Once, a long time ago, it was daytime all the time. The sun shone, the clouds were white and fluffy, the birds sang, and pretty flowers grew. Everyone was happy.
All was well for quite an amount of time, when a god called Filian decided that the sun would look very pretty in a ring for his beautiful wife, Meena. At the same time, another god called Demetio decided that he would like to put the sun in bracelet in a ring for his beautiful wife, Pomona.
The two gods argued...and argued...and argued. In the end they decided to go and see Zeus.
Zeus listened to the story with interest, and then thought for a few minutes. Then he said;
"Gentlemen, I have thought this over and decided that there is no other alternative. You must have a fight. You will be armed with a silver sword and a red shield. Whoever wins the fight, well, the sun will be theirs as a prize!"
The two lesser gods agreed. The next day, they were given the promised sword and shield. So the fought...and fought...and fought! For 3 days they fought tirelessly, with small breaks for fruit and water. They were of equal strength and ability.
They went to see Zeus again, as his plan had not worked. He listened to them again. Then he thought once more. Then he said;
"Gods, you cannot win the sun. We will divide the sun between you. Each of you can have the sun for half a day. Then you must give the sun to the other for the rest of the day. You must do this, for otherwise you will have broken your word to me and proved yourselves to be mistrustful."
The two other gods agreed. So that has become the routine. Filian holds it for it to shine on one half of the world. Then, when his time is up, he throws it to Demetio on the other side, who then holds it so that it can shine on the other half of the world, leaving one side in darkness. Then a moon and stars were produced by Zeus' sister Diana as a present for the two gods.
So that is how it has gone on for the past two millenia. We can only hope that one day they don't grow tired of holding the moon, the sun and stars.
And neither Pomona or Meena ever got their rings.
Anna Lynch 8SM/ML