ITTLE White Cloud was the Ocean’s daughter. The Ocean loved her, and wished always to keep her near him.
One day, when her father was asleep, White Cloud went out to walk alone.
The Sun saw her and said, “Come, White Cloud, I am your king, I will give you a ride upon my bright rays.” White Cloud had often longed for this very thing, so she went gladly, and soon found herself among the fleecy clouds in the sky.
When the Ocean awoke he called his little daughter. She did not answer. He called again and again, louder and still louder, until the people said, “Listen, it is thundering!”
But the Ocean only heard the echo of his own voice from the shore. He rushed high up on the beach and moaned aloud.
He ran into all the caves but White Cloud could not be found.
Every one had loved White Cloud, so by this time all the water was white with the crests of the weeping sea nymphs.
A great giant was sitting upon the shore near the sea. His name was Sisyphus. He felt sorry for the Ocean and said, “Listen, friend Ocean, I often watch you carrying the great ships and wish that I, too, had a great work to do.
“You see how dry it is on this side of the mountain. Few people come this way. You are not even now as lonely as I, yet I want to help you. Promise me that you will put a spring upon this mountain side, where all the tired and thirsty people may drink, and I’ll tell you where White Cloud is.”
