Fluent Fiction - Croatian: The Vendor's Lesson: How Care and Friendship Saved a Life
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2025-11-16-08-38-20-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: Na Dolcu, najživopisnijoj zagrebačkoj tržnici, jesenje jutro bilo je svježe i bistro.
En: At Dolac, Zagreb's most picturesque market, the autumn morning was fresh and clear.

Hr: Zrak je mirisao na svježu papriku, jabuke i krizanteme od svježeg lišća.
En: The air smelled of fresh peppers, apples, and chrysanthemum leaves.

Hr: Štandovi su se nizali u bojama kao da su sami postali dio jesenskog platna.
En: The stands were lined up in colors as if they had become part of the autumn canvas themselves.

Hr: Matej, prodavač voća i povrća, svoj je štand pripremao s velikom pažnjom.
En: Matej, a fruit and vegetable vendor, was preparing his stand with great care.

Hr: Bio je poznat po najsočnijim jabukama i najsvježijem zelenilu.
En: He was known for the juiciest apples and the freshest greens.

Hr: Iako je bio posvećen, često je bio vidljiv umor na njegovu licu.
En: Although he was dedicated, tiredness was often visible on his face.

Hr: Probao ga je sakriti, ali Ivana, redovita mušterija, primijetila je njegove blijede obraze i kratki dah.
En: He tried to hide it, but Ivana, a regular customer, noticed his pale cheeks and short breath.

Hr: „Matej, kako si danas?
En: "Matej, how are you today?"

Hr: “ upitala je Ivana blagim glasom dok je birala jabuke.
En: Ivana asked in a gentle voice while picking apples.

Hr: Ispod glasa, s nemirom u srcu, nadala se da će napokon progovoriti o svom zdravlju.
En: Under her breath, with anxiety in her heart, she hoped he would finally talk about his health.

Hr: „Dobro sam, Ivana.
En: "I'm fine, Ivana.

Hr: Samo malo umoran,“ odgovorio je Matej, mašući rukom kao da otjera vlastite brige.
En: Just a little tired," Matej replied, waving his hand as if to dispel his own worries.

Hr: „Znamo da radiš jako, ali ipak trebaš paziti na svoje zdravlje,“ nastavila je Ivana, pokušavajući dosegnuti njegovu tvrdoglavost.
En: "We know you work hard, but you still need to take care of your health," Ivana continued, trying to reach his stubbornness.

Hr: Matej se nasmijao, ali nije ustuknuo.
En: Matej laughed but did not relent.

Hr: Jednog dana, dok su oblaci lenjo klizili preko zagrebačkog neba, dogodilo se nešto neočekivano.
En: One day, while clouds lazily drifted over the Zagreb sky, something unexpected happened.

Hr: Dok je Matej slagao sanduke, iznenada ga je obuzela vrtoglavica.
En: As Matej was arranging crates, dizziness suddenly overwhelmed him.

Hr: Sve oko njega počelo se vrtjeti.
En: Everything around him started to spin.

Hr: Uhvaćen naglo, morao se osloniti na štand da ne padne.
En: Caught off guard, he had to lean on the stand to avoid falling.

Hr: Ivana, koja kupovala u blizini, odmah je dotrčala do njega.
En: Ivana, who was shopping nearby, immediately ran to him.

Hr: „Matej, moraš otići doktoru!
En: "Matej, you must see a doctor!

Hr: Ovo nije šala,“ rekla je hitno, držeći ga za rame.
En: This is no joke," she said urgently, holding him by the shoulder.

Hr: Matej je duboko udahnuo, nastojeći ostati smiren.
En: Matej took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

Hr: „Možda si u pravu,“ priznao je nevoljko.
En: "Maybe you're right," he admitted reluctantly.

Hr: „Moram poslušati svoje tijelo.
En: "I have to listen to my body."

Hr: “Sljedećih dana, Ivana...