• Lady of the moon
    By Herby Golumn
    Far up in the sky, if we look up and see the sun or moon, or maybe watch the stars twinkle at night, or possibly even look through a telescope and see planets, far, far, away,, we would never know that they were all actually people, large and beautiful, elegantly floating through the sky. Oh, yes, it’s quite true. They all talk, move, and feel. And as you might have guessed by now, since they could feel, they could fall in love.
    Anyway, a long time ago, far before there were many humans on earth, something quite amazing happened. The queen (who was the sun) was bright and brilliant as usual, and one day she threw a grand ball. Why, everyone in the solar system came to the party, dressed in their most extravagant and stunning clothes. Playful Jupiter wore an orange suit, covered in red polka-dots. Saturn wore a beautiful belt over her multicolored gown; it was studded in precious stones and magic dust. Uranus looked quite dashing with two blue silk sashes over his princely getup. Yes, everyone went, from the smallest and shyest of stars in their tiny sparkling suits and dresses, even to Pluto, the rogue little planet who traveled to the farthest reaches of the solar system.
    Earth came as well, and her dress was quite original. It was blue and puffy, and it had green and brown splotches on it. On top of that, she wore a peculiar sash, which was white and transparent, and it swirled all over her body. Lastly, she wore a snowy white tiara, and crystal slippers.
    While everyone marveled at Earth’s dress, the queen couldn’t help but notice someone else was there, standing next to Earth, but nobody payed attention to her. She had long black shiny hair, and a simple white slip gown. The queen walked up and introduced herself, and the young planet sadly said her name was Luna. “Why are you so sad, dear girl? This party is an occasion to celebrate!” “I am so lonely” She said with a sigh. “I have nobody to keep me company, since I am only a poor servant of Earth.” The Queen was very sad to hear this, and so that very day she freed Luna from the bonds of servitude to Earth. But Luna was only more saddened by this, because now she didn’t have company at all.
    Oh, how dreadful indeed! The Queen felt so sorry for Luna. So, the next day, she called Luna and Earth into her royal courthouse. She told them that she would arrange a marriage between her son, the prince, and Luna! Oh, Luna was overjoyed to hear the news! She left the courthouse with such happiness; her body glowed with beautiful white light.
    That same day, The Queen had called her son to court as well. Now, unknown to Luna, The young prince, though very handsome, was extremely rebellious. He did not even attend the ball the day before. The Queen knew even if she ordered him, he would never want to marry Luna, and would be terrible company to her. But the Queen was very wise, and devised a magnificent plan.
    So Ebony (the prince) rode to the courthouse, despite the fact he hated to have to follow the orders of his mother, the Queen. On his way down the road, he noticed a young woman (who was Luna) glowing with brilliance. He was instantly smitten with her, but his carriage rode on, and he did not get to ask her name or remember her beautiful face. At last he reached the majestic palace, entered the courthouse, and bowed low before the Queen. “My son,” She began “Yesterday, at my grand ball, I met a young servant girl who was very beautiful, but very sad. I asked her what was the matter, and she said she was lonely, and needed love. That very same day, I freed her from her servant bonds, and today, I promised her your own hand in marriage.” My! How disastrous! Now Ebony burned with loathing for his mother. How dare her, to order him to marry a mere servant girl, one whom he did not even know! He was just about to storm from the palace when his mother stopped him. “If you truly do not wish to do this, my son, then I will cancel the wedding, but on one condition.” The prince stopped to listen. He would do anything to stop this marriage. “You must journey to the far corner of our kingdom (which is the Solar system) and there you will find the rouge Pluto. He will give you a magic diamond pendant. If you return with the pendant within a month, then I will free you of your bonds to this girl. If you are up to the task, you must come back tomorrow. A young woman will accompany you.” Ebony nodded and quickly left the palace, heading back to his own home to prepare for the journey.
