Lighter Than Air

It was a hot summer day and the park was crowded with people. Some were catching a tan with skimpy little bathing suits and some were sitting next to the lake, under a bushy tree which casted shadow over their heads. Blankets were spread on the ground and there were fresh fruits, lemonade and sandwiches in abundance. Children were playing around ball games and hide and seek. Laughing and enjoying the day outside.

One of the sunbathers shouted "look up" and, like a magic, thousands of small and big eyes raised and looked at the sky. A big, shiny, red balloon was floating in the blue sky. In the absence of clouds the contrast between the shiny red ball and the azure sky was noticeable and beautiful.

All of a sudden there was a big explosion and the big red balloon was ripped. A transparent liquid, lighter than air, came out of it, floating around and masking the sky.

This day was the last day these children had seen the sun shining above their heads or the azure color of the sky.


--Time's up--