Imagine A Rainbow

The old man is enjoying a walk along the river's edge when he sees a young one from the village seated on a rock with an easel and palette of paints before her. He remembers that this child is quite talented in her artwork and wonders what her inspiration is this day.

She hears his footsteps and turns to greet him. 'Good afternoon, Sir. It is a beautiful day, is it not?' she says as she begins to collect her painting supplies.

'Yes, it is, little one, a fine one indeed. May I see what you have painted if you don't mind?' he asks and smiles.

'Certainly, Sir,' she says and steps away from the easel. He is surprised to see only a canvas of blue with but a few wisps of clouds.

She sees the curiosity in his eyes and the confusion. She explains quietly, 'I have named this painting 'Imagine a Rainbow, Sir.'

'Yet you have not painted a rainbow?' he asks.

'No, Sir, I have not. Just as I cannot dream for another, think their thoughts, or speak their words, nor can I imagine their rainbows. Each must imagine their own and paint it into their hearts,' she replies quietly.

He is stunned by her logic and wisdom, especially in a child who he knows to be of only ten or eleven summers. He is quiet for a moment and then says, 'I speak the words of the maestro and the thoughts of the Creator.'

No, Sir, you share the words spoken to you by the maestro and those thoughts the Creator has placed within your soul. You share with us your own words as well but then allow us to each travel our own journeys and make our own choices. You give us guidance but do not write our stories. I have never forgotten the words you spoke about the 'pot of gold' and what the meaning of rainbows can be. So I have but given those who view my art the sky and a cloud or two. They each must paint the rainbow they imagine. I can but paint my own,' she says with wide eyes turned to him and then makes sure the paint on the canvas has dried before storing it away.

'My child, you are very wise and are filled with the Creator's light,' he speaks and feels tears welling in his eyes.

'Thank you, Sir, but now I must go before I am late. It is always so good to speak with you,' she says as she turns to leave.

'Yes, we do not want your mother to worry,' he smiles in understanding.

The little girl agrees and says, 'No, we don't and I don't want to get into trouble.'

The old man cannot help but laugh as she walks away. A wise one she is but still an imp! May she always be so! He hears that familiar whisper, 'Sometimes they teach US, do they not?' He looks upward into a sky that is the exact color of the young one's canvas and whispers, 'Yes, Sir, they do.... and it is good!' He begins to make his own way from the river and decides that perhaps he might visit his old friend, the Truth Tree. He has a story to share and perhaps a new rainbow to imagine.... his own!