The Color of Friendship

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, 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, God 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.

God 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.

-- Author Unknown

shown above:
My own little free-form pieced AAQI art quilt

#8827 Rainbow Snout

Width: 12" Length: 9"

Materials/Techniques: Free-pieced cotton fish, raw edge applique fronds, Shiva paint sticks, rubbing plate, metallic free motion quilting.

Artist Statement: Inspired by Mary Lou Weidman and her "Mary Lounies", I decided to challenge myself by creating my own free-pieced fantasy fish combined with free floating applique' fronds and flower. Just as those who suffer from Alzheimer's often do, this little fellows peers out from his place of safety, while a part of him yearns to still be a part of his bigger world.

Dedication: Dedicated to all who yearn to share their uniqueness and vibrancy with the larger earth school of life. 

As "The Colors of Friendship" poem explains ...we are all united through our unique qualities, as well as our differences...all special, all part of a greater plan. Rejoice in all of the colors of the rainbow as you go through both the sunshine, and the shadows of your own relationships and the joys and the challenges of life.


This was the fourth of my five quilts that sold recently at theHouston International Quilt Festival as part of the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative funding raising efforts there. AAQI sold most of the 1,500 quilts they brought to Houston and I was delighted to have mine sold in such a lovely venue! Please check all of the quilts that will be added to the AAQI sales page, and help make some else's day a little brighter! And while you are at it, check out my sharing of my wish list with Connecting Threads. Friends are often for sharing wishes and dreams with, right? Color me always hopeful!