The Legend of Silver Moon

The Legend of Silver Moon

by Iliana

One moonlit evening, the one yearly evening when the light touches the earth, a sudden light flashed from the top of a mountain…… lightning. Thunder roared. What had been a quiet evening a minute before was now a loud disturbing night. From one hut came a cry just as heavy rain began to fall. ‘Dadda! Mamma!’ a baby who would one day be overcome with amazing power, had been born. She had raised her arms to the sky, calling ‘Father! Mother!’. And as she finally silenced, the sky exploded with color. The chief, who was this little girl’s father, rushed out, shouting, ‘The lights are here!’

Everyone watched the spirit danced in the sky. Suddenly, the lights vanished, leaving a quiet night once more. The lights were gone.

The little girl grew up with a love of all sky related natures. She loved to hear stories about the stars, the sun, and the moon. Her eyes followed the sun at sunset and dawn. Her eyes were the color of twilight. And she was beautiful and intelligent. One day, many many moons after her birth, she was watching the sunset again. Suddenly, this gentle little girl felt a deep pain through her body.

‘Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!’ She cried out. Her mother came rushing out, weaving one of her magical baskets. “What pains you three nights before the spirits meet the earth?” Her mother asked. “For I see no arrow, nor throwing stick.”

“Mother, I must go to the mountains.” Came the little girl’s reply.

“Why is that?” inquired her mother.

“I do not know. But I must go to the top of the light’s peak.”

“No, my daughter. We must gather plants for our food. Our people need it. All the women and little girls will go.”

“But there are no plants! I have seen! The people have greedily used it all! And we cannot go a long way to find some. We do not have enough supplies. But we have enough for two people to journey up the mountain. Please, Mother, please!”

“Very well. As Shaman, I will go with you.”

And at this, she started the preparation to go to the mountain. The little girl helped also. The next day, they would start their journey.

The next day, the little girl and her mother started their journey at day break. After two days, they finally reached the top. Her mother made a small shelter. The little girl climbed on a rock and waited there until the moon light shown on the peak. Her mother was fast asleep.

“Oh, Great Spirit, Come!” the little girl called as soon as the moon was shining into her face. “I will allow you to travel through the moon light!” She raised her arms toward the moon, somehow letting the Spirit travel to her. Suddenly, the light exploded with color.
“What do you want?” a soft gentle voice asked.

“My village has used up all the plants here. But they’ve learned to use nature wisely. Please, Great Spirit, help my people!” the little girl answered.

“Then it is done.” And then, the Spirit was gone. The little girl fell fast asleep.

The next morning, the little girl awoke to cheering. Soft grass grew on the ground below her. The acorns were plenty, and so was the rest of the plant supply. The Great Spirit had kept its promise. The people cheered, thanking the little girl. So just like that, with magic powers to communicate with the Great Spirit through moonlight and sunlight, the little girl helped her people many times. Stories of her spread throughout villages like wildfire. Everyone knew about this brave little girl.

And now, my friends, you too, know the legend of Silver Moon.