This is a story I have wanted to write about for many years, but never got the chance. I hope you will enjoy it. It's something that I never expected to happen and has, disappointingly never happened since. It defies all experiences I've had in my time as a hint guy. It would change my life. I would obtain a real appreciation for the wondrous rainbow.
As I do everyday, I waited for customers within my hint stand. As you heard in Linda's article, few people come to my stand on a daily basis. But since I get paid a salary it doesn't matter as much to me. Anyway, one morning I saw something that defied all explanation! A young girl was riding a horse in the sky! Trailing behind her was a very colorful rainbow. It all happened so quickly! She was moving faster than anything I'd ever seen! Before long the sky was enveloped in a symphony of beautiful shades and hues. That was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen! It made me so happy that I had a job outside where I could see the sky completely unobstructed.
She looked like she was chasing something, but they moved far too quickly for me to be able to make any accurate guesses. A few minutes later I figured it was more my imagination than truth, surely a horse couldn't fly without wings and what would a young girl be doing so high up. Though the rainbow formed such a complex design. So many twists and turns. I tried to follow the shape later, but I got dizzy rather quickly. It really was an impressive sight. Nothing I had ever seen came even close to rivaling it before.
I quickly got up (which was a rough task let me tell ya!) and asked others in the town. A few people also saw it and others thought I was crazy. Suddenly the flying horse came back into view! We saw it moving off into the distance at incredible speed. It didn't look like it was chasing anything that time. I was mystified. All of this happened on the one day I didn't bring in my digital camera! Oh cruel fate, why do you mock me? Even if I did have my camera on that day, I doubt I would have had time to get it out, clean the lens, check the focus, get the flash properly adjusted and take the picture in the short time they were visible. Still it would have been wonderful to get a picture of the rainbow's beautiful intricate design. With that in mind, I darted home (at the speed a three hundred pound man can dart) and grabbed my digital camera. I made it back to the area and saw the rainbow beginning to fade. All the preparations were made and I snapped the picture, but fate intervened! As a fairly ambitious photographer, I had filled up the camera's memory card. I knew I wouldn't have enough time to make it home and back in time, so I enjoyed the sight while I could.
After the rainbow was gone I went to the library quickly to take out every book that discussed rainbows in hopes of finding some information on what I saw. After days of reading, I was greatly disappointed. Both in that I had no way to add credence to my story, but also that it might have been a once in a lifetime experience. To this day, I bring my digital camera to work everyday. Additionally I bought one that required no preparation time so I could snap the picture. I also make sure to clean out the memory card whenever I use it and even bought a spare emergency card as a safety. I might not be able to snap a picture if the first card is full, but at least I can get a picture of the intricately designed rainbow left afterward.
What the two of them were doing has remained a mystery. Few people believe me when I tell the tale, but I can say honestly with the others that saw the sight that we are amazed and baffled beyond belief. I did get in trouble for leaving my stand but the chance to capture that scene on film was truly worth it. To this day, when we see a rainbow in the sky, we look for the flying horse and young girl. Keep your eyes open, you never know when you'll see that mysterious duo!
