The Colors of Friendship
    Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel.  Each claimed that it was the best, the most important, the most useful, and the most beautiful.
    Green said: “Clearly l am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. l was chosen for grass, trees and leaves.  Without me, all animals would die.  Look over the countryside and you will see that  am in the majority."
    Blue interrupted: "you only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It's 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 me, 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, 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." 
    Next, orangestarted to blow her trumpet: “l am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious because I serve the needs of human life.  I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes and pabayas. 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 stand it no longer, so he shouted out: " I am the ruler of all of you. l am blood- life's blood!  I am the color of danger and of bravery. l am willing to fight for a noble cause. bring fire into the 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 drew himself up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pride: "I am the color of royalty and power.  Kings, chiefs and bishops have always chosen me for l 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 would all become superficial.  l represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace.
    And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority.  Their quarreling became louder and louder.  Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightning and 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 others.  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 the sun shines after a heavy shower of rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.