Short Story - Enfys the Rainbow

Appeared in The Low Down to Hull and Back News in January 2025

Audio file: Enfys the Rainbow

When Enfys fell from the heavens into the deep, dark ocean it was the happiest day of its life. But the little rainbow didn’t realize it at the time.

Always after the rains, Enfys the Rainbow stretched out its beautifully coloured arms in the high, blue sky to let everyone know that the sun was laughing again. What fun it is to make so many people happy, thought Enfys. But in its heart the little rainbow was sad because it had never really touched the earth—its arms were too short. Enfys had tried very hard to stretch all the way down to the ground but without success. And now the little rainbow was tired.

“Perhaps it’s time you explored the water,” called out a black-capped tern as it soared upwards and then plunged down into the rolling waves to find its lunch.

“Me? Into the ocean?” exclaimed Enfys.

“Yes,” squawked an old, grey seagull as it flew by. “Roll yourself up and let go.”

Perhaps I should, thought Enfys whose arms were aching with fatigue. If I roll myself up I can drop down into the ocean like a ball. Maybe the ocean will be happy to see me, after all I am also made of water!

And so with closed eyes and a nervous heart the rainbow rolled itself up and became a tight ball of coloured light. Down fell Enfys through the familiar air, down through the unfamiliar waters and landed softly on the ocean floor. I have touched the earth! Thrilled, the little rainbow ball opened its eyes. Everything was pitch black. “Oh no," moaned Enfys, “the world has disappeared and so have I!”

Then something extraordinary happened. A glimmering, billowing blue-green wheel of light suddenly appeared. It was so bright that it lit up the rainbow ball. “I can see myself again!” Enfys exclaimed. “I’m not a ball anymore. I’m a complete rainbow!” and exuberantly stretched out its shimmering arms…but who is this dancing wheel of light?

“Are you the sun?” Enfys asked.

The ring of light laughed, “No. My name is Crown. I’m a jelly, I’m a shiny.”

Although Enfys did not quite understand what Crown had said, the rainbow felt immediately at home.

“There are many shinys here enjoying our ocean home,” Crown continued. “Where are you from? You have such an unusual shape and carry such splendid colours.”

“I come from a high, blue sky that sits above the earth; I shine there every time the rains stop,” answered Enfys rather proudly.

“You’re a shiny from far away?” Crown twirled its exquisite colours with excitement. “This is marvellous! You are one of us! Will you come and join us?”

“Oh YES!” Enfys the Rainbow shouted with joy and thought, how lucky I am! I’m on my way to explore a new world with new friends inside a huge playground of water and light. This is the happiest day of my life!

Written by Regiena Heringa (Ste-Cécile-de-Masham)

“Enfys” is the Welsh word for rainbow. And the character in the story called Crown is actually based scientifically on the Red Crown Jelly, a bioluminescent creature that lives in the deep waters of the ocean and shows itself as a magnificent pinwheel of blue light.

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