Blessings of the Clouds

Slowly, cautiously, we emerge from our homes. We can’t be too careful, even under the darkness of the blessed clouds, for they are fickle and will often leave with little warning.

But today, the clouds have looked down favorably upon us and graced us with their shadows for miles around. We gather and rejoice in their kindness, giving thanks for their darkness. If they are particularly pleased with us, they might even bless us with their tears.

Some take advantage of the clouds' blessing and hunt the animals that appear only after the moon has left the sky. Others brave the fields, forests, and rivers we rarely visit, fearing that the darkness will fade before we can return to the comforting dark and cold of our caves.

But not me. I will not insult the clouds by wasting this blessed day with work. As a few precious sky tears kiss my cheeks, I know what I must do. I grab my sister’s hand and leave behind the safety of our cave. We will not need it today; the clouds will be our protection! Hand in hand, we make our way to the clearing, and by the time we reach it, our hair and clothes are damp. We both lift our faces and hands to the sky, welcoming the tears. We lay on our backs in the grass, letting the water touch our bodies all over. When we are thoroughly drenched, we stand up and dance under the shadows of the clouds, laughing and loudly thanking the clouds for their blessing.

The tears don’t last long. As they stop, we lay back down in the grass, feeling their remnants on the ground below us. In my joy, I become careless and fall asleep.

I wake to my sister shaking me, crying my name. Before I even open my eyes, I realize what has happened. As I said, the clouds are fickle. I can see the horrid brightness even through my closed eyelids.

“The clouds are leaving!” my sister shouts. “We must get home!”

I stand, and we stumble our way home. The sun’s light practically blinds us, and my skin feels like it is burning, but I’m determined to reach our cave before the clouds take away their shade completely. We find shadows under the trees and take cover beneath them, which helps. But the sunbeams still find their way through the leaves, and it feels like their harsh shine is drilling a hole into my head.

But I don’t disappoint the clouds this day. We manage to reach our cave and slip inside before the clouds leave us completely.

Some might rage at the clouds for their unfaithfulness, but I choose to praise them for their protection against the light.