In die somer, met die son hoog in die lug, stap Jaco en Annelise die koelte van die Kango-grotte binne.

In the summer, with the sun high in the sky, Jaco and Annelise walk into the coolness of the Kango-grotte.

Hulle sien stalaktiete wat soos klipklonte van die plafon hang en stalagmiete wat uit die vloer opstaan.

They see stalactites hanging like stone clumps from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor.

Die lug is koel en stil, net 'n sagte eggo van hulle voetstappe hoorbaar.

The air is cool and still, only a soft echo of their footsteps audible.

Hulle stap stadig nader aan die klein winkeltjie naby die ingang.

They walk slowly towards the small shop near the entrance.

Die rakke is vol kleurvolle handwerk en herinneringe van die streek.

The shelves are full of colorful crafts and memorabilia from the region.

Jaco se oog vang 'n helder rots, maar hy wil iets eg vind – iets wat die verhaal van die aarde self vertel.

Jaco's eye catches a bright rock, but he wants to find something genuine – something that tells the story of the earth itself.

"Ek soek 'n spesiale stuk vir my versameling," sê hy, sy hande in sy sakke, onseker oor waar om te begin.

"I am looking for a special piece for my collection," he says, his hands in his pockets, unsure of where to start.

Annelise kyk rond, haar gedagtes by die kultuur en geskiedenis van die plaaslike mense.

Annelise looks around, her thoughts on the culture and history of the local people.

Sy wil 'n unieke geskenk hê, iets betaalbaar wat die storie van die grotte en die mense hier vertel.

She wants a unique gift, something affordable that tells the story of the caves and the people here.

Die pryse is hoog, en sy sug stilweg.

The prices are high, and she sighs silently.

Maar sy gee nie moed op nie.

But she does not give up.

Jaco loer na die winkelier, 'n vriendelike ou man met 'n glimlag.

Jaco glances at the shopkeeper, a friendly old man with a smile.

Hy wonder of hy moet vra oor die egtheid van die stukke.

He wonders if he should ask about the authenticity of the pieces.

Sy nuuskierigheid wen oor sy huiwering.

His curiosity wins over his hesitation.

"Is hierdie rots van hier, uit die grotte?

"Is this rock from here, from the caves?"

" vra hy uiteindelik.

he finally asks.

Die winkelier knik.

The shopkeeper nods.

"Ja, hierdie is plaaslik.

"Yes, this is local.

Maar daar is iets spesiaals hier agter.

But there is something special here in the back."

"Jaco en Annelise volg hom na 'n hoek van die winkel.

Jaco and Annelise follow him to a corner of the shop.

Daar lê 'n pragtige stuk, 'n kombinasie van geverfde klip en tradisionele Xhosa-kuns.

There lies a beautiful piece, a combination of painted rock and traditional Xhosa art.

Annelise blaas uit asem van bewondering.

Annelise exhales in admiration.

"Hierdie vertel albei stories – die aarde en die mense.

"This tells both stories – the earth and the people."

"Met opgewondenheid koop hulle die stuk saam, dankbaar vir die ontdekking.

With excitement, they buy the piece together, grateful for the discovery.

Terwyl hulle uit stap, begin die koel lug van die grotte om hulle draai.

As they walk out, the cool air of the caves begins to surround them.

"Ek het geleer om die kultuur in my versameling in te sluit," erken Jaco.

"I've learned to include culture in my collection," Jaco admits.

"En ek het besef hoe die aarde help om stories te vertel," voeg Annelise by en glimlag.

"And I've realized how the earth helps to tell stories," Annelise adds, smiling.

Hulle was tevrede, verruim met nuwe begrip en 'n unieke stuk wat hul herinner aan die diepte van die aarde en die rykdom van die kultuur.

They were satisfied, enriched with new understanding and a unique piece that reminds them of the depth of the earth and the richness of the culture.