Cloud's advice

A Conversation with the Cloud

Friday, 5 January 2018

By Javed Iqbal

Dark clouds had spread across the sky. They were so thick and heavy that even during the daytime, it felt as if night had fallen. Zeeshan was walking quickly toward his fields. He was worried that if it started raining, the bundles of wheat lying in the open would be damaged. He wanted to cover them with plastic sheets before the rain arrived.

He walked fast on the muddy road, taking long steps. The dark clouds above looked ready to burst at any moment. Suddenly, a few light drops of rain began to fall. Zeeshan started running. At that very moment, he heard a strange voice. It sounded as if someone was calling from deep inside an abandoned well.

Zeeshan stopped abruptly. He looked around, but there was no one nearby. “There is no one here,” he whispered to himself. “Then where did this voice come from?”

“This is me. Look up at the sky,” the voice said again.

Zeeshan slowly raised his head and looked upward. He saw a large piece of cloud in the sky. To his surprise, the cloud appeared to have eyes and lips. Fearfully, Zeeshan asked, “Who are you?”

“I am a cloud,” came the reply.

“But I have never seen you in this form before,” Zeeshan said, still trembling.

“I live above the icy mountains of the North Pole,” the cloud explained. “Now I am traveling the world. The winds carry me from country to country. I have already seen half the world. Tell me, which country is this?”

“This is my beloved homeland, Pakistan,” Zeeshan replied proudly.

The cloud said, “Tell me something about your country.”

“Why not?” Zeeshan said enthusiastically. “My country is a land of green fields, dense forests, sweet-water springs, winding streams, roaring waterfalls, and sky-touching mountains. It has four seasons—summer, winter, spring, and autumn—each with its own beauty. Here live farmers and laborers who turn soil into gold, sailors who cut through the waves of the seas, and brave pilots who soar in the skies like falcons.”

He continued with great passion, “Our land has institutions of learning, scientists who search the oceans of knowledge, and thinkers who shape the future. We are the world’s seventh nuclear power. Pakistan desires peace and brotherhood among nations. We achieved this homeland through countless sacrifices, and we are always ready to protect its honor, even if it costs us our lives.”

As Zeeshan spoke, the cloud smiled gently.

The cloud then said, “I deeply respect your love and emotions for your homeland. But I also see that many people here are not paying attention to improving it. Green trees are being cut down mercilessly, even though they purify the air. There is very little interest in planting new trees. Smoke from factories and vehicles is polluting the air, and this poisonous smoke contains lead, which damages human intelligence.”

The cloud paused and added, “Noise also affects human behavior. Noise pollution is a serious problem, and because of it, people are falling into mental illnesses rapidly. One major reason behind all these problems is lack of education. You people must plant trees everywhere to improve the environment and protect your physical and mental health.”

Then the cloud said wisely, “Remember my advice. Do not forget that the person who refuses free advice today will buy regret at a high price tomorrow.

At that moment, strong winds began to blow. Tree branches started swaying and making whistling sounds. The cloud said, “Goodbye, my friend.” The winds carried it toward the distant horizon.

Suddenly, a heavy shower of rain fell, and Zeeshan was startled awake. He looked around in confusion. Everything felt like a dream. The clouds were still there, rain was falling, and the fields were waiting.

Realizing his duty, Zeeshan ran quickly toward his wheat fields to protect the harvest from the rain. As he ran, the words of the cloud echoed in his mind. He promised himself that along with caring for his crops, he would also care for nature and spread awareness among others.

That day, Zeeshan learned that loving one’s country does not only mean speaking proudly about it—but also protecting its environment, educating people, and taking responsibility for its future.