Hidden Kingdom

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds came out to dance with the blushing sky. I noticed them one sleepless night. I kept tossing and turning when I heard a gentle voice.

“Look outside.”

So I did and there they were. Just dancing away. The purple clouds with the blushing sky.

They were laughing and I thought “what on earth could be so funny?”

It was almost as if they were making fun of me because they knew they were keeping me up. At least, that is what I thought.

I rolled my eyes and got on TikTok instead. “A little social media always does the trick.” I began to mindlessly scroll when a gust of wind lifted my window curtain.

“Look outside.” Said the gentle voice once again. I put my phone down and as curtain remained lifted as I stared at the purple clouds dance in the blushing sky.

“Look at them dance. They don’t stop.” I thought.

After what felt like hours on end, the dancing began to slow down and the laughter was softened.

They were finally going to sleep.

As morning came and it was time to drop off my son to school, I began to wonder about those clouds. “I want to dance and sing with them!” I said out loud.

“You should do it mommy!” said Benny. “I am sure you will not regret it.”

“I work hard every day! I deserve a chance to dance so effortlessly without a care in the world.” I replied.

I just couldn’t let it go.

“They always come out at midnight” I thought. “I will stay up tonight and make it a personal mission to dance with them.”

As I began to finish our bedtime routine, I had a sip of dandelion tea and sang our bed time lullaby. Purple dust with sparkling glitter filled the children’s room and I sang:

“Oh, It’s been a long day! Oh, you did so much! Oh how proud I am to be your mommy! Now please sleep my darlings, sleep all through the night, for tomorrow will be a new dawn.”

It filled the room and falling ever so softly upon their faces.

I closed the door behind me and walked into the living room. “Oh God, I am not sure what I am getting myself into, but please watch my children as I depart tonight.” I always had these conversations with God and I often felt crazy for doing it, but the kids were asleep and I was ready to dance with the purple clouds and blushing sky.

I stepped out into my lawn and noticed the staircase was waiting for me to make my way up.

I began to walk up the staircase but realized I was stuck in the same spot! I started to run!

“You didn’t think it was going to be that easy did you?”said a cloud.

“Yes she did actually!” said another.

“Oh beautiful clouds. I have heard your voice! Allow me to dance with you all just for tonight!” I exclaimed.

“Oh she speaks!” said the purple clouds.

“Well, enlighten us mortal!”

Mortal?! HOW RUDE! “Who are you calling a mortal?! I am a human being!”

They started laughing and dancing even more now. It was as if what I had said was not important!

“I am so tired of everyone thinking that I don’t matter! But that is not why I am here! I just want one chance to dance with you! I am so tired! This routine gets so old!”

The purple clouds and blushing sky were looking at each other now. I couldn’t read the expressions on their faces.

“Okay fine, make your way up here E.”

The staircase was moving now!

I started to tremble as I watched the city beneath. How wonderful.

Once I had reached the top I began dancing with the purple clouds. Watching the blushing sky.

“Oh what a dream come to life! I never want to leave.”

“She is a chosen one” they said to each other.

“We are sorry E, from now on, you will sleep and you will rest. You and your children are now under our protection.”

Suddenly, before I could respond, it was a new day and I was in my bed.

“Was it all a dream?”

“Mommy! I’m ready for school!” said Benny

“Oh that’s right” I thought “Time to get ready.”