Community spirit: Together we are stronger!

Community spirit in the Neflental

There are many stories about solidarity in the Neflental. But this story takes place in summer, when the golden glow bathes the valley in warm light. The sun paints the world gold, the rivers sparkle like sapphires, and the Bernblütenhain smells of honey and summer rain. Every year, the inhabitants of the Neflental celebrate a big festival at this very time of year. But this time, the festival faces a special challenge.

The Bern Flower Grove calls

In the early morning, many little feet will be running to Bernblütenhain. Golden yellow blossoms will be glowing everywhere, and their sweet scent will fill the air. Rosa the Periwinkle will also be there, as she's been looking forward to the festival all year, just like everyone else. The residents want to sing, dance, and release lanterns by the lake together. But when the Periwinkles, Buchians, Flossians, and Bergsteins arrive, they discover something unusual.

Wild animals have devastated the place. Broken branches and toppled lanterns lie everywhere, and many flowers have been trampled. The mood plummets like a stone in a crystal lake. Some children start to cry. Some adults say, „The celebration is over, there's nothing more we can do here.“ But Rosa Immergrün remains calm and looks around.

Working together

Because the periwinkle sings a quiet song, many pause. The melody is reminiscent of the sparkle of rivers and laughter around a campfire. Suddenly, she calls out, „We can only do this together! Let's save the square!“ Her courage infects everyone.

The Buchians collect the lanterns and repair small tears with thin root threads. The Evergreens rearrange the flowers and replant broken plants. The Bergsteins build a small wall of stones for protection, so that no more animals can disturb them. The Flossians fetch clear water from the river to strengthen the plants in the Bernblossom Grove.

A celebration in new colours

With every hour, the Bernblossom Grove glows with more beauty. As the sun casts golden and amber rays upon the meadows, the blossoms shine even more vibrantly. Sapphire blue is reflected in small lakes, and lanterns shimmer in coral red and emerald green. Rosa Immergrün sits with her friends on the bank, as they craft lanterns and whisper softly to each other. No one looks grim; everyone laughs and helps one another.

In the evening, the residents dance merrily around the bonfire. Lanterns gently rise into the twilight sky, casting a soft glow. The fireflies dance along. The festival is more colourful and joyful than ever before. Because everyone sticks together, the celebration is much more beautiful than any individual could ever achieve alone.

What do we learn from this?

In the Neflental, everyone knows that a real sense of community makes you strong. Those who stick together accomplish difficult things more easily. No problem is too big when everyone helps out. A celebration only truly shines when heart and hands are united. Rosa Immergrün and her friends remind us: Together we are stronger.

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.