Ivan's Quest: A Summer of Courage and New Friendship
FluentFiction - Croatian
Ivan's Quest: A Summer of Courage and New Friendship
Ivan je stajao usred tržnice, osjetivši težinu svijeta na svojim ramenima.
Ivan stood in the middle of the marketplace, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Ljetni dan bio je užaren, a zrak je mirisao na pečeni kruh i začine.
The summer day was scorching, and the air smelled of freshly baked bread and spices.
Rušili su se glasovi trgovaca koji su vikali: "Svježe voće! Najbolje tkanine!"
The voices of the traders shouting, "Fresh fruit! The best fabrics!" resounded around him.
No, Ivan nije bio ovdje radi kupovine.
But Ivan wasn't there to shop.
Njegova majka bila je bolesna, a jedini lijek bio je rijedak biljni sastojak.
His mother was sick, and the only cure was a rare herbal ingredient.
Ivan je znao da jedino Marina, mudra travarica, zna gdje pronaći tu biljku.
Ivan knew that only Marina, the wise herbalist, knew where to find that plant.
No, Marina nije vjerovala strancima.
However, Marina didn't trust strangers.
Živjela je sama na rubu sela, dalje od buke i vreve.
She lived alone on the edge of the village, far from the noise and bustle.
“Izvolite, mladiću,” rekla je jedna starija žena, pružajući mu šalicu vode.
"Here, young man," said an elderly woman, handing him a cup of water.
“Izgledate umorno.”
"You look tired."
“Hvala,” odgovori Ivan.
"Thank you," Ivan replied.
“Tražim travaricu Marinu.
"I'm looking for the herbalist Marina.
Moja majka je bolesna i treba mi pomoć.”
My mother is sick, and I need help."
Žena ga je pogledala sažalno.
The woman looked at him with pity.
“Marina je teška. Neće olako pomoći.
"Marina is difficult. She doesn't help easily."
Ivan je odlučio da joj pokaže svoju iskrenost.
Ivan decided to show his sincerity.
Počeo je pomagati seljanima.
He started helping the villagers.
Nosio je vreće s brašnom, čistio štale, vodu nosio iz bunara.
He carried sacks of flour, cleaned stables, and fetched water from the well.
Svi su ga počeli cijeniti.
Everyone began to appreciate him.
Jedne večeri, nakon napornog dana, Ivan je sjeo na kamen pored tržnice.
One evening, after a hard day's work, Ivan sat on a stone near the marketplace.
Marina je promatrala iz daljine.
Marina watched him from a distance.
Polako je pristupila.
Slowly, she approached.
“Vidim da si uporan,” rekla je strogo.
"I see you're persistent," she said sternly.
“Zašto ti je tako stalo do ove biljke?”
"Why do you care so much about this plant?"
“Moja majka je sve što imam.
"My mother is all I have.
Ako je izgubim, neću imati nikoga,” odgovori Ivan iskrenim glasom.
If I lose her, I will have no one," Ivan replied with a sincere voice.
Suze su mu zasuzile oči.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
Marina ga je gledala još nekoliko trenutaka.
Marina watched him for a few more moments.
“Dobro, mladiću.
"Alright, young man.
Vidim da si iskren.
I see you're sincere.
Pokazat ću ti gdje raste biljka.”
I'll show you where the plant grows."
Sljedećeg jutra, krenuli su kroz gustu šumu.
The next morning, they set off through the dense forest.
Hodali su satima, sve dok nisu stigli do malog proplanka.
They walked for hours until they reached a small clearing.
Tamo je, u sredini, rasla dragocjena biljka.
There, in the middle, grew the precious plant.
“Izvoli,” rekla je Marina.
"Here you go," Marina said.
“Naberi pažljivo.”
"Pick it carefully."
Ivan je pažljivo ubrao biljku, zahvalan iz dubine srca.
Ivan carefully picked the plant, deeply grateful.
Vratio se kući i skuhati čaj za svoju majku.
He returned home and brewed the tea for his mother.
Nakon nekoliko dana, njegova majka je ozdravila.
After a few days, his mother recovered.
Ivan je stekao novu hrabrost i samopouzdanje.
Ivan gained new courage and confidence.
Mještani su mu zahvaljivali, a Marina se počela otvarati i više vjerovala ljudima.
The villagers thanked him, and Marina began to open up and trust people more.
Njihovo je prijateljstvo raslo, a Ivan je postao junak svoga sela.
Their friendship grew, and Ivan became a hero in his village.
Ljetni dani prolazili su, ali nitko nije zaboravio onaj dan kada je Ivan, uz pomoć Marine, spasio svoju majku.
The summer days passed, but no one forgot the day when Ivan, with Marina's help, saved his mother.