

          After that, no one on earth would hire Slappy Hooper. It looked 
     like his sign painting days were done. 
          Slappy felt so low, he made up his mind to throw his paint kit in 
     the river. He dragged it onto the tallest bridge in town and was just 
     about to chuck it, when a voice thundered out beside him. 
          "Don't dump that gear, Slappy. You're going to need it!" 
          Right next to Slappy stood a man almost as big as Slappy himself. 
     He wore a paint-splotched white coverall and a cap with two little 
     angel wings sticking out. He carried an eight-inch brush. 
          "Who are you?" said Slappy. 
          "I'm Michael, from the Heavenly Sign Company," thundered the man. 
     "The Boss has had an eye on you for some time, Slappy, and He likes 
     your work. He's got a job for you--if you don't mind working in the 
     rain." 
          "Tell me about it," said Slappy. 
          "We need someone to paint a rainbow this Wednesday," said 
     Michael. "Most of the time, we handle all the rainbows ourselves. But 
     it's going to rain in a bunch of places Wednesday, and we could sure 
     use some help." 
          "I'm your man," said Slappy. 

