CLOUD COUNTRY
by Amy Ella Blanchard · from The wonderful fan
Adapted Version
Tina played at home. She heard a small voice. It came from a white cloud. "Follow me!" it said. Tina followed the cloud into a green wood. The cloud floated away. Tina found a little spring. A soft, white creature sat on a rock. "You came from the clouds," said Tina. "Yes," said Fleecy. "I am a cloud friend." "I will take you to Cloud Country." "I will go with you," said Tina. Fleecy smiled. They rose up into the sky. They entered Cloud Country. It was a magic place. Tina saw a big blue sea. She saw a shiny palace. A rainbow went into the water. "Look," said Tina. "Children are on the rocks." "They are stars," said Fleecy. "They wait to shine." "What can we do?" asked Tina. "We can play games," said Fleecy. They watched the Moon Queen come out. Venus walked first with a light. Many stars followed. The Moon Queen wore a silver dress. She saw Tina. "You are an earth child," she said. "Ride with me." Tina got in the silver chariot. They flew over the earth. Tina saw a sad girl. The moon made her happy. "The sun is coming," said the Moon Queen. She went back fast. Fleecy met Tina. "Let's sail with the clouds," she said. Happy clouds sailed near them. Tina had fun. "Do you always have fun?" asked Tina. "Sometimes storms come," said Fleecy. Thunder sounded. Tina felt a little scared. "I want to go home," she said. She saw a rainbow go into a lake. "I will slide down," said Tina. "Be careful," said Fleecy. Tina slid down the rainbow. She felt worried. But she was safe. She landed softly. Tina opened her eyes. She was on her sofa at home. It was a dream! She held her fan. A storm was outside. Tina smiled. She was safe and happy.
Original Story
CLOUD COUNTRY.
“You must have dropped from the clouds,” said Tina.
“So I did.”
“Who is I?”
“Look up, and you will see.”
Tina looked up, and saw nothing but a little 85white cloud floating along. It came nearer and nearer, and a voice said “Come!”
Tina got up and ran along the road following the little cloud, which seemed to be a few yards ahead of her.
They presently came to the edge of a wood. The cloud suddenly disappeared, and Tina followed a path that led into the wood. The snow had all disappeared, and she saw ahead of her a little spring bubbling out of a rock, and gurgling along till it ran off a little happy brook.
When she reached the spring she saw, seated on a rock near by, a beautiful little creature in soft fleecy white, that floated about her like a cloud. She wore a scarf that looked like a rainbow; stars twinkled in her hair, and in her hands she held a bow like a new moon.
“You certainly must have come from the clouds,” said Tina, “for I never saw anything like you before.”
“Yes,” said she, “I did come from Cloud 86Country, and I am going to take you back with me. I am one of the little clouds, and my name is ‘Fleecy.’”
“I shall like to go with you,” said Tina. “You are so lovely.”
Fleecy smiled, and, tying one end of her scarf around Tina’s waist, she kissed her cheek, and they rose up in the air.
It was delightful.
Tina felt herself wafted along, and felt as if she could float that way forever.
Up, up they went, till trees looked like bushes, and people like ants, and then they entered the gates of Cloud Country.
These were of pure white; and what a beautiful sight Tina saw as they went in, and the gates rolled together.
Stretching to one side was a wide sea, as blue as blue could be, the shores stretching out of sight. Great rocks towered up all around.
On the other side rose up a gleaming palace. 87The doors were hung with purple and rose color, and, as the curtains swayed, you caught sight of the dazzling splendor inside.
Over the palace a rainbow arched and dipped down into the sea, where little white ships were sailing about.
Fleecy took Tina to the shore of the sea, and 88she saw on the rocks several children looking out on the water.
“What are they there for?” asked Tina.
“They are stars,” said Fleecy, “and they are waiting till it is time for them to come out.”
“They don’t look like stars,” said Tina. “They just look like any children. I thought stars must be very beautiful.”
“Some of them are,” said Fleecy, “but these are quite ordinary. Those that attend the moon are very beautiful.”
“Where is the moon?” said Tina.
“She is in the palace,” said Fleecy. “She will come out soon, then you can see her. Maybe she will let you go with her to-night, as you are a stranger here.”
“What shall we do now?” asked Tina.
“Oh, we can slide down the rainbow, or rock in one of the hammocks, or go sailing on the water.”
“I am almost afraid to slide down the rainbow; it goes right into the water.”
89“Yes, but you go right through that; it won’t hurt you. When we are in a hurry we go down to earth that way.”
“I think I would rather rock in a hammock.”
“Very well; come with me.”
She took Tina farther away from the sea, and in another moment she was lying on the softest, rosiest cloud, with Fleecy by her side.
“When will the moon be out?” said she. “Isn’t it nearly time?”
