Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky

Tonight’s story comes from Nigeria, a country in Africa. In the south-east of Nigeria, near the sea, live the Efik people. It is a hot, damp land of rivers, creeks, mangrove forests and heavy rainstorms. The Efik have been telling this story to their children for a very long time.

Once upon a time, the Sun did not live in the sky. The Sun lived down on the earth like everybody else. And the Sun’s very best friend was Water.

The Sun was very fond of Water. He often went to visit Water and always stayed a long time. But there was one strange thing: Water never once came to visit the Sun.

One day the Sun couldn’t hold back any longer. “Why don’t you ever come to my house?” he asked.

Water replied, “Your house isn’t big enough. If I came, I would have to bring all my family, and there are a great many of us. We take up an awful lot of room. If we came in, you might end up being pushed out.”

Then Water added, “If you want me to visit, you’ll have to build a very big house with a very wide yard. But I’m warning you now, it will have to be enormous, far bigger than you think.”

The Sun promised he would. He went home, and when he opened the door, his wife the Moon was waiting for him with a broad smile. The Sun told the Moon what he had promised Water.

The next day they started building. They built a huge house with a huge yard all around it, with room for as many guests as anyone could want.

When it was finished, the Sun invited Water to come the next day.

The next day Water arrived. Standing at the gate, Water called in, “My friend, may I come in? Is it safe?”

“Come in, come in!” said the Sun cheerfully.

So Water began to flow in. And with Water came all of Water’s family: big fish and little fish, crabs, snails, shrimps, frogs, turtles, every creature that lives in the water.

Soon the water was up to their knees. “Is it still safe?” asked Water.

“Still fine!” said the Sun.

So more water flowed in. It rose and rose until it was as high as a person’s head. Water asked again, “Do you want more of my people to come in?”

The Sun and the Moon had never seen anything like this before, and they didn’t know any better. They both answered, “Yes, come on in!”

So Water kept flowing in. It rose so high that the Sun and the Moon had to climb up and sit on the very top of the roof.

Water asked one more time. And once more they gave the same answer. More and more of Water’s family rushed in, and soon the water spilled right over the top of the roof.

With nowhere left to sit, the Sun and the Moon had to float up, and up, and up, all the way into the sky.

And they have stayed there ever since. By day, the Sun looks down on the rivers and the sea. By night, it is the Moon’s turn.