Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best, the most important.

Green said:“Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees, leaves and animals.”

Blue interrupted:“You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. The water is the basis of life and 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, the moon and the stars are all yellow.”

Orange stated:“I am the color of health and strength. I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins.”

Red could stand it no longer he shouted out:“I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood—life’s blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery.”

Purple rose up to his full height:“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.”

Finally Indigo spoke:“Think of me. I am the color of silence. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water.”

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening 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 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.

很久以前，世界上的颜色开始了一场争吵大战。他们都声称自己是最好、最重要的颜色。

绿色说：“很明显，我是最重要的。我是生命和希望的颜色。我为绿草、绿树、绿叶和动物们而存在。”

蓝色打断说：“你只想到了大地，想想天空和大海吧。水是生命之源，而天空是广阔、和平和宁静的象征。没有我的和平，你们都将一事无成。”

黄色轻声笑道：“你们都太严肃了。是我给世界带来欢笑、乐趣和温暖。太阳、月亮和星星都是黄色的。”

橙色开口说道：“我是健康和力量的颜色。我是宝贵的，因为我满足人类生活的需要。我为人类提供最重要的维生素。”

红色忍无可忍了，他大声说道：“我是你们所有这些颜色的统治者。我是鲜血——生命之血。我是危险和勇敢的象征。”

紫色站直了身子，说：“我是皇族和权力的颜色。国王、领袖和主教都选择了我，因为我象征着权力和智慧。”

最后，靛蓝色说：“想想我吧。我是沉默的颜色。我象征着思想和反思，黄昏和深海。”

就这样，所有的颜色继续吹嘘，竭力说服其他的颜色自己的优越性。一阵电闪雷鸣突然而至，把他们吓坏了。雨倾盆而下，久久不停。颜色们都害怕地蜷成一团，相互寻求慰藉。

就在这样一个嘈杂的情景中，雨开始发话了：“你们这些愚蠢的颜色，就知道吵架，你们中每一个都想统治其他的颜色。难道你们就不知道你们每一个都是为一个特别的目的而生，都是独一无二、与众不同的吗？互相拉起手，跟我来。”

如雨所说，颜色们团结起来，拉起了手。

雨接着说：“从现在开始，当下雨时，你们每一个都要以弓形伸展在天空，以此来提醒你们都可以和平共处。虹就是明日希望的象征。”所以，不管什么时候，大雨洗刷这个世界后，总有彩虹出现在天空，让我们牢记彼此应相互欣赏。
               内容来自星火英语《温馨夜读》，转载请注明出处。