“Yes,” said Fleecy. “I see the lights over in the palace now. They are bringing out the chariot.”
“We had better go,” she said to Tina, and they got out of the hammock, and went and stood by the palace steps.
Very soon there was a rustle. It grew lighter and lighter. Down the steps came first a beautiful maiden bearing a lighted taper, that shone with the fairest, purest light.
“That is Venus,” whispered Fleecy. “She is 90the Evening Star now, and goes ahead of the queen.”
Then came a procession of other stars, and next them the queen herself.
“How fair and lovely she is!” said Tina.
She wore a dress of spun silver, and a crown of diamonds on her head.
As she passed along, Tina saw quantities of figures on each side the steps, a long procession of them that extended to the sea.
“Those are clouds,” whispered Fleecy, quietly. “Stay here. I must go and take my place among them.”
Tina stood at the foot of the steps. As the queen passed along, the crowd made way, and she went through them until she came to Tina.
She stopped and looked at her.
“You are an earth child,” she said. “You shall go with me in my chariot.” And, taking her by the hand, she led her to a silver chariot that was waiting just beyond.
91Taking the taper from Venus, the queen got in, and motioned Tina to follow.
She did so, and they rolled along toward the sea, the crowd scattering as they passed.
The chariot seemed to have no wheels, and when they reached the blue water, it slipped in and sailed along as easily as a boat.
Tina looked over, and saw that she could look through the water as easily as if there were nothing there.
The whole earth lay quiet before her. She looked down and saw a maiden standing at a window, looking out.
92“She is unhappy,” said the queen; “and yet I think she will be glad to see me.” And she turned her face toward the windows where the maiden stood.
She turned and looked up at them, and a faint smile came over her face.
It was so still, that Tina heard her say distinctly, “Oh, fair moon, you have driven away the clouds from the sky. Perhaps there may come some bright hope to drive away the clouds from my life.”
They went sailing on over the blue sea, till they came to land again. They passed by huge masses of gray rocks, and Tina saw ahead of them a pale pink light.
“The sun is coming,” said the moon. “We must hurry home, or I will have to put out my light.”
They soon came in sight of the gleaming palace. Fleecy came to meet them, and the queen went in and left them.
93“Now,” said Fleecy, “we will go sailing on the water; and when you get tired, you can just slide down the rainbow to earth again.”
A quantity of little white ships were sailing about. One floated up to them. They got in, and sailed along with the rest.
In every ship there was a little cloud. They all smiled at Tina—sometimes sailing right along by the ship she was in. They were all such happy little clouds.
“Do you always have such a good time?” asked Tina of Fleecy.
“No; sometimes the storms come,” she said, “and they hurry us along, and whirl us about till we hardly know which way to go, and fly as hard as we can to get out of their way.”
Just then thunder was heard in the distance, and Tina began to get frightened. “Oh, I wish I were at home!” she said.
She looked over the side of the ship, and saw that they were directly over a lake on the earth. 94There was a little boat on it, with some people in it. One end of the rainbow seemed to go down directly into the lake, and the people were looking at it.
“I will go right into the water,” she said.
“Oh, no you won’t,” said Fleecy. “I will watch to see that you get down safely.”
Patter, patter, came big drops of rain.
The little ship sailed up to the rainbow, and Tina got on it, holding on with both hands.
“Good-bye,” called Fleecy.
“Good-bye,” she answered; and down she went through the blue sea. Down—down, so swiftly!
She looked back at Fleecy sitting in the boat, and held on as hard as she could, hoping to be saved from the cold water.
Down she went, and she shut her eyes hard and knew she was lost.
Now how sorry she was that she had left the boat, and trusted herself to the rainbow.
96“Oh, I shall be drowned!” she cried; and she clung to the rainbow with all her might, but it felt hard, like wood. She rubbed her eyes, looked around, and saw that she was lying on the sofa, in her own parlor at home, holding fast to the fan, surprised to find that a heavy gust had come up, and it was raining hard.
E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY
NEW AND BEAUTIFUL
Illustrated Books
FOR
THE LITTLE ONES,
Bound in bright and attractive Chromo-Lithograph Board Covers. Large Quarto size.
NEW PICTURES. NEW STORIES.
AT TWENTY-FIVE CENTS EACH.
All Around a Christmas Tree.
Winter Snow, Summer Sunshine.
Happy Times, Pictures and Rhymes.
Oh! So Pretty.
Little Baby Buds.
Nursery Sunshine and Prattle.
AT FIFTY CENTS EACH.
At the Seaside.
The Wonderful Fan.
On the Lawn.
AT SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS EACH.
My Christmas Album.
For Mamma’s Darling.
AT ONE DOLLAR EACH.
Eight Happy Holidays.
Daisies and Raindrops.
AT ONE DOLLAR AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS EACH.
Sunday, 1882.
Little Ones at Play.
