Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA.
The moon and the tide
Push and pull the moon does do.
Rise and fall does the water do,
Following, following where the moon does go.
Flowing, flowing as the water go.
History:
It is quite uncertain as to which tribe the poem has originated from, if it was at the Southern water tribe or at the
Northern water Tribe. Both tribes have voiced loudly and obnoxiously at times their ownership of the poem. It was
even rumored to have caused several fist fights between two previous chiefs of the tribes, Chief Sulu of the North
and Chief Hoshi of the South, during their childhood. It is unknown as to why they have fought over the poem, but
the consequences have been extensively recorded as their fights have carried over from their childhood to their
adult years. Much to the exasperation of their wives, that in itself is a mystery as it is questioned as to why two
scribes, both of which are the appointed scribes of each village, have mentioned the annoyance of the wives.
Curios-er still is that the frustrations of the wives were not relegated to an insignificant foot note or sentence but
have been given several sentences to paragraphs. That period of time have been shrouded in mystery as there
were noted discrepancies and missing information during the reign of Chief Sulu and Chief Hoshi.
As of now it would not be possible to know where the poem started from as the ice tablets of the north has either
been destroyed or hidden, as some speculates. It might never even be known.
Since the northern tribe is based on a militant structure, mostly benevolent during their long history, the poem does
take on a more somber and rigid significance: The poem says to the people to be loyal and to find happiness in
performing duty and obligation; To be loyal to the chief, to do what is best for the tribe, and to know that obligation
and duty falls on all. The southern tribe holding art and philosophy in high regard has assigned a much more
romantic but tragic meaning to the poem: It tells of a tragic love (The Tides Turn) that was never meant to be, that
the life of one can have a powerful yet subtle effect on another like the moon to the sea. Though the two tribes
might differ in opinion about the poem they do agree on one point: that it is a waterbenders' song, from this we are
able to say with reasonable assurance that it was the poem's original meaning. And that the other significance
attached might have come later.
Bull crap, this is like Facebook all over again! Ahckk! Im sorry but I wasn't able to edit the above... Im still miffed. I was typing when i pressed enter it just suddenly went pooffff... I had to redo it all over, I liked the first, it was simple, short and succulent...
