How the Moon Became Beautiful: E204
An enchanting tale from China that explains how the moon’s face changed in one single night to the golden glow we all know and love now. A soothing tale to lull little ones off to sleep. Ages 4-10. An episode from Journey with Story, a storytelling podcast for kids. (duration -9 minutes)
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When the Moon leaves her home in the sky to come to earth and discover why the people of the marshland are so afraid to go walking there, she herself encounters some wicked creatures who try to trap her. But the wise woman of the land helps the people find a way to save the Moon and restore light to the world again. A spooky tale for older listeners that celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. For ages 8 and older -parents, please listen first to ensure this is suitable for your listener. (duration 16 minutes) An episode from Journey with Story, a storytelling podcast for kids.
If you would like to enjoy our weekly coloring sheets and other perks, subscribe to our patreon page here
If your little listener wants to ask us a question or send us a drawing inspired by one of our episodes, send it to us at instagram@journeywithstory. Or you can contact us at www.journeywithstory.com. We love to hear from our listeners.
If you enjoy our podcast, you can rate, review, and subscribe at here
Did you know Kathleen is also a children’s picture book author, you can find out more about her books at www.kathleenpelley.com
How the Moon Became Beautiful
Chinese folktale
Episode 204
November 03,2022
Do you know any stories or songs about the man in the moon? I’m sure you probably do, and I wonder if you ever look up at the moon shining up in the sky and think you can almost see the face of that man in the moon?
Hello everyone, I’m Kathleen Pelley. Welcome to Journey with Story. Today’s episode is an old tale from China about the Moon himself and how people think his face changed in one single night.
Remember, you can always download some coloring sheets to go along with our weekly episodes. Just go to www.journeywithstory.com and start downloading them today.
Now let’s take a journey with How the Moon Became Beautiful
The Moon is very beautiful with his round, bright face which shines with soft and gentle light on all the world of man.
But once there was a time when he was not so beautiful as he is now. Six thousand years ago the face of the Moon became changed in a single night. Before that time his face had been so dark and gloomy that no one liked to look at him, and for this reason he was always very sad.
One day he complained to the flowers and to the stars—for they were the only things that would ever look in his face.
He said, “I do not like to be the Moon. I wish I were a star or a flower. If I were a star, even the smallest one, some great general would care for me; but alas! I am only the Moon and no one likes me. If I could only be a flower and grow in a garden where the beautiful earth women come, they would place me in their hair and praise my fragrance and beauty.
Or, if I could even grow in the wilderness where no one could see, the birds would surely come and sing sweet songs for me. But I am only the Moon and no one honors me.
The stars answered and said, “We can not help you. We were born here and we cannot leave our places. We never had any one to help us. We do our duty, we work all the day and twinkle in the dark night to make the skies more beautiful.—But that is all we can do,” they added, as they smiled coldly at the sorrowful Moon.
Then the flowers smiled sweetly and said, “We do not know how we can help you. We live always in one place—in a garden near the most beautiful maiden in all the world. As she is kind to every one in trouble we will tell her about you. We love her very much and she loves us.
Her name is Tseh-N’io.”
Still the Moon was sad. So one evening he went to see the beautiful maiden Tseh-N’io. And when he saw her he loved her at once.
He said, “Your face is very beautiful. I wish that you would come to me, and that my face would be as your face. Your motions are gentle and full of grace. Come with me and we will be as one—and perfect. I know that even the worst people in all the world would have only to look at you and they would love you. Tell me, how did you come to be so beautiful?”
“I have always lived with those who were gentle and happy, and I believe that is the cause of beauty and goodness,” answered Tseh-N’io.
And so the Moon went every night to see the maiden. He knocked on her window, and she came. And when he saw how gentle and beautiful she was, his love grew stronger, and he wished more and more to be with her always.
One day Tseh-N’io said to her mother, “I should like to go to the Moon and live always with him. Will you allow me to go?”
Her mother thought so little of the question that she made no reply, and Tseh-N’io told her friends that she was going to be the Moon’s bride.
In a few days she was gone. Her mother searched everywhere but could not find her. And one of Tseh-N’io’s friends said,—“She has gone with the Moon, for he asked her many times.”
A year and another year passed by and Tseh-N’io, the gentle and beautiful earth maiden, did not return.
Then the people said, “She has gone forever. She is with the Moon.”
The face of the Moon is very beautiful now. It is happy and bright and gives a soft, gentle light to all the world. And there are those who say that the Moon is now like Tseh-N’io, who was once the most beautiful of all earth maidens.
Awww – so happy for the Moon and Tseh-N’io, but a little sad for her mum that she must miss her lovely daughter. But then that is the way of so many good stories, isn’t it? They can be both sad and happy at the same time – but then again that’s life too, isn’t it? It can be both sad and happy at the same time. Wonder – could that be this story’s souvenir? Or do you think the souvenir is more about beauty and goodness comes from being with people who are gentle and happy as Tse-N’io said? Maybe you could share your thoughts with your friends or your mum and dad.
Remember, we love to see your drawings, so do send us them on IG at JWS or go to our website at www.journeywithstory.com and send them to us there.
Cheerio then, join me next time for Journey with Story.
