The Cycle of the Sun and the Moon

Impression

The sun and the moon loved each other, and the sun was very ugly and quarrelsome. Their first child was a large star. Their second child was a gigantic crab and his attitude was like his father.

Summary

The Sun and the Moon were married, but the Sun was very ugly and quarrelsome. One day he became angry at the Moon and started to chase her. She ran very fast until she was some distance ahead of him, when she grew tired and he almost caught her. Ever since he has been chasing her, at times almost reaching her, and again falling far behind.
The first child of the Sun and Moon was a large star, and he was like a man. One time the Sun, becoming angry at the star, cut him up into small pieces and scattered him over the whole sky just as a woman scatters rice, and ever since there have been many stars.
Another child of the Sun and Moon was a gigantic crab. He still lives and is so powerful that every time he opens and closes his eyes here is a flash of lightning. Most of the time the crab lives in a large hole in the bottom of the sea, and when he is there we have high tide; but when he leaves the hole, the waters rush in and there is low tide. His moving about also causes great waves on the surface of the sea.
The crab is quarrelsome like his father; and he sometimes becomes so angry with his mother, the Moon, that he tries to swallow her. When the people on earth, who are fond of the Moon, see the crab near her, they run out of doors and shout and beat on gongs until he is frightened away, and thus the Moon is saved.

Cultural Background

These Visayan tales reflect old beliefs covered with a veneer of Europian ideas. The Visayan still holds too many of the old superstitions, not because he has reasoned them out for himself, but because his ancestors believed them and transmitted them to him in such stories as these. A very old explanatory tale. In a slightly varying from it is found on other parts of the islands.

Positive Points

Don't get angry at your child and always love your family. Always have a good attitude.

Conclusion

The Sun and the Moon were married and the Sun was very angry with his child the larger star and the other child the gigantic crab like his father.

Daniel Pagkalinawan
Group 1
7-Unity