A rainbow is one of nature’s most amazing shows. A rainbow is not something you can touch. It is something that you can see only when you are in the right place at the right time. When you think about it, it’s not surprising that so many cultures have wonderful stories about why rainbows appear and where they go.

A rainbow may appear when there is light rain and the sun is shining brightly at the same time. Every rainbow has the same seven colors and in the same order. From the outside, the order is: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo1 and violet2 . Sometimes, when we are very lucky, we can see a “double rainbow” in the sky. The colors of the second rainbow are in the opposite order, with violet on the outside and red on the inside!

It may be hard to believe, but a rainbow is actually a complete circle. Because we see a rainbow from the ground, we only see part of it. If you are in an airplane and see a rainbow, you will see it as a full circle. And here’s another surprise: You don’t have to wait for a rainy day to see a rainbow. Sometimes you can see rainbows when the sun shines in the mist3 of a fountain or a waterfall.

In ancient times, people made up stories to explain unusual events in nature. There are many stories from different countries about rainbows. In Germany, for example, people believed that for forty years after a rainbow appeared, the world could not end. Other cultures believe that rainbows show the way to heaven. In Hawaii and Polynesia, for example, people believe that a rainbow is a ladder that heroes climb to get to heaven. The Irish tell stories about leprechauns – tiny imaginary4 men in green or red clothes – that secretly hide a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. What a great hiding place!

In stories and poems, rainbows are a symbol of hope. They show that even though it is dark and cloudy, the sun can come out. And if you look up, you can see a rainbow full of color in the sky. No matter what you believe, rainbows are always surprising and beautiful, and everyone feels lucky when they see one