Greetings for Shay

Spring was in the air and No. 421 knew he was going to have to clean
house. Dookers, he hated housework. He had just started taking down the
winter spider webs when there was a tapping on the door. No. 421 opened
the door and Bluebird was there with a receiving ticket.

"No, 421, we is in big trouble." Bluebird chirped. This ferret, Shay,
passed a while ago, and we missed him. I'm sure he is here, but where?
The Receiving Angel and Skye are searching their records. Someone
passed his desk when they both stepped away for a moment, left a
pawprint, and went through. Can you help us out?"

No. 421 called Oliver and asked him if he had seen or heard of any new
kids around?

"No, I have not, but I could ask," Oliver said. "I'll bet he crossed
when the Receiving Angel asked Skye and me to help him get a new book.
Those books are big, and he only has to change every few years. We were
in the storeroom putting one up on the shelf. Took the three of us to
manage it."

"Well, go see what you can find out," No. 421 said. "Start at Bakin'
Bertha's, everyone shows up there to eat at sometime or other. Bring
some pawprint cookies home when you come and say "Hi" to Honey and
Fang for me."

When Oliver arrived at Bakin' Bertha's Café, a big hearty ferret with
climbing gear was just leaving. The two waitresses were watching him
lope across the yard.

"He is just so handsome," Honey said. "And so brave. Imagine climbing
all around those clouds to be sure there was enough water in them. What
a man."

"Who is "what a man" Oliver said. "Who is that ferret? I don't remember
seeing him around here before."

Both girls started talking together. "He just wandered in a couple of
weeks ago, had climbing gear on, and said he was here, he did not know
why, but as he looked around and no one was in site, he noticed that
the clouds were very close to him, and they were very, very dry. He
said something about no rain."

Oliver told Honey to save him a bag of cookies; he would be back in a
few minutes. Running after the tall swaggering ferret Oliver called to
him to wait up.

"Hey, Yoo Hoo," Oliver called. "I need to talk to you."

"Well hello son," the big ferret said. "You're the first ferret I've
seen since I arrived, ‘cept the girls. What can I do for you?"

"I be Oliver, currier for Bridgegreeter No. 421, and I'se be looking
for a ferret named Shay what likes to climb. Thought you might know
him."

"I'm Shay," the big ferret said. "I arrived a few weeks ago, and no one
was anywhere. I just left my signature on a piece of scrap paper at the
gate and walked on in. I was thirsty from my trip from my home to here,
where ever I am, and was looking for water."

Shay told Oliver that he tried to squeeze a low hanging cloud but the
little cloud told him he was full of holes due to some pollutants that
came up from earth so he could not help.

"So, since I like to climb, and since I was hoping to find a friend, I
said I could help," Shay said. "I've been climbing around fixing these
holes, and having a grand time."

Oliver was surprised. He had found Shay, and needed to get home to No.
421 and talk to the Receiving Angel.

"Well Shay," Oliver said. "You better come with me. You can go back to
your work once we get you logged in."

Oliver picked up his cookies and the two started off for the gate and
the Receiving Angel. No. 421 had gone over to see if he could help,
and the two were sitting there when Oliver and Shay arrived.

The Receiving Angel took his big book out, and matching the pawprint
with Shay's paw, began to smile.

"This is the one," the angel said. "Thank you Oliver, you have done a
good job. Now Mr. Shay, welcome to the Rainbow Bridge. Sorry no one
was here to greet you, but you seem to have found a job to do."

Shay beamed. "Yes Sir, Mr. Angel," Shay said. "I'm a climbing expert
and heights do not bother me. I have been patching holes in clouds so
they can hold water and the earth, where I used to live, will have
rain."

"Excellent," said the Receiving Angel. "The Boss was remarking about
that the other day. I'll tell Him you are on the job."

Shay smiled and thanking Oliver he turned to go. "If you need me, I'll
be living in the clouds," he said. "Tell my earthly Mom when she sees
a hole in a cloud with the sun shining through, I'm on the job. Not to
worry, I am fine and loving every minute. I'll be here waiting for her
to come for me, but in the meanwhile, I'll be busy."

No. 421 and Oliver started home. No. 421 looked at Oliver. "Would you
please not shake those cookies around to much, we will be eating them
with a spoon."

Arriving at their cabin, Oliver put the kettle on for tea. No. 421
wrote in his logbook, mission accomplished. Shay is here, has a job
fixing holes in clouds, message sent home.

Oliver went to put the cookies on a plate, but they had been reduced to
crumbs. All that running and shaking had turned them to cookie meal.

No. 421 just looked at Oliver holding the bag by the top and sighed.
"Get out the cereal bowls, shut off the kettle and bring the bottle of
milk," he said. "Next time, try not to shake the bag so much. Supper
tonight will be cookie-crumb cereal. I'll just miss looking at those
beautiful pawprint pictures." And he sighed again.

[Posted in FML 6634]