Oliver and the Rainbow Ride

  • Oliver leaps off the end of a see-saw as his friends laugh and watch

    Oliver loved the playground more than anywhere else in the world. He and his friends were taking turns on the see-saw, laughing and bouncing as it tipped up and down. “Watch this!” Oliver called, and with a great big jump, he leaped off the end.

  • Oliver sits wide-eyed on top of a glowing rainbow high above the clouds

    But instead of landing on the grass, Oliver kept going — up, up, and straight through a soft white cloud. He blinked. He rubbed his eyes. He was sitting right on top of a rainbow, its colours glowing all around him — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

  • Oliver grips the rainbow tightly, peering nervously down at the tiny world far below

    Oliver looked down. The playground below was so tiny it could have been a toy. His tummy did a little flip. The rainbow was very, very high. He held on tight and took a slow breath. “I don’t know about this,” he whispered.

  • Oliver slides joyfully down the arc of the rainbow, arms wide, hair blown back by the wind

    But Oliver was brave. He counted to three, let go, and began to slide. The rainbow was smooth and cool beneath him, and the wind rushed through his hair as he swooped and picked up speed.

  • Oliver laughs and waves at two bluebirds flying alongside him on the rainbow

    Two bluebirds came flapping alongside him, their wings a bright blur against the sky. Oliver laughed and waved with both hands. The birds tilted their heads and seemed to wave back with a flutter of their wings.

  • Oliver lands proudly in the playground as his friends stare up in open-mouthed amazement

    Then — whoosh! — the rainbow curved gently down and set Oliver right back in the middle of the playground. He landed softly on his feet. His friends stood with their mouths wide open, staring up at where he’d come from, eyes full of wonder.