How The Moon Came To Be 

By: Gillian

Long, long ago, there was no moon and Sun was tired. She asked the birds to fly far away and find someone who would help her. “I will go.” said the Eagle. “No, I will go.” argued Crow. “No, I will fly better.” “No, I will fly better.” “I can go.” said Dove. “You?” cried Eagle. Everyone laughed. “I can.” Dove said. No one paid attention to Dove. Dove flew away angrily. The next day the birds watched as Eagle and Crow flew off in different directions. The birds waited for four days for Eagle and Crow to return. Eagle came back first. He had found nothing. They waited another four days for Crow. He had also found nothing. “I will go,” Dove said again. “Fine,” said the birds, “ Go.” Dove flew over the ocean, over the desert and over the Arctic. Dove landed on a tree to sleep. Coyote saw him and waited for him to wake up. When Dove woke up, hours later, Coyote was still there. “What are you doing up there?” the Coyote asked. “I’m going to find someone who can help the Sun.” replied Dove. “Why?” asked Coyote. “Because Sun is tired.” Dove told him. “Oh.” Coyote said. “Well I need to go now.” Dove said. “No, wait!” cried Coyote. “Yes?” Dove asked. “What is going to happen?” he asked. “Well, someone will need to take over the nights from Sun, someone who is almost as bright as the Sun.” Dove answered. I can’t see in the dark! Coyote thought. I’ll have to stop him. “Before you go will you please have lunch with me?” Coyote asked sweetly. “Okay.” Dove answered. “That cave over there is my home.” Coyote said, pointing to a bear’s cave. “I will go get food.” Dove flew into the cave. Bear came out of the darkness. “What are you doing here?” Bear asked angrily.“ I’m looking for someone who can help Sun, she is tired, but right now I’m having lunch with Coyote.” “Oh I know someone who can help Sun!” Bear exclaimed. “Who?” Dove asked. “He lives in the forest, it is a wise owl.” Bear told him. “Where is he?” Dove asked. “Fly into the forest, to the tree that was hit by lightning, then turn onto the path. The owl lives in the crooked tree.” Bear said. “Good luck.” Dove flew into the forest and found the crooked tree easily. He stopped to rest on a tree branch and Coyote jumped out at him from the bushes. Coyote wouldn’t let him near the crooked tree. Then a big stone came down and hit Coyote on the head...it was Owl. “What are you doing here?” asked Owl. “I’ve came to ask you what to do about Sun, she is tired.” Dove told him. “Aaahhh......,” said Owl. “Go to the Blueberry Falls. There is a purple flower that only grows behind the Falls. Eat only the four petals. Then tell Sun that you will watch over the nights.” “Okay.” said Dove. When he got to Blueberry Falls he found pink and blue flowers, but no purple ones. He asked Chipmunk, who was near by, “Where are the purple flowers?” “Behind the Falls.” Chipmunk answered. Dove took a deep breath and flew into the waterfall. There were the purple flowers! He carefully ate the four petals off one of the flowers. Dove then flew up to Sun. Sun smiled and said “Thank you, but we have to distinguish you from the other doves. Your new name is Moon.