The Boy and the Rainbow Deer

The Boy and the Rainbow Deer - Author : Ebru Mina TOMURCUK

Leo was a curious boy with warm light-brown skin, messy dark brown hair, and a smile with a tiny gap. One morning, he put on his mustard-yellow raincoat, pulled up the hood, and slipped his feet into blue rubber boots. He packed a small red backpack and picked up his wooden walking stick. Today, he decided, he would explore the forest beyond the hill. 1

Leo had heard stories about a forest that had lost its colors. When he reached the edge, he saw that the stories were true. The trees were gray, the flowers were gray, and even the sky above seemed pale and tired. Leo held his walking stick tight and stepped inside. The forest was quiet, but not scary. It felt like it was waiting for something. 2

As Leo walked deeper, he heard a soft hoot. On a low branch sat a small owl with huge golden eyes, round wire spectacles, and a little knitted green scarf. 'Hello, young traveler,' said the owl. 'I am Oliver. This forest has been gray for a long time. But I believe you can help.' Leo blinked. 'Me? How?' he asked. 3

Oliver fluttered down and landed on Leo's shoulder. 'Follow the path to the clearing,' the owl said. 'There, you will meet a friend with a special gift.' Leo nodded and walked on, his blue rubber boots squishing softly on the gray leaves. Soon, the trees opened up, and Leo gasped. In the middle of the clearing stood a deer with fur as soft as silver and eyes like warm amber. 4

The deer's antlers glowed with seven beautiful colors, from red to purple, and a faint shimmer sparkled around them. Around its neck hung a thin garland of tiny glowing flowers. 'Hello, little one,' said the deer softly. 'I am Rowan. I have been waiting for someone like you.' Leo's heart beat fast. 'Your antlers are amazing!' he said. Rowan dipped its head gently. 5

Rowan explained, 'Long ago, this forest was full of color. But people forgot to notice, and the colors faded away. I can share my colors, but I cannot do it alone. I need someone with a kind heart to help me.' Leo thought of the gray trees and the gray flowers. 'I want to help,' he said. Oliver the owl hooted happily. 'Then let us begin,' said Rowan. 6

Rowan touched its glowing antlers to a tall gray tree. A bright red light flowed from the antlers into the bark. Slowly, the leaves turned a rich, warm red. 'Red for courage,' said Rowan. Leo clapped his hands. 'It's working!' he cried. Oliver nodded wisely. 'But we must be patient. Each color must be shared with care.' Leo picked up his walking stick and followed the deer. 7

Next, Rowan brushed its antlers against a bush of gray berries. A stream of orange light danced into the branches, and the berries glowed like tiny lanterns. 'Orange for playfulness,' said Rowan. Leo laughed and did a little dance. 'I love orange!' he said. Oliver adjusted his spectacles. 'Orange is cheerful,' he agreed. 'Now, let's find more places that need color.' 8

They came to a patch of gray sunflowers. Rowan lowered its antlers, and yellow light spilled over the petals. The flowers lifted their heads and shone like little suns. 'Yellow for happiness,' said Rowan. Leo felt warm inside. He took off his red backpack and pulled out a small bottle of water. 'The flowers look thirsty,' he said. He poured a little water on them, and they seemed to smile. 9

Then they reached a meadow of gray grass. Rowan touched the ground with its nose, and green light spread like a wave. The grass turned fresh and bright. 'Green for growth,' said Rowan. Leo ran his fingers through the soft blades. 'It feels like spring!' he said. Oliver fluttered down and wrapped his green scarf around a tiny gray flower bud. 'There,' he said. 'A little kindness for you.' 10

At the edge of a gray pond, Rowan dipped its antlers into the water. Blue light rippled across the surface, and the water sparkled like the sky. 'Blue for peace,' said Rowan. Leo saw his own reflection and smiled. 'I can see myself!' he said. Oliver nodded. 'Blue helps us think and dream.' Leo picked up a smooth gray stone and placed it in his pocket as a reminder of the quiet pond. 11

By now, the forest was changing. Red leaves, orange berries, yellow flowers, green grass, and blue water glowed all around. But one color was missing. 'We need purple,' said Rowan. 'Purple for imagination.' Leo looked around. 'Where can we find it?' he asked. Oliver pointed with his wing. 'Look at the old gray stump by the path. It has been waiting for a long time.' 12

Rowan walked to the stump and touched it with its glowing antlers. A soft purple light spread over the wood, and tiny purple flowers bloomed all over it. 'Purple for dreams,' whispered Rowan. Leo gasped. 'It's beautiful!' he said. The deer turned to him. 'You see, every color matters. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Together, they make the forest complete.' 13

As the last color settled, the whole forest seemed to wake up. The trees rustled, the flowers nodded, and the pond sparkled. Leo looked at the rainbow deer and the wise owl. 'We did it!' he cheered. Oliver hooted. 'You did it, Leo. You helped share the colors.' Rowan bowed its head.