Mežs dvesa rudens smaržu.

The forest exhaled the scent of autumn.

Saules stari šķita gleznas krāsām izrotājot zeltainās lapotnes un kailos zarus, kas pletās debesīs.

Sunlight seemed to paint the golden foliage and bare branches, which spread out towards the sky.

Martins un Ilze soļoja pa biezu lapu segu.

Martins and Ilze walked over a thick carpet of leaves.

Viņu uzdevums bija skaidrs - savākt malku, lai ģimenē būtu silti ziemas laikā.

Their task was clear - to gather firewood so that the family could stay warm during winter.

Martins bija pirmais, kas atrisinātu katru problēmu.

Martins was always the first to solve any problem.

"Ilze, mums jāpasteidzas," viņš teica, paceļot jau sagrieztu žagaru.

"Ilze, we need to hurry," he said, picking up an already cut branch.

Viņa atbildēja ar mirdzošām acīm, vērojot, kā putns lejup lido no koka.

She responded with shining eyes, watching a bird fly down from a tree.

"Bet, Martins, paskaties uz šīm krāšņajām lapām.

"But, Martins, look at these magnificent leaves.

Vai nav skaisti?

Aren't they beautiful?"

" Ilze izplāja rokas, it kā vēlētos apskaut visu mežu.

Ilze spread her arms, as if she wished to embrace the entire forest.

Viņa vecākais brālis pamāja.

Her older brother nodded.

Viņš saprata, ka Ilze mīl mežu savā īpašajā veidā.

He understood that Ilze loved the forest in her own special way.

Taču viņš uzskatīja, ka laiks bēguļoja.

But he believed that time was fleeting.

Laikam ejot, viņš redzēja, ka saules gaiss sāk mainīties, liecinot par tuvojošos nakti.

As time went on, he saw the sunlight start to change, hinting at the approaching night.

Ilze tomēr turpināja.

Ilze continued nonetheless.

Viņa veda Martinu dziļāk mežā, atklājot sūnas uz akmeņiem un senu, kritušu koku, kur mīt mazs robains kukainis.

She led Martins deeper into the forest, revealing moss on stones and an ancient, fallen tree inhabited by a small, jagged insect.

"Mēs atradīsim daudz malkas tālāk," viņa smaidot teica.

"We'll find plenty of firewood further on," she said, smiling.

Vienā no meža līkumiem Ilze izsaucās: "Martins, skaties!

In one of the forest bends, Ilze exclaimed, "Martins, look!"

" Zem lapām slēpās liels krūmu klajums, pilns ar nokritušiem zariem.

Beneath the leaves lay a large clearing of shrubs, full of fallen branches.

Viens no tiem bija tik liels, ka labi noderētu viņu krāsnij.

One of them was large enough to be perfect for their stove.

Martins veica aprēķinu ar acīm un atzina, ka tas patiešām noderēs.

Martins made a mental calculation and admitted that it would indeed be useful.

Pateicoties Ilzes dzīvīgumam, viņi bija atraduši īsto vietu.

Thanks to Ilze's liveliness, they had found the right spot.

Kaut arī viņi nokavēja sākotnējon laika grafiku, atklājums izmainīja visu.

Although they had missed the initial schedule, the discovery changed everything.

Viņi sāka krāmēt zarus, un drīz vien mugursomas bija pilnas.

They started stacking branches, and soon their backpacks were full.

Ar pilnām rokām un sajūsmu sirdīs viņi steidzās atpakaļ.

With their arms full and excitement in their hearts, they hurried back.

Saules stari lēnām mazinājās, bet viņi paspēja izkļūt no meža pirms tumsas iestāšanās, nesot līdzi ne tikai malku, bet arī jaunu sapratni.

The sun's rays slowly faded, but they managed to get out of the forest before darkness fell, carrying with them not only firewood but also a new understanding.

Ilze smaidot piezīmēja: "Redzi, reizēm ir labi arī paskatīties apkārt.

Ilze noted with a smile, "See, sometimes it's good to look around."

" Martins pasmaidīja atbildē, saprotot, ka māsa bija iemācījusi viņu svarīgu dzīves mācību.

Martins smiled in response, realizing that his sister had taught him an important life lesson.

Un tā, rīta gaismai austot, abi strādāja kā komanda - viens domīgs, otrs zinātkārs.

And so, as the morning light dawned, the two worked as a team - one thoughtful, the other curious.