Abstract
The line waiting to talk with Santa
Claus seemed endless. But Molly was
ever so patient. She knew exactly
what she would say to him.
Besides, six years of living in leg
braces from a childhood paralysis had
taught Molly about patience.
Finally it was her turn, and as her
parents lifted her onto Santa's lap she
could feel the warm smile and sense
the magic within this man dressed in
red.
"Oh yes, that is all I wish," Molly
repeated slowly, "All I have ever
wished for was a real rainbow."
"That is a very tall request," nodded
Santa thoughtfully. "Nevertheless, I
will do what I can."
"Thank you," Molly said as she was
carried away.
The following weeks were busy and
difficult for Molly's mother and father.
The more they searched, the more
they realized the impossibility of finding
a true rainbow for their six year
old daughter.
As Christmas eve approached,
Molly's spirits rose. Her parents had
never seen her cheeks so rosy, her
eyes so bright and gay. Though she
never spoke of it, everyone knew her
wish to Santa was foremost in her
mind.
Three days before Christmas,
Molly's mom and dad sat talking long
into the night. "It just can't be done,"
her father said. "How can we locate a
rainbow for Molly's Christmas gift? I've
looked at rainbow coloring books,
rainbow T-shirts, rainbow unicorns,
even rainbow Chrismas cookies. I give
up."
"I know, but she has her heart so set
on this," her mother answered.
"Tomorrow is Christmas eve. I will go
to town one more time and look for
the best rainbow gift I can find."
The bustle and cheer were overflowing
the next day as Molly's
mother tramped from store to store,
seeking the elusive rainbow to fulfill
her daughter's wish. She had about
given up hope when she stumbled
into a tiny pet shop on a cozy side
street.
"Hello," smiled the young owner.
"May I help you?"
"Well, I just don't know," Molly's
mother replied. She went on to tell the
man the entire story of Molly's Christmas
wish.
"I might have just the answer for
you," he said. "For years I have been
in love with a small species of parrot
known as the rainbow lorikeet. Come,
let me show you."
In the rear of his shop, the owner
opened a tub to reveal three fuzzy,
brightly feathered baby birds. "These
are rainbow lorikeets," he explained,
"and a more beautiful, delightful pet
parrot there could not be!"
"Oooh, may I hold one?" Molly's
mother exclaimed.
"Let's just wash your hands and you
can help me feed the babies," he
answered. "They are beginning their
weaning - something easily accomplished
with baby rainbows."
Placed on a clean towel, the lorikeets
were given a brief taste of a
warm mixture of lory powder, apple
juice, baby food, yogurt and spirulina.
Remaining formula was squirted into a
low glass saucer nearby. The oldest of
the babies promptly ran over and
began lapping up the liquid food only
to be joined by his two siblings. As
Molly's mother watched, the pet store
owner talked enthusiastically of the
pet qualities of the rainbow lorikeets.
"There are about nine different varieties
of rainbows," he explained.
"These baby Swainson's or Blue
Mountain Lorikeets are my particular
favorite . Their colors are green, yellow,
orange, red, blue and violet
melted together in shimmering light.
"Not only are they playful and
friendly to strangers, but they can
become accomplished talkers in a tiny
voice, and are quick to learn. Most of
our lorikeets are trained to go 'poo' on
command by age 16 weeks.
"We like to sell lorikeets to health
food conscious families," he went on.
"They love foods prepared in a blender.
Banana smoothies, papaya juice,
ground coconut, mushed berries, soy
milk, even brown rice and soups.
"Of course, rumor has it they are
messy birds, but I find the larger lories
are by far the more messy. Rainbows
seldom throw large pieces of fruit
about. What's more, their droppings
are often like warm apple juice - not
green and smeary like other parrots'.
Lory poo on my shirt often does not
leave a stain. They are the one bird in
my collection I allow run of my household.
"We recommend keeping them in
long, low cages near the ground with
cedar chips in the bottom tray and
plenty of grass and leafy branches to
catch squirts.
"Their pet behavior is one of pure
joy!" he added. "They are as comfortable
on their backs as upright and will
hop over to examine any new object
placed in their cage or path. Not shy,
suspicious parrots at all, these living
rainbows . .. "