Show civil courage: Become a true everyday hero!

Show civil courage in the Neflental: Become a real everyday hero!

In the Neflental, the sun seems particularly warm on this day. It's high summer, the most beautiful time of year. The fields shine with sun-gold and the water in the rivers gleams sapphire blue. Pink periwinkle stands at the edge of the Bernblüten (Honeybloom) grove. It smells of honey and fresh summer rain here.

Lots of children and young people are celebrating on the shore of the small lake. Lanterns float in the sky, the light glitters on the water. Colours like coral red and emerald green dance across the grass. Joyful laughter and music fill the air.

A problem in paradise

Suddenly, Rosa Immergrün hears voices, getting louder. She sees a small Flossian boy sitting on the edge of the gathering. Two older children are making jokes about his bluish skin and his unusual clothes. The others are laughing, although the boy has lost his smile. His shoulders slump; he wishes he could disappear.

Rosa Immergrün watches this. A disquiet stirs within her. She knows the moment has come to show civic courage. She could simply look away. But that doesn't feel right.

Be brave – even when it's difficult

Rosa Immergrün takes a deep breath. She goes directly to the two older children. Her voice is calm, but firm. She says, „Stop it now. Everyone in Neflental is important and unique. It's no fun being laughed at.“

The other children look surprised at first. They don't know what to say. One girl murmurs, „That's not what we meant.“ But Rosa Immergrün remains friendly. „Words can hurt,“ she says, „let's celebrate together, no one should feel left out.“

Pauses slowly began to emerge between the voices. Someone offered the Flossian boy a hand. Another asked if he wanted to join in. The boy smiled shyly. The mood brightened, almost as if the colours around them had become more vivid.

The festival in Bernblütenhain

Later that evening, they sit together by the campfire. The scent of golden blossoms mixes with the smoke. Stories are told, lanterns are reflected in the lake. Rosa Immergrün realises how important it is to show courage. It doesn't take magic to be an everyday hero. Sometimes, a simple word is enough to make someone feel less alone.

And so, in the glow of celebration, the Neflental shines a little brighter. Many think back on it in the evening. They now know that civil courage makes the valley strong and friendly. And that everyone, even you, can be a hero – not just on festive days, but every day.

What do we learn from this?

Life is made more beautiful by those who stick together, help each other, and respect one another. It sometimes takes courage to stand up for others. But if we help even one person, we make the world a little bit better. Moral courage means not looking away, but stepping up kindly and clearly. Everyone can learn this, a little bit more each day.

You want the book „Order “Rosa Immergrün and the Golden Oak Leaf" – click here!. Feel free to take Contact the author Kira Kimmelmann Read more short stories by Pink evergreen here.