The rainbow never sets

"Oh yes, I forgot. Let's go then." We walked past Oma and Opa's house, over a bridge, past the cat house with its cage, (in spring and summer Oma's black angora cat was banished to it so it wouldn't catch any birds), until we came to a large wooden gate, which led to the fruit and vegetable garden. Right next to the gate was a hot house.

"Come and have a look at those grapes, Helmut." "They look enormous. Gee, I wish we could eat some of these," he said as he handled the padlock which held the chain in the clamp. It was firmly locked. Our eyes were caressing the fully grown and ripe dark red grapes hanging from the vines.

"No problem," I said. "They are actually the prized possession of Opa, and he won't let anyone near them. That's why he keeps the door locked. But watch this."

There were strong hinges on the door, but no guard over them. I just lifted the hinge side of the door, and we could open it.

"Let's go in", I said. At that moment, the garden gate opened. Nellie, Opa's little pincher dog, appeared first, and behind her the tall dark figure of Opa emerged.

We had just enough time to lean the wire door to the hinges, and stood there bedraggled, caught in the act, as it were, guilt written all over our faces.

"Ah, you naughty boys, want to steal my grapes," he said as he came to the door and checked the lock. "But you can't. See, it's locked."

With a feeling of deep satisfaction he left us standing there, while we blessed our lucky stars.

"Well, this taught us to be more careful next time," I laughed, and as it was safe by this time, we both entered the green house and took our time to pick the biggest and ripest bunch of grapes.

We made sure the door was back on its hinges, as we left. "Now let's get out of here before anyone else comes."

We took our loot to a big fir tree, which hid us completely from the view of any passers-by. We didn't want any more surprises.

"They are absolutely delicious," said Helmut. "I have never tasted anything like it before."

"Well, you know the proverb about stolen fruit tasting the best. It's true, isn't it?"

"It sure is." "Now let's go into the garden again and have a look around. There may be more to eat, but this time it is all legitimate."

Coming through the gate, we turned left. About thirty meters along the fence was another green house. This too had delicious grapes hanging, just waiting to be picked, but we had enough with the bunch we had eaten, and besides, we could not have opened that door anyway.

"The trees you see here have all been planted this year. Last winter was

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