友谊的颜色

Once upon a time the colors of the worldstarted to quarrel.

All claimed that they were the best. Themost important. The most useful. The favorite.

Green said: “ClearlyI am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen forgrass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over thecountryside and you will see that I am in the majority.”

Blue interrupted: “Youonly think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the waterthat is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The skygives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all benothing.”

Yellow chuckled: “Youare all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. Thesun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look ata sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be nofun.”

Orange started next to blow her trumpet: “I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I amprecious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most importantvitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don’thang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, mybeauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you.”

Red could stand it no longer. He shoutedout: “I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood — life’sblood！I am the color of danger and of bravery. I amwilling to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, theearth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, thered rose, the poinsettia and the poppy.”

Purple rose up to his full height: He wasvery 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 authorityand wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey.”

Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietlythan all the others, but with just as much determination: “Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, butwithout me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection,twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer andinner peace.”

And so the colors went on boasting, eachconvinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder andlouder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder rolledand boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down infear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, rain began tospeak: “You foolish colors, fighting amongstyourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don’t you know that you were eachmade for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one anotherand come to me.”

Doing as they were told, the colors unitedand joined hands. The rain continued: “From now on,when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of coloras a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope fortomorrow.” And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appearsin the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

2024丨友谊的颜色