Noah lay on his back, staring at the fluffy clouds drifting by his window. The Dallas sky was a beautiful mix of pink and lilac, making the clouds look like cotton candy.
“I wish I could bounce on those clouds!” Noah exclaimed, giggling. His pet turtle, Lily, poked her head out from under his pillow. At 54 years old (in turtle years, of course!), Lily had seen a lot, but bouncing clouds? That was new!
Suddenly, a bright light whooshed past Noah’s window. Before he could even say “Zoom!”, a ladder made of rainbows appeared, its end right beside his bed.
“Well, don’t just stare at it, Noah!” a voice boomed from above. “Climb aboard! We need your help in… the Clouds!”
Noah, usually shy, felt a burst of bravery. This must have something to do with his secret cheetah-like speed! He grabbed Lily, tucked her safely in his pocket, and zoomed up the rainbow ladder before he could even second guess himself.
The top of the ladder met a bouncy, white platform. A handsome man with a crown and a worried face stood there.
“You must be Noah,” he said, extending a hand. “I am Prince Puffy, and this is my kingdom, the Clouds! We have a problem: everyone has forgotten how to be grateful!”
Noah was confused. “Grateful? Like when Lily lets me scratch her shell, and I say ‘thank you’?”
Prince Puffy nodded sadly. “Exactly! But now, nobody feels happy about anything. They just grumble and complain about the fluffiness being too fluffy or the rainbows being too colorful! It’s making the Clouds very droopy!”
Noah looked around. It was true! The clouds did look a little droopy and gray, not at all like the cotton candy he saw from his window.
“Don’t worry, Prince Puffy,” said Noah, puffing out his chest. “I’m great at saying thank you! I bet I can help your kingdom remember how to be grateful, too.”
And so, with Lily peeking out from his pocket, Noah spent the day in the Clouds. He showed everyone how he thanked the sun for its warmth and the wind for pushing the clouds across the sky. He even thanked a grumpy cloud for a light sprinkle of rain that tickled his nose!
Slowly, the clouds started to brighten. Smiles appeared on faces. Prince Puffy was overjoyed. “Noah, you’ve reminded us about the magic of gratitude! Thank you!”
As a reward for his kindness, Noah got to slide down a rainbow slide that went all the way back to his bedroom window. He tumbled into his bed, giggling, with Lily right beside him.
The next day, Noah looked at the clouds. They seemed fluffier and brighter than ever. He knew the Clouds were filled with happy, grateful people, and that made him feel grateful too. And when Lily let him scratch her shell, he gave her the biggest, most grateful “thank you” a turtle could ever wish for!
