CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: CLOUD NINE

When the shadow show was over. Mr Plato led them to the top of Mount Parnassus. They could tell that they were very high, and they could have seen far in every direction, but clouds got in their way -- light fluffy little clouds.

Donny stuck his head in a cloud. "Gosh," he said, "it's really nice in here, all silvery and everything".

"Yes, every cloud has a silver lining," explained Mr Plato. "But the best of them all is Could Number Nine. Right over there, kids".

All the kids went rushing to Cloud Nine.

Mr Plato turned to Miss Morgan, "I gather that you and the Redcoats here aren't particularly interested in Cloud Nine.

"No," she said sadly. "We must be going... wherever it is that we're going".

"Well, the path to the right leads to Ome. That to the left leads to Home".

The Redcoat Sergeant was ecstatic, "Right face!" he ordered. "Forward, double-time, march!" So the Redcoats went running down the path to Ome.

"What's wrong, Miss Morgan?" asked Mr Plato. "You hesitate. You don't seem to know where you want to go".

"It's all so confusing," she admitted.

"Then maybe you really would prefer Cloud Nine. You know, if you like, you can stay at the amusement park there forever and ever. In any case, take this package -- you may need it".

The kids and Miss Prysby and Mr Newman were already inside the cloud, and Miss Morgan was curious anyway; so she took a look.

"Come on in," called Donny. "It's unreal how much fun it is in here".

"Yes, come on in," urged Gaynell. "I'm having a simply marvelous tea party with the Mad Hatter".

"I need you, Miss Morgan," pleaded Kathy. "How am I ever going to decide? There are all these Prince Charmings riding around on white chargers, and I can't make up my mind which one I want to be rescued by".

Miss Morgan couldn't resist. She stepped in, and Mr Carroll followed her. They stood under an apple tree and watched the kids play.

Mr Carroll said, "I've been here before, but I'm not sure when; and I don't know what ever brought me back down to earth. It's a great place, with none of the cares of the world or the unworld or even the underworld. The cloud just floats here, there, and everywhere. It doesn't really matter where the cloud is, because things are always the same inside -- always wonderful, protected from sadness by the silver lining".

They both felt happy there inside Cloud Nine. Then Miss Morgan remembered, "My goodness, how could I be so forgetful? Mr Plato handed me this package, and I just walked off with it, without thanking him or even asking what it's for".

"Well, open it up," urged Mr Carroll. "If Mr Plato gave you a package, he must have had a reason".

Inside she found a couple dozen pairs of sunglasses and a big stick.

Mr Carroll explained, "The stick is a torch. It catches fire easily. It would come in handy if you ever went to Ome. But there's no reason to go to Ome now, or Home either. The kids are having the time of their life right here. And there's no point in trying to change the world. Most people are happy with it just as it is. Those who aren't can just drop out, like you did. There's certainly no reason for you to worry about them".

Miss Morgan looked very thoughtful. "I just don't know," she muttered softly.

Mr Carroll noted, "You look like you're in another world".

"Or unworld," she answered. "I'm sorry". She smiled and took his hand, and they played together all day and listened to the wonderful music that seemed to come from everywhere. But from time to time, she got that thoughtful look again.

That night while Mr Carroll was asleep, Miss Morgan got up very quietly and gathered the class together. She asked them to be careful not wake Mr Carroll. They did as she said, figuring they were going to play hide-and-seek or something like that.

As they passed Mr Carroll on the way out, Miss Morgan borrowed a forgetmenot from Gaynell and laid it very softly beside him.