I wrote this fun story and added clips of clouds, nature and animals to illustrate this mythological folk tale. This modern day myth is a story for people of all ages. It's about the joy of giving of oneself and being who we are meant to be. Clarence the cloud wouldn't rain, but he learns how to give of himself and finds new meaning, purpose and joy. This is an animal tale, folklore, a story about animals, a nature story, but mostly about how we learn to give. If you tap cc the words will show as closed captions as you watch this. The words also are here: Clarence the Cloud was afraid to rain.
He thought it might hurt.
He knew that if he rained, he would become smaller and smaller.
He decided to just keep growing and growing bigger and bigger.
Because Clarence didn’t rain, the ponds dried up,
And the plants in Katy and Jim’s garden started to wilt and dry up.
All the animals and people became very thirsty.
So the eagle flew up to ask Clarence why he didn’t rain.
Clarence said, “I don’t want to, and you can’t make me.”
The eagle said, “Raining is what clouds do. It’s part of who you are.”
But Clarence wouldn’t listen.
Clarence grew bigger and bigger until he covered the sun.
The birds became very cold, and snuggled together.
The deer, lions and other animals huddled in their homes, trying to stay warm.
The animals and Katy and Jim came together around a huge camp fire in the woods.
They chanted, “Maker of Clouds, Maker of Animals, Maker of People, Maker of All, Come to us, Come to us, Please hear our call.”
Then the Maker spoke through a bird, “Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet.”
The brown bear, who was sitting next to Katy and Jim, told them what this animal language meant:
“I am here with you. How may I help?”
The lion said, “Clarence the Cloud won’t rain. He is blocking the sun.”
The Maker said through the baby bird, “I will fix it.”
The Maker spoke to Clarence through the wind. “Clarence, why won’t you rain? Raining is what clouds do. It’s part of who you are.”
Clarence said, “I don’t want to, and you can’t make me.”
The Maker said:
“Earth, Wind, Fire and Rain,
Share yourself—
There will be no pain,
For when you give,
You truly gain,
Earth, Wind, Fire and Rain.”
Immediately, Clarence felt part of himself dripping down to the earth as rain.
He was very scared.
Part of him fell as rain drops onto plants.
A rose smiled, stretched tall, and opened in bloom.
All at once, Clarence the Cloud could smell the beautiful fragrance of the rose.
Then part of him fell into the river that was drying up. The river laughed and grew.
The fish were happy to have more room to swim.
Clarence could feel himself racing down the river over rocks. What fun!
Then part of him fell as rain drops into a dried-up pond.
The animals came to drink. Katy and Jim caught rain drops on their tongues. The cool water felt good sliding down their thirsty throats.
A rabbit happily munched on fresh clover.
Then Clarence could feel himself running in the deer,
Flying in the birds
And beating in the hearts of Katy and Jim.
Clarence felt he was part of everything!
He was so excited that he put on a fireworks display all night.
He made loud clashes and crashes of thunder.
He shot out huge sparks of lightning.
It was spectacular!
Clarence the Cloud said to himself: “When we give we truly gain.”
“Raining is what clouds do. It’s part of who I am.”
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