Once upon a time, all the colours in the world started to quarrel;
each claimed that they were the best…
Green said: I am the sign of life and of hope. Look at the grass, the trees, and the leaves. Look out over the countryside and you will see that I’m everywhere.
Blue interrupted: Yeah, Ok but what about the sky and the sea? Water is the basis of life.
Yellow chuckled: I bring laughter 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 own trumpet: I am the colour of health and strength. I carry all the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins and oranges. I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset with my beauty.
Red was angry. He shouted out: I’m the ruler of you all, blood, life’s blood. I am fire. I am the colour of passion and love; the red rose, the poppy.
Purple rose up to his full height. He was very tall and he spoke with great pomp: I am the colour of royalty and power. Kings have always chosen me. I am a sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me — they listen and obey.
And so the colours went on each saying they were the best. Their quarrelling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of brilliant white lightning; thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down. The colours all crouched down in fear drawing close to one another for comfort.
Then Rain spoke:
You foolish colours, fighting among yourselves. Do you not know that God made you all? Each one of you is unique and different. He loves you all. He wants you all. Join hands with one another and come with me. He will stretch you across the sky in a great bow of colour, as a reminder that he loves you all, that you can live together in peace.
— a promise that he is with you,
— a sign of hope for tomorrow.
And so whenever God has used a good rain to wash the world, He puts the rainbow in the sky, and when we see it, let us remember to appreciate one another.
