Keď snehové vločky padali pomaly pred veľkými oknami Bratislavskej verejnej strednej školy, trieda ťažko sústredená počúvala Jakubov hlas.

As the snowflakes fell slowly in front of the large windows of the Bratislavskej verejnej strednej školy (Bratislava Public High School), the class listened intently to Jakub's voice.

Bol to muž, ktorý miloval literatúru viac než čokoľvek iné.

He was a man who loved literature more than anything else.

Avšak v tomto zimnom období cítil, že jeho vášeň nenašla odozvu medzi jeho študentmi.

However, during this winter season, he felt that his passion did not resonate with his students.

"Básne nie sú nudné," snažil sa ich presvedčiť.

"Poems are not boring," he tried to persuade them.

"Sú dôležité!

"They are important!"

" Ale klíma v triede bola chladná, akoby mráz zvonku prenikol aj sem.

But the atmosphere in the classroom was cold, as if the frost from outside had seeped in.

Eva, svetlovlasé dievča so žiarivými očami, zdvihla ruku.

Eva, a fair-haired girl with bright eyes, raised her hand.

"Prečo sa musíme učiť veci, ktoré nás nebavia?

"Why do we have to learn things that don't interest us?

Nie je to strata času?

Isn't it a waste of time?"

"Jakub bol vždy trpezlivý, ale cítil frustráciu.

Jakub was always patient, but he felt frustrated.

Hľadal slová, ktoré by prebudili záujem jeho študentov.

He searched for words that would awaken his students' interest.

Pokúšal sa predstaviť im krásu klasickej literatúry, no stretol sa len s nezáujmom.

He tried to introduce them to the beauty of classical literature, but was met only with indifference.

Eva, so svojou odvážnou otázkou, bola len vrcholom ľadovca.

Eva, with her bold question, was just the tip of the iceberg.

Keď vyučovanie skončilo, Jakub išiel priamo za riaditeľkou Máriou.

When the lesson ended, Jakub went straight to Principal Mária.

Jej kancelária bola útulná, vyzdobená svetlami a voňala škoricou a borovicovými ihličkami.

Her office was cozy, adorned with lights and smelled of cinnamon and pine needles.

Mária bola prísna, ale spravodlivá.

Mária was strict but fair.

Chcela, aby škola prosperovala a všetci boli spokojní.

She wanted the school to thrive and everyone to be happy.

"Čo môžeme urobiť, Mária?

"What can we do, Mária?

Cítim, že strata ich záujmu je aj mojou chybou," zamyslene sa jej zveril.

I feel like their lack of interest is partly my fault," he confided thoughtfully.

Mária sa usmiala a radila: "Skús im dať niečo, čo si sami nájdu, čo ich poteší.

Mária smiled and advised, "Try giving them something to discover on their own, something that will make them happy.

Nech sa literatúra stane ich vlastným objavom.

Let literature become their own discovery."

"Tento nápad sa Jakubovi páčil.

Jakub liked this idea.

Rozhodol sa pre nový druh zadania.

He decided on a new kind of assignment.

Každý študent si mal nájsť knihu, ktorá ho osloví, a podeliť sa s triedou o jej význam.

Each student was to find a book that spoke to them and share its significance with the class.

Prichádzala posledná hodina pred novoročnými prázdninami.

The last hour before the New Year's holidays was approaching.

Napätie bolo vo vzduchu, no aj istá dávka vzrušenia.

There was tension in the air, but also a certain excitement.

Zvedaví študenti čakali, čo im ich spolužiaci predstavia.

Curious students waited to see what their classmates would present.

Keď prišiel rad na Evu, jej hlas bol sebavedomý.

When it was Eva's turn, her voice was confident.

Zvolila si moderný román, príbeh dievčaťa, ktoré bojuje so životnými prekážkami a nájde silu v priateľstve a láske.

She chose a modern novel, a story about a girl overcoming life's challenges and finding strength in friendship and love.

Keď Eva čítala úryvky, celá trieda stíchla.

As Eva read excerpts, the entire class fell silent.

Slová ožili, prenikali do sŕdc poslucháčov.

The words came alive, penetrating the hearts of the listeners.

Jakub neveril vlastným očiam.

Jakub couldn't believe his eyes.

Aj tí najväčší kritici počúvali s nadšením.

Even the harshest critics listened with enthusiasm.

Po prezentácii cítil Jakub vnútornú radosť.

After the presentation, Jakub felt an inner joy.

Uvedomil si, že povoliť slobodu výberu bolo to najlepšie, čo mohol urobiť.

He realized that granting the freedom of choice was the best thing he could have done.

Eva oslavovala, pretože sa jej podarilo nielen prejaviť svoj názor, ale aj spojiť sa s kamarátmi prostredníctvom príbehu.

Eva celebrated because she managed not only to express her opinion but also to connect with her classmates through the story.

Keď zvonček oznámil koniec hodiny a začiatok prázdninovej prestávky, Jakub videl iskru v očiach svojich študentov.

When the bell signaled the end of the class and the start of the holiday break, Jakub saw a spark in his students' eyes.

Bolo to začiatok niečoho nového, niečoho, čo budú ďalej rozvíjať v novom roku.

It was the beginning of something new, something they would continue to develop in the new year.

A tak, so snehom jemne padajúcim za oknom, sa stalo jasné, že literatúra môže byť zázračná, len treba nájsť ten správny spôsob, ako ju priblížiť.

And so, with the snow gently falling outside the window, it became clear that literature can be magical; you just need to find the right way to approach it.