Zima je prekrila Zagrebačku četvrt debelim pokrivačem snijega.

Winter had covered the Zagrebačka quarter with a thick blanket of snow.

Blagom ulicom svijetlili su lampici ukrasa, blijedo plamtivši u crvenom zimskom sutonu.

Light decorations illuminated the gentle street, faintly flickering in the red winter twilight.

Marin je stajao ispred svog doma, čvrsto zgrabivši lopatu za snijeg.

Marin stood in front of his home, firmly grasping a snow shovel.

Njegovo dvorište bilo je njegovo ponos i ponosno je održavao njegovu savršenost.

His yard was his pride, and he maintained its perfection with pride.

Petra, nova u susjedstvu, stajala je nekoliko kuća dalje.

Petra, new to the neighborhood, stood a few houses away.

Bila je optimistična i nasmijana, unatoč hladu koji je posvuda ostavljao neizgovorene riječi.

She was optimistic and smiling, despite the shadow that left unspoken words everywhere.

Vidjela je Marinu i mahala mu.

She saw Marin and waved to him.

Nije ju odmah primijetio, ali kad je podigao pogled, samo je klimnuo glavom, usmjerivši se na lopatu.

He didn't notice her immediately, but when he looked up, he just nodded, focusing on his shoveling.

Petrine oči zasjale su idejama dok je prilazila Marinu.

Petra’s eyes sparkled with ideas as she approached Marin.

Snijeg je škripao pod njezinim čizmama.

The snow crunched under her boots.

"Izgleda da ćemo danas imati dobar trening, Marin!

"Looks like we'll get a good workout today, Marin!"

" rekla je veselo.

she said cheerfully.

Marin se nije zaustavio u lopatanju.

Marin didn’t stop shoveling.

"Možda," odgovorio je kratko, odlučan da zadrži fokus na svom zadatku.

"Maybe," he replied shortly, determined to keep his focus on his task.

Snijeg na puteljku nije smio ostati.

The snow on the path couldn’t be left.

Petra nije odustajala.

Petra didn’t give up.

"Znaš," rekla je, "kažu da je najbolje vrijeme za čuti zanimljive priče kad ljudi zajednički lopataju snijeg.

"You know," she said, "they say the best time to hear interesting stories is when people shovel snow together."

" Marin se nakašljao nezgrapno, ali nije uspio suzdržati osmijeh koji mu se pojavio na licu.

Marin coughed awkwardly but couldn’t suppress a smile that appeared on his face.

"Dakle, čuješ puno priča, ha?

"So, do you hear a lot of stories, huh?"

" upitao je, čak i dok je odlučno prebacivao snijeg na hrpu.

he asked, even as he resolutely tossed snow onto a pile.

"Možda ti imam jednu šalu za podijeliti," rekla je Petra nježno.

"Maybe I have a joke to share with you," Petra said gently.

"Zašto snijeg ide u škole?

"Why does snow go to school?

Da nauči kako rastopiti!

To learn how to melt!"

"Marin se na trenutak zaustavio, a zatim se neočekivano nasmijao, duboko, razbijač svoj tihi oklop.

Marin paused for a moment, then unexpectedly laughed deeply, breaking through his quiet shell.

Zvuk ga je iznenadio.

The sound surprised him.

"Znaš," rekao je, gledajući je sada s novom toplinom, "možda bi ti mogla doći kasnije na šalicu čaja dok se grijemo od ovog rada.

"You know," he said, now looking at her with new warmth, "maybe you could come over later for a cup of tea as we warm up from this work."

"Petra se zasjajila od zadovoljstva.

Petra beamed with satisfaction.

"Rado ću doći, hvala!

"I'd be happy to come, thanks!"

"Dok su nastavili s lopatanjem, njihova su leđa bila usklađena u radu, ali sada i u smijehu.

As they continued shoveling, their backs were aligned in work, but now also in laughter.

Marin je shvatio da zimski poslovi nisu samo za održavanje estetike kuće.

Marin realized that winter tasks were not just for maintaining the house's aesthetics.

Otkrio je novu vrijednost u gradnji zajednice.

He discovered a new value in building community.

Kako je dan prerastao u večer, Marin je otkrio da snijeg može biti ne samo teret već i prigoda za početak nečeg lijepog.

As the day turned into evening, Marin found that snow could be not just a burden but an opportunity to start something beautiful.

Kroz napore Petra je stekao novog prijatelja i još jednu refleksiju svojih svjetlucavih blagdanskih svjetala, sada u obliku prijateljstva.

Through Petra’s efforts, he gained a new friend and another reflection of his twinkling holiday lights, now in the form of friendship.