Rainbows End
‘What is your name?’
‘Budekiah.’
‘What a weird name! Bud..a..what?’
‘Budekiah.’
‘Who are you? How did I get here? Where am I?’
‘This is the entrance to Rainbow’s End. You were dreaming, and stepped into your dreams. But you can’t stay, you have to go back. It’s not your time.’
Momentarily she was mesmerised by the brilliance of the rainbow, then turned to study the face of the man, whose piercing eyes twinkled as he smiled and held out his right hand towards her. ‘Come, I will show you around Dolita,’ he whispered, encouraging her to follow him.
‘You know my name!’ she exclaimed, more puzzled than ever. He was already pointing to a large archway formed by trees, shrubs and foliage, through which she could see a narrow pathway lined by flowers; the colours of which she had never seen.
Women dressed in brilliant white robes, stood behind oak desks, writing in leather bound ledgers.
‘They are taking details of everyone that passes through the arch. This is Jasmena,’ he said, walking towards her. ‘She records people and their time of arrival here.’ Nodding to the woman standing beside her. ‘This is Seraiah, she writes down their personal details.’
‘Like what?’ asked Dolita.
‘Their name, age, reason for being here and more. The other adults that you see are merely their helpers, checking the registers, cross-referencing and …’
‘I don’t understand,’ she said, interrupting.
‘Well, if they are not recorded in the books prior to arrival, and all facts do not match, they cannot stay.’
‘Uhm,’ mumbled Dolita. She knew that they had not asked any questions nor looked in the book for her name, so how did the person, whose name she couldn’t say, Bud-a-something, know that she had to go back. And where was she really? So she asked him again.
He explained. ‘I know how many people were expected today and they have all arrived. You are most definitely one too many.’
Trying to make sense of things that were happening around her, so many questions, yet for the first time in her life Dolita was speechless, feeling led to follow the stranger as he walked closer to the rainbow. Passing the queue of people, waiting to speak with the keepers of the books, they arrived at a magnificent waterfall.
‘This is the shower of life,’ said Budekiah. ‘On arrival, those who are allowed to stay pass through the waters. All deformities and ailments fade away as each person is restored to the fullness of health.’
Dolita was trying desperately to understand, but this seemed too deep for an uneducated street kid. What she concluded was that it looked a bundle of fun as she studied a group of older children passing through.
Finding her tongue, ‘may I go too?’
‘Certainly, but I cannot go with you. I will meet you at the far side. Follow the others,’ he said.
‘Dolita, eagerly moved towards a tiny pond at the bottom of a narrow path. The rays from the rainbow shone directly onto the clear water which had a shimmering gold effect. It was warm and soothing and just covered her ankles. A few more steps and she was on dry land, following an even narrower stone path which meandered towards the magnificent waterfall. Glancing backwards she saw Budekiah. With his reassuring nod she carried on, climbing as the path took the form of a ledge passing behind the waterfall. Strangely she felt safe as she peered through the curtain of water which cascaded over the rocks below. Passing through sheltered areas where the ledge was curiously dry, then short bursts of water, which were warm and invigorating, she meandered, eager to see where her adventure would lead.
Finally she came to a second archway, and this time it was formed with thousands of tiny yellow roses, the aroma almost overpowering. Here the path meandered to the left and the right and hesitating for a moment she took the left, attracted by its different form; changing from stone to what appeared to be tiny coloured pebbles embedded in concrete. Looking like the brilliant marbles that the street kids loved to play with; crystalline baubles which flattered the eye! Suddenly she stepped into brilliant sunshine. Surprisingly she was not at all wet and found herself facing Budekiah who was waiting with a pair of shoes, similar to the ones she had removed. They looked new, bright and shiny. How did that happen she wondered, quite overwhelmed. Slipping her hand into his she felt safe as they crossed over a golden bridge with flower gardens on either side. Though confused she was deliriously happy.
‘You asked me about this place. Well this is a small part of the First Heaven which is so vast,’ Budekiah whispered; gesturing with his hand to what looked like a whole new world looming in the distance. ‘Had you taken the other path you would have gone that way,’ he explained, pointing to a group of people climbing higher on a mountain track.
Watching and wondering, startled by a strange sound she turned to see a small herd of animals coming towards her.
‘What are they?’
‘Oh, lambs,’ he laughed.
‘May I touch one? I have never seen a lamb before,’ she exclaimed with a nervous giggle when another fearsome looking animal suddenly appeared.
‘Ah,’ said Budekiah, seeing her fear as the animal snarled showing his pointy teeth. Dolita shrieked skirting behind Budekiah, clinging onto his flowing garments.
‘He won’t hurt you. He’s a chupacabra,’
‘Don’t be scared Dolita, there are many animals here and they all live in peace.’
‘You mean he won’t bite me? Will he eat the lambs?’
