Agnes Taylor Ketchum

The Children and the Moon

T HE sun had set, and it was getting dark, and the children in the forest were still thinking only of play. Soon it grew darker, and darker, and they were afraid, as they did not know the way home. All at once, a light shone through the trees. At first they thought it was only a fire, but it rose high in the air, and they saw it was the moon. And when the moon saw the children, she said, "Good evening, my children, why are you out so late?"

The children were afraid, at first, but when they saw that the moon smiled kindly at them, they took heart, and said: "Ah! we have staid too late, and we cannot find the way home, because it is so dark."

They wept so loud, that the moon was very sorry for them, and said, "I will give you light, so that you can find your way." She shone out so brightly, that it was almost as clear as if it had been day.

Then the children were glad, and ran, merrily singing and dancing, all the way. At the door, they turned and said, "Dear moon, we thank you for having lighted us so well."

And the moon said, "I am glad you are safely home. Run, now, to your mother, for she is anxious about you."