Self-control: become the boss of your feelings!

Stories from the Neflental: Learning self-control with Rosa Immergrün

In Neflental, the residents experience the big summer festival, which everyone calls Glanzhoch. The sun shines bright and warm. Its light shines in shades of gold and burgundy across the fern meadows and the water of the lakes. The atmosphere is cheerful as children and adults in colourful clothes sit around campfires everywhere. Lanterns float silently through the air in the twilight.

Rosa Periwinkle is looking forward to the festival near the water lily bay. This special bay lies quietly on the crystal lake. Large, round leaves float on the water. White flowers bloom brightly and fish glide quietly below. Dragonflies with iridescent wings dance in the warm air. The colours of the day are incredible: sun gold, sapphire blue, coral red and emerald green.

Rosa Periwinkle sits with her friends on the shore of Water Lily Bay. Soon the big race around the crystal lake begins. This surprise is fun for everyone and Rosa Periwinkle bounces back and forth full of anticipation. But then a little trick is played on her: Someone hides her favourite stone from her pocket. There is a giggle and Rosa Periwinkle realises she is getting angry. She feels like shouting or stamping her feet.

At this moment, a gentle dragonfly comes by. It sits quietly on one of the water lily leaves. Rosa Periwinkle watches as the dragonfly slowly moves its wings. She notices that the dragonfly is not disturbed, not even by the loud laughter of the others. She remains seated calmly and simply enjoys the sun's rays.

Rosa Immergrün thinks about it. Sometimes things happen that annoy or hurt us. But you can decide how you react to them. Rosa Periwinkle takes a deep breath and counts to ten in her mind. She presses her hands together and simply lets the anger drift away like a cloud in the sky. Instead of shouting, she calmly asks who has seen her stone. Her voice remains friendly because she knows that now is the time to be the boss of her own feelings.

Her friends realise this and are amazed. Nobody thought that Rosa Periwinkle could stay so calm. Then someone taps her on the shoulder. "Here's your stone," says little Mia, grinning mischievously. "That was just a joke!" Rosa Periwinkle looks Mia in the eye and smiles. "Thank you, Mia. I've learnt that I can control my feelings. That makes me strong!"

The sun slowly sinks behind the glittering meadows and the crystal lake glows in bright, shiny colours. Rosa Periwinkle and her friends run the race, laughing. Nobody is angry any more. Everyone realises how nice it is to be friendly with each other. The dragonflies dance over the still water, the festive music plays and pink lanterns are reflected on the lily pads.

In Neflental, the residents realise that self-control does not mean hiding your feelings. It means understanding them and choosing your own reactions. Rosa Periwinkle knows that everyone in the valley has small and big feelings. But it's your own decision that counts. So everyone learns to be the boss of their own feelings.

What do we learn from this?

Whether glittering lakes, dancing dragonflies or colourful festivals: sometimes things happen in the Neflental that surprise or annoy us. But we can learn to stay calm like the dragonfly on the lily pad. Those who know their feelings never lose heart - and gain many friends.

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.