The field and the cloud are lovers And between them I am a messenger of mercy

The field and the cloud are lovers
And between them I am a messenger of mercy.
I quench the thirst of the one;
I cure the ailment of the other.
(a) Explain “I quench the thirst of the one; I cure the ailment of the other”.
(b) How is the rain a messenger of mercy?
© What do you mean by the word ‘quench’ as used in the extract?

(a) The two lovers, the fields and the cloud, need the rain. The field is thirsty for the cloud’s mercy while the cloud suffers from the ailment that it cannot embrace the field, its lover. When rain pours down, both the lovers are satisfied.
(b) Rain is a messenger of mercy between the field and the cloud as it reduces the cloud’s load of water (its ailment) while watering the field (satisfying its thirst), thus showering mercy on both.
© ‘Quench’ means to satisfy thirst.