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The Rainbow Bridge
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"The Rainbow Bridge"
Once upon a time there was a group of children who dreamed of a brand new world where all children could play, dream together, and not be bound by past traditions or rules. Their hearts were pure within this drape of drab colors, but they danced and envisioned other lands.
One day while at play one young girl decided to be bold enough to write a letter to the King demanding that a bridge be built from one end of the world to the other, so all the children could pass over and meet in the middle.
She told him with innocent words, "We are the future, we are the ones to hold the next hands. You, My King, are the only man who can order this journey for the world! It seems no one hears our cries. We silently climb the trees of painted tomorrows and long for new friends from abroad, for their brushes of love will make the forgotten colors of love disappear from the earth."
No one knew the young girl had written to the King as she kept it a deep secret in fear they would laugh at her request, knowing it was a futile desire.
So, she quietly continued to play with the others holding hopes that he might hear one small voice. She had heard a rumor that the King was a gentle soul, but one of sadness, yet know one ever said why.
There was a glass spiral staircase that went up towards the sky. But the children were forbidden from it being told an old evil witch lived there. A tall genie had been ordered to stand guard. When they wandered to close he would warp them back to safety. But they couldn't help but wonder about the witch who lived in the castle nestled in the woods at the top. Even though the King had given the children marvelous things to play on, too much was still missing from their lives.
At morning the kids made a plan on how to pass the genie to see what lay beyond. One young man decided that they should trick him so he could slip past. They knew the Genie liked to dance so they decided to dance for him when it became dark. The young girl who had written the King ran home and came back carrying a glowing blue object to give to the young daring man and said. "Take this. You are the one who has been chosen for this task. May the light of this glass sapphire, given to me by my grandmother the day she died, lead you safely back home. I was told it had magical powers and once belonged to my mother before she disappeared."
The kids begin laughing and dancing all around the Genie and the boy slipped past him and hurried up the glass steps. Now alone the wind began to blow against his cheek making his hair sweep around his small courageous face. At the top of the steps was a large wooden castle door. Just as he was about to knock the door swung open. He fearfully walked into a courtyard forest of lifeless trees and thorns. Suddenly, he heard a laugh above the trees that cut deep within his brave small soul.
"Why are you here? A sharp voice asked. Do you know the King?
He couldn't speak, from the pounding of his heart, and dropped the sapphire into the thorns.
Once again the voice said. "Young Man, Why are you here?
Then the witch of the forest floated down in front of him and yelled. "No one dares to come to my forest, yet you have chosen to, and at such a young age. You must be brave or a fool!
The young man was shocked at what he saw. This woman was glowing in the evening shade of dark. She was beautiful, with jet-black hair wearing a long red gown, far from the image of a witch. He began to wonder why such a creature of beauty would be hidden from the world and begin to feel compassion instead of fear.
"Dear witch of the forest. I come, but not alone, he said, I represent the Children of the World and we need your help to build a rainbow bridge where we can all become friends. She moved around him in a circle, quietly studying him, curious as to why he would choose this dangerous journey alone.
Suddenly, her eyes were drawn to a light flickering in the thorns. She stopped in front of him reaching down to retrieve it. Low and behold as she pulled it to her heart the trees begin to glow.
Tears begin to trickle down her cheeks, and her eyes sparkled lighting up the dark "On my, she humbly spoke. You alone have brought me a wondrous gift that I have waited endlessly for. Without even knowing you have given me freedom from this black forest forever!" The young man didn't understand but could feel the happiness swirling all around him. He knew in his heart something grand was taking place before his eyes.
"Stand beside me, she said. We have a glorious place to visit." As he stood close to her she begin to wave the crystal in the sky. Suddenly, they begin to float upwards, out of the forest and into the sky. As they descended down he found himself standing on top of a beautiful rainbow.
