Long ago, before the world was as we know it today, the sun and the moon were not distant bodies shining far above us. They lived right here on earth, bright and radiant, sharing the land with all creatures. The two were husband and wife, and together they walked among humans, filling the world with warmth and gentle light. They were close friends with the water, a great and powerful being who ruled over the rivers, streams, and oceans, and commanded countless fish and sea-spirits.
Though the sun and the moon often visited the water in his vast domains, the water never once came to their home. Curious and a little saddened, they asked him one day,
“Friend, why do you never visit us in return?”
The water, vast and uncontainable, replied with calm wisdom:
“Your house is far too small. If I come, I must bring all my family every fish, every stream, every wave, and every spirit of the sea. Your home would not hold us.”
The sun, ever determined, promised,
“Then I shall build a house so large that you and all your people may enter. When it is ready, you will come.”
The moon, gentle yet supportive, listened as her husband shared his plan. Together, they watched as the sun built a house unlike any seen before wide and tall, with walls strong and high, a dwelling fit to hold not only the water but his entire ocean kin.
When the house was finished, the sun and the moon invited the water. The water arrived with a roar, bringing rivers that rushed, fish that darted, and sea-people who shimmered like waves in sunlight. With joy, the sun and moon welcomed them in.
But the water kept coming.
At first, it rose to their knees. Then, it reached their waists. Still, the water poured in, filling every corner, every wall, every ceiling. The sun and moon climbed higher, escaping onto the roof. Yet the water rose higher still, surging with power until it lifted them above the house, above the trees, above the mountains.
The water never stopped. It carried the sun and the moon so high that they settled in the heavens. And from that day until now, the sun and the moon have lived in the sky, shining down on the earth and watching their old friend the water from afar.
Moral of the Story
True hospitality means being ready for the full weight of friendship. When you open your door to a friend, you must also prepare your heart and home for all that comes with them. Promises of welcome should not be spoken lightly, for they may carry consequences beyond imagination.
Knowledge Check
1. What is the origin of the story “Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky”?
This folktale originates from West Africa, passed down through generations as an explanation for why celestial bodies dwell above.
2. Who were the main characters in the folktale?
The story centers on the Sun, the Moon, and the Water, with water symbolizing boundless abundance and unpredictability.
3. Why did the water never visit the sun and moon before?
The water explained that their house was too small to contain him and his vast family of fish, rivers, and sea-spirits.
4. What caused the sun and moon to rise into the sky?
When the water finally visited, he filled their house completely, overflowing until the sun and moon had no choice but to escape upward, where they settled in the sky.
5. What is the moral of the story?
The moral teaches that when you welcome someone into your life or home, you must be prepared to accept everything that comes with them.
6. Why is this story important in African tradition?
It reflects African values of hospitality, respect for promises, and understanding the balance between friendship and responsibility, while also offering a cosmic explanation for natural phenomena.
Origin
This folktale is of West African origin, commonly told among the Efik-Ibibio people of Nigeria and other coastal groups. It serves both as a moral tale and a myth explaining why the sun and moon dwell in the sky rather than on earth.
