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Finding the Perfect Keepsake: A Story of Dilemmas and Joys
FluentFiction - Catalan
Finding the Perfect Keepsake: A Story of Dilemmas and Joys
Els vidres del gran aquari brillaven amb llum tènue mentre el peix tropical nedava majestuosament en el seu hàbitat aquàtic.
The glass of the large aquarium shone with a soft light as the tropical fish swam majestically in its aquatic habitat.
El so de l’aigua calmava els nervis de tothom, però no podia amainar la confusió interior de Nil.
The sound of the water calmed everyone's nerves but could not soothe Nil's inner confusion.
Es trobava davant d’un dilema.
He found himself facing a dilemma.
Volia un record perfecte per a la seva germana petita, un que mostrés l’esperit alegre i alegre del Carnestoltes.
He wanted a perfect keepsake for his little sister, one that would capture the joyful spirit of Carnestoltes.
Però enmig de les estanteries plenes d'objectes, Nil no sabia què escollir.
But amidst the shelves full of objects, Nil didn't know what to choose.
Martí, pràctic com sempre, assenyalà una figureta de peix col·locada al costat d’una màscara de paper maché.
Martí, practical as always, pointed to a fish figurine placed next to a papier-mâché mask.
"És tradicional," deia Martí, "representa el que és Barcelona i té aquest toc de festa amb la màscara.
"It's traditional," Martí said, "it represents what Barcelona is and has that festive touch with the mask."
" Però Nil dubtava.
But Nil hesitated.
Mentrestant, Laia somreia de manera entremaliada mentre sostenia una petita medusa de plàstic que s’il·luminava amb llums de colors.
Meanwhile, Laia was grinning mischievously while holding a small plastic jellyfish that lit up with colorful lights.
"Mira això, Nil!
"Look at this, Nil!
És genial, oi?
It's great, right?"
" Nil riu, sabent que la seva germana adoraria aquell objecte estrany, però temia que fos massa inusual.
Nil laughed, knowing his sister would adore that peculiar item, but he feared it was too unusual.
Cada segon comptava.
Every second counted.
El venedor de la botiga, amb veu suau però decidida, anuncià que la botiga tancaria en cinc minuts.
The store clerk, with a gentle yet firm voice, announced that the store would close in five minutes.
Martí va començar a posar pressió: "Nil, tria alguna cosa ja!
Martí began to apply pressure: "Nil, choose something already!"
" La indecisió de Nil es convertia en pànic.
Nil's indecision was turning into panic.
Llavors, de sobte, un nen amb una capa vermella i un barret de pirata es va acostar.
Then, suddenly, a boy wearing a red cape and a pirate hat approached.
Amb un somriure trapella li va dir: "M'han dit que el millor record és el que pot contar una història.
With a cheeky smile, he said, "I've been told the best souvenir is the one that can tell a story."
" Aquelles paraules van ressonar en Nil.
Those words resonated with Nil.
Es va adonar que necessitava alguna cosa que emocionés la seva germana, que tingues vida pròpia.
He realized he needed something that would touch his sister, something that had a life of its own.
Amb un cop d’ull ràpid, Nil va veure una caixa de música petita en forma de baula que, en girar la manovella, tocava una melodia alegre i bells peixos ballaven al voltant.
With a quick glance, Nil saw a small music box in the shape of a treasure chest that, when the crank was turned, played a cheerful tune and had beautiful fish dancing around.
Era peculiar, encantadora i tenia l’esperit de festa que buscava.
It was peculiar, charming, and had the festive spirit he was looking for.
Va allargar la mà, va agafar-la i va dirigir-se al taulell mentre Martí i Laia somreien, satisfets amb la seva elecció.
He reached out, grabbed it, and headed to the counter while Martí and Laia smiled, pleased with his choice.
Sortiren de la botiga mentre les portes es tancaven lentament darrere d’ells.
They left the store as the doors slowly closed behind them.
Nil respirava alleujat.
Nil breathed a sigh of relief.
Havia après a confiar en si mateix i, com sempre deia Laia, a donar una mica de pas a la curiositat i la intuïció.
He had learned to trust himself and, as Laia always said, to give a little room to curiosity and intuition.
Així, amb el cor alegre i l’ànima lleugera, va saber que el seu regal seria inesborrable com l’esperit del Carnestoltes.
Thus, with a joyful heart and a light soul, he knew his gift would be unforgettable like the spirit of Carnestoltes.