This tale is about my search. Did I find my rainbow and, if so, will I ever know what lies beyond it?
As I grew up, I totally lost interest. Looking back though, I seem to recall that round the age of 9 my attention was briefly drawn towards a cute little rainbow. It is probably my imagination.
Strange thing about this rainbow is that it stayed out there for about two years. Then, after summer holidays, it faded away. I guess it had new places to visit. Does two years seem a long time? Maybe it does to those who are not really interested in rainbows. I can assure you that some of them stay on much longer, even for life.
Once there was a rumour in the classroom that some of my school pals had taken a hidden interest in rainbows. Everyone did very secretive about it, or laughed. As I recall, I just turned slightly red, and felt relieved that they were not talking about me.
After this incident my mind was taken off rainbows for good, or so I hoped. But only a few months later a new one appeared.
Me, I had no climbing stories to tell. Nobody minded. After all I was always a good, serious boy, not at all concerned with such frivolous matters. I gave them quite a shock when I conquered my first hill right in front of them. Why did I do it? I guess just to prove to them that I could. And to prove to myself that rainbows were just a vague memory of the past.
In the years to come, I climbed a few more hills. Then I didn't bother anymore. It was very tiring, and I hardly got any fun out of it. I told everybody that I just hadn't yet found a hill challenging enough. They believed it and, most of the time, so did I. Of course there were still these rainbows which I kept seeing regularly. The more I learned about rainbow explorers though, the less I believed I could be one of them.
Later that year he told me. He was interested in rainbows, and had even started climbing one. At that instant, my own life became clear to me. The only road for me to follow was that leading to the rainbow. The prince reached out his hand and asked me to grab it. Whatever lies ahead, he would never let me fall.
That night we wept many tears. We knew there was no way back now. We had no idea what the future might bring. At the same time we were filled with the comforting feeling that we were no longer alone on our quest.
One of the most exciting things is that you can still see the world below very clearly. Before you start, you often think of all the people you would leave behind. Perhaps you would never see them again. Nothing is less true. As I look, I see everyone dear to me waving very friendly as they see me conquering my rainbow. Sometimes I notice a little tear in someone's eyes. I am not sure this is only caused by the bright colours.
Yes, I have set a few steps beyond the rainbow. It is a world just as the one on the other side. Some people are happy, some are not. But I now know it is my world, and one day I will settle down there.
When that time comes, I might continue this story...