Nimbus the Little Cloud and the Whispering Breeze

Nimbus felt a gentle nudge. He was floating, drifting, high above the world. He was a very small cloud, you see. As soft and white as the fluff from a milkweed pod. He looked down. Far, far below, he saw tiny, glittering sparkles on the leaves of a great big tree. They reminded him of his friend Dewy the dewdrop, sliding on a leaf just yesterday morning. What a fun adventure that must have been. But Nimbus’s own adventure was just beginning.

He drifted over a long, winding river. It shimmered in the afternoon sun like a silver ribbon someone had dropped. He saw tiny boats on the water, no bigger than his littlest thought. They looked like toys bobbing along. He floated over a field of bright yellow flowers. They all turned their faces up toward the warm sun. To Nimbus, it looked like a golden carpet made of a thousand tiny suns. It was all so beautiful. But the sky was so very, VERY big.

And Nimbus was so very, very small. For a moment, he felt a little bit lonely in all that endless blue. He wished he had someone to share it with. Just then, a soft little whisper of air tickled his side. “Hello there,” it hummed. Nimbus puffed up in surprise. It was a friendly breeze, swirling and dancing all around him. “My name is Zephyr,” the breeze said, its voice like rustling leaves. “You look like you’re on a journey. Would you like to see something wonderful?” Nimbus felt a happy little jiggle go all through his fluff.

“Oh, yes please!” Zephyr chuckled. Gently, the breeze began to push Nimbus along. They started to dance together. It wasn't too fast, or too scary. It was a slow, graceful waltz across the sky. They twirled past much bigger, grander clouds. Those clouds looked like sleeping giants, peaceful and still in their afternoon nap. Nimbus felt completely safe with his new friend. As the afternoon began to fade, Zephyr led him to a special part of the sky.

The sun was getting sleepy. It dipped toward the edge of the world, painting everything in the most amazing colors. The sky turned from bright blue to soft pink, then warm orange, and finally, a gentle, dusky purple. “Now, look down,” Zephyr whispered. Nimbus peeked over his own fluffy edge. Below, in the quiet towns, tiny lights began to flicker on. One by one, they popped into view inside the little houses. They looked like a field of fallen stars, waking up for the night.

Nimbus had never seen the world get ready for bed before. It was the most peaceful sight he had EVER seen. Zephyr guided Nimbus to a quiet, cozy corner of the sky. And there, tucked away from any chilly winds, were dozens of other little clouds. They were all gathering for the night. They snuggled together, turning soft shades of lavender and grey in the twilight. They looked like a big, fluffy quilt being spread across the heavens. Nimbus found a perfect spot, right between two other sleepy-looking clouds.

They felt so warm and comfortable. He wasn't a lonely little puff anymore. He was part of the sky’s big, soft bed. The very first star of the evening twinkled, as if winking just at him. Then another appeared. And another. “Good night, little cloud,” Zephyr hummed, before swirling away. “I’ll see you tomorrow for a new adventure.” Nimbus felt so cozy and so safe. He snuggled in deeper. He closed his little cloud eyes. And he drifted into a sweet, gentle sleep, dreaming of rivers and suns and the kindness of a friend.

The big sky wasn't a lonely place at all. It was home.