Discover the world with an open mind: dare to be yourself!

Discover the world with an open mind in Neflental

It's time for a glorious high in the Neflental valley. The sun shines brightly from the sky and bathes the fern meadows in glowing sunshine gold. The light flickers everywhere like dancing sparks of fire, houses duck deep into the green between three-metre-high bracken ferns. Herbs of all colours grow on the roofs. Goats and chickens run around in small enclosures and there is a cheerful babble of voices in the warm air.

The great glamour festival begins

Today, the inhabitants of Periwinkle are celebrating a big party. Bonfires burn at the edge of the fern meadows, lanterns in sapphire blue and coral red float through the twilight. The air smells of roasted herbs and fresh bread. Everywhere the meadow gnomes call and sing, because the glamour high in the Neflental is the most beautiful time.

Rosa Periwinkle sits on the shore of a small lake in the midst of the cheerful hustle and bustle. She watches the lanterns gliding gently across the water. Suddenly Rosa discovers a strange meadow gnome girl on the other shore. The girl is wearing a colourful scarf that is blowing in the wind and stroking a tiny, trembling frog.

The encounter at the fern meadows

Rosa Periwinkle gets up and walks over curiously. The fern stalks rustle as she walks through. She calls out in a friendly voice: "Hello, are you from Periwinkle?" The strange girl shakes her head shyly. "It's my first time in Neflental today," she says quietly, "and everyone seems so cheerful. But I don't know anyone."

Rosa Periwinkle smiles and sits down next to her. "That's not a bad thing. Everyone can be who they are here. And I don't know everyone yet." Together, they watch as another lantern floats across the lake and suddenly sails into a fern. They both have to laugh.

Being open makes you strong in the Neflental

Everyone in Neflental is invited to celebrate the glamorous wedding. Rosa Periwinkle takes the girl by the hand. "Come on, let's find the others. Nobody stays here alone. Tell me, what's your name?" The girl timidly answers the question, her voice already getting louder. Together they walk barefoot through the grass, past the colourful houses and the goats that bleat amiably.

They come across a group of meadow gnomes who are singing. Rosa Periwinkle waves and explains: "She's new here. Shall we dance together?" The others immediately reply: "Of course! Everyone is welcome here, no matter where you come from." The girl smiles brightly. They dance, sing and enjoy the golden glow of the Neflental.

A day full of courage and friendship

As the evening gets darker, the two sit together around the campfire. The light from the lanterns is reflected in the lake, everything glows in coral red and emerald green. Rosa Periwinkle tells stories and the meadow gnome girl listens intently. She realises that she doesn't have to impress anyone. Everyone likes her just the way she is.

At Neflental, residents discover time and again that being open makes you strong. It's nice to have the courage to just be yourself. Rosa Immergrün is happy that she has found a new friend. And the strange girl now knows that she belongs - in the middle of Periwinkle's fern meadows, under the bright shining sky.

What do we learn from this?

The most important thing in Neflental is that if you approach others openly and have the courage to show yourself, you will quickly make friends. Everyone is special, and friendliness makes life more colourful. The Glanzhoch festival reminds everyone that openness and the courage to be yourself make the world a better place.

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