Openness makes you strong: dare to be yourself!

Openness makes Neflental strong

It was a warm autumn evening in the Neflental valley. The golden yellow and glowing red leaves danced silently through the air. Everywhere smelled of sweet smoke and fresh moss. The big celebration at the harvest bonfire was to take place today. Humans, gnomes, elves and many other forest creatures gathered around the mighty fire. They laughed, sang and had prepared tests of courage beforehand.

Pink evergreen at the harvest bonfire

Rosa Periwinkle stood at the very edge of the large clearing. She looked up at the harvest fire, its flame rising golden yellow and glowing red into the sky. The clearing was full of life, with smiling faces everywhere. But Rosa Periwinkle felt a little different today. She didn't really know how to behave. Would the others laugh if she showed her true talent?

No one but Rosa Periwinkle knew that she had a song inside her that no one had ever heard before. She had wanted to sing this song for a long time. But she didn't dare. Perhaps the song was too strange, perhaps the others didn't like it. The moon was bright in the sky and sparkled through the trees while the harvest fire crackled.

Moonlight Lane and the courage to be open

Suddenly, friends called out to Rosa Immergrün. They wanted to go to Moonlight Lane. This is a narrow forest path on which the light of the full moon dances in silver flecks. At night, it's almost as if you're walking on a magical path. Rosa Periwinkle hesitated. But then she thought of the motto of the celebration: Openness makes you strong. She just had to be herself, just as the golden-yellow fern belongs to autumn and the chocolate-brown forest floor belongs to Neflental.

Rosa Periwinkle and her friends strolled along Moonlight Lane together. The silver light of the full moon glittered like little dreams on their faces. They told each other stories and laughed. Rosa Periwinkle gave herself a jolt. She told them about her secret song. Her friends were amazed and looked at her curiously. "Why don't you sing us your song?" someone shouted. Suddenly, Rosa Periwinkle's heart was pounding.

Openness makes you strong - the little song

In the middle of the moonlight alley, between the silver patches of light, Rosa Periwinkle closed her eyes. She took a deep breath. Then she sang. It was a soft, marvellous song. Sounds like falling leaves, like the rustling of animals in the undergrowth. She sang of friendship, of courage and of the colourful beauty of being herself. The others listened quietly. No one laughed. On the contrary - everyone clapped with enthusiasm when Rosa Periwinkle had finished.

An older gnome said: "You sang as only you can sing. Openness makes you strong because you are yourself. That's something very special." Rosa Periwinkle suddenly beamed. She felt stronger and freer than ever before. Together they walked back to the harvest bonfire glade, where everyone continued to celebrate. And someone kept asking: "Rosa Periwinkle, sing us your song again!"

What do we learn from this?

Sometimes it's difficult to be confident and open about who you are. But that's exactly what makes us strong. Each of us is special. Openness makes you strong because it opens doors to new friendships and makes your heart brave. Just as Rosa Immergrün sings in Neflental, you too can achieve anything if you are completely yourself.

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