Theme: Happiness

The Fluffy cloud

Fluffy was a little white cloud. She looked like a big piece of cotton, floating in the air.

She liked to hitchhike in the winds and stroll in the sky going and returning, discovering everything. She used to do this every day. But, for some time, Fluffy had been feeling bored.

Walking was nice, but it was always the same. She felt the need for something different, her idly days started to upset her.

One day, Fluffy found a big cloud, with whom she started talking.

- Hello, I'm Fluffy, what's your name?

- Hello, my darling! Nice to meet you, I'm Linda! What a beautiful day, isn't it? I feel like this is going to be a wonderful day! - Replied the great cloud with joy.

- I'm glad you think that - said Fluffy, discouraged - Because I feel this is going to be an ordinary day, like the others, with nothing special.

Linda, who was an older and more experienced cloud, smiled at Fluffy, understanding what was going on, and said fondly:

- My dear, we make our day. If you want to be happy, distribute joy. It is by making others happy that we find our own happiness.

Fluffy never thought of that. The only joy she knew so far was the pleasure of strolling, the feeling of freshness in the wind, the comfort of floating... But that was not lasting. And it was no longer news to her. So Fluffy thought it was worth trying what the new friend proposed. But, realizing she didn't know how to do it, she asked:

- Linda, but how to do that? Who can I make happy?

- I don't know that, exactly. Each one has a talent, a special condition. But if you pray, asking God, who is the creator of everything and everyone that exists, He will help you to realize it. Close your eyes, concentrate and talk to Him in thought. He will hear your words, feel your emotion and, if they are sincere, He will answer you, for sure.

Linda gave Fluffy a very nice hug, as a soft cloud, and said goodbye.

Fluffy, then, did what Linda suggested: she prayed. With great feeling, she asked God to help her. When she finished her prayer, she opened her eyes and thought that nothing had changed. She waited a few minutes and, feeling the freshness of the passing wind, hitchhiked, as she used to do.

But as she moved slowly, she looked down and saw children lying on the grass. They pointed up, talked and laughed.

Fluffy noticed that they were talking about clouds and their shapes. Entering the game, Fluffy was in the form of a puppy, which the children loved. Then she became very round, with a hole in the middle, looking like a donut. Then she stretched until she looked like a castle full of towers. Sometimes children got it right, sometimes they made mistakes and spoke in ways that Fluffy didn´t even think of. She laughed at that and tried to do more. The children and Fluffy had a good time in this game.

When the wind had already taken Fluffy away, she saw a plantation. Some farmers worked there. They were tired and sweaty due to the strong heat of the sun.

Fluffy, then, had an idea: she decided to stay there, instead of continuing her walk. Blocking out the sun, she shadowed those men. They looked at her with relief. They seemed to thank her for being there. Fluffy stayed there as long as it took until they finished their tasks. She felt important. She was making a difference for those workers and that made her happy.

At the end of the day, Fluffy saw a very beautiful field, but with a flower bed full of withered flowers. They were dry, suffering from the strong heat of that summer day.

Fluffy was already convinced that Linda was right. She had spent the day cheering and relieving people and she felt very well. So she didn't even think twice. She went as far as she could to the flowerbed and squeezed until a fine, delicious rain fell on the delicate plants.

Just in a few minutes, the land became wet and the flowers, receiving fresh water, became beautiful and healthy again.

Fluffy, observing the color of the beautiful flowers, felt fulfilled.

The night has come. Everything went dark and quiet. Fluffy was very happy. She remembered Linda's words. She was right to say that it would be a wonderful day.

With her eyes closed, the little cloud prayed, saying:

- Thank you, my God, for today I had met Linda, who taught me such important things. Thank you for the Lord helping me to realize how I can be useful to the others. Thank you for today, my God! Thank you!

And so, ending her day, Fluffy slept very happy...

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com