Long, long ago, on an island in the sea, lived a family of seven
sisters. The oldest girl ruled the household, and her sisters obeyed her
commands. Flora, the youngest sister, was sent to the forest each day,
to gather wood for the kitchen fire.

Near the edge of the forest was a cave under some rocks. A stream of
water fell over the rocks into a basin in the cave.

This was a delightfully cool spot, and Flora often rested here on her
way home after gathering wood in the forest. She would lie on the mossy
bank of the stream, for hours, and dream.

One morning as Flora ran along the grassy path that led to the cave, she
saw a little fish in the stream. Its scales flashed out all the colors
of the rainbow.

"I am going to keep the fish for a pet," said the girl to herself. "I
will call him Rainbow."

So she caught the pretty fish and put him into the basin in the cave.

The next day Flora went to the forest for wood. She carried some crumbs
of bread which she had saved from her breakfast.

On the way home she stopped at the cave. The fish was waiting for her.
He came to the edge of the basin, and she fed the crumbs to him.

How delighted the girl was! She had been so lonely, and now she had a