India Folk Tales
How Sun, Moon, and Wind went out to Dinner
ONE
day Sun, Moon, and Wind went out to dine with their uncle and aunts
Thunder and Lightning. Their mother (one of the most distant Stars you
see far up in the sky) waited alone for her children's return.
Now
both Sun and Wind were greedy and selfish. They enjoyed the great feast
that had been prepared for them, without a thought of saving any of it
to take home to their mother--but the gentle Moon did not forget her.
Of every dainty dish that was brought round, she placed a small portion
under one of her beautiful long finger-nails, that Star might also have
a share in the treat.
On their return their mother, who had kept
watch for them all night long with her little bright eye, said, "Well,
children, what have you brought home for me?" Then Sun (who was eldest)
said, "I have brought nothing home for you. I went out to enjoy myself
with my friends--not to fetch a dinner for my mother!" And Wind said,
"Neither have I brought anything home for you, mother. You could hardly
expect me to bring a collection of good things for you, when I merely
went out for my own pleasure." But Moon said, "Mother, fetch a plate,
see what I. have brought you." And shaking her hands she showered down
such a choice dinner as never was seen before.
Then Star turned
to Sun and spoke thus, "Because you went out to amuse yourself with
your friends, and feasted and enjoyed yourself, without any thought of
your mother at home--you shall be cursed. Henceforth, your rays shall
ever be hot and scorching, and shall burn all that they touch. And men
shall hate you, and cover their heads when you appear."
(And that is why the Sun is so hot to this day.)
Then
she turned to Wind and said, "You also who forgot your mother in the
midst of your selfish pleasures--hear your doom. You shall always blow
in the hot dry weather, and shall parch and shrivel all living things.
And men shall detest and avoid you from this very time."
(And that is why the Wind in the hot weather is still so disagreeable.)
But
to Moon she said, "Daughter, because you remembered your mother, and
kept for her a share in your own enjoyment, from henceforth, you shall
be ever cool, and calm, and bright. No noxious glare shall accompany
your pure rays, and men shall always call you 'blessed.' "
(And that is why the Moon's light is so soft, and cool, and beautiful even to this day.)
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