Niamh’s Brave New Beginning: A Tale of Friendship and Culture

In this episode, we'll follow Niamh as she navigates the challenges and joys of her first day at a new school, discovering friendship and cultural celebration in an unexpected place.

Ga: Bhí an ghrian ag ardú san eastát mór áit éigin sa gnó mór dearg.
En: The sun was rising in the large estate somewhere in the big red business.

Ga: Bhraith Niamh an fhuacht i rith an gheimhridh, cé nach raibh sé cosúil le geimhreacha sa bhaile.
En: Niamh felt the winter cold, though it was unlike the winters at home.

Ga: Bhí sí buartha agus sásta ag an am céanna.
En: She was both worried and happy at the same time.

Ga: Bhí a céad lá ar scoil san áit nua.
En: It was her first day at school in the new place.

Ga: Chaith sí a culaith scoile nua agus shiúil í agus a máthair chuig an scoil.
En: She wore her new school uniform and walked with her mother to the school.

Ga: Bhí na cosa ag cur ar crith aici.
En: Her legs were trembling.

Ga: Bhí eagla uirthi nach mbeadh sí in ann a bheith cairdiúil leis na páistí eile.
En: She was afraid she wouldn't be able to befriend the other children.

Ga: Nuair a chonaic sí an scoil, bhí sí capall bán ar an bpáirc.
En: When she saw the school, it was a white horse on the field.

Ga: Bhí pictiúir ildaite ar na ballaí agus ealaín dúchasach timpeall an fhoirgnimh.
En: There were colorful pictures on the walls and indigenous art around the building.

Ga: Thug sí faoi deara a híomhánna áille ar na ballaí agus na patrúin iontacha.
En: She noticed the beautiful images on the walls and the fantastic patterns.

Ga: Nuair a tháinig siad chun an doras, d’oscail an múinteoir é le miongháire mór.
En: When they got to the door, the teacher opened it with a big smile.

Ga: “Fáilte, Niamh,” ar sí.
En: "Welcome, Niamh," she said.

Ga: “Taimid ag ceiliúradh Lá Idirnáisiúnta na nDúchasach inniu.
En: "We are celebrating International Indigenous Day today.

Ga: Beidh sé an-spéisiúil.
En: It will be very interesting."

Ga: ”Chuaigh sí isteach agus bhí na páistí ag súgradh taobh istigh.
En: She went inside, and the children were playing inside.

Ga: Shíl sí bhí siad go dáiríre.
En: She thought they were very serious.

Ga: Cheap sí ba mhaith léi páirt a ghlacadh, ach bhí sí cúthail.
En: She thought she would like to join in, but she was shy.

Ga: Chomh luath agus a chonaic na páistí áitiúla í, stop siad ag caint agus ag gáire.
En: As soon as the local kids saw her, they stopped talking and laughing.

Ga: Bhuail sí leis an gcroí a bhí ag preabadh ina cliabhrach.
En: Her heart pounded in her chest.

Ga: Roghnaigh Niamh ballóg a dhéanamh chun cur chuici ar an ngrúpa.
En: Niamh chose to make a hug with herself to feel braver as she approached the group.

Ga: Shiúil sí go cúramach agus d’iarr sí orthu ina bhfoclóir simplí: “An féidir liom a bheith páirteach sa gcluiche?
En: She walked carefully and asked them in simple words: "Can I join the game?"

Ga: ”Bhí an t-imní le feiceáil ar a cuid éadaí.
En: She was anxiously fiddling with her clothes.

Ga: D’fhéach cuid de na páistí orthu lena súile móra iontais.
En: Some of the children looked at her with big curious eyes.

Ga: Ansin, ghoile ceann de na cailíní chuici.
En: Then one of the girls came over to her.

Ga: “Is féidir, tar linn,” ar sise.
En: "Yes, come with us," she said.

Ga: Bhraith Niamh faoiseamh mór agus magadh beag ag a hobair.
En: Niamh felt a great relief and a little amusement at her bravery.

Ga: Le na lá, d’fhoghlaim sí cúpla focal sa teanga áitiúil.
En: Throughout the day, she learned a few words in the local language.

Ga: B’fhearr léi an cultúr sin go mór agus bhí na páistí eile ag cabhrú léi.
En: She preferred that culture a lot, and the other children were helping her.

Ga: Bhí AG-Gairmiúlacht ar siúl an lá ar fad.
En: There was an atmosphere of collaboration all day long.

Ga: Bhí an ceiliúradh d'fheicthear agus bhí go leor áthais ann.
En: The celebration was noticeable, and there was much joy.

Ga: Ní gá do Niamh, ach, ach amháin nuair a ghlaodh an múinteoir ar a hainm.
En: Niamh didn't need to, but only when the teacher called her name.

Ga: “Niamh, ar mhaith leat roinnt gheallta a roinnt?
En: "Niamh, would you like to share some thoughts?"

Ga: ”Chuaigh a croí suas arís.
En: Her heart raced again.

Ga: “Is féidir liom iarracht a dhéanamh,” ar sí go hionraic.
En: "I can try," she said honestly.

Ga: Thóg sí anáil dhomhain agus labhair sí cúpla focal sa teanga áitiúil le cúldoras an tuisceána.
En: She took a deep breath and spoke a few words in the local language with a hint of understanding.

Ga: “Is lá mór é inniu, Lá Dúchasach, corraitheach dom go léir.
En: "Today is a big day, Indigenous Day, exciting for all of us."

Ga: ”Bhí na páistí agus na múinteoirí ag bualadh bos léi.
En: The children and teachers clapped for her.

Ga: Bhí sí sásta chomh maith le haitheantas a fháil.
En: She was happy as well as proud to receive recognition.

Ga: Nuair a bhí an lá thart, d’iarr na páistí air unisce léi amach sa pháirc ina dhiaidh sin.
En: When the day was over, the children asked her to join them outside in the field afterward.

Ga: Bhí sí ag feabhs a heisceachtaí ag an scoil nua á rith i dtreo na cosúlacht.
En: She was improving her skills at the new school, moving toward similarities.

Ga: Bhí muinín aici agus bhí struchtúr ann le bheith oscailte dúinn.
En: She had confidence, and there was a structure to be open to us.

Ga: D'aimsigh sí é fud fad an domhain.
En: She found it throughout the world.