    Unbeknownst to the young prince, the queen had also spoken to Luna about a journey to retrieve a diamond pendant. But instead, she told her that the pendant was to be a wedding present. She also said a young man would travel with her, but did not tell her whom.
    So the next day came at last, and Luna and Ebony arrived at the palace, fully prepared for the long journey ahead. The Queen introduced them both to each other, but did not tell either of them that the other was their spouse-to-be. And finally, Luna and the young prince made their way to the abode of Pluto, the rouge planet.
    A week had passed, and Luna and Ebony stopped to rest and refill. As Luna cooked over a fire, the young prince gazed intently upon her. My, Luna is quite beautiful to behold! He thought to himself. When he ate the food Luna gave her, he found it was delicious. Thus he began to fall for her. “Surely, when this is all over, I will ask for Luna’s hand in marriage.” He mumbled as he fell asleep. As he slumbered, Luna looked upon the handsome prince’s features, and thought to herself Oh! He is so handsome! Surely, if I were not betrothed to a young prince, I would have liked to marry him. And she fell asleep at his side.
    The next morning, Ebony woke up at her side, and looking at her beautiful features, he fell for her even more. He woke her up, and they continued to travel.
    After one week and a half, the two reached the great asteroid belt, which to them was like a great river. The only way across was by clinging onto a speeding comet that would carry them past it. While they were waiting, a terrible lion raged at Luna, but Ebony fought it off with his sword. My, what a valiant man! She thought. Unfortunately, because of the fuss over the lion, they missed the comet that would take them across the Great Rocky River, and had to wait three days for the next one during which time Ebony and Luna grew closer together.
    They had so far to journey! It would have been impossible to return to the palace with the pendant in time, but they had to press on, if for nothing more than desperation. At last, they arrived at Rouge Pluto’s cottage. “Come in, my good friends! I have been expecting you.” He pulled out a beautiful diamond pendant with a gold chain, and handed it to the two of them. How happy they were! “But it has already been three weeks, we can never make it back in time!” Ebony said sadly, looking at the pendant as though it were a curse. “Fear not, my children, for the pendant is a magic one! It will transport you anywhere in the universe in the blink of an eye!” Luna gasped at this news. She would be able to marry her prince!
    Luna was in fact so happy, she started glowing with amazing brilliance, and her light filled the cottage. In that moment, Ebony realized she was the girl he had seen on the way to the palace! His heart was filled with desire, and he embraced her as the pendant transported them back to the palace.
    The queen had not expected the sight before her. She was in the middle of an important ruling of the court, when suddenly a bright light filled the room, and with a stellar flash, there Luna was, glowing happily, the prince with his arms around her. The people of the court gasped and murmured to each other, but the queen dismissed them immediately.
    “Welcome back, my children!” The queen stood up and the adventurers bowed low before her. The when she had returned to her throne, much to ebony’s surprise, Luna ran up to her, thrusting out the pendant. “I brought you what you have requested, your majesty! Am I now worthy to wed your son, the prince?” Ebony was completely shocked. All this time, he had been seeking a pendant so he could end the marriage between him and Luna, but she turned out to be his true love after all!
    “I am afraid I have no right to decide the marriage to the prince, Luna” The wise queen nodded towards Ebony “You will have to ask him yourself.”
    Luna turned to Ebony, gasping in surprise. He had been the prince all along! She ran to him, arms outstretched, into his strong embrace. The queen smiled and looked at the two lovers. “I choose to love you the rest of my days, Luna!” he said, kissing her on the lips. Luna glowed so brightly, combined with the light of the queen, the whole palace and surrounding forest brightened up magnificently, and it stayed that way, even into the next day, when Luna and the Prince got married, and its stayed that way even today.
    Now, if you look up into the sky at night, you can always see Luna, who is now a princess, dancing with her true love around Earth, his black cape flowing out into the sky, and her bright white light, falling down on us humans, so we can bask in their joy.