Openness makes you strong: Dare to be yourself!

Openness makes you strong in the Neflental

It was a warm autumn evening in the Neflental. The golden yellow and fiery red leaves danced silently through the air. Everywhere smelled of sweet smoke and fresh moss. The big celebration at the Harvest Fire clearing was to take place today. Around the mighty fire, people, gnomes, elves, and many other forest creatures gathered. They laughed, sang, and before that, they had prepared tests of courage.

Perennial rose on the Harvest Fire clearing

Rosa Immergrün stood right at the edge of the large clearing. She looked towards the harvest bonfire, which rose into the sky with its flames of golden yellow and glowing red. The clearing was full of life, teeming with laughing faces everywhere. But Rosa Immergrün felt a bit different today. She didn't quite know how she should behave. Would the others laugh if she showed her true talent?

Nobody but Rosa Immergrün knew that she carried a song within her that no one had ever heard. She had long wanted to sing this song aloud. But she didn't dare. Perhaps the song was too strange, perhaps others wouldn't like it. The moon shone brightly in the sky, twinkling through the trees, while the harvest bonfire crackled.

Moonlight Alley and the Courage to be Open

Suddenly, friends called out for Rosa Immergrün. They wanted to go to Moonlight Alley. This is a narrow forest path where the light from the full moon dances in silver patches. At night, it’s almost like walking on a magic trail. Rosa Immergrün hesitated. But then she thought of the motto for the celebration: openness makes you strong. She just had to be herself, just as the golden-yellow fern belongs to autumn and the chocolate-brown forest floor belongs to the Neflental.

Together, Rosa Immergrün and her friends strolled along Moonlight Alley. The silver light of the full moon sparkled like little dreams on their faces. They told stories and laughed. Rosa Immergrün gathered her courage. She told them about her secret song. Her friends marvelled and looked at her with curiosity. „Sing us your song!“ someone called out. Suddenly, Rosa Immergrün's heart hammered wildly.

Openness makes you strong – the little song

In the middle of Moonlight Alley, between the silver patches of light, Rosa Evergreen closed her eyes. She took a deep breath. Then she sang. It was a quiet, wonderful song. Notes like falling leaves, like the rustling of animals in the undergrowth. She sang of friendship, of courage and of the colourful beauty of being yourself. The others listened quietly. No one laughed. On the contrary – everyone clapped with enthusiasm when Rosa Evergreen had finished.

An elderly gnome said: „You have sung as only you can sing. Openness makes you strong, because you are yourself. That is something very special.“ Rosa Immergrün suddenly beamed. She felt stronger and freer than ever before. Together they walked back to the harvest fire clearing, where everyone was continuing to celebrate. And again and again someone asked: „Rosa Immergrün, sing us your song again!“

What do we learn from this?

Sometimes it's hard to dare to be open about who you are. But that's exactly what makes you strong. Each of us is special. Openness makes you strong because it opens doors to new friendships and makes your heart courageous. Just as Rosa Immergrün sings in the Neflental, you too can achieve anything when you are completely yourself.

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