Jaanipäeva päike paistis säravalt Järvevana järvepargis.

The Jaanipäeva sun shone brightly in Järvevana järvepark.

Rahvas oli tulnud kokku, et pidada aasta suurimat suvepidu.

People had gathered to celebrate the biggest summer festival of the year.

Bonfire lõõmas ja rõõmsad laulud kõlasid üle pargi.

A bonfire blazed and joyful songs echoed throughout the park.

Pargiservas, järveäärsel rajal, ootas algust süsta- ja aerulaua võistlus.

At the edge of the park, by the lakeside path, a kayak and paddleboard race was about to start.

Ahto seisis närviliselt kaldal, vahtides sinavaid laineid ja proovides endale julgust sisendada.

Ahto stood nervously on the shore, watching the blue waves and trying to muster some courage.

"Ära muretse, Ahto," naeris Leelo kõrvalt, lükates kergelt tema õlga.

"Don't worry, Ahto," laughed Leelo beside him, giving his shoulder a gentle push.

"See on lihtsalt lõbu pärast."

"It's just for fun."

Ahto hingas sügavalt sisse.

Ahto took a deep breath.

"Ma lihtsalt ei taha vette kukkuda," ütles ta tõsiselt.

"I just don't want to fall into the water," he said seriously.

Ta vaatas teisi võistlejaid, kes kõik nägid välja nagu oleksid nad sündinud veepõlvedel.

He looked at the other competitors, who all seemed like they were born on sea legs.

"Kõik on korras, sa saad hakkama," julgustas Leelo, kelle silmis sädeles seiklushimu.

"It's all right, you'll be fine," encouraged Leelo, whose eyes sparkled with a sense of adventure.

"Tegelikult on see lihtne.

"It's really easy.

Ja kes teab, võib-olla üllatad nii mind kui ka ennast!"

And who knows, you might surprise both me and yourself!"

Kohtunik andis vilega märku.

The referee blew the whistle.

Võistlus algas.

The race began.

Ahto tundis südame sees löövat trummilööki, kui ta tõukus esimest korda aerulauale.

Ahto felt a drumbeat in his heart as he pushed off on the paddleboard for the first time.

Vesi sädelevalt lainetas tema all, ja korraga tundus maailm palju suurem ja karmim.

The water sparkled and rippled beneath him, and suddenly the world seemed much bigger and tougher.

Esimesed meetrid olid täis kõhklusi.

The first few meters were full of hesitation.

Ahto tasakaalutas hoolikalt, püüdes mitte pilku alla heita.

Ahto balanced carefully, trying not to look down.

Leelo möödus tema kõrval kergel sammul, lehvitades: "Kui me tagasi tuleme, teen ma sulle võidupärja!"

Leelo passed by him in an easy stride, waving: "When we come back, I'll make you a victory wreath!"

Naeratus lipsas Ahto huultele ja ta surus end edasi, aeglaselt kogudes julgust.

A smile slipped onto Ahto's lips, and he pressed on, slowly gathering courage.

Kuid tuul tõusis, paisates kergeid laineid ümber tema laua.

But the wind picked up, casting light waves around his board.

"Ma pean toime tulema," mõtles Ahto endamisi.

"I have to manage," Ahto thought to himself.

"Ma pean Leelole näitama."

"I have to show Leelo."

Edasi liikudes tundis ta, kuidas tasakaal tugevneb.

As he moved forward, he felt his balance strengthening.

Hirm taandus järk-järgult.

Fear gradually faded away.

Ta unustas mõneks hetkeks isegi võidujanu, tundes pelgalt rõõmu liikumisest ja veest tema all.

For a few moments, he even forgot about the hunger for victory, feeling merely the joy of movement and the water beneath him.

Lõpu lähenedes tabas teda tugev tuuleiil.

As the end approached, a strong gust of wind hit him.

Ahto kõikus, silmad läksid suureks.

Ahto wobbled, his eyes widened.

Kohe tundus kõik libisevat ta käest.

Suddenly, everything seemed to slip from his grasp.

Kuid tema käsi püsis kindlalt aerul ja ta sirutas end taas stabiilsusele.

But his hand remained firm on the paddle, and he reached for stability once again.

"Lõpp on lähedal!"

"The finish is near!"

Leelo hüüdis, viibates eemalt äärest.

Leelo shouted, waving from the side.

Ahto suunas pingutuse ja sõitis edasi.

Ahto directed his effort and paddled forward.

Ta ei võitnud võistlust, kuid suutis lõpetada ilma kordagi vette kukkumata.

He didn't win the race, but he managed to finish without falling into the water even once.

Leelo tormas kaldale naeratades.

Leelo rushed to the shore, smiling.

"Sa olid imeline!"

"You were amazing!"

kiitis ta.

she praised.

Ahto hingas raskelt, kuid silmad särasid.

Ahto breathed heavily, but his eyes were shining.

"Ma tegin seda!"

"I did it!"

naeris ta.

he laughed.

Nad istusid koos kaldal, vaadates järve üle.

They sat together on the shore, looking over the lake.

"Ma pole kunagi mõelnud, et saan hakkama."

"I never thought I could do it."

"Sa oled julge," ütles Leelo.

"You're brave," Leelo said.

"Ja see on kõige tähtsam."

"And that's the most important thing."

Sel õhtul, kui jaanipäeva tuli lõõmas nende ümber, tundis Ahto end tugevamana.

That evening, as the Jaanipäeva fire blazed around them, Ahto felt stronger.

Ta ei pidanud kedagi teist muljet avaldama, leidis ta, vaid iseenesest tuli uhkus ja rahulolu.

He didn't need to impress anyone else, he found, as pride and satisfaction came from within.