The Quarreling Colors

Do you have a favorite color? Why do you like that color?

1 Long, long ago, when Earth was young, there was a terrible quarrel among the colors. Each believed he or she was superior to all other colors, and no color was willing to admit defeat.

2 Red claimed to be the most important of all because she was the color of life. “Red is the color of blood,” she proclaimed, “and what life is possible without blood? Red is the color of love, of anger, and of heat. What would life be without me?” She did not believe that any other color could make so strong an argument.

3 Orange stood up. “It is thoughtless to state that red is the most important color. Have you never tasted the juice of an orange or the flesh of a pumpkin? And what color are the most breathtaking sunrises and sunsets? They are orange, of course! There is no question that orange is the most important color. ”

4 “I suppose you have all dismissed the importance of yellow. ” Yellow smiled, content with her place in the world. “Can you imagine Earth without the yellow sun? The sun is as responsible for life as blood is,” she reminded the others. “Without the sun, nothing could grow. You would all live in a world of darkness. It is folly to suggest that any color but yellow is most needed and most beloved. ”

5 “Look around you,” said Green. “Do you see anything at all that has not been touched by my hand? Green is truly the color of life. It is grass and trees, toads and salamanders, beans and spinach. The survival of any living creature on Earth would be brief were it not for me. I see no reason to dispute my importance. ”

6 Then, there came the cry of a highpitched voice. “If you think that I am not needed, all you must do is point your face to the sky. In any direction you look, you will see a brilliant blue. Turn your gaze to the water, the root of all life, and you will see me. Without my wide-open spaces, you would be lost. ” Having said his piece, Blue settled back to listen to the others.

7 Violet stood up, proud and tall. “I am the color of royalty,” he said. “I am the color of power and authority. No one questions my wisdom or superiority. ” With confidence he nodded and turned to Indigo, who had remained quiet until it was her turn to speak.

8 “Have you forgotten me?” she asked quietly. “Indigo is the color of twilight. It is the color of the mountains at night and of the sky just before a storm. Indigo is the color of peace and of quiet times. You would not want to live in a world without me. ”

9 As the colors argued, a jagged streak of lightning lit the sky. A moment later, there was a giant clap of thunder and a steady rain began to fall. The colors drew closer together, sheltering one another from the storm. They could hear the voice of Rain over the thunder’s rumblings.

10 “You are all so foolish,” Rain scoffed. “Why would you think that one of you is superior to another? Look around,” she said. “Each one of you is unique and essential. Aside from your quarreling, I would not want to live in a place that even one of you didn’t inhabit.

11 The colors were silent as they listened to the wise words. “Each time it rains,” added Rain, “I would like you all to come together and stretch across the sky in a giant bow of color. You will be a reminder to us all of how to live with one another in peace—a reminder of how each individual contributes something to the whole. ”

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1. Why were the colors quarreling?

2. What reason did Yellow give for being the most important color?

3. Do you think that one of the colors makes a better argument than the others? Explain.

4. What did Rain ask the colors to do each time it rained?

5. What do you think the colors in this legend might symbolize, or stand for? Do you think there is a deeper meaning to the story? Explain.

6. Does this story take place in reality, or is it a fantasy? How can you tell?

7. In this legend, the colors are personified. How did the author accomplish this?

8. Pick one color, and write from its point of view. What argument would you make?

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