Father Sun and the Moon Mother

I have recently been taking part in a writing tournament in an online community of over 70,000 writers. Competitors started in a group of 32 and, after two rounds of competition, we are now down to just eight. Each round we are given a prompt and a 500 word-count limit and we submit our pieces for the wider community to critique and vote for their favourite story of the two going head-to-head.

Below is my round two story, which has secured my position in the final eight. The prompt was – “Why the sun and the moon never shine together.” Let me know what you think!

***

“Now that is a sad story,” Opa said.

He readjusted the logs on the open camp-fire, the movement sending a cascade of embers into the night sky. His finger pointed at the glowing flecks rising upward before fading into oblivion, urging my view into the night sky. The fire danced, awoken by Opa’s prodding, reflecting within his hazel eyes as he cast his gaze toward the crescent moon.

“In the time of the Celestials – just before our kind walked this earth – Father Sun and the Moon Mother were inseparable.” Opa settled back into his chair, taking a sip from his stainless steel mug before readjusting the wings of his triumphant moustache. “They danced the heavens above, forever entwined in a lovers’ embrace.”

I leaned forward in my chair, the warmth from the camp-fire spread across my face. “If they loved each other, why are they never together?”

Opa offered a smile from across the flames – a smile, I noticed, saddened with regret. “Well, that’s just it, my boy. Love can sometimes be too much. . . too complete. Father Sun and the Moon Mother became so entranced in each other, so together, that they broke the First Rule of the Celestials -”

“Never interfere,” I interrupted with gusto. I had spent years entranced by Opa’s weaving of tales of worlds far and near; the Celestials frequented his stories.

“Clever child,” Opa said, as he nodded approvingly. “Remember, the cosmos always has a plan for us. The First Rule states; ‘a Celestial must never interfere with the cosmos’. To do so could jeopardise eternity. You see, destiny and -”

“Opa! I know all of this,” I protested, slumping back into my chair. “What about Father Sun and the Moon Mother?”

“Yes. Well, I suppose you do.” Opa fussed with his moustache once more before returning to his story. “Oh, how they loved to dance, but lost in their dance they sinned. Their love grew seed. Us.”

My mouth was agape; my face inched closer to the fire once more.

“The Celestials frowned upon their creation. ‘A perversion,’ they had said. ‘A glitch in their plan.’ They cast the Father and Mother apart, separating them for as long as they could bear their own sin. Destined to watch over and protect us. Destined to chase each other until the end of times.”

“Will they ever be together again, Opa?”

“It is said that one day, when we return to our forefathers above, the Celestials will reunite the lovers. That they will again be free to dance the heavens. It is said that their reunion marks our departure for the skies.”

“And we will all be together forever, Opa? Will you see Oma again?”

The firelight glistened off the tear rolling down Opa’s cheek. “One day. When the plan allows.”

“I miss her, Opa.”

Opa looked longingly up at the moon. “Me too.”

***

I hope you enjoyed this little flash piece. If you did – please like and share. If you didn’t – please let me know your feedback in a comment below.