The Sun and Moon kept appearing in the same spot in the same sky at the same time. They saw how this affected the creatures below.
“This will not do!” the burning Sun cried.
“There must be a solution,” the calming Moon replied. “The creatures may offer one, for they suffer the most.”
And so the Sun and Moon went to a Dog who lived on a farm. When they stated their problem, however, they spoke over each other until there was nothing but a tangle of words.
The Dog, however, quirked both ears and listened, for Dogs had a knack with sounds. Cheerfully, the Dog said, “Why can’t you both just be friends? I’m sure you can exist in the same sky together!”
“But would that not bother you?” the Moon asked.
“Me? Of course not! Why, it just means there’s more to look at!”
The Dog promptly fell in a mud puddle and jovially described how much fun he was having. The Sun and Moon decided he was not the one to resolve their conflict.
Next, they traveled to a Cat in a splendid house. As the Moon saw more of the Cat, she told her friend of the conflict.
The Cat licked her paw, staring at them indifferently. “Why rise at all? Much better to rest yourselves.”
“But we must rise!” the Sun said, “It is our duty!”
The Cat snuffled and sprawled across her magnificent bed. “What do I care about duty?”
The Moon dragged the Sun away.
After a long think, the Sun brightened. “Perhaps a flyer is the solution! After all, they are the ones who pass closest to us!”
The Moon declared this a splendid idea, and so they went in search of a flying creature. They came upon a Falcon swooping from a dive, gobbling their prey.
“Falcon!” the Sun called, “You are a fast flyer, and have made many journeys. We have a predicament.”
Yet before this predicament could once again be described, the Falcon shouted, “You still have not found a solution? Why, it is the simplest in the world!”
The Moon beamed. “What is the solution, Falcon?”
“Why, compromise, of course! Choose when to fly and when to nest! That way, you have clear paths and need not worry about colliding or causing suffering below.”
Once stated, the Sun and Moon realized that perhaps it was a little obvious. Although the Falcon had stated it in a rude, snappish tone, they knew that the creature had spoken true.
And so the Moon chose to reside with her friends the Stars, while the Sun gathered her clouds. When she needed to rest during her hours, the clouds created a soothing blanket for her, occasionally visiting Moon as well. In gratitude, the Moon named the Sun her favorite Star.
Sometimes, however, their conflict will rise again, and they will overlap each other. But when they do, they think of the Falcon, and separate once more.
