In a small little town where only cars lived, a new resident appeared, a new red car. She caught the attention of the other cars, and they wanted to be friends with her, but the red car was terribly stuck-up, she not only didn't want to be friends, she didn't even want to say hello!
Good morning! It's a lovely day today, isn't it? — greeted her a small old little lorry, who had needed a fresh coat of paint for quite some time, and the pretty little car didn't even glance at him.
The other cars also very much disliked the behaviour of their new neighbour, the way she rushed past, pretending she simply hadn't noticed them, and they very soon began to behave the same way towards her.
One summer morning the red car drove out onto the road beyond the town — to go for a drive. She was enjoying the warm sunshine, when suddenly there was a pop. She had a puncture, and the little car in her hurry had forgotten the spare wheel at home!
Oh well, it's nothing to worry about, — she began to reassure herself. — Someone from the neighbourhood will come along soon and help!
Indeed, morning drives along this road were popular with many of the cars from the town, and very soon the red car saw her neighbour from the next garage, but she rushed past without even stopping.
Perhaps 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 thought.
Can I help you? — the little car suddenly heard. It was the old little lorry.
Yes, of course, I've got a puncture!
I happen to have some spare wheels, I was taking them to a friend at the shop, but I think he won't mind if I bring him a few fewer wheels than usual — the lorry chatted cheerfully.
Thank you very much. The cars in this little town are very rude, they won't even stop, it's dreadful!
—But perhaps it's not them who are rude? — said the lorry 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 blushed, but she was already red! So she asked barely audibly:
But why did you help me? I didn't behave very well towards you either.
Because I'm me! — answered the lorry cheerfully, — You should treat others the way you'd like them to treat you!
The red car thought about this, and for the rest of the day she didn't leave her garage.
But the next day it was already a different little car.
She greeted everyone, was kind to everyone, and very soon she had lots and lots of friends, but her favourite friend was the old lorry!
