Goodwill and Grace were strolling along, enjoying the sunshine and each other’s company. They noticed another pair coming down the path towards them; it was Grievance and Grudge.

“Good day!” called Grace.

”How do you do!” echoed Goodwill.

But Grievance and Grudge just glared, twitchy with anger.

“Good?!” sneered Grievance.

”Good?!” jeered Grudge.

”What’s good about it?!” they barked in tandem.

Grievance pointed at the clear blue sky. “Just look at that cloud,” she said. “That monstrous, beastly, stupid, puffy cloud!”

Grudge nodded vigorously towards the same patch of empty sky. “Ruining everything, it is!”

Goodwill and Grace did not wish to be rude. But for the life of them both, they could not see even the wisp of a cloud on the horizon.

”Er,” said Goodwill, casting about for something kind but true to say. “Erm…”

Grace jumped in, ever ready with one of her soft landings. “Ah yes, of course. It rained yesterday, no? That must be the cloud you’re thinking of! Beastly indeed,” she agreed, smiling. “Quite glad it’s gone now.” Goodwill sighed with relief.

But Grievance and Grudge ignored Grace. They stood staring at the bright, cloudless blue another moment then stalked off, roughly bumping Goodwill as they did. (Goodwill said not a word.)

“Horrible, terrible cloud,” they heard Grudge mutter.

”Miserable, lousy thing,” Grievance growled.

And just as quickly as they’d come, so they were gone, forgettable and unimportant as the wispy remains of yesterday’s clouds. Goodwill and Grace shrugged and resumed their stroll, each thinking to herself how glad she was that this was her companion, and not another.