The Story of The Rainbow
Once upon a time, all the colors in the world started to
quarrel; each claimed that she was the best, the most important, the most
useful, the favorite.
Green said: "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life
and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees, and leaves,--- without me all of
the animals would die. Look out over the countryside and you will see that I am
in the majority."
Blue interrupted: " You only think about the earth, but consider the
sky and the sea. It is water that is the basis of life and the clouds draw this
up from the blue sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my
peace you would all be nothing but busybodies."
Yellow chuckled: " you're all so serious, I bring laughter, gaiety,
and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, and the stars
are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to
smile. Without me there would be no fun."
Orange started next to blow her own trumpet: " I am the color of
health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious, for I serve the inner
needs of human life. I carry all the most important vitamins. Think of carrots
and pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papaws. I don't hang around all of the
time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise and sunset, my beauty is so striking
that no one gives another thought to any of you."
Purple rose to her full height. She was very tall and spoke with great
pomo: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops
have always chosen me for I am a sign of authority and wisdom. People do not
question me., they listen and obey."
Indigo spoke much more quietly than all of the others did, but just as
determinedly: "Think of me, I am the color of silence. You hardly notice
me, but without me, you all become superficial. I represent thought and
reflection, twilight and deep waters. You need me for balance and contrast, for
prayer and inner peace."
And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced that they were the
best. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling
flash of brilliant white lightning; thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to
pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one
another for comfort.
Then the Rain spoke: "You foolish colors, fighting among yourselves,
each trying to dominate the rest. Do you not know that the Creator made you
all? Each for a special purpose, unique and different. The Creator loves you
all. Join hands with one another and come with me."
The Creator will stretch you across the sky in a great bow of color, as a
reminder that the Creator loves you all, and that you can live together in
peace. This is a promise that the Creator is with you. A sign of hope for
tomorrow."
And so whenever The Creator has used a good rain to wash the world and a
rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.
Based on an Indian Legend by Anne Hope 1978
Sent to us from: "Sparrow, Deborah, CHRISB1(CHRISB1)"
Last update: 10-1-2000