Now when he says: ‘I am going to squat down behind the grain-bin to hide’, he finds his wife squatting right there behind the grain-bin, and eating another guinea-fowl.
Right then those people, both of them, the man and the woman, began a new life. They no longer troubled each other, they diligently searched for food during that famine, and the land was again at peace.
Post-reading
1.Explain why the man and woman have problems in their relationship.(2)
2.Give a brief outline of the plot.(10)
3.Compare the actions of the woman with those of her husband.(4)
4.What does the woman’s attitude towards her husband reveal about her character?(2)
5.Do you empathise with one particular character? What would you have done if you had been in the same situation?(3)
The man in the moon
a myth from West Africa retold by Dianne Stewart
A note about the story
A myth is an untrue, fictional story that has to do with creation, explaining how something came into being. It portrays characters who are not mere human beings; they are more-than-human and embody an idea and a feeling one associates with that idea. In this story a disagreement between the man in the moon and the stars about his wife’s so-called equal brilliance to his, has disastrous consequences for the people on earth. To punish Atai, his wife, and the stars for their pride, the man in the moon stops shining and enlists the help of the elements, creating chaos on sea and land. The stars eventually come to their senses and the three participants in the conflict, the man in the moon, the stars and the elements, settle the matter by changing the role each one plays in future. The result is a waxing and waning moon, allowing the stars to shine more brightly at times and less brightly when the moon’s brilliance increases.
The elements in turn will vary weather conditions so that people and the earth can survive. The story, then, provides a fanciful explanation of how these things came about. It also suggests a message about pride and vengefulness.
Pre-reading
•What are the weather patterns like where you live?
•Why is a leaking roof a serious problem for many people?
During reading
•Jot down words and/or phrases that mention or describe human traits revealed by the different characters.
•Try to identify how the plot develops: the introduction, several stages of what happens next, and then how the story ends, and why.
The man in the moon
The man in the moon and his wife, Atai, ruled the sky when the sun disappeared and night replaced day.
Atai was the most visible of the stars that were scattered across the night sky. When the other stars took their positions around her, they marvelled at her brightness and commented that she was as brilliant as the moon. They also thought that she was more useful, because ships and travellers on land could set their course by her position and that of the other stars.
They thought that the moon was less useful as he only gave light to the earth below and travelled through the sky. When the man in the moon heard their views he was jealous as he had been in the sky long before ships were built and travellers roamed the lands. Then he became angry and decided that he would not shine at all or even allow the stars to brighten in the night sky. But he couldn’t do this on his own, so he enlisted4 the help of rain, thunder and lightning.
‘The stars have become too proud!’ he told them. ‘They think that they rule the night sky and they deserve to be taught a lesson! Please, will you help me to do this?’
After much persuasion, the moon won the cooperation5 of the elements6. Thunder roared in the heavens, streaks of lightning lit up the sky and the rain pelted down onto the land. Darkness covered the land and the rivers flooded, causing havoc7 on the earth. Trees, birds and animals were swept away and people sought refuge8 in caves and on mountain tops, experiencing great hardship and they wondered what had happened to the weather.
Many days went by. Because of the climate change, the people on earth were without food and they were cold because of the darkened skies and absence of the sun to warm them and make their crops grow. The man in the moon was not upset by what he saw happening down on the ground. He was pleased because his wife, Atai, and the stars could not shine and he gloated9 over them.
Meanwhile Atai became angry as she watched the flooding continue. Although she couldn’t shine, she was pleased with the fact that her husband couldn’t give light either. But they were both frustrated because they could not do what they were created to do. Meanwhile, the elements were overjoyed because never before had they exerted such influence.
But on the earth, man suffered as a result. Although people prayed, some blamed each other for what was happening and they began arguing among themselves, creating conflict.
When night blanketed the earth, the people in caves had to keep fires burning all night to chase away the wild animals that threatened them. Every night they could see the luminous eyes of lions, hyenas and leopards lying in wait just beyond the firelight. Normally these animals would not attack men, but their prey was becoming scarce and they were growing thin and desperate without food.
After a time, the stars became very worried about the situation and pleaded with Atai to reconsider her position and reconcile10 with her husband.
‘It’s important to have harmony between the moon and the stars,’ they said. Then they suggested that when the moon was full and at its most brilliant, they could be less prominent11 and stay in the background. Then when the moon was less prominent the stars could shine brilliantly, having the sky to themselves and the moon could be in the background.
‘Please do something, Atai,’ they pleaded. ‘If the elements persist, there’ll be no light on the earth and perhaps no earth.’
But Atai did not take much interest in their proposals and she was not prepared to do anything about it herself. She did, however, allow them to go to the man in the moon and try to make peace on her behalf.
The man in the moon welcomed the stars as he too had become unhappy with the situation. He was no longer in charge of the night sky and he no longer had a wife. Although he pretended to show little interest in their suggestions, he said: ‘I’m pleased you have come to visit me. I am definitely the ruler of the night sky, but I do not want this argument to continue.’
The stars listened carefully to him as he continued: ‘I am willing to remain in the background, but I have responsibilities to the earth, as it needs my light. If this argument continues, the earth will suffer even more.’
‘That’s unselfish of you,’ replied the stars.
At last an agreement was reached with the moon. But a problem arose with the elements. They were not eager to give up control of the sky, but eventually an arrangement was made between the three of them.
At times the moon would shine and the stars would fade into the background. When the moon shone less intensely, the stars would shine brightly, advancing to the foreground. But there would also be a time when there would be darkness so that the rain and storms could reign.
Eventually, having settled their differences, the man in the moon and his wife became friends once again and they have remained close ever since.
Some people on the earth love to see a full moon riding the night sky. Others love the brilliance of the stars, especially sailors who navigate12 by the position of the stars.
As for the elements, people prefer gentle rain. They