The Conductor

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds came out to dance with the blushing sky...

She lay as still as she possibly could, eyes closed, trying ever so hard not to blink. Her Papa, he is at the door and like every other night he is peaking in on her, making sure she wants for nothing and she is safely tucked in bed. This night he walks softly over and gently brushes her hair from her face, he lingers beside her watching her sleep, moving slowly so not to wake her he places a soft kiss on her forehead and quietly exits her room. She is never quite sure if he has gone or not because his footsteps are so soft they don't make a sound.

She knows she is suppose to be sleeping. As hard as she tries she just can not rest until she witnesses the nightly dance between the Purple Clouds and the Blushing Sky. Have you ever seen it? If you have, you know it's beauty and you know why she can not let one dance pass her by. Every dance is unlike the others and every dance is beautiful and magical, a splendor to see.

"Your Papa is gone now, you can move if you like" Happy whispered softly, she feels his gentle splash of water on her cheek and tries not to giggle. "Happy!" she whispers back "stop that your going to get me in trouble!" "Now, now, young lady, I am just keeping you on your toes, after all what's a goldfish for?" "I know Happy, thank you" she replies as she reaches for one of her favorite books. "This will entertain me until midnight for sure!" she whispers.

She could feel the characters stir and begin to wake as she opened the cover. "Well hello MJ, it's been a while, may we tell you a story?" "Oh yes, will you Albert, please?" "You must be ever so quiet so not to alert my parents, you see, I am suppose to be sleeping". "You are now, well I am not so sure we should partake in your disobeying your parents wishes!" "Oh, please do not think bad of me, I will sleep as soon as the dance between the Purple Clouds and Blushing Sky fades into the night" "Very well then", Albert replied "tell me, what story do you wish to hear?" "Will you tell me a story I have never heard before?" "And Albert do remember the story must end before midnight".

With that said, Albert began to weave a magical tale, the characters danced on the page and sang wonderful songs all meant to impress upon MJ the lessons of life and the virtue of being honest. So cleverly told, MJ did not realize there was a lesson she was learning, she became so enthralled by the story that she jerked to attention when Tree tapped on her window letting her know it was time for the dance.

Slowly and ever so quiet MJ slid the window open, she whispered "Hello Tree". "Evening MJ" Tree's leaves shook as he spoke. MJ noticed Blushing Sky's illumination as it cast multi level rays of shimmering orange, red and yellow, begin to fill the sky, inviting the Purple Clouds to dance. The Purple Clouds were but a wisp of themselves with Blushing Sky as their backdrop. They faded in and out, as their presence took form.

MJ could hardly contain her excitement, "Oh Tree!", let me step out and watch from your limb please, MJ begged. Tree replied with a firm "I don't feel that would be safe MJ". "Not tonight, you see I was just pruned and I feel a bit shaky", then he reached in and gently brushed his leaves against her cheek. She knew it was useless to ask again, Tree was unmoving once he made up his mind.

MJ resolved to sit by her window watching as the dance began, delicately at first, as if they too knew to whisper. Their movements made her feel as if they were extending themselves to her, begging for her to join them.

Emulating through the Purple Clouds, Blushing Sky began his performance shining radiantly through each of the Purple Clouds, causing the clouds to change from one shade of purple to another, giving off a kaleidoscope of purple colors that shimmered and filled Blushing Sky. MJ sat mesmerized, with much bravado each step increased in speed and each move became larger and more grandiose than the last.

It struck MJ that they needed no music, the dance was in itself its own music and MJ could feel every beat as they danced towards their crescendo. She was unaware when it happened, when she became one with the Purple Clouds and the Blushing Sky! In her excitement she scooted closer to the sill of her window, her outstretched arms began to flail about with every step of the dance, something over came her as her arms moved in unison with the Purple Clouds. Suddenly she was one with the Purple Clouds! She was the music and Blushing Sky was their stage.

Her arms met with each twirl, dip and glorious step, flying up and side ways and making sharp slashes in the air, pointing as if she held long slim delicate sticks by the tips of her fingers, arms raised as high as she could reach, then brought sharply down to her sides she orchestrated as if she had choreographed each step, and was now conducting the music they danced too.

Happy and Tree could hardly believe the splendor of the dance of the purple clouds and the blushing sky. They were almost as enthralled as MJ. Unaware of any thing else as they watched in amazement.

MJ continued her orchestration, increasing in speed she had reached a state of blissful frenzy, they danced synchronized in a fury of elegant motions that would bring any audience to their feet. Raw and unapologetic yet elegant and inviting. MJ's arms flew about making pointed and sweeping motions, up, down, out and back, short jabs with graceful circles and when the crescendo was reached Blushing Sky burst forth with such force, showering his radiance upon the Purple Clouds so that each appeared to explode in a shower of exquisite bold colors as if lightning had struck. As the dance descended its crescendo, to the delight of all, the Purple Clouds and Blushing Sky became one as they gracefully faded into the night.

MJ fell to her knees in exhaustion, the fury of the dance had drained her of all energy. From her window sill she focused on Tree but he did not meet her gaze. He was still staring at the sky as if the dance had left an imprint and if he looked long enough the imprint would remain with him.

MJ reached out to Tree, she fell short of his pruned limbs and began to lose her footing, she reached for the window frame but there was nothing to wrap her hand around to steady herself, her back bent in an awkward manner and her arms flailed about as if she moved them fast enough she would be able to get to safe footing. Her stomach flip flopped as she tumbled out the window.

She was falling and Tree was frantically trying to catch her but his pruned limbs did not allow him to, no matter how hard he tried. "Oh my!, Oh my!", Happy exclaimed as he frantically swam laps in his bowl, he willed Tree to catch her. Tree reached for her again and again but she continued to tumble just out of his reach.

The Daisies along the walkway exclaimed in horror crying out to her Papa for help. MJ heard a loud "thump" and everything went dark...