La llum del matí de novembre il·luminava els carrers estrets d’El Born.

The morning light of November illuminated the narrow streets of El Born.

L’ambient estava ple d’olor de castanyes torrades i de la música alegre de nadales que es filtrava des de les botigues.

The atmosphere was filled with the smell of roasted chestnuts and the cheerful music of Christmas carols that filtered out from the shops.

Núria, amb la carpeta sota el braç, caminava amb el cap ple de pensaments cap al pavelló de l’escola.

Núria, with her folder under her arm, walked with her head full of thoughts toward the school hall.

El dia de la fira de ciències havia arribat i ella se sentia nerviosa però emocionada.

The day of the science fair had arrived, and she felt nervous but excited.

Al pavelló, globus blaus i blancs decoraven les parets, i una enorme pancarta deia: “Fira de Ciències de l'Immaculada”.

In the hall, blue and white balloons decorated the walls, and a huge banner read: "Science Fair of the Immaculada".

Els alumnes corrien amunt i avall, col·locant els seus projectes sobre les taules.

The students ran up and down, placing their projects on the tables.

Núria va trobar la seva taula i va començar a preparar el seu material.

Núria found her table and began to prepare her material.

El seu projecte era sobre els ecosistemes marins, un tema que sempre li havia fascinat.

Her project was about marine ecosystems, a topic that had always fascinated her.

“Hola, Núria!” va saludar Laia, la seva companya de classe i rival a la fira.

“Hello, Núria!” greeted Laia, her classmate and rival at the fair.

Laia tenia un projecte similar sobre els esculls de coral.

Laia had a similar project on coral reefs.

Les dues noies es van somriure; sabien que la competència seria dura.

The two girls smiled at each other; they knew the competition would be tough.

“Estic nerviosa!” va confessar Laia.

“I’m nervous!” Laia confessed.

“Jo també”, va respondre Núria.

“Me too,” Núria responded.

Quan el jurat va començar a passar entre els projectes, Núria va veure Martí, el seu germà petit, entremig de la multitud.

When the judges started to pass among the projects, Núria saw Martí, her little brother, amidst the crowd.

“Endavant, Núria!” cridava Martí mentre movia els braços amb entusiasme.

“Go, Núria!” shouted Martí as he waved his arms enthusiastically.

Amb aquell suport, Núria va agafar aire profundament.

With that support, Núria took a deep breath.

Tenia una decisió a prendre: mantenir-se fidel al seu projecte original o afegir-hi un toc creatiu per destacar-se.

She had a decision to make: to remain faithful to her original project or to add a creative touch to stand out.

Va decidir seguir amb la seva idea perquè sabia que això reflectia la seva passió veritable.

She decided to stick with her idea because she knew it reflected her true passion.

Quan va arribar el seu torn, va començar la presentació amb seguretat, parlant de la importància de protegir els oceans i la vida marina.

When her turn came, she began the presentation confidently, talking about the importance of protecting the oceans and marine life.

Algunes persones del públic van aplaudir quan va acabar, i això li va fer sentir orgullosa.

Some people in the audience applauded when she finished, and that made her feel proud.

Finalment, el guanyador va ser anunciat.

Finally, the winner was announced.

No va ser Núria.

It was not Núria.

Laia havia guanyat el primer lloc, però Núria no es va sentir decebuda.

Laia had won first place, but Núria did not feel disappointed.

La felicitat de Laia li va fer entendre que competir no sempre era tot.

Laia's happiness made her understand that competing was not always everything.

Martí la va abraçar, “Ho vas fer molt bé!”, va dir ell.

Martí hugged her, “You did great!” he said.

Lliurant el seu orgull, Núria es va apropar a Laia.

Letting go of her pride, Núria approached Laia.

“Ho vas fer genial”, va dir sincerament, i les dues noies es van somriure.

“You did amazing,” she said sincerely, and the two girls smiled at each other.

En aquell moment, Núria va comprendre que la passió per la ciència i per treballar en allò que li entusiasma era més important que qualsevol premi.

In that moment, Núria realized that the passion for science and working on what fascinates her was more important than any prize.

Mentre la família de Núria es reunia amb ella, van sortir al carrer, on encara se sentia la música festiva.

As Núria's family gathered with her, they went out into the street, where the festive music could still be heard.

Les llums de Nadal brillaven a les cases i l’aire d’hivern picava la pell.

The Christmas lights shone on the houses, and the winter air stung the skin.

Núria, encara amb la calidesa de la celebració, va caminar pel Born sabent que el seu futur estava ple de possibilitats, i que, passi el que passi, les seves passes sempre tindrien un significat propi.

Núria, still with the warmth of the celebration, walked through El Born knowing that her future was full of possibilities, and that, no matter what happened, her steps would always have their own meaning.