Mythmaking…

        The following original myths were inspired by ancient stories from Greek, Roman, Native American, Celtic, and other cultures. . .

The Competition of the Sun and the Moon

          Before Prometheus brought fire to the humans, the only light they had was the sun.  They always wondered why the sun was in the sky half the day, and during the remainder of the day the moon shone.  The competition of Apollo and Artemis explains this phenomenon.

            Zeus was always watching Apollo and Artemis fight about whether the sun or the moon should rule the sky.  He grew tired of their argument and decided to settle it once and for all.  Zeus knew that both were skilled archers, so he had two targets set up on Mount Olympus.  Each was to shoot two arrows. 

            While the targets were being erected, Apollo chose his arrows.  They were fire arrows to represent the flaming sun.  Artemis also labored over the selection.  Finally, she picked silver arrows to symbolize the moon’s lustrous shine.

            On the day of the competition everyone present wondered who would go first.  Zeus announced that the first shots would be made at the same time, and the winner would go on to the second.  Apollo and Artemis took their places side by side.  Both were anxious to hear the signal.  Finally, Zeus gave a shout and both drew their bows and let their arrows go.  Apollo’s fire arrow looked spectacular as it soared.  It sped like a flying comet about to strike the target.  His opponent’s arrow shimmered as it soared through the air, leaving the peoples’ eyes twinkling.

            The arrows struck their targets simultaneously.  Athena, the judge of the competition, went over to see who had won the first round.  After her inspection, she declared the round a tie.

            Once again the two took their positions.  Zeus told them to switch sides, however, upon Athena’s request.  Again, he gave the command and both pulled.  After the arrows hit, a flame sprung from each of the targets.  Athena walked over cautiously to see what had happened and to determine the winner.  She saw only melted silver remaining from the reaction.

            Having no winner, Zeus settled the argument by offering a compromise.  The sun would appear for half of the day and the moon for the remainder.  After that, they never argued over the subject again.

                                                                                    -M.S. 7^th grader

How the Irish Came to Be

             One day depression and sorrow filled the land of Greece.  They were simply not having any fun. Zeus saw how depressed his people were.  He tried everything to make them happy, but nothing worked.  Then one day a goddess was born.  They named her Erin.  She had green eyes, auburn hair, and fair skin.  When she was old enough she visited Earth.  Erin was special for she was the Goddess of Claddagh.

            She brought much happiness to the land of Greece through her ways of dance, singing, and her good nature.  The depression ended, but Erin herself was unhappy.  She had no one to care for. 

            Zeus smiled upon her when he saw what she had done for his people.  Yet he was disturbed when he saw how unhappy Erin was.  So he gave her a piece of land to the west.  She was very happy indeed.  But the strange thing was that the people of the land all had light eyes, auburn hair, and fair skin just like Erin.  They would dance and sing all day.  Through their friendship, loyalty, and love, the nations around the world grew to love them.  These good-natured people loved their guardian Erin and she loved them.  This beautiful land became known as Ireland.

            This is how the Irish came to be… and to this day you will hear the people say “Erin Go Bragh!” in honor of the good-natured goddess. 

                                                                        -A.L., 7^th Grade

Why Wolf Howls at Moon

        Lupinah walked in the forest peacefully with her brother, Lupinoh.  There was a gentle breeze, and the sky was clear.  Moon shone down radiantly upon them.

            The siblings were not average, gray wolves, but large silver beings with golden eyes and flowing movement.  They were the most beautiful creatures ever seen.  Their splendor was the envy of the all.

            Every night, the Silver Ones walked the path back to their den after the hunt.  Every night, Moon would shine with all her might upon the two, trying to look as magnificent as they did… For it was known far and wide that Moon was quite taken with their looks.

            As they walked on, Lupinoh spoke.  “Sister, I do not like the way Moon shines down on us.  Her light hurts my eyes.”

            “Then close your eyes, Lupinoh, and I will guide you back to our den safely,” Lupinah said in reply.

            After a short while, the two reached the den.  They went inside and fell asleep.

            The next evening, as Lupinah and Lupinoh were out hunting, Fox was going to visit with Moon.  As he reached the spot along the path of the Silver Ones, he called out to her, “Hello, Moon!”

            “Hello, Fox,” she answered. “It has been quite some time since we last talked.”

            “Moon, what do you think of Lupinah and Lupinoh?” Fox cunningly asked.  He was in the mood for stirring up some trouble.

            Moon sighed.  “They are the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen in all my years.  I love to watch them when they trot down the path you’re on every night.”

            “Moon, I’ve heard that Lupinoh has gotten bored with his home.  Maybe he’d like to come up and live in the sky with you,” Fox suggested.

            “He is?  Well, that’s a lovely idea, Fox.  Thank you very much.  When he comes along the path later on, I’ll give him a place in the sky next to me.”

            “Well, I must go hunting for my family,” Fox announced when he heard the plan.   “Farewell, Moon!”  Then he went off into the bushes.

            “Farewell, Fox!”

            A few hours later, Lupinah and Lupinoh again walked the path homeward.  Again, Lupinoh said, “Sister, I do not like the way Moon shines down on us.  Her light hurts my eyes.”

            Again, Lupinah said, “Then close your eyes, I will guide you back safely.”

            As Lupinoh did this, Fox came out from the brush.  “Lupinah, don’t your eyes hurt like your brother’s?”

            “I suppose they do, Fox, but if I close my eyes, who will help us home?” she asked.

            “I know where your den is.  I’ll guide you both,” he offered.

            “Oh, thank you very much, Fox,” the Silver Ones said.

            “Think nothing of it, friends.”

            Now Moon, up in her night sky, had not heard any of this, nor had she seen the Fox leading her precious Silver Ones astray.  Gently, she picked up Lupinoh, who had fallen asleep, and she placed him on a cloud next to her.  He did not wake.       

            The next morning, Lupinah woke in her den alone.  Lupinoh was not there.  She went outside in search of him.  Many were surprised to see her roaming the forest alone, and when she asked for her brother, they could tell her nothing of his whereabouts.  All day she searched.  Even Fox said that he had not seen him.

            Evening came quickly, and Lupinah had to hunt alone.  On her way back to her den, she paused and looked up at Moon.  Sleeping on a cloud beside her was Lupinoh!  She howled at Moon in desperation, pleading for the return of her brother.  Alas, he did not wake.  Lupinah soon gave up, and went to sleep in the den.

            However, Lupinah tried again the next night, and the next, and the next, but she still could not wake her brother.  Soon, all the animals forgot her name because she would speak to no one until she had her brother beside her again.  She became known as Wolf. 

Night after night, wolf keeps her vigil, baying at Moon, calling for Lupinoh.

                                                                        -L.S. 7^th Grade