Be yourself! Authenticity - How to be real and cool!

Be yourself in the Neflental: A story about authenticity

It was snowing in the Neflental. Fine frost glittered everywhere on the trees. By the hoar frost grove, the birch trees stood still, their white trunks gleaming in the moonlight like silver pillars. The whole grove shone in silver-white, ice-blue and smoky-grey – simply magical.

On the amber shore, at the edge of the crystal lake, the waves washed quietly ashore. With each wave came tiny new pieces of amber. Some sparkled in the pale light, and in some, a tiny insect sparkled within.

Rosa Immergrün ran to the water on this icy morning. She had a plan. The big Winter Festival was taking place soon in the Neflental. Everyone wanted to stand out there. Many friends were thinking about how they could best disguise themselves. Some thought of glittering hats, others of colourful capes or crazy masks. It had to be something unique, something that looked really cool!

But Rosa Periwinkle was unsure. She overheard everyone on Amber Beach talking about the festival. Marlo, the water friend, boasted: „I want to look like a water dragon! Then everyone will think I'm cool.“ Another shouted: „I'll tie a thousand feathers in my hair, just like the bravest from the mountain top!“

Rosa Immergrün listened and looked at the amber stones in the sand. Then Lys, her friend, came running up, very excited. „Well, Rosa Immergrün, what are you putting on? Do you want a cloak like mine, too? Look, it's woven from silvery frost sheen! Then you'll be truly impressive, just like in a fairy tale.“

Rosa Immergrün pondered for a long time. She looked at the luminous colours of the amber. Each looked different. Some were clear, others dark. In a few, something was trapped: a small beetle, a tiny leaf, even a single plum from Frostglade Grove.

What does it mean to be real?

Then Rosa Immergrün understood something important. The most beautiful pieces of amber were not all the same. They sparkled because each one had its own secret. Each looked different and yet was special. „It's the same with us,“ thought Rosa Immergrün. „I don't have to be like others to seem cool.“

So she decided: „I want to go to the Winter Festival just as I am! I’ll take a little piece of amber from the beach with me. It suits me because I found it on Amber Beach and I like it.“

Courage to be oneself

That evening, Rosa Immergrün came to the feast in Frostglanzhain. Everywhere the ice sparkled, all the glow-worm lights showed themselves in blue and silver. Many looked at her, for she had no glittering cloak or colourful feathers. She wore only a single amber on a ribbon around her neck.

Some were amazed: „Why aren't you wearing anything crazy?“ Others admired her beautiful amber. Rosa Immergrün smiled and said, „I just wanted to remain myself. The amber is just a sign that I like myself as I am – and you too!“

Gradually, the others came to Rosa Immergrün. They wanted to know where she had found the amber. Some said, „Actually, I also like just being myself.“ The evening became cheerful. Everyone danced in the ice-blue glow. No one had to pretend anymore. They realised: authenticity is much cooler than dressing up. Everyone is special in their own way.

What do we learn from this?

You don't need to prove anything to anyone. It makes you strong when you are authentic. You are cool when you like yourself – just as you really are. It's good to forge your own path. Your courage and your smile are the best disguise at any party!

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