Cloud

Look up, way up high in the big blue sky. What do you see floating by? Sometimes I look like a fluffy, white cotton ball. You might think I am soft like a pillow. Other times, I stretch out like a big, gray blanket covering the sun. I drift and dance in the air all day long. Do you know who I am? I am a Cloud. I am made of lots of teeny-tiny water droplets, all holding hands and floating together in the sky. It's a big, cozy cuddle up here.

For a very, very long time, people would just point at me and say, “Look at that puffy shape.” or “Look at that long, flat shape.” They didn't have special names for me and my family. But then, a kind man who loved to watch the sky helped everyone. On December 3rd, 1802, a man named Luke Howard gave my different shapes family names. He called my big, puffy family members 'Cumulus'. He called my flat, blanket-like family 'Stratus'. It was so nice to finally have names.

I have very important jobs to do for you. When my tiny water droplets get too heavy from their big cuddle, I let them go. I make rain to help all the pretty flowers and yummy vegetables grow big and strong. Pitter-patter go the raindrops. In the cold winter, I can bring fluffy, white snow for you to play in. On a hot, sunny day, I float in front of the sun to give you cool shade. So next time you are outside, look up and wave hello to me. What shapes can you see me making today?