The Story of the Rainbow
(An Indian Legend)
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 hope4 grass, trees, and leaves ---
without me all 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 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 pomp: "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 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 lighting;
thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched
down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort. Then Rain spoke: "You foolish
colors, fighting among yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Do you not know
that Creator made you all? Each for a special purpose, unique and different. Creator
loves you all. Join hands with one another and come with me. Creator will stretch you
across the sky in a great bow of color, as a reminder that Creator loves you all, and that
you can live together in peace -a promise that Creator is with you. A sign of hope for
tomorrow." And so whenever Creator has used a good rain to wash the world and a
rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.
1. Who are the characters in the story? How was the story presented?
2. What happened in the story? How were the events in the story narrated?
3. What is the ending of the story? What message can you get from the
story?
