A Story about a Rainbow

Picture a scene in the country a long winding lane with embankments on either side trees here and there along the rutted path with native flowers, orchids and grass abounding everywhere. Birds singing, leaves rustling in a slight wind and in amongst the sounds of nature on this very sultry sort of afternoon the sun bursting with its strength shines down, just up ahead one can hear the pitter pattering of someone approaching. Derfendalf the Duck was just dawdling along the country lane earnestly in search of something I wonder what it could be. He happened along at a tremendous rate and crashed straight into Rowanrald Rabbit. The impact was so traumatic to them both and they began to see a colour right before there eyes it was blue. Rain descending down from the heavens dampened the ground and continued steadily all the while. Well they picked themselves up and brushing off muddy leaves went down the lane together talking excitedly all the way.

Bang straight into Paladas [Known as Paddy for short] the Platypus who had not been paying attention either. You know what happened they all started to see another colour this time it was yellow. Talking amongst themselves they decided something very strange was occurring here so they thought they ought to stick together and carry on with this adventure. Echuamana Echidna who was slowly working his way along the same lane but in the opposite direction very intent on finding anything interesting sauntered right into the three new friends and wallop they all fell to the ground and do you know they all got up and they could all see a colour and it was green. Well the more they all thought about what was happening the more convinced they became that they should stay together and keep heading towards wherever the unknown was leading them.

Now Karros Kangaroo he was hopping along the lane sort of minding his own business and thinking about how nice it was to be out on such a lovely day and well with his mind wondering you can guess what happened next. Yes for sure he collided into the four coming along so vigorously discussing things that they did not see him either. Tumbling and rolling all over the lane they finally managed to all stand up and there before everyone’s eyes was another colour. Do you know purple was the colour. Well it was starting to become very crowded in the little country lane as you can imagine and the noise from all the talking was fairly loud as well and so the very next minute Kindirk the Kookaburra flying a little lower than he should have been swooped right through the mob scattering them and feathers everywhere. When all the kafuffle had settled down you know what happened. They all open their eyes and saw orange.

Along the lane they continued with Kindirk the Kookaburra resting on Karros Kangaroo's shoulders because the event had really quiet shaken him up. So although he was in a very good position up so high to be able to see what was coming, being so disturbed he did not notice that Wilfrain the Wallaby was bounding down the lane and so failed to warn his friends before another clash causing bodies one on top another all over the place with mud and clumps of grass and feathers everywhere. What a site and goodness me what a surprise as they all suddenly saw the colour of Red. Well now standing around and squabbling and shouting about this whole affair they looked a most peculiar site to behold indeed. Being that they were all soaked right through and looked bedraggled and dishevelled. In fact as you all know Kindirk being a Kookaburra began to laugh very loudly as they all do a characteristic of this part of the land. Now while all this was going on they did not at first notice that it had stopped raining and a strange little being with wings fanning in the air, was sitting on a branch watching them and looking at a large sort of half circle of colours in the sky. Stretching from one horizon to the other, all the colours were there of course Red, Orange, Green, Yellow, Blue and Purple and a magnificent spectacle it was. All of a sudden and almost all at the same time they stopped the carryon, noticed this strange vision in the sky and then heard the little but strong voice coming from the branch of the gum tree on the side of the lane singing as he was a little ditty [I am the Faerie keeper from the land behind the clouds] out loud and clear. And who might you be and what is this strange group of colours in the sky said Echuamana Echidna.

Ah now said the little being I am what some might call a figment of your imagination, though others might call me a Faerie. One of the little people perhaps or even an Elf like creature, however that is of no consequence here other than it be known to you that my name is Denny the Faerie keeper. Do you not know the importance of what you have created look, just look in the sky the magnificence of it all, what a wonder to brighten the heavy hearts of humankind. Oh yes they all agreed it was something that would remain in there minds for a long time.

Derfendalf the duck the least troubled by his present state of being quite wet still, shook his feathers and said what could we call such a thing. Rowanrald the Rabbit twitching his ears gave a sort of curious look around the group and said well now I never would think of a name in all my years I have never seen anything like it. Paddy the Platypus was still somewhat taken aback by it all and stood gazing in a trance muttering to himself, colours everywhere, humankind, names, goodness me what to do what can we do. Karros the Kangaroo bounding up and down next to Wilfrain the Wombat who was doing likewise were both very excited by it all and just could not seem to concentrate enough to think up a name. Kindirk the Kookaburra of course was still grooming himself trying to place his feathers neatly back in place letting out little guffaws and although he would stop every few seconds to peer with his head twisted to one side up at the apparition of colour across the sky: had not the slightest idea of what to call it.

So when it all came down to it no one had a name at all but then the reason for the presents of Denny the faerie keeper was becoming quiet clear and to be sure at that very moment in time he pronounced that this wonder was to be given as a gift a sign that after the refreshing renewal of rain a symbol would appear in the sky and be known as a Rainbow so that forever and ever it would be remembered that a group of strangers had become friends on an adventure which had come to a wondrous and heart lifting conclusion.

Storendel the StorytellerReturn to the Tales