STORM AND THE CLOUD BABIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 780, 28 September 1929, Page 33

STORM AND THE CLOUD BABIES

"We will keep the sky clear today,” said Mother Cloud. “It is the mortals’ j holiday. You may play a little while, and don’t go far.” Off scampered the little clouds, racing and playing in the sun. Suddenly one lifted a linger. “Listen”’ she cried. The others stopped and listened. Softly from far away came music that told of whispering trees, blue sky and a rippling brook. “We must find this music.” they all cried. As they hurried on. the little breeze whispered a warning: “Go back! Go back!” But they would not listen. They had even forgotten what Mother Cloud had said. The music, was nearer, but the sky began to grow grey and dark, and the littlo clouds were frightened now. They tried to turn back, but the Xorth Wind was blowing them quickly onward. Storm chuckled softly to himself and laid down the pipes that wlihjpered of bright and sunny places. “XJrth Wind will bring these new clouds, and I will make them dark, and they will have to obey me.” The littlo clouds were crying bitterly and so caused some rain to descend upon the earth. Then they heard the mortals say: “It is raining again, and it is a holiday,” and it made them very sad. Their beautiful. soft, white dresses were changing into dark and stormy colours. “Come and bow before me,” cried the Storm King. Tho cloud babies could hear the distressed cries of the children and see the sadness in the mortals* faces because of the storm that would spoil their holiday. “Oh, please, please, do not send your storm,” the little clouds pleaded. “You are making them all so sad.” "Ho, lioI” laughed the king. “This is very funny.” “What a shame!” cried the East and West Winds. Storm was now gathering his forces together. « They were his thunder and lightning, and the clouds were so dark and forbidding that the little white ones shivered before them. They looked so distressed and innocent that the hearts of the elements were softened. “It is a shame,” they cried. “We will have a holiday, too,” and they rapidly disappeared. Storm stamped and raged, but without avail. The little clouds were now huddled together and asleep from exhaustion. Very softly tho breeze blew them gently over the sky, now blue and sunny. Soon the babies awoke. “Why we are white and downy again. I declare I have a silver lining.” cried one. “So have I,” was the chorus. “Come on. children.” called Mother Cloud. “You were very brave,” she said when she had heard their story. Winifred Stone, aged 1".