The elephant was enjoying the beautiful morning.
The jungle was cool and crisp, the leaves and grasses choice and moist. He grabbed at the wonderful feast with his trunk and chewed contentedly as he looked at the other animals around him. They also seemed aware that the morning was a special gift and stood happily in their places wadding the bounty into their mouths with little noise. Even the monkeys sounded relaxed as they bounded through the branches with no hint of alarm in their calls. It was while the elephant watched a particularly playful group of monkeys that he saw the distinct, thick cloud move across the clear sky. It seemed to settle heavily in the air and begin its slow descent right over his head.
“Well,” said the cloud.
“Well,” agreed the elephant.
“Are you enjoying your meal?” asked the cloud.
“Yes,” said the elephant.
“It’s been a long time since we spoke,” said the elephant.
“There are no ends to the continuum,” answered the cloud. “You perceive what you think you see.”
“Heavy thoughts for so early in the morning,” commented the elephant. “They might disturb my digestion.” He chewed extra carefully to prove his point.
“You’re a heavy fellow,” responded the cloud. “I think you can handle it.”
“Older but wiser?” asked the elephant.
“Where I come from,” said the cloud, weighting down some of the tastier branches to within the elephant’s reach, “never the former. Always the latter.”