In a small town where only cars lived, a new resident appeared—a shiny red car. She caught the attention of the other cars, and they wanted to be her friends, but the red car was terribly stuck-up; she didn't just refuse to be friends, she wouldn't even say hello!
Good morning! It's a beautiful day today, isn't it? — greeted her a small old little truck. He had needed a fresh coat of paint for ages, and the pretty red car didn't even glance at him.
The other cars also didn't like their new neighbour's behaviour at all. The way she zoomed past, pretending she simply hadn't noticed them, and they very soon started treating her the same way.
One summer morning, the red car drove out onto the road beyond town for a drive. She was enjoying the warm sunshine when suddenly there was a pop. She'd got a flat tyre, and in her rush, the little car had forgotten her spare wheel at home!
Oh well, it's not so bad, — she tried to reassure herself. — Someone from the neighbourhood will come along and help!
Indeed, morning drives along this road were popular with many cars from town, and very soon the red car spotted her neighbour from the next garage, but she zoomed past without even stopping.
Maybe she didn't notice me? — thought the red car, but other familiar and unfamiliar cars hurried about their business, no one paid her any attention.
The red car, forgetting her pride, honked her horn, but she was like an invisible car; no one saw her.
What on earth is this? — she wondered.
Can I help you? — the red car suddenly heard. It was the old little truck.
Yes, of course, I've got a flat tyre!
I've got some spare wheels, I was taking them to a friend at the shop, but I reckon he won't mind if I bring him a few fewer wheels than usual — the little truck chatted cheerfully.
Thank you ever so much. The cars in this town are so rude; they won't even stop, it's dreadful!
—But maybe it's not them who are rude? — said the little truck seriously.
What do you mean by that?
Simply that they behaved the way you behaved towards them!
If the red car could have blushed, she would have, but she was already red! So she asked quietly:
But why did you help me? I didn't treat you very well either.
Because I'm me! — answered the little truck cheerfully, — You should treat others the way you'd want them to treat you!
The red car thought about this and didn't leave her garage for the rest of the day.
But the next day, she was a different car.
She greeted everyone, was kind to all, and very soon she had lots and lots of friends, but her favourite friend was the old little truck!