The Captain’s Children.
Aunt Sophy’s Boys and Girls.
The Little Brown House.
Frisk and his Flock.
A Houseful of Children.
Pussy Tiptoes Family.
AT ONE DOLLAR AND SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS EACH.
⁂ Ask Your Bookseller for Dutton’s Books for Children.
Any Book on this List sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, by the Publishers.
E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY,
39 West Twenty-Third Street, NEW YORK.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
- Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained.
*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WONDERFUL FAN ***
Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.
Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Tina, a young girl, is invited by a talking cloud to visit Cloud Country. She meets Fleecy, a cloud creature, who guides her through a magical realm where stars are children, and the Moon Queen travels in a silver chariot. Tina experiences the wonders of this sky world, even riding with the Moon Queen and observing the earth below. However, an approaching storm frightens her, prompting her to slide down a rainbow back to earth. She wakes up on her sofa, realizing her adventure was a vivid dream, as a real storm rages outside her window.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to wonder to fear to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a common literary style of children's stories from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often featuring dream sequences and personified natural elements.
Plot Beats (14)
- Tina hears a voice from a cloud and follows it into a wood.
- In the wood, she finds a spring and meets Fleecy, a beautiful cloud creature.
- Fleecy takes Tina to Cloud Country, a magical realm above the earth.
- Tina sees stars as children, a gleaming palace, and a rainbow arching into a blue sea.
- Fleecy explains the stars are waiting for their time to shine and suggests activities.
- Tina and Fleecy watch the Moon Queen's procession, accompanied by Venus and other stars.
- The Moon Queen invites Tina to ride in her silver chariot.
- They sail over the earth, and Tina sees an unhappy maiden below, whose spirits are lifted by the moon's presence.
- As dawn approaches, the Moon Queen hurries back to the palace.
- Fleecy suggests sailing with other clouds, and Tina enjoys their happy company.
- Thunder is heard, and Fleecy warns of storms, frightening Tina.
- Tina decides to slide down the rainbow to return to earth, despite her fear of landing in the lake below.
- She slides down, feeling lost and afraid of drowning.
- Tina wakes up on her sofa at home, realizing it was a dream, holding a fan during a real-life storm.
Characters
Tina ★ protagonist
A young girl of average height and build for her age. Her specific ethnicity is not mentioned, but given the story's publication context (late 19th/early 20th century American children's literature), she would likely be depicted with fair skin and European features.
Attire: Simple, comfortable clothing suitable for a child playing at home, likely a cotton or linen dress with a modest cut, possibly with a pinafore or apron, in muted colors like cream, blue, or pink. No specific details are given, but it would be practical and not ornate.
Wants: To experience wonder and adventure, to understand the magical world she encounters, and ultimately, to feel safe and return home.
Flaw: Her naivety and fear. She is easily frightened by the storm and the prospect of falling, leading her to regret her choices.
She embarks on a fantastical journey, experiences the wonders and dangers of Cloud Country, and learns the value of her own home and safety, ultimately realizing the adventure was a dream.
Curious, imaginative, easily delighted, and somewhat timid. She is eager to explore new things but also prone to fear when faced with danger.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young girl of European descent, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has fair skin, rosy cheeks, and light brown hair styled in two simple braids. Her eyes are wide with wonder. She wears a simple, knee-length blue cotton dress with short sleeves and a white lace collar, and plain brown Mary Jane shoes. She holds a delicate, ivory-colored handheld fan in her right hand, slightly open. Curious and slightly open-mouthed expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Fleecy ◆ supporting
A beautiful, ethereal, small creature, seemingly made of soft, fleecy white material that floats around her like a cloud. She is delicate and light.
Attire: A dress or form made of soft, fleecy white material that constantly floats and shifts like a cloud. She wears a scarf that resembles a rainbow, vibrant with all its colors, draped around her shoulders or waist.
Wants: To share the wonders of Cloud Country with Tina and fulfill her role as a 'little cloud' in the celestial realm.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but as a 'little cloud,' she is subject to the whims of storms and must flee from them.
Remains consistent as a kind guide, showing Tina the wonders of her world.
Gentle, kind, welcoming, playful, and knowledgeable about Cloud Country. She is a patient guide and friend.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, ethereal, feminine figure, full body visible from head to toe, facing forward. Her form is composed of soft, swirling, fleecy white cloud material, constantly shifting and flowing. She has a gentle, smiling face with soft features and bright, kind eyes. Her hair is dark, adorned with tiny, shimmering silver stars that twinkle. She wears a vibrant, flowing scarf draped around her shoulders, displaying the full spectrum of rainbow colors. In her hands, she delicately holds a slender, crescent-shaped bow that glows with a soft, pearlescent light like a new moon. Her posture is light and airy, as if floating. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Moon (Queen of Cloud Country) ◆ supporting
Exceedingly fair and lovely, possessing a regal bearing. Her presence is radiant and commanding.
