The Tale of The Question

There was once a little boy who had a question that needed to be answered. Because he believed his grandfather to be the wisest he went to him first.

“Grandpa,” said the boy, “Why does the sky cry?” The grandfather who was a retired weather reporter just laughed and said, “My dear boy the sky doesn’t cry. It rains.”

However, that was not the answer the little boy was looking for and so he went to his father who lived across town. When his mother had dropped him off and the boy waved goodbye for the morning, the child ran to greet his father.

After a quick embrace, the two went out fishing together but as they arrived the sky darkened and the question once again arose.

“Father,” the child spoke, “Why is the sky in such anguish? Why does it cry?”

“Foolish boy,” answered the father, “The sky cannot feel, it does not cry.”

But the boy shook his head.

Later that day the boy’s mother came to pick him up. By then the sky had cleared and the sun was out again from behind the clouds. It was as if it could rain at any moment but it didn’t. Like it was just waiting for the right moment.

During the ride back home the boy realized he had not yet asked his mother the question. So when they got back the boy decided to ask her.

“Mother,” said the boy, “Do you know why the sky cries?”

The mother looked at her child and smiled softly, “When a person feels so much pain that it is too much for one to handle the sky joins them in pain. That my dear child is why the sky cries.”

The boy finally happy with the answer given, nodded his head and rushed to play outside. The mother still where she was walked towards a picture still framed. A picture of the happier times that seemed so long ago. And as a tear rolled down her face the sky outside began to darken.

Photo taken by: Mari T