Stories from the Nefl Valley: Being Different at the Maplefire Clearing

In the heart of the Neflental valley, a very special festival takes place every autumn. The colourful leaves of the Maple Fire Clearing glow in deep red and warm orange. The peoples of the valley gather here to celebrate the changing of the seasons. Together, they dance through the rustling foliage.

Even Rosy Periwinkle has set off. She is looking forward to meeting new faces. When she arrives at the flaming trees, she sees the Bergsteins from the high mountains. She recognises the Buchians with their bark-like skin. The Flossians gleam blue in the early morning light like the water.

But at the edge of the clearing sits someone alone. It is Lumi, a child of the Flossians. Lumi has scales that are silvery and conjure a small rainbow into the autumn light with every movement. The other children look on with curiosity, but some whisper: „Lumi looks different. Did you see that?“

Together on the time-mirror clearing

Rosa Immergrün notices Lumi and sits down next to him. „Do you want to come along? We're dashing off to the Looking-Glass Glade!“, Rosa asks kindly. Lumi hesitates, but then he stands up. Together they walk to the glade, where floating mirrors hang amongst ferns. In each mirror dance different seasons: emerald green springs, golden summer fields, vermilion autumn forests and blue-grey winter landscapes.

Rosa dives into a mirror and exclaims, „It's spring here! Look, the leaves are gleaming like jewels.“ In the next mirror, Lumi discovers the image of a clear winter lake. The other children, full of curiosity, gather around and admire the colours.

Why being different makes the Neflental strong

Soon the children want to play together. But one of the Bergsteins remains standing. „Lumi, your scales are strange. They're shining so oddly.“ Lumi looks down, embarrassed.

Then Rosa asks: „What if everything in the Neflental were the same? No colourful leaves, no rainbow over the lake, no change of seasons? Would we still be so special?“ The children ponder the question.

A Flossian calls out: „I love Lumi’s scales! They shine like the mirrors here.“ A Buchian nods: „There are many different trees in the forest. They make the forests strong and alive.“ The children learn that everyone in the Neflental looks different. The clearing also thrives on colours and shapes.

The group begins playing together. They run through the colourful leaves. They jump into different mirrors, creating stories where everyone can show their strengths.

What do we learn from this?

In Neflental, being different makes everyone strong together. The colours of the Maple Fire Meadow, the magic of the Time Mirror Meadow, and the wonderful children show us: together we are as colourful as the leaves in autumn. Everyone brings something unique, making life richer. When we accept each other for who we are, we become friends and find true happiness in togetherness.

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.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!