Fluent Fiction - Afrikaans: Marlene's Starry Day: Fame and Fortune in Athens
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/af/episode/2025-10-11-22-34-02-af

Story Transcript:

Af: Die son se strale dans oor die bruisende mark in Athene.
En: The sun's rays dance over the bustling market in Athene.

Af: Marlene en Johan loop tussen die stalletjies deur.
En: Marlene and Johan walk between the stalls.

Af: “Dit ruik heerlik hier,” sê Marlene en neem 'n diep asem in.
En: "It smells wonderful here," says Marlene, taking a deep breath.

Af: Die geur van vars olyfolie en speserye hang in die lug.
En: The aroma of fresh olive oil and spices hangs in the air.

Af: Die kraampies is vol kleurvolle vrugte en handgemaakte kunswerke.
En: The stalls are full of colorful fruits and handmade crafts.

Af: Vrolike Grieke roep hul goedere uit terwyl toeriste verby strompel.
En: Cheerful Greeks call out their goods while tourists stumble past.

Af: Marlene stop by 'n stalletjie met fyn linne tafellakens.
En: Marlene stops at a stall with fine linen tablecloths.

Af: Sy hou een op teen die lig.
En: She holds one up to the light.

Af: "Moet ek hierdie een koop, Johan?
En: "Should I buy this one, Johan?"

Af: " vra sy.
En: she asks.

Af: Maar Johan odgovor nie.
En: But Johan does not answer.

Af: Dieselfde oomblik lui 'n opgewonde stem agter hulle, "Dit is sy!
En: At that same moment, an excited voice behind them exclaims, "It's her!

Af: Die aktrise van Suid-Afrika se beroemdste sepie!
En: The actress from Suid-Afrika's most famous soap!"

Af: "Johan verstik amper aan sy kougom.
En: Johan almost chokes on his gum.

Af: "Marlene, hulle dink jy is beroemd!
En: "Marlene, they think you're famous!"

Af: " fluister hy met 'n skalkse glimlag.
En: he whispers with a mischievous smile.

Af: 'n Groep mense begin om hulle versamel.
En: A group of people begins to gather around them.

Af: 'n Knap meisie met lang, donker hare storm vorentoe.
En: A pretty girl with long, dark hair rushes forward.

Af: "My naam is Annelie," sê sy energiek.
En: "My name is Annelie," she says energetically.

Af: "Ek is 'n groot aanhanger van jou werk!
En: "I'm a big fan of your work!"

Af: "Marlene kyk vlugtig na Johan, wat met 'n skelm glimlag knik.
En: Marlene glances quickly at Johan, who nods with a sly smile.

Af: "Ja, dis ek," sê sy, speel-speel beskeie, maar met 'n vonkel in haar oë.
En: "Yes, that's me," she says, playfully modest yet with a sparkle in her eyes.

Af: Sy maak 'n grinnik van opgewondenheid toe sy omring word deur mense wat haar handtekeninge vra.
En: She grins with excitement as she's surrounded by people asking for her autograph.

Af: Annelie bied aan om hul gids te wees vir die dag.
En: Annelie offers to be their guide for the day.

Af: Marlene geniet die spesiale behandeling.
En: Marlene enjoys the special treatment.

Af: Hulle kry gratis lekkernye by die mark en Marlene word selfs voor in 'n verversings-ry geplaas.
En: They get free treats at the market, and Marlene is even placed at the front of a refreshment line.

Af: As die liggies van die middag begin vervaag in die aandsterre, word Marlene genooi om by 'n lokal geleentheid te praat.
En: As the lights of the afternoon begin to fade into the evening stars, Marlene is invited to speak at a local event.

Af: Johan druk speels sy skouer.
En: Johan playfully nudges her shoulder.

Af: "Hier is jou kans om jou droom te leef.
En: "Here's your chance to live your dream."

Af: "Marlene stap selfversekerd op die verhoog.
En: Marlene steps confidently onto the stage.

Af: Sy voel hoe die mense se energie bruis.
En: She feels the crowd's energy buzzing.

Af: Net toe sy haar mond oopmaak, kom die regte sepiester met groot opgewondenheid die saal binne.
En: Just as she's about to open her mouth, the real soap star bursts into the hall with great excitement.

Af: Die skare storm af na haar toe.
En: The crowd rushes towards her.

Af: Marlene en Johan staan bewoë.
En: Marlene and Johan stand bemused.

Af: "Ek dink ons is vas," fluister Johan, half-skeppies.
En: "I think we're caught," Johan whispers, half-jokingly.

Af: Die ware aktrise glimlag breed vir Marlene voordat sy die mikrofoon neem.
En: The real actress beams at Marlene before taking the microphone.

Af: "Ek dink daar was 'n klein misverstand," sê sy vrolik.
En: "I think there was a little misunderstanding," she says cheerfully.

Af: "Maar ek is bly om te sien dat ek 'n ander getalenteerde Suid-Afrikaner hier het.
En: "But I'm glad to see another talented Suid-Afrikaner here."

Af: "Marlene stap van die verhoog af met 'n hart wat borrel van vreugde.
En: Marlene steps off the stage with a heart bubbling with joy.

Af: Sy kyk na Johan, lig haar skouers opgelig.
En: She looks at Johan, shrugging her shoulders.

Af: "Tot ek nie beroemd is nie, was dit 'n ongelooflike avontuur.
En: "Even if I'm not famous, it was an incredible adventure."

Af: "Die twee vriende voel die verrugting van die avontuur soos hulle deur die steeds lewendige mark stap.
En: The two friends feel the thrill of the adventure as they walk through the still lively market.

Af: Hul oë vonkel in die ligte van die Atheense nag.
En: Their eyes sparkle in the lights of the Athenian night.

Af: Marlene weet nou dat sy nie iemand anders hoef te wees om haar avonture vol en opwindend te maak nie.
En: Marlene now knows she doesn't need to be someone else to make her adventures full and exciting.

Af: Sy knik na Johan.
En: She nods at Johan.

Af: "Volgende keer neem ek die hoofrol in my eie drama," sê sy.
En: "Next time, I'll take the lead role in my own drama," she says.

Af: En met daardie sekerheid stap hulle die mark uit, hand aan hand, gereed vir nog 'n dag van ontdekking.
En: And with that certainty, they walk out of the market, hand in hand, ready for another day of discovery.


Vocabulary Words:

• bustling: bruisende
• stalls: stalletjies
• aroma: geur
• handmade: handgemaakte
• cheerful: vrolike
• stumble: strompel
• linen: linne
• chokes: verstik
• mischievous: skalkse
• energetically: energiek
• autograph: handtekening
• refreshment: verversings
• fade: vervaag
• nudge: druk
• buzzing: bruis
• bemused: bewoë
• beams: glimlag breed
• misunderstanding: misverstand
• venture: avontuur
• thrill: verrugting
• sparkle: vonkel
• certainty: sekerheid
• discovery: ontdekking
• excited: opgewonde
• enthusiastic: vurig
• modest: beskeie
• adventure: avontuur
• glance: kyk vlugtig
• croon: lui
• lead role: hoofrol