The rainbow story

Once upon a time all the colours in the rainbow started to quarrel: each claimed to be the best, the favourite, the most important and useful.

Red said: "Clearly I am the most important: I am the colour of blood, fire, danger, and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. Without me the earth would be empty. I am the colour of passion and love."

Orange was next to blow her own trumpet: "I am the colour 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 important vitamins. Think of carrots, oranges, mangoes and paw paws. 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."

Yellow laughed: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow and so are the stars. Every time you look at a sunflower the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun in life."

Green could stand it no longer. She shouted out: "I am the sign of life and hope. I was chosen for grass, trees, and leaves - without me all the animals would die. Look out over the countryside and you will see that I am the majority."

Blue interupted: "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and 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 busy bodies."

Indigo spoke much more quietly than all the others, but just as determinedly: "Think of me. I am the colour of reflection. You hardly notice me, but without me, you will all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, listening, awareness and deep concentration. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."

Violet rose up to his full height. He wass very tall and spoke with great dignity qand pride: "I am the colour of royalty, leadership and power, I am the colour that kings, queens, chiefs and bishops wear. I am a sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me - they listen and obey."

And so the colours went on boasting, each convinced that they were the best.their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a flash of brilliant white lightening; thunder roared and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colours all crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.


Then the rain spoke: " you foolish colours, fighting among yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Do you not know that God made you all, each for a special purpose? You are all unique and different. He loves you all. He wants you all. He will stretch you across the sky in a great bow of colour as a reminder that you can live together in peace as brothers and sisters.