Carol Jones, Age 9, Of Utica, N.Y., for her question:

Why do we get a rainbow after the rain?

In order to make the shimmering rainbow, certain things must be in their proper Places. The sun must be shining in the western sky or in the eastern sky. On the Opposite side of the sky there must be a rain cloud. And there must be you in the picture, standing with your back to the sun and facing the rain cloud. If things are just right, you will see sunbeams from the sun dancing on the faraway falling raindrops. And this is what makes the rainbow. The rain cloud may have passed over your head. It may be too far away to shower its rain on you, and When this is so, you may get to see a rainbow without first being doused with rain.