The sky is the limit

Here's an old story. Read it again if you want to.

Once upon a time there lived a boy who dreamed of flying. He was only six, but he had great plans in his mind. He would say, "Flying. It's so wonderfully magical!"
One day, his mother was planning to go grocery shopping. "Robert," (for that was the boy's name) "I'm going out. I have arranged for you a baby-sitter, so be good." Robert smiled innocently and said, "Yes, Mummy-wummy." His mother smiled and gave Robert a kiss.
The doorbell rang. Robert's mother went to the door and opened it. "Oh, Carlie, Thank goodness you are here." Carlie the baby-sitter smiled and went in. "You know what to do Carlie. The numbers are here so call me if anything happens. Mr. Frason will be back at around two o'clock." Carlie nodded and Robert's mother went off.

Robert sighed. "I wish I could fly." Carlie giggled. "Oh, Robbie, you know that flying isn't easy." Robert scratched his cheek. "I know, it's just- I wish I could go to Mars, and see if there is any life on it. Or, or, follow the birds when they migrate south. Or something." Carlie smiled, amused. "Isn't it so wonderful?" Robert asked. "Robert, how about some ice cream?" she said, trying to change the subject. Robert shook his head. "I just want to fly." he said stubbornly. Carlie sighed. "Oh, Robert. There is more to life than just flying. Many people had great lives without ever flying." Robert was silent. Then with a cry he ran to his room.

"Robert, were you a good boy when Carlie was here?" Mr. Frason (Robert's Father) asked. Robert didn't say a word. "Robbie, darling?" Mrs. Frason said, worriedly. Robert burst out in tears. "I wanna FLY!!!!!!!" Mr. Frason buried his face in his hands. "Why is he so intent on flying?" he asked no one in particular. Mrs. Frason hugged Robert. "Why do you want to fly?" she asked gently. Robert wiped his eyes. "I want to see the sky really near. I want to touch the sky. I want to hug a cloud." he said finally. Mr. Frason was getting wary. "Hug a cloud??" he asked in disbelief. Mrs. Frason tried to hide a smile. Mr. Frason got up and shook his head. "Why in the world does the boy want to hug a cloud?" he muttered under his breath.

Many weeks passed. It was almost Robert's seventh birthday, but still he kept on wanting to fly. One day, Mr. and Mrs. Frason visited Mrs. Frason's sister, Fran and her husband James. They had coffee and they were talking to each other. Soon, the conversation turned to Robert. "Oh, Fran, It's almost Robert's birthday and he still wants to fly." Fran and James laughed. "Fly, Darla?" Fran asked. Mrs. Frason smiled and nodded. James chuckled. "Why in the world does he want to fly?" he asked. Mr. Frason laughed. "Oh, He wants to touch the sky and hug a cloud." Fran giggled. Then she had an idea. She was an interior designer and she had thought of a marvelous plan to help the Frasons'. She told the Frasons' her plan. Mrs. Frason clapped her hands in delight. "Oh, that would be very good. But where would we get the money?" Fran smiled. "Don't worry about it. It will be our birthday present to him."

Robert was sent to his grandmother's to stay, because now the Frason's were very busy. He came home on his birthday and his parents had a wonderful surprise for him. Robert ran to his room. Was it a pet? Or an airplane? He opened the door to his room and gasped. His walls were painted blue and there were puffs of white on it. He had a new bed. It was blue with clouds all over. He had some new toys, from his other aunts and uncles, airplanes, sky themed finger puppets and bird soft toys. He climbed onto his bed and gave a cry of delight. His bedsheet was in a sky theme and the quilt had pictures of airplanes and clouds. But his favorite surprise was his pillows. They were shaped as clouds and they were so soft. Then Robert hugged the cloud. His bed was so comfortable. He snuggled down and fell asleep.