How Siobhán Outsmarted a Spider and Her Fears

Fluent Fiction - Irish: How Siobhán Outsmarted a Spider and Her Fears
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/ga/episode/2025-09-01-22-34-02-ga

Story Transcript:

Ga: Sa bhláth an fhómhair, bhí an coláiste beo, faoi líonta órga na gcrann.
En: In the bloom of the fall, the college was alive, under the golden netting of the trees.

Ga: I dorm beag plódaithe, bhí Siobhán agus Niamh ina gcónaí.
En: In a little crowded dorm, Siobhán and Niamh were living.

Ga: Bhí cathaoireacha míshocraithe, postair de bhannaí ceoil ar na ballaí, agus leabhair ábhair ar fud an bhúird.
En: There were unsettled chairs, posters of music bands on the walls, and textbooks scattered across the table.

Ga: Bhí Siobhán ina suí ar a leaba, ag stánadh le faitíos ar phoillín réalta sa chúinne — damhán alla.
En: Siobhán was sitting on her bed, staring fearfully at a tiny star-shaped corner — a spider.

Ga: Chonaic Siobhán an damhán alla ar maidin.
En: Siobhán saw the spider in the morning.

Ga: Bhí sí cineál suibiachtúil.
En: She was somewhat subjective.

Ga: Creidtear ag Siobhán go dtugann damháin alla ádh.
En: Siobhán believed that spiders bring luck.

Ga: Ach, bhraith sí nach raibh mórán ádh ag teacht uirthi.
En: But, she felt that not much luck was coming her way.

Ga: Bhí sí ag súil go socraíodh sí é seo i ngan fhios.
En: She hoped that she could resolve this unnoticed.

Ga: Níor theastaigh uaithi Niamh a chur ar crith mar bhí an eagla ar Niamh roimh dhamháin alla.
En: She didn't want to frighten Niamh as Niamh was afraid of spiders.

Ga: Agus Declan, mac léinn as an taobh eile, thaitin leis bheith ina shaineolaí ar damháin alla.
En: Meanwhile, Declan, a student from the other side, fancied himself as a spider expert.

Ga: Bhíodh sé ag caint leis féin agus ag taispeáint an rud céanna gach uair a tháinig sé isteach.
En: He would often talk to himself, demonstrating the same thing every time he came in.

Ga: Bhraith Siobhán go mbeadh sé níos fearr dá bhfanfadh sé as seo.
En: Siobhán thought it would be better if he stayed away.

Ga: Chinn Siobhán go réiteachfadh sí an scéal léi féin.
En: Siobhán decided she would resolve the situation on her own.

Ga: Ghlac sí cupán agus páipéar.
En: She took a cup and a piece of paper.

Ga: Bhí sí cúramach.
En: She was careful.

Ga: Tháinig sí suas go mall ar an damhán alla.
En: She approached the spider slowly.

Ga: Bhí sí ag smaoineamh ar conas é a chur amach gan trioblóidí.
En: She was thinking about how to put it out without any trouble.

Ga: Ach, nuair a shroich sí lán a misnigh, sciorr an damhán alla ar ais.
En: But, just as she gathered her courage, the spider scuttled back.

Ga: Bhí sé gasta agus glic!
En: It was fast and cunning!

Ga: Nuair a bhí sí i mbun iarrachtaí arís, chuala sí an doras ag oscailt.
En: When she tried again, she heard the door opening.

Ga: Niamh!
En: Niamh!

Ga: Thosaigh Niamh ag crith agus ag cúlú.
En: Niamh started trembling and retreating.

Ga: Ansin, tháinig Declan isteach.
En: Then, Declan entered.

Ga: Bhí seisean le bocal fréamhach mór.
En: He had a large magnifying glass.

Ga: "Sin feithid álainn," a dúirt sé, ag bogadh go hingearach le gníomh.
En: "That's a beautiful insect," he said, moving vertically with action.

Ga: Bhí Siobhán cliste.
En: Siobhán was clever.

Ga: Shín sí a cupán folamh amach.
En: She extended her empty cup.

Ga: "Tá sé imithe amach an...