Happy Cloud Stories

Today was the day, fresh out of the nest. The babies would put their skills to the test. Mama led first, assuming they'd follow Her to the lake, near them in the hollow.
She leapt out of the nest, and turned to her brood, "We learn swimming today!" as they finished  their food. They looked at Mom, questions in their eyes, Though this should not have come as a surprise.
"Do we have to swim?" "The nest feels so snug!" "Up close to each other it's easy to hug!" "Why go to lake, so cold and so wet? "To be damp and chilly until the sun sets?"
Mama Duck rolled her eyes, and then she had said, "Swimming's what we do, it's why Duck  feet are webbed! Our feathers protect us from chilly waters. So come now, all of my sons and my daughters."
Reluctant, the Chicks filed out of the nest  With less excitement than Mom would  have guessed. They left, walking with her, with sad reactions, But then, became scattered, ove…

The Hedgehog felt a little down. Lonely, he felt quite sad. Such a friendly and outgoing guy, But hugs he never had.
By nature, he was warm-hearted, And loved to talk and chat. But his quills were sharp, so friends stayed far. He couldn't blame them for that.
On a walk he saw the Rabbit, Teary and wet-eyed. Rabbit explained he stubbed his toe. "It hurts so much!" he cried.
Hedgehog gave his sympathies, And thought a hug would help. But as his spikes stuck Rabbit, He shouted, "Ouch!" and yelped.
Rabbit frowned and limped away. Hedgehog then did lament,  "My aim was to give comfort- Pain was never my intent."
He could not play with his mates, Not Touch Football nor Tag, Red Rover, Leapfrog, or Hand Clap. And not Capture the Flag.
They didn't want to leave him out. They did like him so much. But what else could they do When his body hurt to touch?


So Hedgehog would walk by himself, Although he was well liked. He'd breathe fresh air, pick flowers…

In New York, people move so fast, Tall buildings line your sight. When the sun sets, lights turn on, Bright as day in dark of night.
In urban streets you wouldn't think That wildlife abounds. But there are many animals On these concrete grounds.
In Central Park you see, of course,  Birds of different hues. Squirrels, Raccoons and Mice you'll see Romping within your view.
But the animal that you'll see most  Is the common street Pigeon. The City Bird of New York, And that's where we begin... Our Pigeon today has just moved Into the borough of Manhattan, From the relative quieter place Of an island we call Staten. On his own for the first time, While an avenue he crossed, He found himself a bit lonely And feeling a little lost.
Seeking a flock, the right fit- A place he could belong, But everywhere that he looked, Things seemed to just go wrong.
First he tried a group of birds Outside a hot dog stand. Cooing "Hello!" to them all, Things did not go as planned.
…

Squirrel thought it was his lucky day! The biggest nut he'd ever seen Was just lying there, in the grass As he went on his routine.
He rubbed his paws together, Excited by what he had found. Squirrel circled his new treasure In front of him on the ground.
It did look a little odd, A bit more circular in form. But he simply thought the nut Was a deformed oak acorn.
It was very smooth to touch, A speckling, here and there- But gosh the size was just so big He really didn't care!
Though it was rounded, Squirrel thought, "Just the easier to move!" He began to roll it cross the lawn, Sure the Mrs. would approve.

It rolled easily to his tree, But it was too big to bring up.
He called out to his wife
To see this thing close up.

Amazed by this huge nut,
The Mrs. scurried close.
"How do we bring it up the tree?
What do you propose?"

Squirrel stopped and thought a bit.
"We should bury it in soil.
We don't need it til the winter comes,
And in the ground it w…