FANNY E. COE

Once upon a time the Sun, the Moon, and the Wind went to dine with their uncle and aunt, the Thunder and the Lightning. They said good-bye to their mother, the Evening Star, crossed the great dark arching sky, and came to the deep cave where live Thunder and Lightning.

Here a wonderful feast was spread, and all sat down to enjoy it.

Now the Sun and the Wind were very greedy. They bent their heads low over their plates and they ate and ate of every dish that was passed to them. They thought of nothing but themselves and the good food before them.

But the Moon remembered her mother at home. Of every delicious dish she saved a portion for the Star.

At last the evening was over and they returned to their home.

“Well, my children, what have you brought to me?” asked their mother, the Star.

“I have brought you nothing,” said the Sun. “I was having a jolly evening with my friends, and, of course, I couldn’t fetch a dinner to you!”

“Neither have I brought you anything, mother!” said the Wind. “How it would have looked to be taking double portions of every dish!”

Then the Moon stepped forward. “Bring a plate, mother, for see!” She opened her hands and showered down rich fruit and delicious cakes which she had saved for her mother.

Then the Star turned to the Sun and said: “Because you forgot your mother at home, in the midst of your selfish pleasures, this is your doom. You shall burn, and burn, and burn with great heat, and men shall hate you. They shall cover their heads when you appear and seek the spots where your heat cannot beat upon them.”

And that is why the Sun is so hot even to-day.

Then the Star turned to the Wind and said: “Because you also forgot your mother at home, in the midst of your selfish pleasures, this is your doom. You shall blow, blow, blow the hot sand and dust before you until men shall hate you. They shall flee from your face to the cool hills and even to faraway lands where the trees and grass are not parched and shrivelled by your fiery breath.”

And that is why the Wind in the hot weather is so disagreeable.

Then the Star turned to the Moon and said: “Because you thought of your mother, in the midst of your happiness, receive my blessing. Henceforth your light shall be so soft, so cool, and so silvery, that all men shall delight in you and your beams. They shall seek to have you smile with favour upon all their loves and all their plans. They shall call you blessed.”

And that is why the light of the Moon is so cool, and so bright, and so beautiful to this very day.