The Hunter and the Moon

A long, long time ago when all the Gods loved the land

There lived a hunter of great skill but a very prideful man

He claimed that he could never miss a target before his eye

And that if ever the day did happen he would surely die

Now this boastful man would strut around

And look down on everyone

And so the people of his little town

Set to have some fun

A cunning man of many years stared at the sun at noon

And in a flash of inspiration said

“Hunter! Hunt the moon”

Now the hunter’s pride had been stung

As the people of this town

All stared at him with mockery so he cried “I’ll hunt her down!”

That night the moon shone brightly, ‘gloating’ or so he thought

So the hunter took his trusty bow, took aim and in one shot

Pierced the moon upon her side but still she shone above

The villagers just laughed at him and said that was not enough

So for 14 nights the hunter fired from the bow his arrows

Until the people watched on terrified as moon light turned to shadow

“Enough!” they cried "you’ve proved your point!

You’re the best that’s ever been.

Now please put back the light above

So that we can again all see"

Now the hunter with his pride appeased

Looked upon the darkened crowd

He could see the fear in all their eyes

And realised what he’d done

Although his pride had beaten him

He was not an unkind man

And realising he had done wrong

Prayed to the gods of this green land

“My pride has brought on darkness!

I’ve destroyed the light you made.

Please allow me to make amends

This moon I will remake!”

The goddess of the winds and rain took pity on the man

So she flew him up to the heavens to bring light to the darkened land

The hunter thought long and hard about what he had to do

And then he realised the light to use was the light from his own soul

For fourteen nights the hunter shot the light of life he owned

And every time the arrow loosed the moon began to show

But every twang of bow and arrow was a year lost from this man

But forgiveness was what he sought for his pride had changed the land

And as he fired the last of his life to the moon who shone in the dark

The gods had watched this courageous man so turned him into stars

The moon from then on would come and go

A cycle of 28 days

To remind the people down below

Pride and mockery were not the way

But this lesson has not been learnt

As man so easily forgets

But the hunter shines on and on

Because he put his pride to rest