About Michele Manning:

I’m a Library Media Specialist in Mystic, Connecticut who enjoys sharing stories with my students.  I have published in the e-magazines Stories for Children and Bumples and I was also a contributing author for The Great CT Caper, a collaborative mystery novel published by the Connecticut Humanities Council. My current work-in-progress won the Tassy Walden Award for New Voices in Children’s Literature in the middle grade category. In addition to writing, I enjoy hiking, yoga, and long strolls on the beach in search of sea glass.

 

The day started out the same as any other day. Sun rose and shouted, “Rejoice, for I have come.” The flowers opened their petals and waved hello. The birds chirped good morning. The animals woke and stretched their arms to the sky.

But that day Sun had a bit too much shine. “Where would you all be if you did not have me? Nothing would grow. There would be no light, no heat. Worship me, for I bring life.”

This made Moon angry. “You’re not so special. We’re all just as important as you.”

“You are not,” said Sun.

“Are too,” said Moon.

“Be quiet, or I’ll blast you with my rays!” shouted Sun.

“You will not,” said Moon.

“Will too,” said Sun.

“Oh, no,” groaned the Stars. “Not this again.” They moved further away where they could still be seen, but did not have to hear the noise.

Clouds gathered uneasily. “Please don’t fight.”

Mother Earth rumbled. “Children, that’s enough. We separated you once before. Sun, we gave you day. Moon, we gave you night. You all offer your own gifts to the world. Sun warms the earth with her light. Moon turns the tides and holds everything in place. Clouds shift, gather and give the rain and snow. Stars twinkle in the night sky, helping travelers find their way. You must share the world and work together.”

“But, Mother,” cried Sun.

“No buts,” said Mother Earth. “You are both billions of years old. You must work this out yourselves.”

Sun pouted. “Nothing would grow without me. What’s he good for? Nothing. He can’t even make his own light.”

“You think you’re so great. I’ve had enough of you,” said Moon and he left.

Sun smiled. Finally, the world was all hers. She didn’t have to share it anymore.

“Who needs Moon?” she thought. “I can do it all.” And Sun shone everywhere.

At first, everyone enjoyed all the sunshine. Then, the flowers got thirsty and began to wilt. The lakes started to dry up. The animals became too tired to move. No one knew when to wake up or go to sleep.

Sun cried. “Everything’s such a mess. What will I do?”

Sun tried, but she could not make it dark. Clouds tried to help, but even with their cover, night would not come. Sun raced around the world but soon, even she forgot when or where she was supposed to be. She tired. Her brightness dimmed.

Then the tides no longer turned. Winds stopped blowing. Currents stopped flowing. Plant and animals stopped growing.

Sun looked at the empty space Moon once filled. She looked down at the world. She looked back at the empty space.

Sun sighed. “I know what I have to do,” she mumbled to herself and went to search for Moon.

She found him among the Stars.

“Come on, I’ll give you another eclipse,” pleaded Sun to Moon. “Just come back.”

“No,” said Moon. “Not until you say you’re sorry.”

“All right, I’m sorry,” said Sun.

“Like you mean it,” said Moon.

“I’m really, really sorry,” pleaded Sun. “Everything’s a mess. Please come back.”

“So, you need me?” asked Moon. “I’m just as important as you?”

Sun was silent for a moment. “Yes,” she said finally. “I can’t do it alone. Now will you come back?”

That was all Moon needed to hear. “Race you back,” he said.

“You’re on,” said Sun and together they returned to Mother Earth. Sun had her day and Moon had his night. The tides turned, winds blew, currents flowed, plants and animals grew, and Mother Earth smiled.