"Something to think about"
INTRODUCTION: Ancient people recognised the RAINBOW as a sign of peace and of harmony. The ancient
Hebrews recognised it as a sign given by the Creator that he wants all living things to live and to flourish in
peace and harmony; all clans, all tribes, all colours, all faiths, all nations. That between us there should be no
division but mutual respect and appreciation of one another's gifts as well as of our differences. In this way we
enrich one another by reflecting to one another the beauty and magnificence of the Creator.... "When the
rainbow appears in the clouds I will remember the everlasting promise between me and all living beings on
Earth."
"THE STORY OF THE RAINBOW"
Once upon a time all the colours in the world started to quarrel; each claimed that they were the best, the most
important, the most useful, or the most favourite.
GREEN said, "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and hope. I was chosen for the grass, the
trees and the leaves. Without me all the animals would die. Look out into 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 this is drawn up by the clouds from the blue sea. The sky gives space, and peace and serenity.
Without my peace you would all be nothing but busybodies."
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 next started to blow its own trumpet. "I am the colour of health and strength. I may be scarse but I
am precious because I serve the inner needs of human life. I carry all the important vitamins. Think of the
carrots, the pumpkins and the oranges. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise, or give
you a majestic sunset to admire, my beauty is so striking that no one ever gives another thought to any of you!"
RED could stand it no longer. Red shouted out, "I'm the ruler of you all. Blood, life's blood. I am the colour of
danger and bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire in the blood. Without me the earth would be as
empty as the moon. I am the colour of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy."
PURPLE rose up to its full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the colour of royalty and
power. Kings, chiefs and bishops have chosen me, for I am the sign of authority and of wisdom. People do not
question me. They listen and obey."
INDIGO spoke more quietly than the others, but just as determinedly. "Think of me, I am the colour of silence.
You hardly notice me but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and
deep waters. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."
And so all the colours went on boasting, each convinced that they were the best. Their quarrelling grew louder
and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of brilliant black lightning; thunder rolled and boomed out. The
suddenly RAIN started to pour down relentlessly. The colours all crouched down in fear, drawing close to one
another for comfort.
Then RAIN spoke: "You foolish colours, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the other. Did
you not know that the Creator made you all, each for a special purpose, unique and different. The Creator 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 all for tomorrow."
So whenever He uses a good RAIN to wash the world He puts the RAINBOW in the sky, and when we see it
we should remember that He wants us all to appreciate, and live with, each other in peace and not try to fight
and dominate everyone.
Original author unknown.
