Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
A visit from Water—and far more guests than anyone expected
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Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
Long ago, Sun and his friend Water both lived on earth, and Sun often went to visit him. Their homes were not yet in the sky or separated by clouds.
Sun lived with his wife, Moon, but Water never visited their home. Sun noticed that all the visiting was done by him.
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
Sun asked why Water never visited. “Your home is too small for me and all my fish and water animals,” Water replied. Where Water went, the fish and other water animals came too.
“Build a huge compound—a house with a walled yard—if you want us to visit,” Water warned, and Sun promised that he would. All those companions would need far more room than one visitor.
Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
Sun went home and told Moon about his promise to Water. She welcomed her husband with a broad smile.
The next day, Sun began building a huge compound for the visit. The enclosed yard spread out around their house.
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Browse all storiesAbout this retelling
Explore this illustrated story at four reading levels. Each level follows the same essential events.
Collection: World folktales
Retelling: Southern Nigeria · after Elphinstone Dayrell
For parents: After tale XVI in Elphinstone Dayrell’s Folk Stories from Southern Nigeria (1910), not a modern picture-book adaptation. Preserves Sun and Water’s earthly friendship, Moon as Sun’s wife, the warned-about compound, repeated permission as water rises, the roof and their permanent ascent to the sky. Physical descriptions expand these scenes without a different cause or ending.
Public-domain source: View the recorded source edition