Thursday, February 23, 2017

Okinawan Folktale: Moon and Sun Separated

God Carried Them Together


Many years ago God carried the sun and moon on a wooden pole, across his shoulders.

They were like children to him. Moon on the left and sun on his right side.

That would confuse people, nowadays. The sun and moon rising together every day.

Sunrise at Hedo Point, northern Okinawa, Japan

They say, there was never night time on the Ryukyu islands; the sun and moon shined together.

The light just got a little darker, when God walked on the other side of a mountain.


A Decision Had to Be Made



God loved the sun and moon. One day he decided to ask them, where they wanted to go.

The sun, shining brilliantly said, "Let's go east, towards the ocean."

Moon said, "No. Not that way. I want to go west to the other side of the mountains."

God, liked to please everybody and, wasn't sure how to handle this situation.

The sun kept bouncing up and down, demanding "East, over by the ocean."

The not so bright moon, jumped around, demanding, they head west, to the hills.

God had never heard such a racket coming from these spoiled children.

They were squirming around, shouting "East. No. West. No. Ocean. Mountains."

God was trying hard to please them but, "This way. That way." What should he do?

He was trying to figure out a solution, while walking, tripped and fell to the ground.

The pole, he was carrying them on, broke. "Aki-sami-yo" (dagnabbit) he said.

The sun escaped and flew off towards the east and, the moon flew off to the hills in the west.

Moon over Okinawa


Since that day, the sun has risen in the east and, goes down in the west.

The moon, rises in the east and reflects the sun's rays, as it sets behind the western hills.

God shed so many tears because, his family became separated, rivers began to flow.

At least, he can still see them, as they rise and set, causing what, we call, day and night.



REFERENCE:

Okinawan Folk Stories ISBN978-4-99009-146-0 P. 10





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