The Story of Colours

[Guest guest]

Once long ago, the colours of the world started to quarrel. All of

them claimed that they were the best, the most important, the most

useful, the favorite.

" Clearly I am the most important, " said Green. I am the sign of life

and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees, leaves -- without me, all

animals would die. Look 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 the water that is the basis of life, and

drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and

peace, you would all be nothing. "

" You are all so serious, " Yellow laughed. " I bring laughter, gaiety,

and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow,

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 trumpet. " I am the color of health

and strength, " she said. " I may be scarce, but I am precious for I

serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins.

Think of carrots and pumpkins. I don't hang around all the time, but

when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking

that no one gives another thought to any of you. "

Red could stand it no longer. He shouted out, " I am the ruler of all

of you! I am blood -- life's blood! I am the color of danger and of

bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the

blood. Without me the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am

the color of passion and of love, the red rose and the poppy. "

Purple rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with

great pomp. " I am the color of royalty and power. Chiefs have

always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People

do not question me - they listen and obey. "

Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with

just as much determination. " Think of me. I am the color of

silence. You can hardly notice me, but without me you all become

superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight, and deep

water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner

peace. "

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own

superiority.

Their quarreling became louder and louder.

Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening. Thunder

rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly.

The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for

comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak. " You foolish

colours, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the

rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose,

unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me. "

Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands.

The rain continued. " From now on, when it rains, each of you will

stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you

can all live in peace. The rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow. "

And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears

in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.