 A myth is a made-up story that explains the existence of a natural
phenomenon — such as where thunder comes from or why snow falls
from the sky. Myths — which often include gods and goddesses
and other supernatural characters who have the power to make extraordinary
things happen — are popular even when people know the actual
reasons for natural phenomena. Before you start writing your own
myths, try reading one that I've created! You can use it as a model
for your own work.
Mother Earth's Son
Long ago, when Mother Earth lived by
herself, far from her sisters and brothers, the stars, she was lonely.
She was so lonely, she decided to make a family for herself. So
she fell asleep under a blanket of ice, and when she woke up, she
was the mother of a beautiful baby boy.
Now, like all little babies, the little boy was at first easy to
handle. He slept a lot and ate very little, and Mother Earth carried
him about on her back in a sling woven of grass and reeds.
When the baby was tired, she sang to him. "Oh little son of mine,
little baby, the stars who are your uncles and aunts look down and
send sweet dreams. Dreams like sugar cane, like the bees' honey."
And he would fall asleep without a bit of trouble.
But as the boy grew older and began to walk and then to run, he
would sometimes get into trouble. He would fling things around and
splash in puddles. He would take water into his mouth and spit it
all over the place. Then he would laugh and laugh, thinking this
mischief was very funny.
His mother scolded him in all the languages of the earth. She would
say "Little son, kleine mann, toto, mi nino, what are you doing?
Do not treat your mother this way."
Like all children, for the most part he was sorry, and tried hard
to be good. But every once in a while, the mischief in his head
got into his hands and feet and mouth, and then he made a mess.
Everywhere.
Today we know this boy by one of his mother's pet names. Have you
figured out yet what it is?
Click
here if you think you know!
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