‘No,’ he laughed. ‘He won’t bite you and he won’t eat the lambs, certainly not.’ The twinkle in his eye was most reassuring.
‘Come. I am going to show you around the children’s houses.’
‘Houses, there are houses here? What sort of houses?’
‘Of course there are houses here, where do you think everyone lives?’
‘And the other way, what if I had gone the other way when I came out of the waterfall?’ she asked, keeping her eye on the chupa-wot-sit as it strolled away.
‘Oh you wouldn’t, all children instinctively know to turn left; it’s such an obvious choice for a child.
She thought of the magical colours and the brilliance of the stones. Of course all children would choose this path. Wouldn’t they?
‘Let me explain. This is the Valley of Rainbow’s End. There are many valleys in the First Heaven, but this is where the children live. One thing for sure, children love animals and there are more animals here than in any other valley. There are animals here that have never been seen by man, species that do not exist on the Earth. Look! He is one of the children’s favourites.’ He picked up a small furry ball, holding it tightly before it had time to scurry away.
‘I love it,’ gasped Dolita. ‘Can I hold it?’
‘Sure,’ chortled Budekiah, gently passing her the little creature whose soft fur, huge beady eyes, chubby round body and stubby little legs made him so endearing. Unlike anything she had ever seen or imagined.
‘He is a guinealoon.’
‘A what?’
‘A guinealoon’ he laughed.
‘Why does everything have a funny name around here? What do you call it? The guinea thing…’
‘Guinealoon.’
‘Can I keep it?’ she blurted.
‘He can’t go to your world, he would never survive. Besides you have a companion.’
‘Ergh, my little dog. Is he…?’
‘Yes he’s fine,’ and before she had chance to ask the next question….
‘Now to the houses,’ he asserted. ‘ First, I will take you to the House of Colour, then the House of Music and Sound and finally the House of Fragrance and Touch. I don’t think we will have sufficient time to do any more than that. Put the guinealoon down please.’
Reluctantly Dolita lowered the little creature to the floor who eagerly jumped out of her hands, lifting his body to a great height, landing with a skip and a hop, he scurried away.
Following Budekiah, she saw a row of unusually shaped buildings, the first of which had an enormous shiny red door. The powerful and sturdy looking door creaked and groaned as it slowly opened upon their approach. Stepping into a great hallway, she tiptoed behind Budekiah, to be greeted by an array of colour. He was pleased to see the delight on Dolita’s face, expecting nothing less.
In a hive of activity women were bustling from one child to another, attending to their needs. Illustrations, pictures, murals, work clearly done by the children and other more beautiful paintings done by artists covered every inch of wall. Music was playing in the background soothing and gentle. In one corner a group of children happily played with sand and water while others with malleable materials – clay, dough and paint. Some of the older children were in school rooms learning to read and write, others adding and subtracting with coloured bobbins. Dolita and Budekiah moved from one room to another, through the green door, the yellow door, the blue door, each room housing different resources for children of varying ages. He took her to a room with a shelving system which filled the walls from top to bottom. On each shelf there were large clear jars, and each one appeared to contain a blob of colour.
‘What are these?’ she whispered with a quiver, as she chose one, staring closely. Its contents had the appearance of a slime ball which seemed to be breathing as it pulsated gently. Budekiah quickly prised the jar from her fingers and placed it back in its rightful position on the shelf.
‘Oh these are the new colours not yet released,’ he said.
They were colours she could not have imagined or begun to describe. He grinned and directed her to the next house with a brightly coloured orangey sort of door. He knocked and a strange sound echoed all around them as the door opened and they crept in. Undoubtedly they were entering the House of Music and Sound.
‘Let me explain the difference between music and sound. Sound is a noise, an irregular noise; it may be singular or a collection of disordered vibrations. Music is when sounds are put together in a regular uniform way. ‘Listen,’ he said and took several rather unusual looking objects. Each one had a very definite and different sound of its own.
‘That sounds like my friend Roberto when he’s sleeping,’ she shrieked. They laughed together and then looked at various musical instruments, as he introduced her to a group of kids about her own age who were making music.
Moving on, they entered the House of Fragrance and Touch. Dolita wanted to stay longer taking the tops off all the tiny bottles and smelling the fragrances. One by one she held them to her nostrils and then passed them to Budekiah for explanation.
A single floral fragrance – a particular flower
A floral bouquet -many species collectively, including roses and jasmine.
Woody scents -sandalwood, bark cedar, leaves and twigs.
Leather – honey, tobacco.
Citrus and fruity -apples, strawberries, cherries, oranges, lemons.
The boxes containing samples of touch were clearly labelled , although she couldn’t read she knew some. Leather, cotton and silk she knew from her friend Beeky’s sewing box, but many of the others were unknown to her. As there were so many she decided it was a hopeless task and agreed to leave when he ushered her out.
‘One final house very quickly before you have to go,’ he proclaimed.
‘Have to go? Oh please no. Not yet!’
