Finnley sat on his mossy doorstep when whoosh — the front door flew open on its own. A shimmering golden envelope fluttered down and landed softly on the stones before him.
He picked it up — the wax seal bore a tiny rainbow, the colour so bright it seemed to hum. Finnley held it to the sun, and the envelope glowed like a captured piece of dawn.
Finnley trotted into the meadow where rabbits, squirrels, and badgers were already gathered. Each held an identical golden invitation and chattered excitedly about the Grand Rainbow Parade.
Finnley raised his envelope high. The animals formed a line behind him, marching toward the distant sound of drumming that vibrated through the earth beneath their paws.
A wall of thick fog swallowed the path whole. The drumming faded, and the other animals vanished from sight. Finnley called out, but only his echo answered.
He sat beside a wet stump and stared at his glowing invitation. The rainbow seal began to pulse — slower, then faster — as if it had a heartbeat of its own.
The light shot outward in seven sweeping ribbons of colour, painting a shimmering trail through the fog that led straight to a wide clearing beyond.
Before he could step forward, a thunderous pop exploded overhead. The entire rainbow unfurled like a giant silk banner, and a fountain of floating glowing lanterns — shaped like butterflies — drifted down.
Finnley reached up and caught one gently. Its warm glow tickled his nose as it settled there, and he blinked — surprised and delighted.
The fog lifted entirely. Every animal was there — rabbits, squirrels, badgers — all grinning beneath the drifting golden light, their invitations forgotten.
Finnley looked down at the empty golden wrapper in his paw. Then he looked up at his friends, and a big smile spread across his face.
Above them all, the rainbow hung like a promise, and the butterfly lanterns danced in the clearing air. The Grand Rainbow Parade had finally begun.