The Quiet Basket Knot — At dawn, before the bakery chimneys puffed, Arlo tucked a lumpy yarn knot into his pocket and climbed into the balloon basket. Read the full story →
At dawn, before the bakery chimneys puffed, Arlo tucked a lumpy yarn knot into his pocket and climbed into the balloon basket. He wanted to deliver three warm seed buns to the hill watchman before the noon bell, but the rainbow overhead sagged so low that its violet stripe brushed the rooftops with a wet, humming sound.
His cousin Ives pointed at the glittering arch. “If it drops any farther, no balloon will pass.” Arlo felt the yarn knot, rough and small, tied by his little sister when she said, Keep this for luck. Luck was not the secret. The knot held seven short threads she had saved from mending scarves, one for each color.
While Ives checked the ropes, Arlo leaned out and tied the yarn where the violet stripe had frayed behind a curled cloud. Nobody below saw. The rainbow tightened with a soft twang, lifting the balloon, the buns, and every future traveler over the hills. Ever since, rainbows keep little hidden knots near their ends—next time you spot one, see if the clouds are pretending not to know.
