Through life with self-confidence: How to become really strong!

Through life with self-confidence - a story from the Neflental valley

The day of the flower vigil always begins particularly quietly in the Neflental. Gentle mist lies like a veil over the fern meadows of Immergrün. Pastel pink cherry blossoms and lilac-coloured violets glow mysteriously on ancient, mossy trees. Fine cobwebs glisten in the morning dew. Mythical creatures dance like shadows through the tall grass.

The Immergrüns' houses stand between the giant eagle ferns. The roofs gleam emerald green and the water of the crystal lake sparkles on John Immergrün's roof terrace. Rosa Immergrün lives here with her family. She loves the fern meadows and the special light of the morning. But today Rosa is feeling a little queasy. It's the day of the big flower challenge.

Every year, the young periwinkles compete against each other in the Flower Watch. They have to tie a bouquet of flowers that shines like a rainbow in the morning mist. The most beautiful bouquet is displayed in the village fountain for all to admire. Many children in the village believe Rosa could win. But she is unsure.

"What if my bouquet looks too puny? Or the colours don't shine?" Rosa hides behind a fern. Warm light breaks through the sea of mist and paints shadowy figures. Small streams flow in the lowlands, shimmering with pearly white spider threads.

Suddenly Rosa hears a whisper among the flowers. Mythical creatures flit past like clouds of feathers. They hear Rosa's doubts and a purple violet child says softly: "Trust in yourself, Rosa! The strongest power is your heart."

Rosa plucks up her courage. She joins the other periwinkle children, who are busy collecting flowers: Cherry blossoms, moss roses and violets lie ready in small piles. Rosa takes a deep breath. She looks around. The scent of freshness is everywhere. The green light of the morning gives every leaf a soft glow.

With steady hands, she collects the most beautiful flowers. She thinks about what the violet child said - and begins to tie her own bouquet. She only takes the flowers that she likes herself. Rosa ties the bouquet tightly together in her very own way. No other bouquet looks like hers. The bouquet is perhaps a little crooked, and two violet heads hang amusingly to one side. But the colours blend together beautifully: pastel pink, lilac and emerald green. The pearly white cobweb gives the bouquet a touch of magic.

Finally, it's time. The Immergrün children place their creations next to each other. Some bouquets look tidier, others more colourful. Rosa feels her heart pounding when the village councillor arrives.

But the councillor smiles and says: "Courage and trust are the most important things. What counts are the colours of your hearts." The flowers in the valley begin to glow in the rising sun. Rosa's bouquet glows particularly warmly. She senses that her self-confidence makes her strong.

In the evening, all the periwinkles celebrate in the fern meadows. Rosa laughs with the others. She now realises that nobody has to be perfect. If you listen to your heart and believe in yourself, you are really strong. Friendship and courage grow like flowers - side by side.

What do we learn from this?

If you are unsure, it helps to listen to your heart. Sometimes self-confidence is the greatest magic. Everyone can be strong if they believe in themselves. And sometimes even little violets help you to dare to be yourself.

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