The Gift
Even the patents at a small private children's hospital were treated to the once in a lifetime spectacular. The ambulatory patients helped the nurses move those in wheel chairs, and beds, so everyone had a chance to gaze at the impossible.
14 year old Greta, youngest of the three roommates, had gone to the window to open it up and let in the cool night air, but when she opened the drapes she gasped.
"What's wrong?" Ruth asked with concern.
But Greta just stood frozen, awash in multicolored light.
It took a moment or so for the worried roommates to reach their friend, but the two older girls joined her as fast as they could.
"What's wrong Gret...?" Ruth started to ask. But then she saw it too, and like Greta stood there frozen, staring at the marvel. Soon the oldest was with them, and the three of them stood there on the small terrace, speechless.
The trio watched in silent amazement at the dancing, swirling lights and the explosion of color as the energy sliced through the clouds. The upper atmosphere, was jet black, but glowed a faint violet as the sun's photons were absorbed, the translucence swaying back and forth from blue to red, as if competing with the lights and not to be outdone.
"Wow." Greta managed after a few minutes, "I wonder what created it?"
"Don't have a clue..." Ruth said thinking, "...a freak of nature?"
"No." said the oldest, "She's no freak of nature...I think she's a profoundly gifted young lady, and the best friend I could have."
The girls turned their heads toward her, not quite understanding.
"What do you mean, Maple?" Ruth asked.
"It's her birthday, ya know." she said, more to herself than the others.
The friends looked at her with confusion on their faces.
"Well done Vi..." she said softly as she gazed at the handiwork, then she smiled "...happy birthday."