The rain shower and the tale of the rainbow bridge
In a quaint little village nestled amongst undulating emerald hills and vibrant meadows, springtime arrived like a benevolent queen, draped in blossoms of every hue. This was the village of Elderdale, where people cherished nature’s symphony, often taking long walks to admire the splendor of rebirth. Among its denizens were Eleanor, a woman in her sixties with hair like snow threaded with strands of silver moonlight, and her grandson, Caleb, a bright and inquisitive child of eight with chestnut curls and eyes like the sky before a summer storm.
Every spring, Eleanor and Caleb had a tradition. They would traverse the vast meadows to reach the ancient oak at the forest’s edge, where they would have a picnic and share stories from Eleanor’s youth. The oak was an imposing guardian of time, its gnarled branches reaching out like welcoming arms, its bark a map of countless ages.
One idyllic April morning, the two set out with their wicker basket, filled with fresh bread, cheese, and Eleanor’s famous lavender cookies. The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming daffodils, and the melody of birdsong intertwined with the whisper of the breeze. As they walked, Caleb’s curiosity bubbled over, «Grandma, tell me about the rainbow bridge again!»
Eleanor’s lips curved into a knowing smile, “Ah, the rainbow bridge, my dear. Legend has it that after a significant rain, the bridge appears, connecting our world to a magical realm where dreams come true. It’s said that only those pure of spirit can see it. Did I ever tell you about the time I saw it when I was your age?»
Caleb’s eyes widened, «No, you didn’t! What happened?»
As they settled under the oak, Eleanor began her tale, “It was a spring, much like this one. There had been a great rain, and the air was thick with the promise of renewal. My friends and I were playing by the old mill stream when a brilliant rainbow arched across the sky, and then we saw it—the rainbow bridge. We took a leap of faith and crossed it. On the other side, we found a land filled with wonders beyond imagination, where the flowers sang and the rivers sparkled with laughter.»
Caleb listened, rapt, imagining the fantastical world Eleanor painted with her words. His grandmother’s voice was a gentle cadence, carrying him to realms unseen. “Did you ever go back?” he asked, almost whispering.
“No, my dear. The bridge only appears to those with an unblemished heart, and only once. But the memories of that place stayed with me, filling my life with endless magic. Every spring, I’m reminded of that adventure and the beauty of belief and hope,” Eleanor replied, her eyes reflecting the glint of valued memories.
As they lingered, the sky darkened suddenly. Clouds rolled in, heavy with rain, and soon droplets began to fall. Laughing, they huddled under the oak’s shelter, watching the storm transform the landscape. Caleb’s heart pounded with anticipation. «Maybe the rainbow bridge will appear!»
And then, before their very eyes, the storm broke, and a radiant arc of colors stretched from one end of the horizon to the other. In that moment, they saw it—an ephemeral bridge of light, shimmering with enchantment.
«Grandma, it’s true!» Caleb exclaimed, tugging at Eleanor’s sleeve.
Eleanor’s breath caught. She hadn’t seen the bridge since her childhood, and there it was, an ethereal promise amidst the glistening rain. “Let’s go, Caleb,” she said, excitement and wonder lacing her voice. Hand in hand, they stepped onto the bridge.
Their journey was both exhilarating and serene. Each step was met with a chorus of colors, as if the rainbow itself were alive. Crossing to the other side, they found a realm where the air hummed with vitality. Trees of emerald and gold shaded pathways paved with crystallized dew. Pixies darted through the air, leaving trails of stardust, and mythical creatures they had only read about wandered freely.
As they explored, they met characters like Arianna, a graceful faerie with wings that sparkled like a moonlit pond. Her laughter was the sound of bells in the wind. “Welcome to Aeloria,” she greeted, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Few see the rainbow bridge, fewer still dare to cross it. You must be the purest of hearts.”
“Are we really here?” Caleb wondered aloud, taking everything in.
Arianna nodded, “Indeed you are, young one. But remember, time runs differently here. What feels like hours may only be moments in your world. So, enjoy, but when you hear the silver chime, you must return.»
Eleanor and Caleb began their exploration. They danced with the breeze and swam in the crystal streams. They visited sprawling fields where flowers sang melodies sweeter than the finest orchestra, and they made friends with sages and wanderers who told tales of timeless wisdom and joy.
However, as Caleb and Eleanor sat atop a hill watching a parade of magical creatures, they heard the distant sound of a silver chime, soft but insistent. Arianna appeared again beside them, her expression fond and a bit sad. “It’s time for you to return to your world,” she said.
“Will we ever come back?” Caleb asked, his heart heavy with impending departure.
Arianna smiled gently. “The bridge appears when it’s needed most. Cherish what you’ve seen and live each day with the magic you’ve felt here.”
Hand in hand, Eleanor and Caleb crossed back over the rainbow bridge. As they stepped onto the familiar meadows of Elderdale, the bridge dissolved into the sky, a memory painted in brilliance.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, they walked back to their village, the land now aglow with the promise of spring and the echo of an unforgettable adventure. Caleb whispered, “Thank you for this, Grandma. I’ll remember it forever.”
“Magic lives where you believe in it, Caleb. Always keep that in your heart,” Eleanor replied, her eyes sparkling with wisdom and joy.
And thus, they returned home, their spirits buoyed and their hearts lighter, the tale of the rainbow bridge forever a beacon of hope and wonder.
Moraleja del cuento «The rain shower and the tale of the rainbow bridge»
Magic lies within those who believe in the beauty of dreams and the purity of spirit. Embrace the wonders of the world with open hearts, and adventures beyond imagination will follow you.