Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel．All claimed that they were the best，the most important，the most useful，the favorite．
Green said：“Clearly I am the most important．I am the sign of life and of hope．I was chosen for grass，trees and leaves．Without me，all animals would die．Look over 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 drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea．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 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．”
Orange started next to blow her trumpet ：“I am the color of health and strength．I may be scarce，but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life．I carry the most important vitamins．Think of carrots，pumpkins，oranges，mangoes，and papayas ．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；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．I am willing to fight for a cause．I 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 rose up to his full height；he was very tall and spoke with great pomp ：“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．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 all become superficial ．I 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 lightening 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．
Words and Expressions
in the majority占多数
draw up向上拉，吸收
- serenity n．安详，宁静
chuckle vi． 轻声地笑
- gaiety n．欢乐的气氛；乐事
blow one's（own）trumpet自吹自擂
- papaya n．木瓜
- poinsettia n．猩猩木，一品红
- poppy n．罂粟
- pomp n．壮丽，壮观，炫耀
- indigo n．靛青色
- superficial adj．表面的，肤浅的
- twilight n．暮光，曙光
join hands with与……携手合作
live in peace和平相处
Which of the colors do you like？Tell the reason(s)：
I like the color __________．__________
友谊的颜色
从前，世界上的颜色有过一次争吵。他们都说自己是最好的，最重要的，最有用的和最讨人喜欢的。
绿色说：“显然我是最重要的。我是生命和希望的象征。我被选作青草、树木以及叶子的颜色。没有了我，所有的动物都会死去。俯瞰田野吧，你会看到到处都有我。”
蓝色插话进来：“你只想到了地上，想想天空和海洋吧。水才是生命的基础呀，云彩把水分从大海带到了天空。天空给了人们空间、和平和宁静。没有我的和平，你们将不复存在。”
黄色哧哧笑出了声：“你们都太严肃了。我给这个世界带来了笑声、欢乐和温暖。太阳是黄色的，月亮是黄色的，星星也是黄色的，每一次你看向日葵的时候，整个世界都开始欢笑。没有我就没有快乐。”
橙色也擂响了战鼓：“我可是健康和力量的颜色。我可能比较稀少，但非常宝贵，因为我满足了人们生活的需要。我携带了大多数重要的维生素。想想胡萝卜、南瓜、柑橘、芒果和木瓜。我并不经常出没在天空，但日出或日落我在天边登场时，我的美丽足以惊世，以至于没有人还会想起你们。”
红色再也忍不下去了，他喊道：“我是你们所有人的主宰。我是血液——生命的血液！我是危险和勇敢的颜色。我愿意为了一个目标而斗争。我把烈火带入血液。没有了我，地球会像月亮一样变得空虚。我是激情和爱的颜色，是红玫瑰、猩猩木和罂粟。”
紫色站起身来，他非常高，说起话来风度十足：“我是王权和力量的象征。国王、酋长、主教都选择了我，因为我象征权威和智慧。人们不会对我提出疑问，他们只能聆听和服从。”
靛青最后发言，他的声音比其他人都轻，但更铿锵有力：“想想我吧。我是沉默的颜色。你们几乎注意不到我，但是如果没有我，你们全都会变得肤浅。我代表着思想和反省，代表着黎明的微光和深邃的海水。你们需要我来平衡和比较，来祈祷求得内心的安宁。”
这样一来，颜色们就不停地自夸，每个人都深信自己无比优越。他们的争吵声越来越大。突然，电闪雷鸣，下起了瓢泼大雨。颜色们惊恐地蜷缩起来，彼此挤在一起挨过这恐怖的时刻。
在一片喧嚣声中，雨开始说话了：“你们这些愚蠢的颜色，彼此相互争斗，每个人都想支配别人。你们难道就不知道每个人都是各有其用，都是独一无二，彼此不同的吗？携起手跟我来吧。”
颜色们按照着雨的话，团结在一起，携起了手。
雨接着说：“从现在开始，每次下雨的时候你们都要变成一个巨大的彩色弓形横跨天空，以证明你们能够和平相处。彩虹就是未来希望的标志。”所以，每当大雨冲刷这个世界时，彩虹都会出现在天空，让我们记住彼此要珍惜。