Modesty: Why less is often more!

Story from the Neflental: Less is often more

The time of the glorious high begins in the Neflental. The sun casts a golden glow over everything. Rivers and lakes glisten like dancing sparks of fire. On the banks, many small people sit around the colourful campfires. Lanterns float softly in the warm twilight. Overhead, golden-feathered birds circle and sing special songs from the Sun Feather Valley. The air shimmers in sun gold, sapphire blue, coral red and emerald green. Everyone celebrates and shares what they have.

Pink evergreen and the big summer party

One summer evening, Rosa Periwinkle decides to visit the festival at Crystal Lake. Many inhabitants bring special things with them: the Flossians pretty shells, the Buchians sweet tree resin and the Bergsteins glittering stones from the mountains. Everywhere the guests hear happy laughter and smell the delicious flavours of the food. Many build large towers of fern and decorate them with colourful flowers. Everyone wants to show that they have and can give a lot.

The challenge by the lake

Some children propose a challenge: Who will bring the most valuable gift to the big feast? Many immediately jump to their feet. One child runs off and returns with the biggest amber. Another finds a sparkling shell, so rare that everyone marvels at it. Someone brings a huge piece of tissue paper that blazes like fire in the wind. Everyone is amazed and shouts: "Look, that's the most amazing thing!" But Rosa Periwinkle remains pensive at the back. She looks at the water and sees the little silver fish dancing through the light.

Less is often more in the Neflental

Rosa Periwinkle asks herself: Do I really have to do something big to belong? Then she notices an old lady sitting sadly on the shore. Her hands are empty, her gaze wanders over the sparkling crystal lake. Rosa Periwinkle sits down quietly next to her and asks: "What are you missing?" The lady replies: "Everyone shows off what they have, but no one notices when someone just wants to listen or smile." So Rosa Periwinkle stays with her.

The two of them talk. They listen to the singing from the sun feather valley. They watch as the light dances in the lake and a bird shows off its flying skills in the sky. The lady suddenly smiles and tells her stories of the glorious high of recent years. Rosa Immergrün listens, nods and asks a few questions. The lady beams more and more with joy. She says: "Thank you, because today you've given me more than anyone else."

The realisation from the Sonnenfedertal

As the end of the feast approaches, many look questioningly at Rosa Periwinkle. Some wonder why she hasn't brought a precious gift. But the old lady tells everyone about the conversation and how valuable it was for her. Many listen intently and realise how happy the lady is. They realise: Sometimes modesty means that less is sometimes more. An open ear and genuine time are often the greatest gift. The golden-feathered birds fly in the Sonnenfedertal, as if they want to pass on the message.

What do we learn from this?

At Glanzhoch in Neflental, it's not what we own that counts. What is more important is how we are there for each other. Those who listen share joy. Those who give small gestures often make others happier than with big things. Rosa Immergrün teaches us that modesty warms the heart. And that in the Sonnenfedertal and throughout the Neflental, sometimes the simplest gift counts the most.

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.