Fluent Fiction - Estonian: Courageous Decision at Christmas: Saving a Dolphin's Life
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/et/episode/2025-12-12-08-38-20-et

Story Transcript:

Et: Tallinna Loomaaias oli jõuluaja eriline tunne.
En: AtLangBrace{Tallinna} Zoo had a special holiday feeling during Christmas time.

Et: Akvaariumi saal oli vaikne, kuid festivali kaunistused ei lasknud unustada, et on pühadeaeg.
En: The aquarium hall was quiet, but the festival decorations did not let one forget that it was the holiday season.

Et: Siniste valguste kajastused mängisid veepinnal, justkui oleks kogu ruum veealuses maailmas.
En: Reflections of blue lights played on the water's surface, as if the entire room were an underwater world.

Et: Väljas oli talvekülm, kuid sees oli soe ja niiske.
En: Outside it was winter cold, but inside it was warm and humid.

Et: Kalev, noor vabatahtlik, kõndis kiirel sammul läbi saali.
En: AtLangBrace{Kalev}, a young volunteer, walked briskly through the hall.

Et: Tema süda kloppis, sest üks delfiin oli vigastatud, ja aeg tiksus.
En: His heart was pounding because one dolphin was injured, and time was ticking.

Et: Järjekordne jõuluootus oli segunenud murega.
En: Another Christmas anticipation was mixed with worry.

Et: Kalev tegi peanahas selgeks, et see oli tema hetk tõestada, et ta saab ülesandega hakkama.
En: AtLangBrace{Kalev} made it clear to himself that this was his moment to prove he could handle the task.

Et: Marit, kogenud merebioloog, oli Kalevi juhendaja.
En: AtLangBrace{Marit}, an experienced marine biologist, was AtLangBrace{Kalev}'s mentor.

Et: Ta seisis akvaariumi tagumises nurgas, tõsine pilk silmis.
En: She stood in the back corner of the aquarium, a serious look in her eyes.

Et: Kalev teadis, et tema abi oleks hindamatu, kuid Marit pidi kohtuma kõigepealt teiste teadlastega.
En: AtLangBrace{Kalev} knew that her assistance would be invaluable, but AtLangBrace{Marit} had to meet with other scientists first.

Et: "Sa pead ise hakkama saama, Kalev," oli Marit talle hommikul öelnud.
En: "You have to manage on your own, AtLangBrace{Kalev}," AtLangBrace{Marit} had told him in the morning.

Et: Kalev silmas akvaariumi serval Elti, veendunud külastajat, kes jälgis delfiini tanki, mure kortsudena otsaesisele joonistumas.
En: AtLangBrace{Kalev} spotted AtLangBrace{Elt}, a concerned visitor, standing at the edge of the aquarium, watching the dolphin tank with worry lines etched on his forehead.

Et: "Mida sa kavatsed teha?"
En: "What are you planning to do?"

Et: küsis Elt, kui Kalev temale lähemale jõudis.
En: asked AtLangBrace{Elt} when AtLangBrace{Kalev} got closer.

Et: "Pean minema direktori juurde," vastas Kalev, olles otsuse teinud.
En: "I need to go to the director," replied AtLangBrace{Kalev}, having made his decision.

Et: Ta oli korraga närviline ja kindel.
En: He was both nervous and determined.

Et: Oli aeg tegutseda, ja Kalev teadis, et peab meeskonna ära veenma, hoolimata sellest, et oli jõulud.
En: It was time to act, and AtLangBrace{Kalev} knew he had to convince the team, despite it being Christmas.

Et: Direktori kabinetti jõudes, koputas Kalev otsustavalt uksele.
En: Upon reaching the director's office, AtLangBrace{Kalev} knocked decisively on the door.

Et: Hetk hiljem avanes uks, ja Kalev leidis end suures kontoriruumis, kus tema ees laua taga istus direktor.
En: A moment later, the door opened, and AtLangBrace{Kalev} found himself in a large office, where the director sat at the desk before him.

Et: "Mul on vaja kiiret kaheaegset heakskiitu," alustas Kalev, "me peame delfiini viima meditsiinilisse rajatisse kohe."
En: "I need urgent approval," began AtLangBrace{Kalev}, "we need to take the dolphin to a medical facility immediately."

Et: Direktor kummardus ettepoole, kuulates hoolega Kalevi kirglikku selgitust delfiini seisukorrast ja riskidest, kui kiiret abi ei osutata.
En: The director leaned forward, listening intently to AtLangBrace{Kalev}'s passionate explanation of the dolphin's condition and the risks involved if swift aid was not provided.

Et: "Kalev, sa pead olema kindel, et see on parim otsus," vastas direktor, hinnates looduse eest hoolitsevat noormeest.
En: "AtLangBrace{Kalev}, you have to be sure that this is the best decision," responded the director, evaluating the nature-loving young man.

Et: Kalev hingas sügavalt sisse.
En: AtLangBrace{Kalev} took a deep breath.

Et: "Ma usun seda kogu südamest," ütles ta kindlalt.
En: "I believe it with all my heart," he said confidently.

Et: Oli vaikus, mis tundus igavikuna, kuid siis noogutas direktor lõpuks.
En: There was a silence that felt like an eternity, but then the director finally nodded.

Et: "Tee see ära."
En: "Go ahead."

Et: Kiirete sammudega tagasi akvaariumi poole kõndides tundis Kalev end kergemana.
En: Walking back to the aquarium with quick steps, AtLangBrace{Kalev} felt lighter.

Et: Marit tuli talle vastu, naeratus näol.
En: AtLangBrace{Marit} came towards him, a smile on her face.

Et: "Hea töö, Kalev," ütles ta tunnustavalt.
En: "Good work, AtLangBrace{Kalev}," she said, approvingly.

Et: Vigastatud delfiin viidi hoolikalt meditsiinikeskusesse.
En: The injured dolphin was carefully taken to the medical center.

Et: Õhus oli kergendust ja rõõmu, ning Kalev teadis, et tema enesekindlus oli kasvanud.
En: There was relief and joy in the air, and AtLangBrace{Kalev} knew that his confidence had grown.

Et: Nüüd oli ta rohkem kui lihtsalt õpilane, ta oli otsustaja, kellega sai arvestada.
En: Now he was more than just a student; he was a decision-maker whom others could rely on.

Et: Jõuluõhtu Tallinna Loomaaias muutis Kalevi, tema südames oli rahu ja uudne usaldus.
En: Christmas Eve at AtLangBrace{Tallinna} Zoo had changed AtLangBrace{Kalev}, with peace and newfound trust in his heart.


Vocabulary Words:

• aquarium: akvaarium
• reflection: kajastus
• injured: vigastatud
• anticipation: ootus
• marine biologist: merebioloog
• mentor: juhendaja
• concerned: murelik
• visitor: külastaja
• approval: heakskiit
• urgent: kiire
• facility: rajatis
• intently: hoolega
• passionate: kirglik
• condition: seisund
• swift: kiire
• evaluate: hinnata
• nature-loving: looduse eest hoolitsev
• confidently: kindlalt
• decision-maker: otsustaja
• rely: arvestada
• relief: kergendus
• trust: usaldus
• humidity: niiskus
• humid: niiske
• forthwith: kohe
• etched: joonistumas
• briskly: kiirel sammul
• pounding: kloppimine
• ticking: tiksumine
• convince: veenma