Many, many years ago, before you and I were even a thought, Noah lived on Earth. He was called by God to build a massive ark. This ark was not just any regular boat. It was destined to carry a pair of every animal species that roamed the earth.

Noah was not one to question the will of God. He, along with his sons, set to work. They chopped down the mightiest trees and carved out the most significant pieces of wood. They built what would be home for hundreds of animals, who would be saved from a great calamity to come.

As Noah finished the ark, a resounding voice bellowed down from the skies. “Bring forth a pair of every animal. For forty days and forty nights, it shall rain. Everything you know will be washed away, save those on the ark.”

Upon hearing this, Noah set out across the globe. He climbed high mountains, crossed vast deserts, and swam through raging rivers to spread word of the upcoming disaster. He urged the animals to believe him and board the ark.

The animals listened - the lions with their golden manes, the elephants with their massive bodies, the rabbits with their fluffy tails, even the speedy cheetahs and the slow tortoises. They all accepted Noah's help. Except for the unicorns.

The unicorns, with their gleaming white coats and delicate golden horns, were nothing short of magical. They radiated an aura of serenity and peace. But despite their peaceful demeanor, they turned a blind eye to Noah’s warning.

Noah pleaded with them, "The flood is coming! It will wash everything away. You must come aboard the ark." But the unicorns were skeptical. They had never seen a flood. They lived atop a hill, where the streams flowed down, not up.

The unicorns were proud of their independence. They believed they could outlast any disaster with their magic. They paid no heed to Noah's warnings, believing their magic stronger than any calamity that God could send.

Despite their refusal, Noah did not lose hope. He returned to the unicorns every day, hoping that they'd change their minds. But every day, they turned him away, their eyes filled with a mixture of pity and amusement.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The other animals boarded the ark, two by two. Snakes, horses, birds, and even insects found a safe haven in the gigantic ark, leaving their homes to seek salvation.

As the last of the animals boarded the ark, Noah gave the unicorns a final plea. Looking into their shimmering eyes, he said, "This is your final chance. The flood is coming. Please, come with us."

The unicorns simply shook their heads. "We are not afraid," they replied. "Our magic will protect us. We will weather the flood atop our hill. You should go and save those who need your help, Noah."

With a heavy heart, Noah boarded the ark. As the first drops of rain fell, he looked back at the unicorns. On their hill, they raised their horns to the sky, their bodies glowing in defiance against the oncoming storm.

The flood came, as God had promised. The rains fell for forty days and forty nights. The water rose higher and higher, engulfing the hills and the mountains, swallowing the valleys and plains. Everything was drowned under the colossal flood.

The ark carried Noah and the animals across the endless ocean that was once dry land. Every day, Noah would stand on the deck, looking out at the submerged world. He would remember the unicorns and their unwavering belief in their magic.

The rain finally stopped, and slowly, the water began to recede. The ark sailed over the peaks of the highest mountains and the treetops of the tallest trees. Finally, the ark came to rest on a mountain top, marking the end of their voyage.

Noah stepped out onto dry land once more. He released the animals from the ark, watching as they trotted, crawled, and flew out into the world that was now theirs to reclaim. But his heart grew heavy as he thought of the unicorns.

He ventured to the hill where the unicorns once lived. He saw no sign of the proud creatures. All that remained were the outlines of two bodies, entwined together in the dried mud. Their magic had failed to save them.

Noah fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Why?" he wept. "Why did you not listen? Why did you choose pride over survival?" But his questions echoed back, unanswered. The unicorns were gone, and they were not coming back.

While the world around him bloomed, Noah mourned the loss of the unicorns. Their fate was a painful reminder of the price of pride and stubbornness. Their story lived on, passed down from Noah to his sons, and from his sons to their children.

The unicorns lived on in tales and legends, their story serving as a cautionary tale of the dangers of hubris. Even as they disappeared from the earth, their legacy lived on. Their beauty and their magic, their pride and their downfall, became the stuff of legends.

And that's why the unicorns did not get on Noah's ark. They chose pride over survival, firm in their belief in their magic. They remain a symbol, a reminder, that no one, no matter how magical or powerful, is invincible.

Today, when we see a rainbow in the sky, it is said to be a reminder of God’s promise to Noah to never flood the earth again. It's also a silent tribute to the unicorns, the proud, magical creatures that chose to face the storm rather than seek shelter.

The unicorns may be gone, but their memory lives on. They serve as a reminder that pride can be our downfall, and that even the strongest need help sometimes. Every rainbow enchants us with its beauty, just as the unicorns once did.

So, whenever you see a rainbow in the sky, think of the unicorns. Remember their story, their courage, and their fall. And remember that even though they are gone, they live on in our hearts, in our stories, and in every magical, iridescent piece of the world.