Bhí lá grianmhar an samhradh i nGaillimh.

It was a sunny summer day in Galway.

Bhí an scoil lán le fuadar.

The school was bustling with activity.

Ba lá tábhachtach é.

It was an important day.

Bhí toghchán don uachtarán an chomhairle scoláirí.

There was an election for the president of the student council.

Bhí póstaeir ildaite crochta ar bhallaí na scoile.

Colorful posters were hung on the school walls.

Bhí teas na gréine ag teacht isteach tríd na fuinneoga móra.

The heat of the sun was coming in through the large windows.

Bhí Aislinn ag siúl tríd an áit vótála.

Aislinn was walking through the polling place.

Bhí sí lán díograis.

She was full of enthusiasm.

Bhí sí ag iarraidh post an uachtaráin a bhuachan.

She wanted to win the position of president.

Bhí smaointe móra aici do na scoláirí.

She had big ideas for the students.

Bhí sí ag iarraidh athrú dearfach a dhéanamh ar scoil.

She wanted to make a positive change in the school.

Bhí sí réidh chun caint leis na scoláirí, ag spreagadh iad vótáil di.

She was ready to talk to the students, encouraging them to vote for her.

Cailín misniúil ab ea Aislinn.

Aislinn was a brave girl.

Ní raibh a fhios aici gur rith Cormac, a cara is fearr, ina haghaidh.

She didn't know that Cormac, her best friend, was running against her.

Bhí sé i bhfolach ina intinn féin, ag déanamh cló nua don scoil.

He was quietly in his own mind, planning a new vision for the school.

Cé gur thaitin an cur i láthair polaitiúil leis, bhraith sé go raibh a shúile dírithe ar leas na scoile ar shlí difriúil.

Although he enjoyed the political presentation, he felt that his focus on the school's welfare was different.

Bhí sé deacair dó dul i gcoinne Aislinn, ach bhí a chuid smaointe féin aige.

It was hard for him to compete against Aislinn, but he had his own ideas.

Bhí Aislinn ag caint le daoine, ag míniú na bpleananna.

Aislinn was talking to people, explaining her plans.

Chonaic sí cóip de liosta na n-iarrthóirí.

She saw a copy of the candidates' list.

Bhí ionadh uirthi nuair a chonaic sí ainm Cormaic ar an liosta.

She was surprised when she saw Cormac's name on the list.

Bhí mearbhall agus brón uirthi.

She was confused and sad.

Cén fáth nár inis sé di?

Why hadn't he told her?

Chuaigh Aislinn chuig Cormac.

Aislinn went to Cormac.

Bhí siad ar thaobh amháin den halla.

They were on one side of the hall.

“Cormac, cén fáth nár inis tú dom?” d'fhiafraigh sí díreach.

“Cormac, why didn’t you tell me?” she asked directly.

D'fhéach Cormac síos ar a bhróga.

Cormac looked down at his shoes.

“Ní raibh a fhios agam conas a déarfaidh mé leat. Táim ag iarraidh cabhrú leis an scoil freisin. Tá smaointe agam, a chara.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you. I want to help the school too. I have ideas, my friend.”

Bhí tost eatarthu.

There was silence between them.

Ansin labhair Aislinn.

Then Aislinn spoke.

“Níor mhaith liom go gcaillfimid ár gcairdeas toisc an toghchán seo. Ní raibh mé ag súil leat mar iomaitheoir, ach tuigim anois.”

“I don’t want us to lose our friendship because of this election. I didn’t expect you as a competitor, but I understand now.”

Bhuail an clog.

The bell rang.

Bhí na vótálacha tosaithe.

The voting had started.

Chaith gach duine a vóta.

Everyone cast their vote.

Bhí faitíos ar Aislinn agus Cormac, ach bhí grá acu dá chéile mar chairde.

Aislinn and Cormac were nervous, but they loved each other as friends.

Bhí a fhios acu go raibh intinn mhaith ag an mbeirt acu.

They knew they both had good intentions.

Thosaigh an comhaireamh.

The counting began.

Bhí gáirdí i ngach áit.

There was excitement everywhere.

Bhí an toradh gar.

The result was close.

Faoi dheireadh, ghlaoigh an príomhoide amach an toradh.

Finally, the principal announced the result.

Bhí buaiteoir amháin ann, ach labhair an príomhoide.

There was one winner, but the principal spoke.

“An buaiteoir ná Aislinn. Ach táim bródúil as an mbeirt agaibh.”

“The winner is Aislinn. But I am proud of both of you.”

D'oscail Aislinn a giob in iontas.

Aislinn opened her mouth in surprise.

Shín Cormac a lámh chuici.

Cormac extended his hand to her.

“Comhghairdeas, Aislinn. Cuidigh liomsa le do thoil.”

“Congratulations, Aislinn. Please help me.”

Bhrúigh sí a lámh.

She shook his hand.

“Cinnte, Cormac. Feicimid le chéile.”

“Certainly, Cormac. Let’s see together.”

Ag an deireadh, d’fhoghlaim siad gur thug cairdeas níos mó sóláis dóibh ná aon toghchán.

In the end, they learned that friendship gave them more comfort than any election.

Bhí an scoil níos fearr mar gheall orthu.

The school was better because of them.

Le chéile, d'oibrigh siad go dian, ag tabhairt an leas a bhí uathu do gach mac léinn.

Together, they worked hard, bringing the improvements they wanted for every student.