There lived a boy named Sonu. He was living with his grandparents in a small town called Haripur. His parents were in a big city and were busy in their work, so his paternal grandparents take care of him.
He was a proud 5 year old boy, and a leader of his group of friends.
" What are we going to play today? " Biswa asked to his leader. He was a short, chubby boy but always father first to come for play.
" Today we will play hide and seek." Sonu announced to the group consisting of him, Biswa, Akash, Rupa, and Sweety.
All were schoolmates and their house was near the playground.
Their day start with their school, lunch at their home, evening in playground and then all go home before 7 PM.

" Friends, I have something to tell you " Sonu said one fine day. It was friday afternoon, and he had called his friends for a meeting.
" What do want to say? " Akash asked, he was a tall boy with kind eyes.
" Yes, yes...why have you called us today so early." Sweety asked with curious expressions.
Rupa, a shy, petite girl was standing along side Biswa looking silently at Sonu. Sonu had their attention and now he could tell them what he was planning for a while now.

" Don't you all get bored by same games everyday. We need an adventure."
" I would love an adventure, but my parents don't allow us to go too far from our house." Biswa said with a sad face. Others to nodded to his concerns.
" Don't worry, I have planned everything. My grandfather will accompany us, and we can have our adventure this Sunday. " Sonu said with joyful voice.
" Really, that would be so great." Akash and Biswa said in unison.
" But, what are we going to do?" Rupa, the silent girl asked.
" Oh that, we are going for the treasure. Do you remember,  the hill near the lake adjacent to the border of our town?"
" Oh, that hill that we could see from our school window, where beautiful rainbow forms." Sweety said excitedly.
Sonu was waiting to hear that. A glint formed in his eyes as he announced,
" Yes, we are going to get that rainbow. "
Everyone looked at him with their surprised faces.
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It was Sunday morning, and the children gathered in front of Sonu's house. His grandfather Ramesh was ready with the bag containing their lunch and other stuffs brought by Sonu for his treasure hunt.
" Come on, let's go. We will be late." Sonu pulled Ramesh's hand as other children followed them.

Ramesh was going at his pace, knowing very well that their adventure will end in Sunday picnic. But the children were excited, talking between themselves with laughs and giggles.

" So, what is the plan for today, boss. " Biswa asked in a casual tone.
" We will first climb to that hill and go separately searching for the rainbow. The banyan tree at the top will act as our guidepost." Sonu answered as everyone agreed to his instructions.
The hill was not too far, only couple of hour walk with plenty of distractions. They halted for having samosas in a eatery. Then purchased candies from another shop. Rupa and Sweety collected some wild flowers from hedge nearby, while the boys tried their hand in throwing stones with slingshots to gather few jamun ( Indian blackberry).
They reached the top of hill just before noon. There stood a old Banyan tree with lot of fig and long aerial roots.
" Now, this tree is our guide, let's spread out.' Sonu continued, ' Dada, can we go play."
" Yes, go play but don't go far,' Ramesh said, ' Come within a hour, we will have lunch. Your Dadi has packed your favorite food."

The children spread out, Biswa went further higher to have a better look at the surrounding.
While Sweety and Rupa went together, to the east direction, they had seen a garden and went to check it out. Akash went to the western direction which had a path towards a clearing below, with green meadows that's a great resting place. While Sonu went to the more rugged terrain of the North, with lot of Rock formations.

It's past noon, and Sonu returned sweating, o yl to find all his friends have returned.
" So, did you find the rainbow. " Sonu asked.
" No, but we found these beautiful roses, I will take them to my mummy." Rupa said with sweetest of smile.
" We too found nothing, but it was really fun swinging on these roots, " Biswa said looking at the direction of Banyan tree. Him and Akash got bored soon and were having there fun time near Banyan tree.
" What? why didn't you searched seriously?" Sonu protested.
" But...for rainbow, there has to be rain." Sweety said.
" I have seen rainbow here without any rain." Sonu proclaimed.
" Then find it yourself. " Everyone told him.
" I will." Sonu said as he stood up.
" Don't go too far, we will return soon." Ramesh called.
" I will return soon." Sonu shouted as we run toward the direction he saw the rainbow from school.
They already had their lunch, so other children were lying on the grass and resting from all the energy spent.

It's been an hour, Ramesh was getting worried and was planning to go for bringing Sonu back, only to hear Sonu calling him.
" Dada, Dada, I found it. I brought the rainbow."
Sonu had a bag with him.
All the children run towards him.
" Show us, show us." Everyone were jumping in excitement,  only to become silent after looking at the content of the bag.
" It's just a rock, you liar." They went back.

" I am telling you, rainbow was coming out of it." Sonu pleaded.
" We don't believe you." His friends were too tired to humor him.
" Dada, you believe me." Sonu looked at Ramesh.
" Yes, I do, " Ramesh said in a gentle voice, 'You did great."  as he hold on to the rock brought by Sonu. He looked at the rock, it was a quartz.

© Dr. Manish Rout