Part 10

THE HINDOO LEGEND.

"The Sun, the Moon, and the Wind had been invited to dinner one day by their uncle and aunt, Thunder and Lightning. Their mother (one of the most distant stars you see far up in the sky) waited patiently at home for the return of her children. Sad to relate, the Sun and Wind were both greedy and selfish, and, while enjoying the good feast, forgot all about their poor hungry mother at home.

"But the gentle Moon did not forget, and whenever a dainty dish was placed before her she would put part of it aside for the Star who waited so patiently at home. When the Sun, Moon, and Wind returned home, the Star, who had kept her bright little eye open all night long, said:

"'Dear children, have you brought anything home for me?'

"Then the Sun, who was the oldest, said: 'I have brought nothing home for you. I went out to enjoy myself with my friends, not to get a dinner for my mother.'

"And the Wind said: 'Neither have I brought home anything for you, mother. You could scarcely expect me to think of you when I merely went out for my own pleasure.'

"But the gentle Moon said: 'Mother, see all the good things I saved for you,' and she placed a choice dinner before her mother.

"Then the Star turned to the Sun, and said: 'Because you went out to amuse yourself with your friends, without any thought of your poor, lonely mother at home, you shall be cursed. Henceforth your rays shall be ever hot and scorching. They shall burn all they touch, and men shall hate you and cover their heads when you appear.' That is why the sun is so hot to this day.

"Then she turned to the Wind and said: 'You also, who forgot your mother while you were enjoying yourself, shall be punished. You shall always blow during the hot, dry weather, and shall parch and shrivel all living things. Men shall detest and avoid you from this time till the end of the world.' That is why the wind is so disagreeable during the hot weather.

"But to the gentle Moon she said: 'Daughter, because you remembered your hungry mother at home, you shall be cool, calm, and bright. No dazzling glare will accompany your pure rays, and men will call you "blessed."' That is why the moon's light is so soothing and beautiful."

"Is that all?" asked Harry, as his sister finished the story.

"That is all," said Mary; "but here is a little good-night lullaby by Eugene Field, and then you must go to sleep:

"'In through the window a moonbeam comes, Little gold moonbeam with misty wings, All silently creeping, he asks, "Are you sleeping, Sleeping and dreaming, while the pretty stars sing?"'"

THE NEW MOON.

BY MRS. FOLLEN.

Dear mother, how pretty The moon looks to-night! She was never so cunning before; Her two little horns Are so sharp and bright, I hope she'll not grow any more.

If I were up there, With you and my friends, I'd rock in it nicely, you'd see; I'd sit in the middle And hold by both ends; Oh, what a bright cradle 'twould be!

I would call to the stars To keep out of the way Lest we should rock over their toes; And then I would rock Till the dawn of the day, And see where the pretty moon goes.

And there we would stay In the beautiful skies, And through the bright clouds we would roam; We would see the sun set, And see the sun rise, And on the next rainbow come home.

--Taken from Child-Life, edited by Whittier.

LADY MOON.

BY LORD HOUGHTON.

Lady Moon, Lady Moon, where are you roving? Over the sea. Lady Moon, Lady Moon, whom are you loving? All that love me.

Are you not tired with rolling, and never Resting to sleep? Why look so pale and so sad, as forever Wishing to weep?

Ask me not this, little child, if you love me; You are too bold; I must obey my dear Father above me, And do as I'm told.

Lady Moon, Lady Moon, where are you roving? Over the sea. Lady Moon, Lady Moon, whom are you loving? All that love me.

--Taken from Child-Life, edited by Whittier.

A LEGEND.