Lá fuar geimhridh a bhí ann, agus bhí scamall mór liath os cionn Chaisleán na Blarnan.

It was a cold winter day, and a big gray cloud was over Blarney Castle.

Bhí Siobhán agus Seán ag siúl go mall suas an cnoc, agus iad ag breathnú thart ar na crainn lom agus an caisleán ársa ina seasamh bródúil os a gcomhair.

Siobhán and Seán were slowly walking up the hill, looking around at the bare trees and the ancient castle standing proudly in front of them.

Bhí Seán beagáinín neirbhíseach, agus é ag féachaint suas ar an gcarraig mór.

Seán was a little nervous as he looked up at the big rock.

Níl mé cinnte faoin seo, Siobhán,

I'm not sure about this, Siobhán,

ar sé le bréag-ghean.

he said jokingly.

Tá siad ag rá má phógann tú an cloch, go mbeidh tú líofa!

They say if you kiss the stone, you'll be eloquent!

Siobhán, a bhí glic agus cleasach, gáire go ciúin.

Siobhán, who was smart and playful, quietly laughed.

Ach Seán, smaoinigh ar an spraoi! Beidh tú in ann caint mar bhallóid!

Oh Seán, think of the fun! You'll be able to talk like a politician!

Bhí sí ag iarraidh a cara a mhealladh.

She was trying to coax her friend.

Ó, ní fheicim cén dochar,

Oh, I don't see any harm,

arsa Seán go mall, agus é ag bogadh níos gaire don chloch cháiliúil.

Seán said slowly, moving closer to the famous stone.

Nuair a bhí Seán ag díriú a aird ar iarracht a bheith cróga agus a dhóthain misnigh a bhailiú chun póg a thabhairt don Chloch, bhí Siobhán ag faire go géar.

As Seán focused on his attempt to be brave and gather enough courage to kiss the Stone, Siobhán was watching closely.

Bhí plan aici.

She had a plan.

Bhí sí ag iarraidh an sparán a ghoid ó phóca cúil Seán nuair a bheadh sé sínte amach chun póg a thabhairt don chloch.

She wanted to steal the purse from Seán's back pocket when he would be leaning out to kiss the stone.

Níor thóg sé ach soicind - bhí lámh Siobhán chomh héadrom le cleite - agus d'éirigh le Siobhán an sparán a sciobadh gan Seán a thabhairt faoi deara.

It only took a second - Siobhán's hand was as light as a feather - and she managed to snatch the purse without Seán noticing.

Chuir Seán a bheola ar an gcloch agus d'éirigh sé ina sheasamh, ag spalpadh agus ag taispeáint fiacla i miongháire náireach.

Seán put his mouth on the stone and stood up, grinning and showing embarrassed half-smile.

Anois,

Now,

ar sé.

he said.

Sílim go raibh mé cróga go leor!

I think I was brave enough!

Siobhán, a bhí anois ag siúl ar ais anuas an cnoc agus í ag féachaint ar cheirdeanna an Chaisleáin, d'oscail sí go réidh sparán Seán, spéaclaí ina súile.

Siobhán, now walking back down the hill and looking at the Castle's craftsmanship, smoothly opened Seán's purse, glasses in her eyes.

Ach áit a fháil an t-airgead, fuair sí nóta beag.

But to her surprise, when she found the money, she found a small note.

A Shíobhán,

Oh Siobhán,

a léigh sí.

she read.

Shíl mé go bhféadfá iarracht rud éigin mar seo a dhéanamh. Ach tá tú ró-dhéanach! Tá mo sparán fálraithe i gceart agam.

I thought you could try something like this. But you're too late! I have my purse securely tucked away.

Bhí iontas ar Shíobhán, agus í ag faire ar Shéan ag síneadh síos chun póg eile a thabhairt don Chloch.

Siobhán was surprised, and while looking at Seán stretching down to give another kiss to the Stone, she laughed, putting the note back.

Nuair a tháinig Seán ar ais anuas an cnoc, rinne sé gáire freisin.

When Seán came back down the hill, he laughed too.

An gcabhraíonn an Chloch le slí beatha a bheith agat mar ghadaí?

Does the Stone help you have a livelihood as a thief?

ar sé.

he asked.

Siobhán, a bhí ag smaoineamh go trom, d'admhaigh go hoscailte,

Siobhán, thinking hard, openly admitted,

Tá mé buíoch díot as an gceacht, a chara.

I'm grateful to you for the lesson, my friend.

Agus mise,

And I,

arsa Seán,

said Seán,

tá mé buíoch as an gcara atá agam a thabharfaidh an chomhairle is fearr dom, an gadaí mór!

am grateful for the friend who'll give me the best advice, the great thief!

Gháireadar le chéile, Seán lena sparán slán, agus Siobhán le píosa eagna níos mó: nach nglaofar ort a bheith ina chara mura bhfuil tú sásta glacadh leis na páirteanna maithe agus olc atá ag gach duine.

They laughed together, Seán with his safe purse, and Siobhán with a bit more wisdom: that you won’t be called a friend unless you're willing to accept the good and bad parts of everyone.