Free Journey to Rainbow Island by Christie Hsiao Page B

waiting for? Get on! We came all this way; do not give up now!”
    â€œThere’s something mysterious about this platform,” one man said. “It’s too risky.” With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the tower. As he walked away, Yu-ning noticed many other people coming and going in the tower atrium. They were heading in the direction of the other tower sky conveyors, oblivious to the lights pouring down through the center of the tower.
    Another man spoke up. “I’m not sure about this. I’m not sure about any of this.”
    A woman responded, “The little girl is right, we have come all this way. My life is miserable in the city, and all I do is rush, my lungs full of smoke, my days grey. What is there to lose?”
    â€œYes, come on, everyone, you only need to believe and have faith. And then, you can travel with me to my home. It is full of color and love—not like this grey city you live in,” Yu-ning said.
    â€œLike we’re going to listen to a little girl,” a young man shouted from the back of the crowd. “She’s making fools out of us,” he said as he turned and walked away, back toward the main gate of the tower.
    Julian stepped forward. “Every word she speaks is true. I have seen her magic and I have been healed by her love. And if you don’t believe me, many of you saw her heal the old man over there.” Julian looked at Yu-ning and said, “Yu-ning,I want to go to Rainbow Island. I want to know love and color.” Yu-ning squeezed Julian’s arm, delighted by his change of heart.
    The elderly man stepped forward. “You all saw what happened to me—I shouldn’t be alive. And now I stand here and I have never felt more alive. I am eighty-three years old, and I feel like I did when I was eighteen, riding with the Empress’s cavalry across the countryside!”
    Yu-ning nodded at Julian gratefully and continued, “What you believe becomes your reality. If you do not believe or have faith—if you only believe in darkness—then that will be your reality. Choose to believe and we can all travel to the top floor!”
    â€œI believe you,” said a mother holding the hand of her five-year-old daughter. “There has to be a better life for my daughter than in this city of misery. I want to travel to your island, little girl. The light you have shown us has given me sensations I have never experienced before.”
    â€œIt’s joy,” said Yu-ning, smiling sweetly, her eyes beaming with love.
    The elderly man and the mother impacted many people. They were moving forward one by one, pressing through the crowd, causing more and more people to come forward.
    â€œMe too, I want to be on the top of the world!” said a postman who was still carrying his mail satchel. Several dozen people now stepped onto the platform, which was jammed with people. There seemed to be no more room.
    â€œCome on, everyone,” said Yu-ning. “You only need to believe! We can reach the top in no time,” she said fervently. “Don’t lose this sacred opportunity. This is your chance to reach the top!”
    This final plea reached more and more people. They rushed forward onto the platform as those on board smiled warmly and patted them on the arms and shoulders, congratulating them. Everyone was feeling the vibration of excitement, nervousness, and expectation. And then something strange happened: the platform seemed to be expanding, growing to accommodate anyone who wanted to climb aboard.
    Yu-ning felt the platform expanding and looked wide-eyed at those around her. “Yes, everyone. If you believe in your heart that you can ride to the top, then the platform will make room for you!” This exclamation caused a few last-minute passengers to rush onto the platform, which expanded once again to accommodate them. As she realized that no one else in the crowd was willing to