“Why was the sky blue?”

The little girl with the swinging pigtails asked.

“Why do you ask?” Her mother questioned.

“Because. Why blue and not pink or green?”

Her mother adjusted the child sitting in her lap.

“Because...the Earth was sad.”

Her daughter raised an eyebrow.

“Why was it sad?”

“Because we humans were being mean to it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Humans hurt the Earth. We put bad stuff in the water, we crowd it, and we make it too hot.”

The girl turned her gaze from her mother and looked towards the sky.

“Is that why it used to rain?”

“What do you mean?” Her mother raised an eyebrow.

“Did rain mean that the Earth was crying?”

The mom hummed as she thought of an answer.

“Yes.” She finally nodded. “The Earth did cry.”

The family looked towards the grey sky.

A hiss was emitted as blisters were bothered,

And there was a final smile before the removal of their gas masks.