A CLOUD THAT LOVED CHILDREN

From the pen APN

“When children smile the world smiles” said the floating cloud to the wind. And the cloud requested the wind to carry him to a suitable place where he can make children laugh, giggle and dance in joy. The wind swayed his head approvingly as a result the leaves of the trees nearby rustled merrily.  

The cloud had many rain drops in him but he did not like to pour his water on the village playground because it would make the playground unsuitable for children’s play. The cloud wanted all boys and girls to be the angel of joy and happiness. The cloud had resolved to bring smiles to many children. So he chose a dried pond nearby and told the West Wind, his friend, to carry him just above the dried pond. The cloud had thought that when his belly would burst and there would be a thunder storm, he would pour all the rain water into the dried pond.

The time came and the cloud burst. There was a terrible roll of thunder. With the rumbling of thunders the cloud emptied all the water into the pond lovingly thinking of the children. The rain drops fell into a pond and now the pond was full of water. The cloud was no more seen in the sky. It had welcomed death to fall into the pond in the form of rain drops. The cloud had embraced death peacefully dreaming happy children playing and swimming in a pond brimming with water.   

Next day the sun shined in the sky gloriously. The rippling waters of the pond reflected the golden sun-shine to the trees standing at the pond side. A group of children came to the pond dancing and hoping. Some of them dived into the water and sprinkled water on each other playfully. Some children swam in the water giggling and some other children floated paper boats in the pond. They all made the noise of joy and celebration. Many birds came from different directions and started chirping. A small flower plant which was withering a few days back now looked fresh and a few butterflies were seen hovering around it. In short, the place had just become heaven like with a new touch of life-giving water.

In that joyous atmosphere a big painted lady butterfly was chasing a small orange sulfur butterfly. They flew round and round for a while. A moment later the small orange sulfur butterfly sat on a nearby flower and sipped nectar. The nectar was sweeter than honey. The little butterfly asked the flower in surprise, “How could the nectar flowing in you be so sweet? It is so magical.” The flower replied, “My nectar is made from the waters of a cloud that loved children so much.” The flower looked at the pond where the children were merry-making and the flower continued,” The cloud had the last wish to make all children happy and that WISH had made this place heaven.” The butterfly was enchanted. Now it flew to the pond and out of curiosity sucked a little water from the pond. The water tasted like heaven. And the next moment the butterfly could realize

how deeply the cloud loved the children. The butterfly flew happily after drinking the sweet water of the pond. And while flying through the gentle wind the butterfly sang a song that told, “Mother Nature gives everything/ To see all her children smiling.”