Roedd dau fwth ar wahân – un gyda llun enfys "Ymarfer Eich Pleidlais" a'r llall yn nodi "Go Iawn."
En: There were two separate booths – one with a rainbow image labeled "Practice Your Vote" and the other labeled "Real Vote."

Cy: Wrth weld pobl yn pleidleisio, penderfynodd Gareth fynd at y bost "Ymarfer Eich Pleidlais."
En: Seeing people voting, Gareth decided to go to the "Practice Your Vote" booth.

Cy: Gafodd ei ganllawiau gan ddyn ifanc gyda thaflenni.
En: He received instructions from a young man with pamphlets.

Cy: Rhoddodd Gareth ei bapur yn y blwch gan wenu balch.
En: Gareth placed his paper in the box, smiling proudly.

Cy: Ond wedyn sinfau!
En: But then, embarrassment struck!

Cy: Sylweddolodd nad oedd hynny'n gywir.
En: He realized that wasn't correct.

Cy: Cyfartal a go stwnsio ei gerdyn gan leyrodd Gareth.
En: He twisted his card and cried out.

Cy: Dagrau poeni roedd yn cronni yn ei llygaid.
En: Tears of worry started to gather in his eyes.

Cy: “Peidiwch â phoeni, dewch yma,” meddai’r swyddog pleidleisio cyfeillgar, yn awgrymu Gareth i fynd i bwth y go iawn.
En: “Don't worry, come here,” said the friendly polling officer, suggesting Gareth go to the real vote booth.

Cy: Dechreuodd Gareth bwyntio a phowtio, “Dw i wedi pleidleisio'n barod...yn y bwth anghywir...”
En: Gareth started pointing and pouting, “I've already voted... in the wrong booth...”

Cy: Chwarddodd yr swyddog.
En: The officer laughed.

Cy: “Pleidlais ymarfer oedd honno, Gareth.
En: “That was a practice vote, Gareth.

Cy: Dim ond chwara teg yw!
En: It's just fair play!

Cy: Dewch, pleidleisiwch yma.”
En: Come, vote here.”

Cy: Da!
En: Good!

Cy: Aeth Gareth i’r go-iawn bwth a phleidleisiodd.
En: Gareth went to the real booth and cast his vote.

Cy: Teimlodd y don o ryddhad.
En: He felt a wave of relief.

Cy: Wrth adael, gwnaeth cysylltu â’r swyddog pleidleisio, diolch eto.
En: As he left, he made contact with the polling officer, thanking him again.

Cy: Roedd yn falch bod wedi gofyn am help - teimlad braf.
En: He was glad he had asked for help – it felt good.

Cy: A phan roedd Gareth yn cerdded allan i'r haul hafol, roedd yn teimlo newid.
En: And as Gareth walked out into the summer sun, he felt a change.

Cy: Roedd yn teimlo'n fwy hyderus a llonydd.
En: He felt more confident and calm.

Cy: Roedd wedi gwneud peth cywir, ac roedd yn gwybod ei fod wedi rhoi enghraifft dda i'w ffrind Rhys a phawb.
En: He had done the right thing and knew he had set a good example for his friend Rhys and everyone else.