Forgiveness: How to resolve disputes and find true friends

Forgiveness and friendship in Neflental

Spring is just beginning to bloom in the Neflental valley. Fresh greenery is growing everywhere and colourful flowers adorn the meadows. Lake Saphirsee lies quietly between the mountains. Its water is deep blue and clear, and if you look closely, the clouds are reflected on its surface.

Pink evergreens wander along the shore. Birds are singing and the scent of violets is in the air. Soon Rosa comes to the violet glade. It is particularly beautiful here. Purple violets and yellow crocuses grow everywhere, and a statue rests in the centre. Moss covers its surface, but its eyes shine in the light. Leaves rustle softly and a peaceful atmosphere spreads.

A dispute at Sapphire Lake

As Rosa gets closer, she hears voices. Two friends from Neflental are standing there: Lilo and Balduin. They are always together. But today their conversation sounds loud and angry.

"That was my idea!" shouts Lilo.

"No, I thought of the hiding place first!" replies Balduin, offended.

Rosa stops and looks at her. She knows that arguments sometimes happen when you mean a lot to each other. But she also knows how important forgiveness is in order to remain friends.

An attempt at reconciliation

Rosa takes a deep breath and steps between the two. The wind rustles through the green leaves and rays of sunlight shimmer everywhere like little lights. She smiles gently and asks: "Do you want to tell me what's going on?"

Lilo stamps her foot and says: "Balduin used my hiding place without asking me. Now my clothes are wet because the dew has fallen on the grass!"

Balduin looks to the ground. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to destroy anything. I didn't mean to," he whispers quietly.

Learning forgiveness at Sapphire Lake

Rosa points to the sapphire lake, which lies there so still. "Look at this lake," she says. "It preserves everything that falls on its surface. Even the clouds can be reflected in it. But with a little gust of wind, everything smoothes out again. We can do the same: When quarrels arise, honest forgiveness can calm everything down again!"

Lilo and Balduin first look at the lake, then at each other. The colours of the violets and crocuses glow around them. Lilo takes a deep breath. "I didn't mean to be mean. I was just sad because my book got wet."

"And I didn't want to break anything," says Balduin. "I should have asked you."

Rosa smiles. "Do you see? You've both made mistakes. But if you really apologise and forgive, you'll stay best friends. Sometimes that's more difficult than just arguing. But it's the only way to keep your friendship strong."

Together in the violet glade

The two nod. Then Lilo takes Balduin's hand. The statue in the centre of the violet glade looks almost friendly as rays of sunlight fall on its moss-covered eyes. "I forgive you," Lilo says gently. "Let's find a new hiding place together."

Balduin smiles with relief. "Thank you, Lilo!" Together they go to Rosa. They walk across the soft, flower-covered ground. The colours violet, sunny yellow and leaf green shine everywhere. At this moment, everyone realises how beautiful the Neflental is when friends stick together.

And if you ever have a quarrel, think of the sapphire lake. Try to be like the lake and forgive your friends. Because making real friends also means forgiving mistakes. And everything is easier together.

What do we learn from this?

Forgiveness can make friendships stronger. Mistakes happen to everyone. If you are honest and apologise, you can end arguments. And sometimes it can even lead to an even better friendship. Everyone in Neflental knows that. You can learn it too!

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