Read Online Journey to Rainbow Island by Christie Hsiao - Free Book Online

man’s head—a small speck extending from a balcony thousands of feet up, it seemed. But how could she hear him when he was so far away? Or see him, for that matter?
    His upper body leaned out to wave to her. “Come up!” he shouted to Yu-ning from the balcony.
    Yu-ning was thrilled. “Me?” she replied, pointing to herself, still not comprehending how she could see him and hear him from what must be thousands of feet above her.
    â€œYes, are you Yu-ning?” It was as if he was right next to her, his voice clear and strong.
    â€œYes, I am Yu-ning!”
    â€œThen come on up, we’re waiting for you! And bring your new friends with you.”
    It was the kindest greeting she had received since arriving in the Grey City.

Seven

Tower
    â€œA LL RIGHT ! I’ M COMING ,” she shouted up at the man peering down from thousands of feet above her.
    As people looked on, most of them were smiling, but others looked confused, defensive, and even scared. Yu-ning and the crowd stood outside the great tower, just staring up at its beauty. “Everyone,” Yu-ning yelled out to the crowd, “I am going inside, and once there, I am traveling to the top to meet the man who lives there. You are all free to join me—it is your choice.”
    Yu-ning turned toward the entryway below the front gate, ready to approach the guard who stood stock-still next to the main entrance. Before she could approach the guard, however, she noticed a teenage boy crouching next to the entrance of the tower. His face and clothes were dirty, and in his hands was a wooden bowl containing a few copper coins.
    â€œAre you all right?” she asked tenderly.
    â€œSpare some coins?” he replied feebly, looking depressed and sickly.
    â€œCoins?” she asked curiously.
    â€œMoney,” the teenage boy repeated. “Spare any coins,” he said, without looking up.
    â€œI don’t have any money, but I have an apple from my island. Here,” she said, extending the apple toward him. It was her last apple. “Where do you live?” She put the apple in his hand. He looked confused, not knowing whether to accept it or not.
    â€œI don’t have a home,” he said, taking the apple and biting into it. It was the first thing he had eaten in two days. As he chewed, he looked at her with a vacant stare.
    â€œThen you can come with me back to my home. I live on Rainbow Island. It is the most beautiful place in the world. I’ll take you there, but first I’m going inside this tower.”
    â€œThat is the tallest tower in the world,” the boy said in a monotone.
    â€œIt is the anteroom of heaven!” said Yu-ning, with great enthusiasm. “Look at all the brilliant lights above us,” she exclaimed as she continued to hold her pink crystal in front of her, the pink colors now shooting skyward.
    â€œWhat lights?” said the boy in a dejected and forlorn manner. “I don’t see any bright lights. It just looks like any ordinary tower, only taller.”
    Yu-ning looked at him with sorrowful eyes. “My name is Yu-ning,” she said. “This is a lonely place. I can be your friend if you need a friend.”
    The boy just stared at her sadly. “My name is Julian.”
    Yu-ning smiled. “Julian, can you see the light?”
    â€œI told you I don’t see any lights,” Julian replied dryly.
    â€œNo, if you look with your heart, you will see them.” He looked at her as if she was speaking nonsense, but she continued, “I’m going all the way to the top of the tower. An important man is waiting for me there. He has wisdom to share—he is a great teacher. Come with me, Julian,” she said persuasively.
    Julian shrugged her off. “I don’t know what light you are talking about. Many people live and work in this tower, but from what I know, no one lives at the top, because it keeps growing higher. Why