MANY years ago the sun
and water were great friends, and both lived on the earth together. The sun
very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned his visits. At
last the sun asked the water why it was that he never came to’ see him in his
house, the water replied that the
and water were great friends, and both lived on the earth together. The sun
very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned his visits. At
last the sun asked the water why it was that he never came to’ see him in his
house, the water replied that the
sun’s house was not big enough, and that if
he came with his people he would drive the sun out.
He then said, “If
you wish me to visit you, you must build a very large compound; but I warn you
that it will have to be a tremendous place, as my people are very numerous, and
take up a lot of room.”
you wish me to visit you, you must build a very large compound; but I warn you
that it will have to be a tremendous place, as my people are very numerous, and
take up a lot of room.”
The sun promised to
build a very big compound, and soon afterwards he returned home to his wife,
the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile when he opened the door. The sun
told the moon what he had promised the water, and the next day commenced
building a huge compound in which to entertain his friend.
build a very big compound, and soon afterwards he returned home to his wife,
the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile when he opened the door. The sun
told the moon what he had promised the water, and the next day commenced
building a huge compound in which to entertain his friend.
When it was completed,
he asked the water to come and visit him the next day.
he asked the water to come and visit him the next day.
When the water arrived,
he called out to the sun, and asked him whether it would be safe for- him to
enter, and the sun answered, “Yes, come in, my friend.”
he called out to the sun, and asked him whether it would be safe for- him to
enter, and the sun answered, “Yes, come in, my friend.”
The water then began to
flow in, accompanied by the fish and all the water animals.
flow in, accompanied by the fish and all the water animals.
Very soon the water was knee-deep,
so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said,
“Yes,” so more water came in.
so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said,
“Yes,” so more water came in.
When the water was level
with the top of a man’s head, the water said to the sun, “Do you want more
of my people to come?” and the sun and moon both answered, “Yes, not
knowing any better, so the water flowed on, until the sun and moon had to perch
themselves on the top of the roof.
with the top of a man’s head, the water said to the sun, “Do you want more
of my people to come?” and the sun and moon both answered, “Yes, not
knowing any better, so the water flowed on, until the sun and moon had to perch
themselves on the top of the roof.
Again the water
addressed the sun, but receiving the same answer, and more of his people
rushing in, the water very soon overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and
moon were forced to go up into the sky, where they have remained ever since.
addressed the sun, but receiving the same answer, and more of his people
rushing in, the water very soon overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and
moon were forced to go up into the sky, where they have remained ever since.
