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Short Stories in Irish

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If you want to build your vocabulary, master grammar and get a deeper grasp of the Irish, Babel Tales stories are here to help.

Sample chapter

Below you'll find a sample chapter from Short Stories in Irish. Click on a sentence to see the English translation. If you buy the book, you'll find a special code that allows you to read the whole book in this way.

An Cailín agus an CatThe Girl and the Cat

Bhí cailín beag darb ainm Aoife.There was a little girl named Aoife. Bhí Aoife ceithre bliana d’aois agus bhí gruaig fhionn uirthi. Aoife was four years old and had blonde hair. Lá amháin, bhí Aoife ag súgradh sa pháirc in aice lena teach. One day, Aoife was playing in the park near her house. Bhí an ghrian ag taitneamh agus bhí an lá te agus deas. The sun was shining, and the day was warm and nice.

Agus Aoife ag rith timpeall, chonaic sí cat dubh agus bán ina shuí faoi chrann. As Aoife was running around, she saw a black and white cat sitting under a tree. Bhí an cat an-álainn agus bhí súile móra aige. The cat was very beautiful and had big eyes. Bhí Aoife an-tógtha leis an gcat agus rith sí go dtí é. Aoife was very taken with the cat and ran up to it.

"Dia duit, a chat!" "Hello, cat!" arsa Aoife go breá bríomhar. said Aoife cheerfully. Bhí an cat cúthail ar dtús agus bhog sé siar beagán, ach ansin lig sé do Aoife é a pheataáil. The cat was shy at first and moved back a bit, but then it let Aoife pet it. Bhí gruaig bhog agus mín ar an gcat agus bhí Aoife an-sásta. The cat had soft and smooth fur, and Aoife was very happy.

Bhí liathróid bheag dearg ag Aoife a thóg sí léi gach áit. Aoife had a small red ball she took everywhere. Chaith sí an liathróid ar an talamh agus rolladh sí i dtreo an chait. She threw the ball on the ground, and it rolled toward the cat. Thosaigh an cat ag imirt leis an liathróid, ag preabadh agus ag léimt. The cat started playing with the ball, bouncing and jumping. Bhí an-spraoi acu le chéile. They had a lot of fun together. Bhí Aoife ag gáire go hard agus bhí an cat ag preabadh timpeall. Aoife was laughing loudly, and the cat was bouncing around.

Tar éis tamaill, shocraigh Aoife síos faoi chrann agus shuigh sí ar an bhféar. After a while, Aoife settled down under a tree and sat on the grass. Bhí an cat tuirseach agus shuigh sé síos in aice léi. The cat was tired and sat down beside her. Thóg Aoife an cat ina cuid arm agus thosaigh sí ag caint leis. Aoife took the cat in her arms and started talking to it. "Tá tú an-álainn, a chat," arsa Aoife. "You are very beautiful, cat," said Aoife. Bhí an cat an-socair agus thosaigh sé ag suanmhó. The cat was very calm and began to purr. D'fhéach Aoife ar an gcat agus mhothaigh sí go raibh cara nua aici. Aoife looked at the cat and felt like she had a new friend.

Nuair a bhí Aoife ag caint leis an gcat, tháinig a máthair ag glaoch uirthi. While Aoife was talking to the cat, her mother came calling her. "Aoife, tá sé in am dul abhaile!" "Aoife, it's time to go home!" arsa a máthair. said her mother. Bhí Aoife beagáinín brónach ag smaoineamh ar an gcat a fhágáil, ach ansin smaoinigh sí ar phlean. Aoife was a little sad thinking about leaving the cat, but then she thought of a plan. "A mhamaí, an féidir liom an cat a thabhairt abhaile liom?" "Mommy, can I take the cat home with me?" arsa Aoife. asked Aoife.

D'fhéach a máthair ar an gcat agus ansin ar Aoife. Her mother looked at the cat and then at Aoife. "Bhuel, mura bhfuil úinéir aige agus má fhaighimid amach go bhfuil sé ceart go leor, is féidir," arsa a máthair. "Well, if it doesn't have an owner and we find out it's okay, then yes," said her mother. Bhí Aoife ar mhuin na muice anois. Aoife was over the moon. Thóg sí an cat lena lámh agus shiúil sí abhaile lena máthair. She took the cat by its paw and walked home with her mother.

Sa bhaile, thug Aoife bainne agus bia beag don chat. At home, Aoife gave the cat some milk and a little food. Bhí an cat an-sásta agus d'ith sé an bia go tapa. The cat was very happy and ate the food quickly. Thug Aoife ainm don chat - Smudge, mar go raibh spotaí dubha agus bána air. Aoife gave the cat a name – Smudge, because it had black and white spots.

Tháinig an tráthnóna agus d'fhan Smudge in aice le Aoife agus í ag imirt lena bréagáin. Evening came, and Smudge stayed close to Aoife as she played with her toys. Bhí Aoife chomh sona agus chomh sásta lena cara nua. Aoife was so happy and content with her new friend. Bhí Smudge ina luí in aice léi, ag suanmhó agus ag breathnú ar Aoife ag súgradh. Smudge lay beside her, purring and watching Aoife play.

An oíche sin, nuair a bhí Aoife ag dul a chodladh, shuigh Smudge ag bun a leapa. That night, when Aoife was going to sleep, Smudge sat at the foot of her bed. Chuir sé a cheann síos agus dhún sé a shúile. He put his head down and closed his eyes. Bhí Aoife an-shásta agus dúirt sí, "Oíche mhaith, Smudge. Aoife was very happy and said, "Good night, Smudge. Go raibh maith agat as an lá álainn." Thank you for the beautiful day." Bhí Smudge ina chodladh go bog agus Aoife ina codladh go tapa freisin. Smudge slept soundly, and Aoife quickly fell asleep too.

Ar maidin, dhúisigh Aoife agus chonaic sí Smudge fós ina codladh ag bun a leapa. In the morning, Aoife woke up and saw Smudge still sleeping at the foot of her bed. Bhí meangadh mór ar aghaidh Aoife. Aoife had a big smile on her face. Bhí a fhios aici go mbeadh go leor eachtraí nua acu le chéile. She knew they would have many new adventures together. Bhí Aoife agus Smudge anois ina gcairde is fearr agus bhí siad ag tnúth leis na laethanta amach rompu. Aoife and Smudge were now best friends and looked forward to the days ahead.

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