Authenticity: How to stay real and cool in everyday life!

History from the Neflental: authenticity in everyday life

The day always gets off to a special start in the Neflental valley. Today, the sky is a soft sky blue and the sunlight dances golden on the dewy fern leaves. Everything is blooming in May green and ivory. The inhabitants of the valley sense that this will be a day full of possibilities, because authenticity counts here.

A particular problem at Nachtigallenstieg

Rosa Immergrün runs happily along the nightingale path between the flowering hawthorn bushes and hears the twittering of nightingales everywhere. Lots of friends are out and about. Before class, the Periwinkles and Buchians whisper about new hats. Suddenly someone shouts: "Everyone is wearing a glittering Southwind hat today! Except for Rosa Periwinkle ..."

A few friends look at Rosa Periwinkle. Some whisper. Others laugh sheepishly. Rosa Periwinkle wears her old cap as always. It may not be modern, but she loves it because she found it on adventures in the valley.

Flocki Flossianer shouts: "Come on, Rosa Periwinkle! If you're not wearing a Southwind hat, you're not cool." Perhaps Flocki doesn't mean any offence, but Rosa Periwinkle can feel how these words affect her. She briefly considers whether she should just get a new hat to fit in. But is that really what she wants?

Rosa Immergrün remains true to itself

Rosa Periwinkle stops briefly at the edge of the Nachtigallenstieg. She looks at the golden dew on the crown of her hat and thinks about how important it is to be true to yourself. Suddenly, a little periwinkle friend jumps up to her and says: "You're really cool, Rosa Periwinkle, because you do your thing!" This encourages Rosa Periwinkle and she smiles.

With her head held high and singing a cheerful song, she trudges to the top of the glowing fir trees. From there, she sees the evening light making the fir trees glow red. The colour palette of ivory, May green, sky blue and gold shimmers throughout the valley and encourages Rosa Immergrün. Those who remain true to themselves are always the strongest.

How to stay real in everyday life

Many children and young people ask themselves how they can remain authentic and still make friends. Rosa Immergrün shows that sometimes it takes courage not to go along with everything. But if you are honest, others will realise that too and may even admire you for it!

It's also nice to show off your own special features. Your favourite scarf, your laugh - something makes you unmistakable and unique. Sometimes that's what makes you particularly likeable and "cool".

In Neflental, the inhabitants celebrate all their differences. In the evening, they sit together at the Tannenglutkuppe. The light of the red fir trees sparkles and the song of the nightingales rings through the air. Everyone is allowed to show who they are. That's why everyone feels comfortable and brave enough to show their true selves.

What do we learn from this?

If you are honest and don't pretend, you will remain strong - like Rosa Periwinkle. Be brave, trust your heart and show what makes you special. Others will notice how special you are. Not only will you look cool, but you'll also feel free and happy. In Neflental and everywhere else, you can show your true colours: I'm real - and that's a good thing!

You want the book Order "Pink evergreen and the golden oak leaf" - click here!. Also like to take Contact the author Kira Kimmelmann at or read more short stories by Pink evergreen here.