Pod lišćem u jesenjim bojama, Plitvička jezera blistala su kao svjetlucavi dragulji.

Under the leaves in autumn colors, the Plitvice Lakes shimmered like sparkling jewels.

Mateo je hodao stazom, oči su mu neprekidno tražile znakove rijetkih leptira.

Mateo walked along the path, his eyes constantly searching for signs of rare butterflies.

Njegov projekt iz biologije zahtijevao je nešto posebno, a misao o stipendiji činila se kao svjetlo na kraju tunela njegovih sumnji.

His biology project required something special, and the thought of a scholarship seemed like a light at the end of the tunnel of his doubts.

"Ovdje smo zbog tebe," rekla je Petra, prijateljski ga potapšavši po ramenu.

"We're here because of you," Petra said, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Ona je bila srce družine, uvijek spremna pomoći Mateu da vidi ljepotu u prirodi, ali i u sebi.

She was the heart of the group, always ready to help Mateo see the beauty in nature, but also in himself.

Njihovi koraci odjekivali su tišinom parka.

Their footsteps echoed in the park's silence.

Voda je lagano šumjela, slapovi su padali u ritmu koji je smirivao dušu.

The water gently murmured, and the waterfalls fell in a rhythm that soothed the soul.

Mateo se osvrnuo; njegove oči uhvatile su oblak sivog neba, nagovještavajući kišu.

Mateo glanced back; his eyes caught the cloud of gray sky, hinting at rain.

"Mateo, vrijeme je savršeno za leptire prije kiše," rekla je Petra, vidjevši mu tjeskobu na licu.

"Mateo, the weather is perfect for butterflies before the rain," Petra said, noticing the anxiety on his face.

Mateo je znao da mora biti brz.

Mateo knew he had to be quick.

Morali su dalje u šumu, gdje su rijetki leptiri često viđeni.

They needed to go deeper into the forest, where the rare butterflies were often seen.

No, sumnja je puzala kroz misli.

Yet, doubt crept through his thoughts.

Što ako ne uspije? Što ako kiša uništi njegove snove?

What if he didn't succeed? What if the rain washed away his dreams?

Petra je stala ispred njega.

Petra stood in front of him.

"Vjerujem u tebe, a ti moraš vjerovati u sebe," rekla je, gledajući ga izravno u oči.

"I believe in you, and you must believe in yourself," she said, looking him directly in the eyes.

Pod njenim pogledom, Mateo je osjetio kako mu se srce polako smiruje.

Under her gaze, Mateo felt his heart slowly calm down.

Odlučio je.

He made a decision.

Prkosit će kiši.

He would defy the rain.

Krenuli su dublje u šumu, gdje je zrak bio svjež, a boje jeseni još intenzivnije.

They ventured deeper into the forest, where the air was fresh and the colors of autumn even more intense.

I tada, usred lišća, Mateo je ugledao leptira.

And then, amid the leaves, Mateo saw a butterfly.

Njegove krila bile su blještave, poput komadića neba uhvaćenih u pokretu.

Its wings were dazzling, like pieces of the sky caught in motion.

"Petra, tamo!" uzviknuo je uzbuđeno.

"Petra, there!" he exclaimed excitedly.

Brzo, izvukli su fotoaparate baš kad su prve kapi kiše počele padati.

Quickly, they pulled out their cameras just as the first drops of rain began to fall.

Kapljice su se sjajile na leptirovim krilima dok je Mateo kliknuo.

The droplets sparkled on the butterfly's wings as Mateo clicked.

Osjećao je nevjerojatnu radost i olakšanje — uspio je!

He felt incredible joy and relief — he had succeeded!

Kiša je ubrzo pretvorila blagi zvuk u gromoglasno bubnjanje, ali Mateo je u sebi osjećao sunce.

The rain soon turned the gentle sound into thunderous drumming, but Mateo felt sunshine within.

Petra je podigla kapuljaču, smiješeći se.

Petra pulled up her hood, smiling.

"Znala sam da možeš," rekla je, smijući se zajedno s kišom.

"I knew you could do it," she said, laughing along with the rain.

Dok su se vraćali kroz šumu, Mateo je pogledao prema Petri.

As they made their way back through the forest, Mateo looked at Petra.

U tom trenutku shvatio je da su prijatelji najveća podrška.

In that moment, he realized that friends are the greatest support.

On je taj koji može nadvladati svoje sumnje uz malo vjere i mnogo truda.

He was the one who could overcome his doubts with a little faith and a lot of effort.

Kiša se nastavila, ali Mateo je osjećao kako je njegov svijet postao malo svjetliji i šareniji.

The rain continued, but Mateo felt his world had become a little brighter and more colorful.

Stipendija više nije bila samo san, već korak bliže stvarnosti, njegovoj budućnosti koja je, sada je znao, pred njim otvarala beskrajne mogućnosti.

The scholarship was no longer just a dream, but a step closer to reality, his future that, he now knew, opened endless possibilities before him.