Sa bhláth an fhómhair, bhí an coláiste beo, faoi líonta órga na gcrann.

In the bloom of the fall, the college was alive, under the golden netting of the trees.

I dorm beag plódaithe, bhí Siobhán agus Niamh ina gcónaí.

In a little crowded dorm, Siobhán and Niamh were living.

Bhí cathaoireacha míshocraithe, postair de bhannaí ceoil ar na ballaí, agus leabhair ábhair ar fud an bhúird.

There were unsettled chairs, posters of music bands on the walls, and textbooks scattered across the table.

Bhí Siobhán ina suí ar a leaba, ag stánadh le faitíos ar phoillín réalta sa chúinne — damhán alla.

Siobhán was sitting on her bed, staring fearfully at a tiny star-shaped corner — a spider.

Chonaic Siobhán an damhán alla ar maidin.

Siobhán saw the spider in the morning.

Bhí sí cineál suibiachtúil.

She was somewhat subjective.

Creidtear ag Siobhán go dtugann damháin alla ádh.

Siobhán believed that spiders bring luck.

Ach, bhraith sí nach raibh mórán ádh ag teacht uirthi.

But, she felt that not much luck was coming her way.

Bhí sí ag súil go socraíodh sí é seo i ngan fhios.

She hoped that she could resolve this unnoticed.

Níor theastaigh uaithi Niamh a chur ar crith mar bhí an eagla ar Niamh roimh dhamháin alla.

She didn't want to frighten Niamh as Niamh was afraid of spiders.

Agus Declan, mac léinn as an taobh eile, thaitin leis bheith ina shaineolaí ar damháin alla.

Meanwhile, Declan, a student from the other side, fancied himself as a spider expert.

Bhíodh sé ag caint leis féin agus ag taispeáint an rud céanna gach uair a tháinig sé isteach.

He would often talk to himself, demonstrating the same thing every time he came in.

Bhraith Siobhán go mbeadh sé níos fearr dá bhfanfadh sé as seo.

Siobhán thought it would be better if he stayed away.

Chinn Siobhán go réiteachfadh sí an scéal léi féin.

Siobhán decided she would resolve the situation on her own.

Ghlac sí cupán agus páipéar.

She took a cup and a piece of paper.

Bhí sí cúramach.

She was careful.

Tháinig sí suas go mall ar an damhán alla.

She approached the spider slowly.

Bhí sí ag smaoineamh ar conas é a chur amach gan trioblóidí.

She was thinking about how to put it out without any trouble.

Ach, nuair a shroich sí lán a misnigh, sciorr an damhán alla ar ais.

But, just as she gathered her courage, the spider scuttled back.

Bhí sé gasta agus glic!

It was fast and cunning!

Nuair a bhí sí i mbun iarrachtaí arís, chuala sí an doras ag oscailt.

When she tried again, she heard the door opening.

Niamh!

Niamh!

Thosaigh Niamh ag crith agus ag cúlú.

Niamh started trembling and retreating.

Ansin, tháinig Declan isteach.

Then, Declan entered.

Bhí seisean le bocal fréamhach mór.

He had a large magnifying glass.

"Sin feithid álainn," a dúirt sé, ag bogadh go hingearach le gníomh.

"That's a beautiful insect," he said, moving vertically with action.

Bhí Siobhán cliste.

Siobhán was clever.

Shín sí a cupán folamh amach.

She extended her empty cup.

"Tá sé imithe amach an fhuinneog," a dúirt sí go stuama.

"It's gone out the window," she said calmly.

Chroith sí a ceann i dtreo na fuinneog oscailte.

She nodded toward the open window.

Rinne Niamh faobhar analaithe agus thug Declan rith chun breathnú.

Niamh exhaled sharply, and Declan ran over to look.

Smaoineamh n-aindírithe!

Distraction!

Gach duine socruithe, d'fhéach Siobhán ar an cupán folamh.

With everyone settled, Siobhán looked at the empty cup.

Bhraith sí bród as a féin-shealbhú.

She felt proud of her self-restraint.

Sula bhféadfadh Declan teacht ar ais, bhí deireadh sé ceart.

Before Declan could return, he was properly done with.

Bhí an fhuinneog mórán dúnta.

The window was mostly closed.

Ní raibh ach gaoth an fhómhair á suí ag na dréanaí.

Only the autumn breeze was resting at the drains.

Bhí an deireadh sin sásúil go maith di.

That conclusion was satisfying enough for her.

D'fhoghlaim sí as an lá inniu.

She learned something from today.

Ní gá i gcónaí do shaineolaithe a bheith bíogach.

Experts don't always have to be flustered.

Is minic is féidir tú féin a dhéanamh agus taitneamh as an té atá ionat féin.

Often, you can manage on your own and appreciate who you are.