Nad mestom Bratislava sa vynímala majestátna silueta Bratislavského hradu.

Above the city of Bratislava, the majestic silhouette of Bratislavský hrad castle stood out.

Toho večera, pod žiarivými svetlami a mesiacom, ktorý sa plazil po oblohe, sa konala slávnostná oslava Nového roka.

That evening, under the bright lights and the moon creeping across the sky, a festive New Year's celebration was taking place.

Celý dvor bol plný ľudí, ktorí si vychutnávali chladný zimný vzduch a teplý čaj v rukách.

The entire courtyard was full of people enjoying the chilly winter air and warm tea in their hands.

Jozef stál bokom.

Jozef stood aside.

Sledoval, ako sa jeho priatelia Marta a Andrej smiali a rozprávali s ostatnými hosťami.

He watched as his friends Marta and Andrej laughed and chatted with the other guests.

Jozef bol vždy fascinovaný históriou hradu.

Jozef was always fascinated by the castle's history.

Mal bohaté znalosti a tajne túžil to všetko zdieľať.

He had a wealth of knowledge and secretly longed to share it all.

Ale jeho strach z rozprávania pred publikom ho držal späť.

But his fear of speaking in front of an audience held him back.

Marta, odvážna a výrečne rozprávajúca, si všimla Jozefa a priviedla ho k skupine.

Marta, bold and articulate, noticed Jozef and brought him over to the group.

„Počula som, že vieš veľa o histórii hradu,“ povedala.

"I heard you know a lot about the history of the castle," she said.

Andrej, so žiarivým úsmevom, prikývol.

Andrej, with a radiant smile, nodded.

„Áno, rozprávaj nám, Jozef.

"Yes, tell us, Jozef.

Bude to perfektné zakončenie pred polnocou.

It will be the perfect end before midnight."

“Jozef cítil, ako sa jeho srdce rozbieha.

Jozef felt his heart start to race.

V hlave sa mu miešali myšlienky.

Thoughts swirled in his head.

Bol čas rozhodnúť sa.

It was time to decide.

Naučiť sa konfrontovať svoje obavy, alebo zostať ticho, ako vždy.

To learn to confront his fears, or to remain silent, as always.

Ako sa približovala polnoc, hostia sa zhromaždili na dvore.

As midnight approached, the guests gathered in the courtyard.

Počítali sekundy do nového roka.

They counted down the seconds to the new year.

Jozef si všimol, že na okamih nastal kľud.

Jozef noticed a moment of calm.

"Teraz, alebo nikdy," pomyslel si.

"Now or never," he thought to himself.

Zhlboka sa nadýchol a začal rozprávať.

He took a deep breath and began to speak.

„Bratislavský hrad má tisíce príbehov.

"Bratislavský hrad has thousands of stories.

Každý kameň nesie pamäť starých časov.

Every stone carries the memory of old times."

“ Jozef sa triasol, ale keď pokračoval, slová prichádzali ľahšie.

Jozef was trembling, but as he continued, the words came more easily.

Hovoril o kráľoch, ktorý prechádzali jeho chodbami, o tajomstvách, ktoré ukrýva.

He spoke of the kings who walked its halls, of the secrets it hides.

Dav ho počúval so zaujatím.

The crowd listened with interest.

Marta a Andrej mu povzbudzujúco kývali.

Marta and Andrej nodded encouragingly at him.

Jozef cítil, že jeho strach ustupuje.

Jozef felt his fear receding.

Keď skončil, ozval sa potlesk.

When he finished, applause broke out.

Nový rok privítal úsmevom a potleskom, ktorý ho zahrial viac ako teplo ohňa či víno.

He welcomed the new year with a smile and applause, which warmed him more than the heat of the fire or wine.

„Ďakujeme, Jozef!

"Thank you, Jozef!"

“ zakričala Marta, pozdvihla svoj pohár.

Marta shouted, raising her glass.

Andrej mu priateľsky potľapkal po ramene.

Andrej patted him friendly on the shoulder.

Jozef sa usmial, spokojný, že jeho vášeň bola ocenená.

Jozef smiled, satisfied that his passion was appreciated.

Nový rok začal nielen s ohňostrojom na oblohe, ale aj s iskrou odvahy v jeho srdci.

The new year began not only with fireworks in the sky but also with a spark of courage in his heart.