Respect rocks! How to be cool and fair to everyone

Respect rocks in the Neflental: adventure at the bay of water lilies

It was a glorious high in the Neflental. The sun hovered over the valley like a giant golden lantern. Its rays painted golden sparks on the smooth surfaces of lakes and rivers. Everywhere in the Neflental, water and leaves glistened in sun gold, sapphire blue, coral red and emerald green. Dragonflies buzzed in the warm air and children from all the peoples of the valley romped about in the meadows.

The invitation to the bay of water lilies

Rosa Periwinkle had a special plan with her friends. They wanted to have a summer picnic at the water lily bay. Large, round leaves and delicate white flowers grew in this quiet offshoot of the crystal lake. Colourful fish glided beneath the surface of the water and dragonflies with iridescent wings danced through the air. Rosa and her friends set up a large blanket and everyone brought their favourite food. Everyone was invited - whether periwinkles, Buchians, Bergsteins, Flossians or elves.

When all come together

One by one, the guests arrived. A Flossian brought dried flowers, a clever Buchian woman a delicious root cake and a young Bergstein shiny crystal sweets. They laughed and played together on the shore of the water lily bay. But then a little periwinkle heard two older Bergsteins whispering about a Flossian. They laughed because he talked so differently. Rosa Periwinkle didn't like that at all.

A moment for respect

Rosa Periwinkle stood up. She looked at the two Bergsteins kindly but firmly. "You know," she said, "no one is wrong just because they speak or look different. We're all different here in Neflental. That's what makes us so colourful and special." The sun was reflected in the water and it was quiet for a while. The colourful lanterns began to dance softly in the wind.

The Flossian smiled shyly. For a long time, he had been afraid that other children wouldn't like him because he didn't speak much. But Rosa Periwinkle showed: respect for everyone makes us really cool and fair. She sat down next to him and let everyone try a sip from her colourful berry bottle. "If we respect each other, everyone can enjoy the summer. That's when our festival really rocks!"

Celebrating together is fun

At the edge of the water lily bay, they all sang a song. They danced in the setting sun, their shadows skipping across the golden water leaves. Nobody was laughed at any more. The Bergsteins apologised to the Flossian and gave him a glittering shell. He beamed. Then everyone knew: if you act with heart and respect, you always belong. Because respect rocks the whole Neflental!

What do we learn from this?

Respect means accepting everyone for who they are. You're never too cool to be friendly and fair. In Neflental, everyone looks different, perhaps speaks differently, laughs at different things. But if you're nice to everyone, you'll make lots of friends. Respect makes you strong, and with respect every party rocks - no matter where you are.

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