Waiting for Rainbows

Noah stood at the door of the ark and checked off the final animals on his list. Grasshoppers. Check. Anteaters. Check. Zebras. Check. Koalas. Check. Unicorns? 

He looked up at the unicorns, the most beloved of God’s creatures on earth, waiting in the grass nearby. 

Dark clouds gathered overhead and thunder growled in the distance.

“Lord, all the animals are on board, except the unicorns. I never found their food. They only eat rainbows.”

“I know.”

“Where can I find them?” 

“I will provide.” 

Noah felt a drop of water, then another. Thunder roared and lightning danced across the sky. He waved the unicorn pair toward him. “God will bring your food later.” 

They pranced behind him into the ark, and Noah shut the door behind them. Soon, the rain fell in torrents, and the ark lifted from the ground and floated away. 

For many days it rained. All the animals were sheltered from the howling storm and had plenty to eat. All but the unicorns. 

Noah offered them carrots. They refused. Apples. Oats. Flowers. Hay. They shook their heads each time. The other animals brayed and barked and chirped their encouragement:  “Please eat, unicorns.” 

“Oh Lord, we need the rainbows now,” Noah pleaded. But if God answered, he couldn’t hear him over the raging storm. 

Noah woke on the fortieth day and found the unicorns snuggled together, silent and still. The ark grew quiet, and Noah cried. 

That was the same day the rain stopped. Noah opened the hatch, but all he could see was water everywhere, with no land in sight. For many months they remained on the ark as the water receded. 

One day, about a year later, Noah opened the door and stepped onto dry land with his family. He kissed the ground and looked up to the heavens to thank God for his mercy. 

And there it was. A magnificent arc of brilliant colors stretched across the sky. Tears filled Noah’s eyes. 

“Why, Lord? Why now?” 

“It’s my promise,” said the Lord. 

Noah wiped his eyes. “It’s beautiful, Lord. And too late.”