Best Friends Build a Rainbow
Best Friends Build a Rainbow — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
'Hurry, Elara! The sun's almost set!' Pip chirped, his tiny wings buzzing as he zipped ahead. Elara, giggling, chased after her winged companion, her bare feet padding softly on the cobblestone path. 'I can almost taste Mama's starberry pie!' she exclaimed, the aroma of baking already tickling her nose. Their small village nestled in the valley looked warm and inviting from afar.
Page 2
Suddenly, a shimmering, iridescent bubble floated down, landing gently on Elara's outstretched hand. 'What is it?' she breathed, mesmerized by the swirling colors within. Inside the bubble, a tiny scroll unfurled, revealing a faded drawing of a rainbow bridge. 'It looks like a map,' Pip exclaimed, peering closely. 'Legend says a rainbow bridge connects our world to the Land of Everlasting Colors, but it vanished long ago,' Elara said, remembering stories told by her grandmother.
Page 3
'We should find it!' Pip declared, puffing out his chest. Elara hesitated. 'But what if it's dangerous?' she asked, clutching the bubble tightly. Then, remembering her grandmother's words, she straightened her shoulders. "As Helen Keller said, 'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope,'" Elara announced with newfound resolve. 'Let's build a rainbow, Pip!'
Page 4
The map led them into Whispering Woods, where the trees seemed to lean in, their branches intertwined like gnarled fingers. 'This place gives me the shivers,' Pip whispered, hiding behind Elara's shoulder. They came to a rushing stream, the only way across was a series of slippery stones. 'Careful, Pip!' Elara warned, hopping from stone to stone.
Page 5
Suddenly, one of the stones wobbled, sending Elara stumbling! She landed with a splash in the icy water, soaking her dress. 'Brrr!' she shivered. As she stood, she noticed something sparkling beneath the surface. It was a small, smooth stone, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. 'Look, Pip! A prism stone!'
Page 6
They continued deeper into the woods, until the path disappeared altogether. 'Now what?' Pip fretted, flapping his wings anxiously. Just then, a grumpy voice echoed from above. 'Lost, are you?' A large, fluffy owl perched on a branch, glaring down at them. 'Well, the Land of Everlasting Colors is no place for little runts like you!'
Page 7
'We're not runts!' Elara retorted, puffing out her chest. 'We're going to rebuild the rainbow bridge!' The owl hooted derisively. 'Ha! You need more than just silly stones and determination. You need the lost song of the rainbow.' Pip chirped, 'The song? What's that?' Elara frowned, thinking hard. 'We need to find someone who remembers it,' she said.
Page 8
Suddenly, Elara remembered old Willow, the village's oldest resident. 'Willow!' she exclaimed, 'She remembers everything!' They raced back towards the village, the prism stone glowing brighter with each step. Reaching Willow's cottage, Elara burst inside. 'Willow, we need the lost song of the rainbow!' she cried. Willow smiled, her eyes twinkling. 'Ah, yes,' she said, 'The prism stone amplifies the song's magic. Hold it high and sing from your heart!'
Page 9
Elara closed her eyes and sang, her voice filled with hope and longing. The prism stone pulsed with light, projecting a shimmering rainbow arc across the sky. The arc stretched and solidified, forming a beautiful, vibrant bridge. Pip cheered, flying through the colors. 'We did it! We built a rainbow!'
Page 10
Standing at the foot of the rainbow bridge, Elara looked back at Willow's cottage, now bathed in a magical glow. 'Thank you, Willow!' she called. She turned to Pip, smiling. 'We showed them,' she said. 'Even the grumpiest owl can be proven wrong if you believe in yourself.' Pip chirped happily. 'And never forget,' Elara added, 'the greatest bridge you can build is the one between friends.'
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)