Sun and Moon

A long time ago, when the world was young and still getting to know itself, Moon became upset with Sun.

Moon felt small compared to Sun. Try as she might, Moon could not shine as bright as Sun, or cast such warmth, or fill the sky with so much colour.

Moon shone quietly and beautifully in her own way but it was not enough. Moon’s bitterness towards Sun grew in her like a poison fruit.

“What’s upsetting you Moon?” asked Sun. Sun loved Moon like a child.

Moon hid her face from Sun, too afraid to speak the truth.

That night, Moon began to plot against Sun. She called her stars to her and said to them, “Stars, what need have we for Sun? Are we not bright enough on our own? Do we not fill the sky and shine on every corner of the earth? Sun is boastful, Sun is proud, Sun takes all the glory, leaving none for us.” 

“Let us push Sun out and claim the sky,” cried Moon.

The stars, impressed by Moon’s fierce speech, agreed to rise up against Sun. 

In the morning when Sun appeared, Moon and all the stars were lying in wait. As Sun rose higher, Moon did not descend. Instead, she ordered her stars to seize Sun. Sun did not fight.

“Why are you doing this? said Sun to Moon. Moon replied, “Because our light is just as bright and beautiful as yours. The heavens have not space enough for both of us. Be gone, Sun!”

At that, Sun climbed down from the sky and went away.

The stars, rejoicing in their victory, spread themselves far and wide across the sky while Moon climbed to the high point of heaven like a queen ascending her throne. 

Where day had followed night and night had followed day, there was now only night. Shrouded in darkness, the living things of the earth began to wither and fade. The trees lost their leaves, the bushes lost their berries, and the birds lost their song. 

But Moon would not admit that anything was wrong. She grew duller and duller until, at last, the light in her went out.

The world was all in darkness. 

Alone and frightened, Moon bid her stars, “Go find Sun and bring him here.”

When Sun returned he looked at Moon a look of sadness and of love.

Moon wept for Sun’s forgiveness. “The light in me is yours,” she said. 

Sun lifted Moon’s face to his. “My light is yours always and forever,” said Sun. “Let us share the sky, you and I, as friends.”

Then the first eclipse of Sun and Moon was seen in their embrace.