Kylie Cimen - Clara Worry Cloud

For my loving husband Ali and our four fabulous children. Thank you for supporting me through this project.

Remember to live bravely, be kind, laugh often and do what is right! I love you.

Waaaaaa! cried Clara the baby cloud as tears ran down her cheeks. She sniffed and snorted from all her sobbing.

The other baby clouds stared and pointed at her. Cry baby! they teased.

Claras mum saw what was happening and floated closer to her daughter.

Why are you crying Clara?

I am scared, Mummy. One day when I am bigger, even as big as you, things will have to fly through me! wailed Clara.

Oh Clara, dont worry about that. Its not as bad as you think. Now off you go and play with your friends.

Clara did grow bigger and fluffier. She also grew more worried. She imagined something HUGE, maybe even as big as a jumbo jet aeroplane, would fly through her tummy. Clara shuddered, turned black and trembled with terror. She looked like a storm cloud.

Mum, what does it feel like? Clara asked her mum every day.

Oh, you are such a worrywart, Clara, her mum would say. The day will come when you will find out for yourself, and I think you will be surprised.

Claras mum was very proud of the beautiful fluffy cloud her daughter had become, but she knew that Clara was still very worried and scared.

Her mum had a plan.

Clara, come with me, her mum said.

They joined their edges tight (as clouds dont have hands!) and her mum found a strong gust of wind to push them over a nearby lake.

A big flock of pelicans circled around in the sky.

Mum, what do you think you are doing? Clara shrieked.

Shhh, said her mum. Stay still.

But Mum, one of those things might fly through me.

Shhh, her mum said again. They hung in the air as still as they could despite Claras trembling.

Claras eyes bulged in fear as she watched the pelicans come closer. One big pelican flapped and flew towards her.

Clara tried her hardest to blow the bird away, but it was very strong and it didnt stop or change direction.

Clara held her breath and closed her eyes. She braced herself for what she knew was going to be the WORST experience of her life!

And then it started. Giggling ! Clara was giggling and she couldnt stop. She could feel something wiggling around in her tummy.

Oh, it tickles, Mummy! Clara chuckled with delight.

The bird flapped around her back and it tickled so much she almost wet her pants (which for a cloud meant she almost rained on the lake!).

No sooner had that pelican flown through and out the other side then two pelicans flew through Claras tummy. She laughed and jiggled as she felt the pelicans wiggle around inside her.

Mummy, why didnt you tell me how funny it was going to feel? she asked. Tears from laughter ran down her face.

Sometimes you just have to find things out for yourself. And besides, you were so scared, I didnt think you would have believed me anyway, her mum smiled.

Oh Mum, I am so silly for being so scared. This would have to be the BEST feeling ever! Lets go and find an airport!

They joined their edges and let the wind carry them over to the first airport they could find. They laughed hysterically as the aeroplanes flew through their tummies as they took off and landed.

This turned out to be the best day of Claras life, and she promised not to worry about anything she had never experienced again.