Of Clouds and Wings

"Look mom, this one looks like a bunny eating carrots!"

"It absolutely does, honey."

Angela and Bobby were laying in the grass side by side in their garden. It was a beautiful Summer day, and the sky was filled with white clouds, moving lazily with the wind. She had been teaching the 6 years old boy about the stories the clouds could tell, if you only used your imagination. So far he had seen a goat, a unicorn, two cows and a camel.

"Mom, I wish I could touch a cloud."

"Really, honey? Why is that?"

"Well, it looks so soft and fluffy. It must be so wonderful, just like jumping in a big ball of cotton."

Angela shook her head, smiling. Her little boy had no shortage of imagination. He was right though, those clouds on top of them looked so soft and magical.

"Do angels live in the clouds?"

"Yes, honey, at least when they are not with God."

At that, Bobby tapped his mother hands lightly, giving her a glorious smile.

"Good. They must be so happy there."

Cassiel grunted.

If he ever found out who had decided that living in clouds was a good idea, he was going to have some words with that person. This was the worst place for R&R or meetings.

Every time, he would get here and end up soaked within seconds, and would remain so for the duration of his stay.

He expanded his wings and shook them off in an attempt to at least lighten them up. Wet wings weighed a ton.

Gabriel looked up.

"Still annoyed, my friend? It has been millennia, surely you are used to it by now."

"I am not. And those humans thinking that living in clouds is amazing don't seem to realise what clouds are made of."

"Water vapour and water is good for your feathers."

"It might be so, but it is not good for my mood or my clothes."

Cassiel got up and after shaking up one last time he took off, heading for the sun to dry his feathers and clothes. This was the last time. If any of his piers needed to talk to him, they could do so either in heaven or on earth. Not in clouds!

Angela saw a light leaving the cloud and heading toward the sun. She shook her head, probably just a plane.

"Alright little man, time to go in and wash up before dinner."

Bobby got up and, holding his mother's hand, walked back into the house, his head filled with stories and dreams.