In a small town where only cars lived, a new resident appeared—a shiny red car. She caught the attention of all the other cars, and they wanted to be her friends, but the red car was terribly arrogant. She didn't just refuse to be friends; she wouldn't even say hello!
Good morning! What a beautiful day, isn't it? — greeted her a small, old truck. He badly needed a fresh coat of paint, and the pretty red car didn't even glance at him.
The other cars also disliked their new neighbor's behavior. The way she zoomed past, pretending not to notice them, soon made them treat her the same way.
One summer morning, the red car drove out of town for a ride. She was enjoying the warm sunshine when suddenly—pop! She had a flat tire, and in her rush, she had forgotten her spare wheel at home!
Oh well, it's not so bad, — she tried to reassure herself. — Someone from the neighborhood will come by and help!
Indeed, morning drives on this road were popular with many cars from town, and very soon the red car saw her neighbor from the next garage, but she drove right past without stopping.
Maybe she didn't notice me? — thought the red car, but other familiar and unfamiliar cars hurried about their business, paying her no attention.
The red car, forgetting her pride, honked her horn, but she was like a ghost—no one saw her.
What is going on? — she wondered.
Can I help you? — suddenly she heard. It was the old truck.
Yes, of course! My tire burst!
I 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 truck said cheerfully.
Thank you so much. The cars in this town are so rude. They won't even stop! It's terrible!
—But maybe it's not them who are rude? — said the truck seriously.
What do you mean?
They simply treated you the way you treated 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 wasn't very nice to you either.
Because I'm me! — the truck answered cheerfully. — You should treat others the way you want to be treated!
The red car thought about this and stayed in 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 many, many friends. But her favorite friend was the old truck!
