Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the
best. The most important.The most useful.The most beautiful.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 the 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. The sky
gives space and peace and serenity. It is the water that is the basis of life. And drawn up
by the clouds from the deep sea. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."
Yellow chuckled: "You are 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 trumpet: "I am the color of health and strength. 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, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. 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 couldn't 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, the poinsettia 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. Kings, chiefs, and bishops 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 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. All 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 colors, 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.