Chapter Six: Clouds
We had a picnic the next day. Father kept his eyes out for hawks and foxes while Mother set out the food.
"Isn't it nice just to have some time to ourselves as a family without having to worry about work or school?" she asked rhetorically.
I smiled. Despite our vast fortune, Mother and Father believed that true prosperity in life is not measured by the amount of money within a bank, but rather by the amount of love within a home. If that was so, we truly were the wealthiest rodents in Mousedom.
After we ate, Flo suggested we lie on our backs and see what shapes we saw in the clouds.
"That one reminds me of that beach we visited last year when we toured the West Indies!" Margie commented.
"That cloud reminds me of the ancient ruins we saw in Greece!" added Beth.
"It looks more like the Colosseum to me." Cora shuddered. "Humans are barbaric! They used to watch their own kind be killed by large animals, and the spectators weren't fazed at all. How can you nonchalantly watch a member of your own species be eaten alive?"
"We came here to relax," Beth reminded her. "Let's talk about something else."
Flo stared at the clouds. "I think that one looks like Buckingham Palace!"
"What do you see, Bart?" inquired Margie.
To be honest, I had almost dozed off. It was just so peaceful.
"I see water molecules combined with ice crystals and dust particles," I answered.
"Bart!" Cora lightly slapped me for my lack of imagination.
Margie laughed. "But you will admit you admire his honesty!"
I knew that no matter where I went in the world, every place would be special as long as my family was with me. I looked forward to the rest of this trip, and many more to come.