Attire: A magnificent dress made of spun silver, shimmering and luminous. She wears a crown of sparkling diamonds on her head.
Wants: To fulfill her celestial duties, including illuminating the night and bringing hope, and to preside over Cloud Country.
Flaw: Must return home before the sun rises, indicating a limitation to her power or presence.
Remains consistent as a benevolent and powerful ruler, fulfilling her role.
Gracious, benevolent, and powerful. She is compassionate towards the unhappy earth maiden and takes a special interest in Tina.
Image Prompt & Upload
A regal woman of ethereal beauty, full body visible from head to toe, facing forward. She has fair, luminous skin and long, flowing silver hair styled elegantly beneath a sparkling diamond crown. Her eyes are serene and wise. She wears a magnificent, floor-length gown made of shimmering spun silver fabric that seems to glow softly, with long, flowing sleeves. Her posture is upright and majestic, radiating calm authority. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Venus (The Evening Star) ○ minor
A beautiful maiden, radiant and pure.
Attire: Not explicitly described beyond her being a 'beautiful maiden,' but implied to be elegant and luminous, perhaps in soft, flowing white or pale gold to complement her role as a star.
Wants: To fulfill her role as the Evening Star and attend to the Moon Queen.
Flaw: None shown.
Remains consistent in her role.
Dignified and dutiful, serving as the herald for the Moon Queen.
Image Prompt & Upload
A beautiful young woman, full body visible from head to toe, facing forward. She has fair skin, gentle features, and long, wavy golden-blonde hair flowing down her back. Her eyes are bright and serene. She wears a flowing, floor-length gown of pure white silk with delicate, shimmering embroidery. Her posture is graceful and dignified. In her right hand, she holds a tall, slender taper that emits a soft, pure, golden light. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Edge of the Wood and Spring
A path leading into a wood where the snow has recently disappeared. A little spring bubbles out of a rock, gurgling into a happy brook. The air is fresh, suggesting a recent thaw.
Mood: mysterious, inviting, fresh
Tina follows the cloud into the wood and encounters Fleecy by the spring, marking her entry into the magical realm.
Image Prompt & Upload
A winding dirt path disappears into a dense, awakening forest. Patches of melting snow cling to the shaded ground, revealing damp earth and emerging green shoots. A small, clear spring bubbles from a moss-covered rock, its water cascading into a narrow, winding brook that reflects the pale morning sky. Sunlight filters softly through the still-bare branches of deciduous trees, creating dappled light on the forest floor. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Cloud Country Gates and Sky-Sea
Gates of pure white, beyond which stretches a wide, impossibly blue sea with shores disappearing into the distance. Great, towering rocks surround the sea. The air is clear and ethereal.
Mood: awe-inspiring, vast, magical
Tina enters Cloud Country through the gates and first beholds its unique landscape.
Image Prompt & Upload
Massive, arching gates of pure, luminous white cloud material stand open, revealing an expansive, deep azure sea that stretches infinitely. Towering, smooth, white rock formations, sculpted by wind and cloud, rise majestically from the sea's edge, framing the vastness. The sky above is a seamless continuation of the sea's blue, with a soft, diffused light illuminating the scene. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Cloud Country Palace and Rainbow Arch
A gleaming palace with doors hung with purple and rose-colored curtains, revealing dazzling splendor inside. A vibrant rainbow arches over the palace, dipping into the blue sea where little white ships sail. The palace is surrounded by soft, rosy clouds.
Mood: opulent, magical, serene
Tina explores Cloud Country, rests on a cloud hammock, and witnesses the Moon Queen's procession from the palace steps.
Image Prompt & Upload
A magnificent palace, constructed from luminous, pearlescent cloud-like material, gleams under an eternal, soft light. Its grand entrance features tall, arched doorways draped with flowing curtains of deep purple and soft rose, hinting at the dazzling interior. Overhead, a brilliant, full rainbow arches gracefully, one end dipping into a vast, serene sea of impossible blue where tiny, white cloud-ships drift. Nearby, billowy, rose-tinted clouds form natural hammocks. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Earth from the Chariot
The entire Earth viewed from above, quiet and serene. Specific details include a maiden standing at a window in a house below, and later, a lake with a small boat and people.
Mood: observational, distant, peaceful
Tina accompanies the Moon Queen on her nightly journey, observing the Earth and its inhabitants from above.
Image Prompt & Upload
A serene, expansive view of the Earth from high above, bathed in soft, cool moonlight. Below, a patchwork of darkened landmasses and shimmering bodies of water is visible. A small, illuminated window of a distant house reveals a solitary figure. Later, a tranquil lake reflects the faint glow of the moon, with a tiny boat carrying indistinct figures floating on its surface. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
