Children

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Man in the Moon


Ever look at the full moon on a starry night? Ever wonder why it goes from a bright white to a dark circle you can’t see? What about when the clouds create a blanket around it? Let me tell you what is really going on up there.

One night I was staring up at the night sky. I was all alone outside. I felt something brush against the back of my neck. I slowly turned around to see who was there. There wasn’t anyone. It must’ve been the wind. I began to walk off down a path in the woods. I really felt like someone or something was following me. There wasn’t much light – only the light from the moon to guide me. I kept glancing behind me. Once looking over the left shoulder, then over the right, I was making myself dizzy. I quickened my pace, and the feeling just kept up with me.

Without warning the wooded path gave way to a clearing. It was beautiful. There was a large pond with the moonlight reflecting on it. It was smooth as glass. A feeling of peace enveloped me. I sat down on the bank of the pond and just watched the moonlight as it danced upon the waters. I must’ve been daydreaming for a while. A twig snapping brought me back to reality quickly!

I turned and looked behind me. Standing there in a fog was a large man. At least it looked like a man. It was almost as if I could see through him. I rubbed my eyes trying to focus them. He was still there. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I am sure he could feel it too.

“Don’t be afraid,” the man said in a calming voice, “I won’t harm you. I need someone to talk to about the moon. I can’t rest in peace until I do. Will you listen to me and then tell my story to the world?”

“S-s-s-s-ure,” I said, my fear showing in my stuttering words.

“You stay seated there. I won’t come any closer.”

He should have known I wasn’t going to move a muscle. What did he think I was, nuts?

“You may not believe me, but I am the man in the moon. I died hundreds of years ago. I’ve tried to rest, but haven’t been able to. People need to know my story. My attempts to tell people over all these years have failed. Most people run off screaming into the night. You see I can only come out at night when the moon is full.”

What “the man in the moon” didn’t know was that I couldn’t run off into the night. My feet were stuck in the squishy mud. My every attempt to free them only got them stuck deeper.

“You see that large circle on the surface of the moon?”

“Yes,” I replied. There are a lot of circles up there I thought to myself. Just humor him I kept thinking.

“That’s where I live. Or rather lived. Now that is where I am stuck. Each full moon I make the long trip down here to tell someone my story so my spirit can be set free and my story can be told. I am glad you are listening to me – it is such a tiring trip. Once I even flew through a jet plane. Didn’t see the darn thing. Next thing you know, I am sitting next to a nun. She looked at me and fainted. I quickly left and continued on my way. But I digress.”

Digress, I thought. If I had been on that plane I probably would have had a heart attack. What am I thinking? This guy is a nut case.

“Any way, I need to tell my story. Promise me you will pass it on?”

“Yes.” I said briefly, my emotions more under control. Just listen to his story and he will leave me alone.

“I really appreciate it. Most people believe that the moon reflects the suns light and that is how it glows. It’s not true. The moon shines when it is in a good, happy mood. That just happens to coincide with the sun’s revolution and the moon’s revolution around the earth. You are laughing.”

“I’m sorry, but how can I believe it is just coincidence?” I asked.

“It’s true. The moon has something like a human soul. It is my job; or rather it was my job, to keep it happy. When I was able to do that it would shine fully. When I could only make it smile in degrees, it would go from a full moon back to a sliver, to nothing if I could not keep it happy.”

“Well, that sounds interesting, keep going.”

“Each man in the moon can live many years. His life span is determined by the amount of times he can make the moon smile fully. After 500 years, I was losing my touch. Those eclipses are killers. At that time, the moon blots out the sun – that’s when the moon is the saddest. An eclipse hundreds of years ago, got me relieved from my duties. Cast off. In order for me to rest, I have to get someone to believe me, the moon will smile, and let me go.”

“Who is keeping the moon smiling now?” I asked, really getting into this now. It was beginning to make sense to me.

“He has found another to take my place. We are not human - we are of the moon. I appear in this form so as not to frighten you more. You know the times that you humans landed on the moon?”

“What about them?” I asked.

“Well, the moon really liked that. He wasn’t so happy that you left your pods and vehicles there though. When you see clouds enveloping the moon, that is his way of covering them up. They embarrass him. To him, they are like warts are to a human.”

“Oh, I see. The moon thinks we can see them from here?”

“Yes, he does. You have all those powerful telescopes and satellites. He knows that he can’t hide from the satellites, unless he darkens that side of himself. So he does. Before I forget, he really likes the name “Sea of Tranquility” – he wanted me to be sure and tell you that.”

“Wow, that’s pretty cool. It does sound nice and calming.” I said, warming up to him.

“Will you tell my story to the world?”

“I promise I will. I am not sure why, but I believe you. One more question?” I asked.

“If it’s a quick one, my time is drawing to a close.”

“Is it really gravity that causes the low and high tides?” I asked, really wanting to know.

“That’s a great question,” he chuckled, “it’s part gravity – but even the moon likes to have a little bit of fun. Sometimes he will cause a high tide and trap four wheel drive vehicles on the beach. Humans can be very entertaining when they become angry.”

“I have wondered about that since you began your story to me. Thanks for filling me in. I feel like I have a very big secret now.” I was smiling from ear to ear. It is nice talking to him.

“Now, remember to keep your promise so the moon will set my spirit free.”

“I will.” I turned and looked at the pond. I swear I saw the moon smiling in its reflection. “Hey man in the moon, thanks.”

He didn’t hear me. I didn’t see him leave. He just disappeared. Hopefully he is resting peacefully now, just as he wanted.

I have kept my promise and told you about the man in the moon. Be free my friend.

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