DECEMBER 18: Blue Sky and Sun
“Where are you going—all dressed up?” asked the Blue Sky of Mr. Sun.
“I am going to a coasting party,” he said.
“And pray tell me, how can you go to a coasting party?” asked the Blue Sky as a smile in the shape of a little silver cloud came over it.
“And why not?” asked Mr. Sun.
“I’d hardly say,” continued the Blue Sky, “that coasting was exactly one of your talents. No, not exactly. Now confess! You can’t coast. So why do you go to a coasting party? It would be as funny as if the Blue Sky went a-skating.”
“Ah, but don’t you see?” said Mr. Sun.
“Just because you’re so extremely bright there is no reason why you need think you’re the only one who sees. I can see perfectly, thank you, and on a clear day like this I’m at my best.”
“But you don’t see—truly—” persisted Mr. Sun.
“Then explain to me how you can go to a coasting party,” said the Blue Sky.
“There! That’s something like! Now that you’ve asked me the necessary question I can tell you my story.”
“Must you always have the necessary question, Mr. Sun?”
“Always,” replied Mr. Sun.
“Well continue,” said the Blue Sky.
“It’s this way,” said Mr. Sun. “You see there are many children in the world.”
“That isn’t news to me, Mr. Sun.”
“I’m only telling it to you to begin with.”
“Begin with something I don’t know,” said the Blue Sky.
“How do you suppose I can tell just what you know and what you don’t? I never went to your school.”
“Oh well,” said the Blue Sky frowning a little, while three small clouds came over it, “go on with your story any way you please.”
“Thank you,” said Mr. Sun. “Some of these children are giving a coasting party this afternoon, and what do you suppose they said?”
“I’ve no idea,” said the Blue Sky. “I don’t see how any one could guess. Children are apt to say so many different things. They seem to know so many words and games and stories and all sorts of things.”
“Yes,” said Mr. Sun, “they’re bright little things, that’s true.”
“You talk about them, Mr. Sun, as if they were Stars. Bright little things indeed! How funny you are!”
“Well they are little and they are bright, aren’t they?”
“Very well,” said the Blue Sky. “Do go on with your story.”
“I don’t get half a chance,” said Mr. Sun looking a little dull for a moment.
“I won’t say another word,” said the Blue Sky.
“And these children said, ‘We do hope Mr. Sun will come to our coasting party.’ Now then! I was asked to come by the children. A great honor—and I’m going. Yes, I’m going to shine with might and main over that party. They’ll keep so warm! They’ll have such a good time, and they’ll be so glad that they asked me!”
“I don’t think it’s such an honor,” said the Blue Sky, “for they’re just making use of you.”
“I like to be useful,” said Mr. Sun.
Now just at that moment the children appeared for their coasting party. “Oh see the bright Sun,” they exclaimed. “We wished for the Sun and here he is. Such fun as we’ll have now.”
And then one of them added, “And the Sky is all blue—it’s a wonderful day!”
“Run away, Clouds,” said the Blue Sky. “These children like me too.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” laughed Mr. Sun. “So you will do as the children ask, eh?” And the whole big face of the Blue Sky was without a cloud or a frown!
And the children had a Blue Sky and the Sun for their party.