Die warm son van Desember bak oor Tafelberg.

The warm December sun bakes over Tafelberg.

Kobus, Annika en Frans stap vrolik die berg op.

Kobus, Annika, and Frans cheerfully hike up the mountain.

Kobus, altyd gereed vir 'n avontuur, probeer Annika beïndruk met sy kennis van plante en diere.

Kobus, always ready for an adventure, tries to impress Annika with his knowledge of plants and animals.

Annika is nuuskierig en gereed vir enigiets, solank dit pret is.

Annika is curious and ready for anything, as long as it's fun.

Frans hou sy oë op die roete, rustig maar ook effens ongemaklik oor die hoogte.

Frans keeps his eyes on the trail, calm but slightly uncomfortable with the height.

"Daar bo," sê Kobus, wysend na 'n ver buur.

"Up there," says Kobus, pointing to a distant ridge.

"Dis 'n geheime pad wat ek gelees het. Dit is avontuurlustiges soos ons bedoel."

"That's a secret path I read about. It's meant for adventurers like us."

Annika glimlag. "Is jy seker, Kobus?" vra sy, lus vir avontuur, maar ook nie heeltemal oortuig nie.

Annika smiles. "Are you sure, Kobus?" she asks, eager for adventure but not entirely convinced.

Frans sug. "Ek weet nie, Kobus. Ons moet op die gemerkte paadjies bly. Dis veiliger."

Frans sighs. "I don't know, Kobus. We should stick to the marked paths. It's safer."

Hulle stap verder en kom per ongeluk by ’n groep toeriste uit, gelei deur 'n ywerige gids, wat hulle entoesiasties in 'n ander rigting stuur.

They continue walking and accidentally come across a group of tourists, led by an eager guide, who enthusiastically points them in another direction.

Die gids praat aanhoudend oor die geskiedenis van Kaapstad, maar Kobus hoor net die roep van avontuur.

The guide keeps talking about the history of Kaapstad, but Kobus only hears the call of adventure.

"Ons moet hier afgaan," fluister Kobus aan Annika en Frans.

"We should go down here," Kobus whispers to Annika and Frans.

"Kom ons probeer die geheime pad."

"Let's try the secret path."

Met 'n opgewonde kyk na Annika se gesig, neem Kobus die pad minder getrap.

With an excited look on Annika's face, Kobus takes the road less travelled.

Annika volg, haar oë glinster.

Annika follows, her eyes sparkling.

Frans huiwer, maar sluit uiteindelik aan, alhoewel sy maag ongemaklik draai oor die smal afgrond langs hulle.

Frans hesitates but eventually joins, although his stomach turns uncomfortably about the narrow drop beside them.

Hulle stap die selfgemaakte roete en Kobus se entoesiasme begin vervaag as die pad moeiliker word.

They hike the makeshift route, and Kobus's enthusiasm starts to fade as the path becomes more difficult.

"Dit lyk nie meer so geheime of gemaklike pad nie," mompel Frans, maar hou aan stap, sy vrees knaend maar onuitgespreek.

"This no longer looks like a secret or comfortable path," mutters Frans, but he keeps walking, his fear persistent but unspoken.

Uiteindelik berispe Annika saggies: "Kobus, ek dink ons is verlore."

Eventually, Annika gently reprimands: "Kobus, I think we're lost."

Kobus, effens verleë, probeer kalm bly. "Ons kan seker terugkom... of miskien daar langs die rand?"

Kobus, slightly embarrassed, tries to stay calm. "We can probably find our way back... or maybe there along the edge?"

Frans trek dieper asem. Hy staar na die dieptes onder en sy hande bewe liggies.

Frans takes a deeper breath. He stares at the depths below, and his hands tremble slightly.

Tog stap hy moed skraap en sê: "Kom, laat ons terug gaan. Net dieper asem haal."

Yet he musters courage and says, "Come, let's go back. Just take a deeper breath."

Kobus sien Frans se angs, en besef sy fout.

Kobus sees Frans's anxiety and realizes his mistake.

Gesamentlik besluit hulle om om te draai.

Together, they decide to turn back.

Met 'n stadige maar deurslaggewende stap, lei Frans hulle.

With slow but decisive steps, Frans leads them.

Die son begin sak, kleur die lug koper en goud, en net toe die skaduwees langer word, vind hulle die hoofpad weer.

The sun starts to set, painting the sky copper and gold, and just as the shadows lengthen, they find the main path again.

Die oriëntering is teruggekry en terwyl hulle afstap, lag Annika en sê: "Nou ja, Kobus, miskien volgende keer?"

The orientation is regained, and as they descend, Annika laughs and says, "Well, Kobus, maybe next time?"

Kobus glimlag terug. "Jy’s reg, Annika. Volgende keer sal ek eers dink."

Kobus smiles back. "You're right, Annika. Next time I'll think first."

Frans loop nou regop, sy vrese bietjie minder.

Frans now walks upright, his fears a bit less.

Die son sak agter Tafelberg, en die stad se liggies knipper aan.

The sun sets behind Tafelberg, and the city's lights start to twinkle.

Die avontuur is tot 'n einde, en elkeen het hulle lesse geleer.

The adventure comes to an end, and each has learned their lessons.

Kobus het besef dat avontuur die beste is wanneer jy dit saam beplan, en Frans het 'n bietjie meer moed versamel.

Kobus realized that adventure is best when planned together, and Frans gathered a bit more courage.

Annika glimlag, bly om te sien hoe haar vriende groei met elke stap.

Annika smiles, happy to see her friends grow with every step.