40 years of "The Prayer Flute," our heartfelt endeavor. When it was first published in 1976, it was labeled a "little classic" on the first edition of the book, a term we adopted from the American version. Now, forty years and five editions with more than ten print runs later, we can confidently say that this is indeed true: To this day, this true fairy tale finds enthusiastic readers who read it aloud, gift it to others, and enjoy picking it up time and again. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, the book is now available in a completely newly and independently illustrated anniversary edition. "Little Girl" does not play; she prays on her flute, and when she does, all people can see the nature spirits and feel their connection with everything that lives. But then more and more houses, factories, and roads are built, and no one wants to hear the flute anymore. It is only when the river has died that people remember the flute woman, but the nature spirits remain missing. However, when her friend Quill, who once led her to the flute, reappears, a turning point occurs. This is a book, a fairy tale, a song filled with courage and hope that will surely touch many hearts in the future.