Quarrel of the Colors
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 favorite.
Green said: "Clearly, I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of
hope. I was chosen for the grass, trees and 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 and serenity. 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, 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."
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 could not stand it any longer, he shouted
out: "I am the ruler of all 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
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."
As so the colors went on boasting, each convinced
of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling become louder and louder.
Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightning, 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 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.