Sa scoil ard atá clúdaithe le brat sneachta, bhí an t-atmaisféar laistigh lán le teannas agus spleodar.

In the high school covered with a blanket of snow, the atmosphere inside was full of tension and excitement.

Bhí Aoife, Cian, agus Eamon istigh i halla na scoile, áit a raibh an cóiriú do éis na Nollag ar foluain agus na suíocháin folmha ag fanacht le lucht féachana ag ceolchoirm an Gheimhridh.

Aoife, Cian, and Eamon were inside the school hall, where the post-Christmas decorations were hanging and the empty seats were waiting for the audience at the winter concert.

Bhí an cleachtadh mór don cheolchoirm sa tolglann ar siúl.

The big rehearsal for the concert was taking place in the lounge.

Bhí Aoife ina sealbhóir ar an bpáirt thábhachtach sa chór.

Aoife had the important role in the choir.

Bhí an-ghuth aici, ach bhí sí an-neirbhíseach.

She had a great voice, but she was very nervous.

Bhí eagla uirthi os comhair an tslua mór.

She was afraid in front of the large crowd.

Bhí Cian ann chun comhairle a thabhairt agus chun tacú léi.

Cian was there to give advice and to support her.

Bhí sé aclaí ar ghiotár agus bhí féith mhacánta aige maidir le cairdeas.

He was skilled on guitar and had a genuine streak of friendship.

"Eisteoir, Aoife," a dúirt Cian lena guth socair.

"Listen, Aoife," said Cian with his calm voice.

"Ní gá go bhfuil tú i d'aonar.

"You’re not alone.

Úsáid do chumas agus déan grá an cheoil a mhothú.

Use your ability and feel the love of the music.

Is féidir leat é.

You can do it."

" Bhí na focail sin cosúil le solas sa dorchadas do Aoife.

Those words were like a light in the darkness for Aoife.

Bhí Eamon, an ceannaire, dian, ach bhí croí maith aige.

Eamon, the leader, was strict, but he had a good heart.

D'iarr sé ar gach duine teacht ar ais tráthnóna le haghaidh cleachtaidh breise.

He asked everyone to come back in the evening for extra practice.

"Tá muinín agam ionat, a Aoife," a dúirt sé.

"I have confidence in you, Aoife," he said.

Mar sin féin, le gach iarracht, bhí eagla fós i gcroí Aoife agus níorbh fhéidir léi amhrán a chur i láthair go neamhfhoirmiúil.

Nonetheless, with every effort, fear still resided in Aoife's heart, and she couldn’t present a song informally.

Tar éis uair an chloig, d'fhan Aoife agus Cian.

After an hour, Aoife and Cian remained.

Shocraigh siad cleachtadh níos mó.

They decided to practice more.

Shuí siad ar chéim an dorcha lóistín agus d'fhoghlaim siad óna chéile.

They sat on the darkened stage steps and learned from each other.

Bhí séasúr ag Cian leis an ngiotár, agus leag sé buille éadrom mar thacaíocht don Aoife.

Cian was seasoned with the guitar and set a gentle beat as support for Aoife.

Agus í ag canadh arís is arís eile le rithim a ghiotáir, bhí a guth ag socrú isteach agus suaimhneas ag líonadh a croí.

As she sang repeatedly to the rhythm of his guitar, her voice settled in, and peace filled her heart.

Tháinig an cleachtadh mór deireanach.

The final big rehearsal came.

D'fhéach an lucht féachana ar na scoláirí.

The audience looked at the students.

Stán Aoife ar aghaidh agus bhraith sí an eagla ag teacht uirthi arís.

Aoife stared ahead and felt the fear coming over her again.

Le linn an nóiméad cinniúnach sin, chuala sí an giotár bog de chuid Cian.

During that crucial moment, she heard the soft guitar of Cian.

Chuir sin misneach ina croí.

It instilled courage in her heart.

Thosaigh sí ag canadh.

She began to sing.

Bhí a guth álainn, cosúil le sneachta réidh ag titim.

Her voice was beautiful, like smooth snow falling.

Bhí an halla ciúin.

The hall was quiet.

Ag deireadh an cheolchoirme, d'ardaigh Aoife a ceann suas, le mothú úra féinchinnteacht.

At the end of the concert, Aoife raised her head, with a fresh feeling of self-confidence.

Tháinig borradh ollmhór boladh de phreispéis ón lucht féachana.

A huge wave of applause came from the audience.

Bhí aoibh gháire Cian ag soilsiú.

Cian's smile was shining.

Thuig Aoife go raibh cairdeas agus iarracht ríthábhachtach.

Aoife understood that friendship and effort were crucial.

Bhí sí anois níos láidre ná riamh agus ábalta a céimeanna féin a ghlacadh i solas an spotsoilse, gan faitíos ar an saol.

She was now stronger than ever and able to take her own steps into the spotlight, without fear of the world.