Hi. My name is Orange. You may remember me from Halloween or Thanksgiving. I’m usually the pumpkin. You can also find me on the wrappers of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Anyway, autumn is when I get my chance to shine what with the food and the leaves on the trees. I find it bittersweet, though, when my opportunities to express myself slip away by the time December rolls around. Red and Green usually take over around that time. Don’t get me wrong, I love what they do. They’re great colors. I just think I could do just as good a job at Christmas time as they can. I’m sick of being stuck as the tangerine at the bottom of the stocking.
I’d really like to take over for Blue. Everyone thinks Blue is such a cool color. I know I can be cool too. People just assume I’m a warm and fun color. They hear my name and say, “Orange like the fruit, right?” I’m so much more than just produce.
It’s been hard to find consistent work. I tried getting into politics. A few nations saw my potential. India elected me to fill a spot on their country’s flag. Let me tell you, one gets a lot of exposure with an audience of over a billion. However, Blue and Red got more support for their campaign. They now make up the majority of all nations’ flags. I’m not bitter about it. I still got Ireland.
The fashion industry was a bust. They only offered me part-time work. I was desperate so I took it. Over time my work hours got reduced to almost nothing. I had to volunteer for the jobs nobody else wanted like clown costume. My lowest point was when I took on the job of prison uniform. Believe me, that never looks good on a resume.
I gave the entertainment industry a shot and tried out for the role of comic book superhero costume. I was told I didn’t fit the part because I didn’t look heroic enough. I asked if I could try out for the part of villain costume. They said they’d call me if something came up. The phone hasn’t rung yet.
The mediocrity of it all was getting to me. I took some time off from my road construction job to join a group of monks in Bhutan. It gave me time to think. I came to feel that I didn’t need the glamor all the other colors seem to enjoy. They can have their sports teams and their fancy cars. I am happy with the things I have.
My friend Brown called me up to see if I was alright. We talked for hours. A friend like Brown deserves so much more than what the world has offered. Most people can’t decide if Brown is disgusting, delicious, plain, or professional. I always felt bad that Brown couldn’t find work as part of the light spectrum. I asked what I should do. Brown said I am important and I will always be needed in the world. I didn’t know what to say to that. Brown thanked me for being a good friend who was always there to help even when other colors weren’t.
So there you have it. I have strengths and weaknesses and plenty of personality. I’m different from the crowd and I wouldn’t change that for the world. I don’t mind standing out because I’ll always be standing tall. I am Orange and I don’t care who knows it.
People Acting Like People 