Responsibility for animals: Become the animals' best friend!

A special encounter in the Bernblütenhain

The peak is a special time in the Neflental. The sun shines golden over the landscape. Its light glistens on the rivers and makes the small lakes glow like sparks of fire. Children, parents and friends sit on the banks, each wearing colourful clothes. They laugh, sing songs around the campfire and watch lanterns rise silently into the sky. Everything feels light and there is a sweet scent of honey and summer rain in the air. It comes from the amber blossom grove.

Animal worries during the peak

On a warm afternoon, Rosa Periwinkle walks through the Bernblütenhain. The golden yellow flowers sway gently in the wind. Bees are buzzing everywhere and colourful butterflies flutter through the air. Suddenly, Rosa hears a soft beeping from the bush. Who might need help?

Curious, Rosa walks among the flowers. Two little hares tremble in the tall grass. They huddle together anxiously and look at Rosa with wide eyes. There's more: bird calls are screeching nearby, as if the animals are excited. Rosa looks around and notices that small animals are running around excitedly throughout the grove. Some birds are looking for food, other squirrels have retreated into the golden bushes.

Taking responsibility and helping

Rosa immediately realises that the animals are worried. Perhaps people have carelessly left their picnic scraps lying around. Or the young hares and other inhabitants of the grove are frightened by music that is too loud and cheerful jumping. Rosa realises that animals need friends who think about them and look after them.

Rosa is talking to some other children who are weaving colourful flower wreaths. Together they think about how they can help the animals. They carefully pick up rubbish so that no animal is endangered. Where dogs are playing, they ask the owners to put their animals on a lead and stay calmly on the shore. Rosa hands out small cards with pictures: On them you can see laughing children watching animals but not disturbing them. Everyone listens and eagerly joins in.

A celebration for everyone - including the animals

In the evening, everyone is amazed. The Bernblütenhain now looks even more beautiful. The grass rustles softly. The rabbit children sit under a golden blossom and nibble contentedly on a leaf. Birds also come back and chirp happily. The squirrels dare to go to their favourite tree again. The animals feel safe because the children take care and show responsibility. They leave enough space in the grove and even share some berries with their little friends.

Rosa and the children build extra small shelters out of leaves and branches. This gives the animals shelter when there are lots of people around. They take care to be calm and friendly to the animals. They realise how nice it is to be a friend to the animals. Responsibility means looking at the world with open eyes and an open heart. And being strong together when someone needs help.

As the sun disappears behind the Dragon's Tooth Mountains, fireflies dance in the amber light over the water. Rosa watches the lanterns and thinks: "We can be best friends with the animals if we look after them. So that the Neflental always remains a happy, safe place for everyone - for people and animals.

What do we learn from this?

Every animal in Neflental deserves a home that is safe and friendly. We are all part of this colourful world. If we are attentive, pick up litter and stay calm, we help our animal friends. In this way, we become loyal companions for the animals. And the best thing is: even the smallest deed can show a big heart.

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.