Entering the house, there were many tiny babies, some only a few hours old that were being weaned and cared for. Older babies lay in cots wrapped in soft pastel coloured blankets, peaceful expressions on their tiny faces. Others were able to crawl or to sit and were being aided in their development as the women gave toys and equipment to assist them. There was no artificial light in the room, no bare bulbs hanging from cables on the ceiling as she had seen in Beeky’s house: but yet each room was bright. Natural light filled every corner. How was that possible? She looked around, taking in with great interest everything that she saw, holding his hand until she came to a quiet corner, where she threw herself onto a huge pile of brightly coloured floor cushions and bean bags. As he sat down beside her she looked at his kind face and friendly smile. She didn’t know this man but she had liked all that he had shown her. She wanted to stay longer. ‘What is this place?’ she asked ‘Why are there so many children here?
‘These are the children the world didn’t want,’ he explained.
‘I don’t understand,’ replied Dolita.
‘These are the babies that have been sent to me,’ he said with tears in his eyes. ‘We call them the aborted ones. The others, well they were the sick children, the ones who died.’
As they left the house, they walked in silence for a few moments, then she asked;-
‘What is the other place that you talk about?’
‘Oh you don’t need to concern yourself with that right now. It is where the non believers go. The admissions policy here is very strict you know!’
‘Is that the book?’ inquired Dolita. ‘The book that I saw them reading when people were asking permission to enter?’
‘Yes,’ he answered. ‘But as you see the adults don’t enter here, they go through the other archway. Rainbow’s End is only for children. Of course all children come here. A child is never refused admission.
‘Tell me about the grownups. I have a friend, she is very old. Her name is Ma Kenzie. She sleeps in a doorway on the streets. Until she disappeared that is. Is she in your book?’
‘Well!’ said Budekiah. ‘I believe she was due to come. Had a bad fall and banged her head. She was given a reprieve.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘It means she was given extra time in the other world.’
‘For how long?’ she asked.
‘Not allowed to say.’
‘What about my friends, Bobby Sniff and Pablo Molina?’
‘Bobby Sniff was too old for Rainbow’s End and as for Molina you say. I cannot tell you. Even if he was here you couldn’t speak to him. He wouldn’t be able to see you.’ Before she could ask anything else of him he called out.
‘Oh no! That’s another dreamer!’ Pointing to a little girl just arriving at the archway. ‘Someone else I need to send back.’
‘But how do you know you need to send her back?’ asked Dolita curiously.
‘I just do. I know how many people were expected today and that is another one too many. It’s not the appointed time.’
How clever he must be she thought.
‘Would you like some fruit?’ he asked, pointing to a variety of trees as they passed by.
She was thirsty and hungry and reached forward to take a handful of succulent looking figs. She ate them and picked more, filling her pockets for later. She hoped he wouldn’t think her too greedy but she was so hungry.
He then ushered her to a nearby stream where she took a drink from a tiny fountain. It was refreshing and tasted good. Far better than the water she was used to.
‘It’s time for you to go Dolita. The rainbow will take you back.’
Suddenly the rainbow seemed more real than ever. Close enough for her to touch.
‘Climb onto the orange stream, close your eyes, lay back and think of something nice.’
Dolita hesitated.
‘You have to go,’ said Budekiah. ‘One day you will understand all things. Now quickly, climb onto the orange stream. You must keep your eyes closed because if you see or hear anything along the way and reach out, it will hinder your return. I know your future Dolita you have much to do in the other world. Your friends need you and you must return now.
Was he crazy? He had shown her this beautiful world and was now sending her back to life on the streets. Did he know? But then he seemed to know everything didn’t he!
‘Can I take…?’
‘No,’ he said firmly, knowing she was thinking of the little fury guinealoon.’He would die in your world. Now go.’
‘Can I come back?’
He didn’t answer and before Dolita had time to question or say another word she suddenly found herself being lifted onto the arch of the rainbow. She remembered his words and quickly closed her eyes. She felt something soft cover her ears but had no idea what it could be, and soon became aware of the gentle movement. The orange stream gathered speed and soon moved rapidly onwards. She thought of all the other kids. She had some good friends, that was for sure. Her mind drifted to her scruffy companion, Raggy Man. She really loved that little dog. His words prayed on her mind so she closed her eyes even tighter, screwing up her face, she was not going to be distracted. What was his name, Bud-a-what? She had forgotten.
‘What’s that thud?’ shouted Manolo, one of the homeless kids at the shelter. Surprisingly the other kids slept on.
‘Hum!, must ‘av been dreaming!’ He rolled over and went back to sleep.
The next day Dolita woke and discovered a pocket-full of figs and a pair of shiny black shoes laid neatly beside her. So she hadn’t been dreaming. But how was she going to explain everything to the other street kids? Would anyone ever believe her story? And what was the purpose of her visit to Rainbow’s End?
Only time would tell….
