A Cloud, a Goose, and a Very Long Apology

How it begins

Greta Goose had written a speech.

It began with Dear Cloud.

It ended with This Is Extremely Inconsiderate.

Between those two parts were seventeen reasons a picnic should not be wet.

She marched across the meadow holding the paper above her head.

The cloud drifted ahead.

"Excuse me," Greta called.

Puff looked down.

"Yes?"

"You rained on my picnic."

"I rained on the meadow."

"My picnic was in it."

"So were the daisies."

Greta checked her speech.

The daisies were not mentioned.

"They were thirsty," Puff added.

"The sandwiches were not."

That was a good point.

Puff gave a thoughtful drip.

Greta shook rain from her hat.

"I would like an apology."

"What kind?"

"A proper one."

Puff considered.

"Sorry your sandwiches were outside when I watered the daisies."

Greta frowned.

"That sounds rather like an explanation."

"It is also what happened."

They continued down the path.

At the allotment, Rabbit waved.

"Lovely rain!"

Greta folded her speech more tightly.

At the washing line, Fox looked up.

"Less lovely here!"

Puff became a little smaller.

Beyond the hedge, the path divided.

One side led toward the dry picnic shelter.

The other led toward the garden where Greta had planted flowers as a surprise for Badger.

Badger had wanted carrots.

Greta had forgotten that part when explaining how helpful she had been.

She stopped.

Puff stopped too.

For a moment, neither said anything.

Then Greta lowered the paper.

"What were you trying to do?"

"Help," said Puff.

"So was I."

They looked at the wet speech.

A corner had dissolved.

Greta offered the cloud her umbrella.

It was not a sensible gift.

It was, however, the first thing she had offered all morning without insisting it was exactly what somebody needed.

Puff considered the umbrella. Greta waited without explaining why accepting it would be a good idea.

"Would you like it?" she asked.