V Ljubljanskem živalskem vrtu se je zjutraj zbrala skupina šolarjev.

At the Ljubljanski Zoo, a group of students gathered in the morning.

Jesensko sonce je sijalo skozi drevesne krošnje.

The autumn sun shone through the treetops.

Listje je bilo v živahnih odtenkih oranžne in rumene, in pod nogami šolarjev je prijetno šelestelo.

The leaves were in vibrant shades of orange and yellow, and they pleasantly rustled under the students' feet.

Vsi so bili navdušeni.

Everyone was excited.

To je bil dan šolskega izleta.

It was a school trip day.

Mateja je stala nekoliko zadaj.

Mateja stood a little behind.

Opazovala je živali s svetlimi očmi.

She observed the animals with bright eyes.

Zelo jih je imela rada, a v skupinah je bila vedno tiha.

She loved them very much, but in groups, she was always quiet.

Jure, glasen in samozavesten fant, je bil vedno v ospredju.

Jure, a loud and confident boy, was always at the forefront.

Rad je govoril in kazal, kot da vse ve.

He liked to talk and act as if he knew everything.

Ana, njuna prijateljica, je stala med njima.

Ana, their friend, stood between them.

Pozorno je opazovala, kako Jure ukazuje in se smeji.

She watched closely as Jure commanded and laughed.

Ko so prišli do bazena s tjulnji, so otroci vzkliknili od navdušenja.

When they reached the seal pool, the children shouted with excitement.

Tjulnji so skakali po vodi in škropili vse naokoli.

The seals were jumping in the water and splashing all around.

Učitelj je vprašal: "Kdo bi želel povedati nekaj zanimivega o tjulnjih?"

The teacher asked, "Who would like to say something interesting about seals?"

Jure je bil tik preden bi dvignil roko, ko je Mateja začutila toplino v prsih.

Jure was just about to raise his hand when Mateja felt warmth in her chest.

Povsem presenetljivo je dvignila roko.

Quite surprisingly, she raised her hand.

"Mateja, prosim," je dejal učitelj.

"Mateja, please," said the teacher.

Vsi so se začudeno obrnili.

Everyone turned around in surprise.

"Tjulnji so odlični plavalci.

"Seals are excellent swimmers.

Lahko se potapljajo globoko v morje," je začela Mateja sramežljivo.

They can dive deep into the sea," Mateja began shyly.

Toda z besedami je rastla njena samozavest.

But with her words, her confidence grew.

"Imajo debele plasti maščobe, ki jih grejejo."

"They have thick layers of fat that keep them warm."

Ana se je nasmehnila in vprašala: "Kaj še lahko poveš o njihovem življenju?

Ana smiled and asked, "What else can you tell us about their lives?

Kje živijo?"

Where do they live?"

Mateja je občutila podporo in se poglobila v opisovanje.

Mateja felt the support and delved into the description.

Besede so prihajale lažje, in njeno navdušenje je preplavilo celotno skupino.

Words came more easily, and her enthusiasm swept over the whole group.

Jure je utihnil in opazoval.

Jure grew silent and watched.

Matejino znanje je očaralo vse.

Mateja's knowledge charmed everyone.

Ko je končala, so otroci zaploskali.

When she finished, the children applauded.

Ana je dala Mateji velik objem.

Ana gave Mateja a big hug.

Mateja je ugotovila, da lahko njen glas zazveni glasno in jasno.

Mateja realized that her voice could sound loud and clear.

Da ima dragocene misli, ki jih je vredno deliti.

That she had valuable thoughts worth sharing.

Jure je prijateljsko pokimal, spoštoval je njen pogum.

Jure nodded friendly in acknowledgment, respecting her courage.

Tako se je Mateja, nasmejana, sprehajala naprej po živalskem vrtu.

Thus, Mateja, smiling, walked further through the zoo.

Vedela je, da je naredila korak naprej iz svoje sence.

She knew she had taken a step forward out of her shadow.

In Ljubljanski živalski vrt je bil tistega dne tudi kraj njenega zmagoslavja.

And the Ljubljanski Zoo was also the place of her triumph that day.