Once upon a time the colours of the world started to quarrel. All claimed they were the best. The most important. The most useful.

Green said, “I am the sign of life and of hope.”

Blue interrupted, “You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the 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 warm-th into the world. The sun is yellow, moon is yellow, stars are yellow. Without me there would be no fun.”

Orange started to blow her trumpet, “I am the colour of health and strength.I carry the most important vitamins. I don’t hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking no one gives another thought to any of you.”

Red shouted out, “I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood — life’s blood! I am the colour of danger and of bravery. I am the colour of passion and love.”

Purple spoke with great pomp, “I am the colour of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom.”

Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: “I am the colour of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. You need me for balance and contrast, prayer and inner peace.”

And so the colours went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Suddenly there was a flash of lightning. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colours crouched down in fear.

In the midst of the clamour, rain began to speak, “You foolish colours, don’t you know 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 colours joined hands. The rain continued, “From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of colour 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.