In a clear, gently flowing river, there lived a little fish named Oliver.
Oliver was no ordinary fish. His scales looked as if they had been kissed by sunlight. Sometimes they were red, sometimes orange, then yellow, green, blue, purple, and occasionally even a soft, glowing pink.
The friends in the river all called him “Oliver the Seven-Colored Fish.”
Oliver loved swimming around in the early morning. He would glide under the water weeds to say hello to the snails, circle around the stones to watch his shadow sway in the water, and flick his tail to blow strings of sparkling bubbles.
But Oliver had a small worry.
He felt he wastoo special.
Whenever the other little fish gathered to play hide-and-seek, Oliver would be spotted the moment he swam over.
“Oh no, Oliver, your colors are too bright!” the other fish would laugh.
Oliver would sadly swim away. Hiding under a big lotus leaf, he would whisper, “If only I were an ordinary little fish, maybe I could play better with everyone else.”
Just then, a tiny voice came from beside the lotus leaf.
“But I think you are just perfect the way you are.”
Oliver looked down and saw a little shrimp.
The shrimp was very small, with a translucent shell that looked like a walking piece of crystal. He waved his tiny claws politely and said, “Hello, my name is Samuel. But everyone calls me Sammy.”
Oliver blinked his eyes. “Hello, Sammy. Do you really think I’m okay like this?”
Sammy nodded. “Of course! Look, your colors are like a rainbow that fell into the river. Every time you swim by, the water becomes a little more beautiful.”
Hearing this, Oliver felt warm inside. But he was still a bit shy and gently swished his tail. “But everyone can always see me right away.”
Sammy thought for a moment and said, “Being seen isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Maybe one day, your colors will help someone.”
Oliver smiled but didn’t take it too seriously.
That afternoon, thick dark clouds drifted over the river. The wind blewwhoosh, and the water surface began to rock gently. The little fish swam back into the deep weeds, and the little crabs hid in the cracks between the stones.
Oliver and Sammy were just about to find a place to shelter from the rain when they suddenly heard a faint crying sound.
“Boohoo… I can’t find my way home…”
They swam over and saw a tiny tadpole. The little tadpole was spinning around in the murky water, so anxious that tears were about to fall.
“Don’t be afraid,” Sammy said softly. “Where do you live?”
The tadpole sniffled, “I live next to some round water lilies, but the water is so muddy now that I can’t see anything clearly.”
Oliver looked around. Raindrops were falling on the surface, making the river water gray and hazy. The water weeds, stones, and water lilies all blended together, making it hard to tell them apart.
Sammy was getting worried. “What should we do?”
Oliver suddenly remembered what Sammy had said that morning”Maybe one day, your colors will help someone.”
He took a deep breath, swam gently in front of the tadpole, and said, “Don’t be afraid, follow me. I will help you see the way.”
With that, Oliver slowly began to glow with his scales.
Red like a warm little lantern, orange like the evening sky, and yellow like gently falling sunlight. Then, green, blue, and purple lit up one by one.
In the gray, misty river water, Oliver looked like a swimming little rainbow.
The tadpole widened his eyes. “Wow! I can see you!”
Oliver smiled. “Then stay close to me. Sammy, can you stay behind and keep him company?”
“No problem!” Sammy waved his little claws.
So, Oliver swam at the front, lighting up the path with his seven colors. Sammy stayed by the tadpole’s side, reminding him from time to time, “Watch out for the stones,” and “There are lots of weeds here, slow down.”
They swam through a patch of swaying water weeds, went around a stone covered in moss, and passed an old turtle who was taking a nap.
The old turtle opened one eye, saw the light on Oliver’s body, and said slowly, “Hmm… the river is truly beautiful tonight.”
Hearing this, Oliver felt as if his heart had been gently hugged by the moonlight.
Finally, they saw several round water lily pads. The tadpole happily slapped his tail. “We’re here! We’re here! That’s my home!”
Under the water lily leaves, Mother Tadpole was swimming around anxiously. Seeing her little one, she quickly swam over and held him gently.
“Thank you, Oliver the Seven-Colored Fish,” said Mother Tadpole. “And thank you, little shrimp Sammy. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
The little tadpole also said seriously, “Oliver, your colors are so beautiful. When I grow up, I want to be as brave as you.”
Oliver’s face turned slightly red. For the first time, he felt that his special colors were not a trouble, but a gift.
The rain slowly stopped. The dark clouds scattered, and the moon peeked out from behind them, casting its silver light over the river.
Oliver, Sammy, and the little tadpole sat together by the water lily leaves, chatting. The little crab crawled out from the stone crack, and the other little fish swam over too. Everyone gathered around Oliver, listening to him tell the story of how they found their way.
“So your colors are actually that useful!” one little fish exclaimed in surprise.
“Next time we play hide-and-seek, you can be the ‘Rainbow Lighthouse’!” another little fish laughed.
Oliver happily flicked his tail. He was no longer worried about being too special. Because he knew that being special didn’t mean being lonely; being special could also bring warmth and help.
Sammy gently nudged Oliver’s fin and whispered, “See? I told you, being seen isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
Oliver smiled. “Thank you, Sammy. You helped me understand that it’s good to just be myself.”
From then on, the friends in the river loved playing with Oliver even more. During the day, he would chase everyone among the water weeds; at night, he would gently light up his scales to guide the late-returning fish.
And Sammy? He remained Oliver’s best friend. He always loved following Oliver, waving his little claws and asking, “Come on, Mr. Seven-Colors, where are we exploring tonight?”
Oliver would answer with a smile, “To wherever the moonlight is.”
And so, a seven-colored little fish and a transparent little shrimp swam side by side through the quiet river. The water swayed gently, and the stars fell upon the surface, like countless gentle little lights.
Oliver closed his eyes, then quickly opened them again, because he didn’t want to miss such a beautiful night.
Sammy let out a tiny yawn and leaned against a soft water weed. “Oliver, are we going on an adventure again tomorrow?”
“Of course,” Oliver whispered. “Tomorrow, the day after, and every single night when the moon is out.”
The river slowly grew quiet.
The wind stopped, the clouds fell asleep, and the stars blinked their eyes, watching over this warm little river.
Goodnight, Oliver.
Goodnight, Sammy.
Goodnight, every little friend listening to this story.
