WHO IS THE GREATEST?

A short story by Glory Nyanah

Have you ever wondered how the earth experience a solar eclipse? Well! Let me share a story with you. Are you ready?

The sun and moon arguing 

Once upon a time, the sun and the moon fought to know who was more important than the other.

"I am the greatest. Nothing is more important than I on Earth." The sun began, "Without my heat and light, the Earth would be a lifeless ball of ice-coated rock. I warm  the seas,  the atmosphere, generate the weather patterns, and give energy to the growing green plants that provide the food and oxygen for life on Earth."

"Oh no, I am the greatest." The moon countered. "The brightest and largest object in our night sky, I make the earth a more livable planet by moderating its planet and allowing it wobbled on its axis, leading to a relatively stable climate. I also cause tides, create a rhythm that has guided humans for thousands of years."

"I am the greatest" screamed the sun. 😀🙏

"No, I am the greatest" the moon screamed back. Soon both of them were at each other's neck until the Sun was partially covered by the Moon, causing the earth to experience slight darkness.

After some time the Sun becomes completely hidden behind the Moon forcing the sky to noticeably darken,  flowers closed up, chickens went to roost, animals and humans became disoriented. Everything went still. This fight continued for days, then the two decided to take the matter to the chief of nature and his counsel for no one was able to separate them. Immediately they arrived at the palace they were given the floor to air their points.

"My lordship and honorable members of the royal council," the sun greeted, " everyone here knows how useful and important I am to the earth, I provide light, bring heat, and help plants grow, I give the earth its warmth. Without me, the earth will be lifeless and void.  I appear when the earth is all hustling and bustling. Doesn't this makes me greater than the moon who only appears at night when all is cool and calm?" 

"That's not true, I the moon am the earth's most constant companion and the easiest celestial object to find in the night sky, I stay awake when all fell asleep watching the earth, without me the night is dark and dreadful" 

The chief and his councils listened to both arguments attentively. Then the king ordered the two elements to step out so that he and his council members can deliberate on the matter.

"My wise elders what do you think we should do about this," the chief asked.

" I think that the sun is right, we all know how hard she has to work throughout the day to make sure we have a light, she stays there watching patiently as we go about our daily hustle. She gives energy to our plants to grow. It must be hard for her. To me, she is the greatest." The first elder said.

First elder

" I think it's the moon. She has been there for us when the sun hides its face. It stays awake to keep us company. It makes our night lively. It also helps us keep track of our festivals. I think she wins"  Another elder countered. Soon there were agreements on who should win and who shouldn't among the council members 

Second elder

The chief paid close attention to the points raised by members of his council, then thank them for their contributions. " I now have my judgment. Bring the two women in for my judgment" the wise chief said. The sun and the moon were ushered into the palace by the royal guards.

The chief

" Having listened attentively to both of you and my counsel of chiefs, I have concluded that the earth needs the sun as well as they need the moon. It needs the sun in the day the same way it needs the moon in the night. The sun can not do what the moon does at night neither can the moon do what the sun does by day. Each of you is unique in her way,  none of the two is more important or greater than the other. So hence both the sun and moon will learn to respect each other's uniqueness and co-exist, and there will be no arguments or fights between you two concerning this issue again. Have I made myself clear?"

" yes, my lordship"  the sun and moon answered simultaneously, then bowed before the chief and his council and left. 

From then hence the sun and the moon had learned to coexist peacefully. They both appreciate each other's uniqueness and never argue about who is the greatest between them. Whenever they meet it now becomes a friendly meeting which caused a solar eclipse on the earth. 

THE END