"How is this possible dear witch of the forest," he stammered. "Well, she replied. Let me tell you a story of how I became the witch of the forest. Many years ago I went for a walk in the forest not knowing the danger there. An old woman I met tricked me to into going deeper into the darkened trees. There she welcomed me into her home and gave me tea to drink. I didn't know the tea was laced with powers to make me be her slave forever.
There was only one thing that could change this destiny. An innocent stranger would have to come here and bring something I once loved. This enchanting sapphire you carried once sat by my bedside. It was a gift given to me by the King. He was presented the sapphire on our wedding day to protect our love forever. When I disappeared that day the old woman told me the King thought the wild beasts of the forest had killed me. What he never knew was I gave birth to a baby girl while living here, but the old woman took her to the kingdom and gave her away. I never saw her again.
One day the old woman was caught by the Kings men and burned at the stake. Imprisoned by the spell the forest became my only master. Whenever I encountered someone walking in the forest I would try to find out how the King was but they would be afraid and flee."
Tears begin to pour from her eyes and she begged. Can you please tell me about the King?
"I know little about him," he replied. I have heard stories he is a kind man, but a sad man."
Smiling to learn he was still alive she held the sapphire and waved it again in the air dancing in a circle. He was totally amazed as his young eyes saw this witch, everyone feared transformed into a beautiful Queen, now wearing an enchanting long white dress. Her long black hair was now the color of spun gold.
"Now listen carefully she said "The gift I shall return to you for saving me will be the rainbow bridge you have spoken of. Take the children to my forest at midnight tomorrow. You will find the bridge you desire rise out of the lake. Take them across. Do not fear the dragons or the Genie for they will obey me now. Your friends from around the world will be waiting for you. From that night on you will be able to cross over when ever you wish to make new friends. Now, close your eyes and bow three times. You shall return to the playground and your friends."
He did exactly as she ordered and found himself standing by the young girl who had given him the crystal. Everyone was surprised to see him and asked if he had found the witch of the forest.
I found much more he said. Meet me tonight at midnight and I will be able to show you. That night by a full moon the children gathered at the playground. Follow me, he said as he passed the sleeping Genie and headed up the spiral steps. At the castle door they all became frightened.
"Don't be afraid of anything you see for this is a pleasant journey, he said, comforting them. This journey we have waited for a long time."
They walked through the forest turning into a corridor where a magical song began to play soothing all their fears. When they approached the lake dragons began flying all around. The children became afraid, wondering how they would cross over. Suddenly, out of the lake a rainbow bridge begin to float upwards. As they stepped onto the colorful path they could see children dancing and waving from the other side.
"How did you get this done, they asked in wonderment?
"Well, he replied. The witch in the forest was really an imprisoned Queen who had been taken away long ago. That blue sapphire was the key to her freedom.
The young girl turned pale. "I don't understand, she said. That belonged to my mother who I've never seen."
The boy realized then that this young girl was the baby the witch had spoken of. How could he have been the chosen one to give her one more precious gift?
As they walked inside the rainbow castle they were met with children, and a prancing white unicorn. A pink corridor door opened and in walked the King and Queen. Immediately the Queen saw the young boy and called him over to introduce him.
When she saw the pretty young girl following, staring at her in tears, she compassionately asked. "Why the tears my child?"
The young girl looked deep into the green eyes of this majestic woman and said. "The crystal the young man brought to you belonged to my mother. My grandmother gave it to me before she died telling me it was very special."
The Queen grabbed her and held her close rejoicing, for now the last missing gift from their life was also returned. The King entirely grateful to the young man told him he could now live in the palace for his fearless deeds. The throne was complete and the royal family famous for uniting families of children all around the world.
And just before the young girl fell asleep in the palace, she saw a rainbow appear outside her window that would never go away.
The End
©belladora
All Rights Reserved 2001
This is an original story written by Belladora for the Rainbow Bridge Project between her and the French, Art and Music teacher of the Leonard deVinnci College. It is created into a 3D virtual world environment where you can walk through the story. Be sure to check it out in Belladora's world Castles. This original painting is called The Rainbow Bridge and is for sale. NFS Donated to France.
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