How Sun, Moon and Wind went out to Dinner
Sun and Wind spent the day about who would have a better time at the dinner.
“Aunt and uncle like me better than you, so I’ll get to sit by them,” boasted the Sun, “They love my bright rays”.
“That ‘, is not true,” countered Wind “They like my breezy manner and will definitely want me to be right next to them at the dinner table.”
“ Certainly ,the best and tastiest food items will be given to me, the bright light of the sky ,” said Sun.
“ Oh ,no ! I will be honoured with the choicest items”countered Wind once again.
And so it went on like this all day. Meanwhile, gentle Moon kept to herself, humming and looking forward to an evening with her beloved relatives. She also helped her mother around the house , doing errands and helping to clean and cook,
Finally, Thunder and Lightning came to take Sun, Moon and Wind. Their mother, who was a distant but bright star in the sky, was not going with them. Instead, she waited alone for Sun, Wind and Moon’s return; she looked forward to hearing about their adventures.
Thunder and Lightning took the children on their back and travelled far to the North. When they arrived, Sun, Moon, and Wind were astonished to see a massive granite table set with the most amazing array of food they could imagine. The utensils were made of gold and encrusted with sparkling jewels. The chairs were massive silver thrones with velvet cushions.
As the Sun and Wind hurried to take their places next to their aunt and uncle, Thunder said, “We would like the gentle Moon to sit between us, so she can cast her gentle beams of light on our feast while we enjoy it”.
Moon happily complied and Sun and Wind wondered why had Moon be honoured with the seat between their their aunt and uncle.
Aunt and uncle invited them to the grand feast set there. Both Sun and Wind greedily hurried to eat as much as possible and as quickly as possible.
Moon sat quietly and thoughtfully enjoying the various dishes and turning often to thank Thunder and Lightning for their kindness and generosity.
Sun and Wind were over-stuffed and became impatient to return home .
“Let‘s go,” whined Sun.” I’m tired and want to go to bed.’
“ Me too,” groaned Wind, and I think I have a bit of stomach ache !”.
Aunt and uncle implored them to be patient, so Moon could finish her meal. Sun and Wind climbed on to Thunder .Moon, though took her time, looked one more time at the magnificent table and with the permission of her aunt and uncle took a portion of every dish for her mother and her aunt helped her in packing them.
“ Hurry, hurry,” said Sun.
With a plate loaded with food in her delicate hand , Moon climbed on to Lightning and they sped back to their home.
When they reached home, their mother who was awake waited for them all night long with her little bright eye, was very happy to see them.
“Did you enjoy yourselves, dear children? ‘She asked.
“It was okay,” said Sun, ungraciously.
“ What about you, Wind?” mother asked.
“ It wasn’t that exciting,” said Wind.
“ And what about you, Moon? How did you find the feast? Mother asked.
It was fantastic, mom. I wish you could have been there “and Moon went on to describe their dinner out to her mother. She finished by saying“Since you could not be there, I have brought something for you”. And from behind her back, Moon brought forth the plate full of delicious treats.
“Oh, that is so lovely, Moon,” the mother said.
“What did you bring me, Sun?’?
Then Sun, who was the oldest and should have been wiser for his years ,said indifferently.” I have brought nothing home for you. I went out to enjoy myself only. I did not go to the feast to bring home dinner to you.
“What did you bring for me, Wind? “Asked the mother.
Wind said ,” I did not bring anything home for you mother. You could hardly expect me to bring a collection of good things for you, when I went out for my own fun.
Sun and Wind’s behaviour upset their mother Star, who had tried to teach them to be kind creatures. So, Star turned to Sun and said,
“Because you went out to amuse yourself without any thought of your mother at home, you shall be punished. From now on your rays will be hot and scorching, and they will burn all that they touch. And because of this people will complain about your intense rays and cover their head when you appear.” And that is why Sun is so hot even today. Then she turned to Wind and said,” You also forgot your mother in your selfish fun. This will be your punishment. You will always blow in the hot, dry weather and shall parch and shrivel all living things. And people shall avoid you from now on.”
And that is why the Wind in the hot weather is so disagreeable even today.
But to the kind and gentle Moon, she said,” Daughter, because you remembered your mother and shared your abundance with her, from now on, you shall be cool, calm and bright. All people will admire your beauty and serenity”.
And that is why the Moon’s light is so soft and cool and beautiful even to this day.
