Kleurskakerings van rooi, oranje en goud dans oor die heuwels van Kirstenbosch Nasionale Botaniese Tuin.

Shades of red, orange, and gold dance over the hills of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Dit is Paasfees en die tuin is 'n paradys van herfsmikroëte, 'n stil oase weggesteek in die hart van Kaapstad.

It is Easter, and the garden is a paradise of autumn microbes, a quiet oasis tucked away in the heart of Kaapstad.

Carl en Elsa stap saam oor die kronkelpaadjies.

Carl and Elsa walk together along the winding paths.

Carl voel vol moed.

Carl feels full of courage.

"Kom, Elsa!

"Come, Elsa!

Ek wil jou die geheime waterval wys!

I want to show you the secret waterfall!"

" sê hy.

he says.

Verlede jaar het hy 'n afgesonderde deel van die tuin ontdek en nou wil hy dit aan haar wys.

Last year, he discovered a secluded part of the garden and now wants to show it to her.

Maar Elsa is nie so seker nie.

But Elsa is not so sure.

"Is dit veilig, Carl?

"Is it safe, Carl?

Ons moet nie van die hoofpad afgaan nie," antwoord sy, effens bekommerd.

We shouldn't stray from the main path," she answers, slightly worried.

Tog, Carl voel avontuurlustig.

Yet, Carl feels adventurous.

"Dis nie ver nie, Elsa.

"It's not far, Elsa.

Vertrou my," sê hy en glip vinnig van die pad af, tussen die bome deur.

Trust me," he says and quickly slips off the path, through the trees.

Elsa huiwer 'n oomblik, maar sy is ook nuuskierig oor die skoonheid wat Carl beskryf.

Elsa hesitates for a moment, but she is also curious about the beauty Carl describes.

Die blare kraak onder hulle voete soos hulle al dieper in die tuin verdwyn.

The leaves crunch under their feet as they disappear deeper into the garden.

Ure gaan verby en die son sak stadig, die lig verdof in die herfslug.

Hours pass, and the sun sets slowly, the light fading in the autumn air.

"Carl, ek dink ons het verdwaal," sê Elsa, haar stem effens bewend.

"Carl, I think we're lost," says Elsa, her voice slightly trembling.

Carl, nou minder vol selfvertroue, kyk rondom hulle.

Carl, now less confident, looks around them.

"Ek is seker die waterval is net 'n entjie verder," hoop hy hardop.

"I'm sure the waterfall is just a little further," he hopes aloud.

Maar hy weet ook dat hulle hul weg moet vind voordat dit donker word.

But he also knows they must find their way back before it gets dark.

Hulle staan stil en luister.

They stand still and listen.

In die verte hoor hulle musiek – die feesvieringe van Paasfees by die hooftuin.

In the distance, they hear music—the Easter celebrations at the main garden.

"Elsa, hoor jy dit?

"Elsa, do you hear it?"

" vra Carl.

Carl asks.

"Ons moet die musiek volg," sê Elsa vasberade.

"We need to follow the music," Elsa says determinedly.

Hulle begin vinnig in die rigting van die klanke beweeg, deur die bosse en oor die paadjies.

They quickly start moving in the direction of the sounds, through the bushes and over the paths.

Die reis terug voel eindeloos, maar uiteindelik begin die musiek harder word.

The journey back feels endless, but eventually, the music starts to get louder.

Hulle bereik die rand van die tuin en sien die helder ligte van die fees.

They reach the edge of the garden and see the bright lights of the festival.

Die mense lag en dans en die lug is gevul met die geur van varsgebakte Paasbolletjies.

The people are laughing and dancing, and the air is filled with the scent of freshly baked Easter buns.

Carl en Elsa stap saam die feestelike atmosfeer in.

Carl and Elsa step into the festive atmosphere together.

"Dankie dat jy my help om uit te kom," sê Carl.

"Thank you for helping me get out," says Carl.

"Ek sal volgende keer beter luister.

"I'll listen better next time."

" Elsa glimlag.

Elsa smiles.

"En ek het geleer dat 'n avontuur soms die moeite werd is," voeg sy by.

"And I've learned that an adventure is sometimes worth it," she adds.

En so word die nag vol vreugde en die leer van nuwe lesse.

And so, the night is filled with joy and the learning of new lessons.

Hulle beloof om meer avonture saam te hê, maar altyd met 'n balans tussen avontuur en versigtigheid.

They promise to have more adventures together, but always with a balance between adventure and caution.

Die sterre verskyn bo die tuin, en die skoonheid van die herfs nag bly saam met hulle.

The stars appear above the garden, and the beauty of the autumn night stays with them.