Long ago, before the islands had their full beauty, the sunlight belonged to the sky alone. It poured down each morning, turning the waves into sheets of gold and warming the breadfruit and taro in the gardens. The sea loved the sunlight dearly, more than it loved the fish, more than it loved the moon, but it had no power to hold it. Each night, the sun would slip away and leave the ocean in darkness.
One day, the sea grew jealous of the sky. “Why should you alone keep the sunlight, Sky?” it roared, its waves rising high. “I will take it for myself and never let it go.” The sky laughed, a deep wind moving the clouds. “The sunlight is for all the world, not just for you.” But the sea would not listen.
Steal the sunlight
The sea called upon its strongest currents and sent them swirling toward the horizon. It rolled up great waves until they formed a spiraling hand that reached into the path of the setting sun. With a sudden crash, the sea caught the sunlight in its foam and pulled it deep beneath its surface.
At first, the sea was overjoyed. Its waters glowed bright even at night. Coral shone like fire, turtles moved through golden gardens, and fish swam in schools of light. But soon the sea began to notice something strange. Without the sunlight above, the palm trees withered, the birds stopped singing, and the islands grew cold. The people shivered in their huts, unable to grow food or find warmth.
Seeing this, the great Sky Spirit called to the sea. “You are drowning the world in shadow. Return the sunlight, or everything will die.” The sea turned away, ashamed but stubborn. Then the Sky Spirit sent a giant manta ray, black as midnight, to dive into the ocean depths. The manta ray found the sunlight trapped in a cavern of coral and spoke gently. “You burn to hold this light, but it is not yours to keep. Let it go, and it will return to you each day.”
Sunlight is free
The sea thought long and hard. It loved the sunlight, but it loved the life of the islands too. Finally, it opened its currents and let the sunlight rise. It burst from the waves in a thousand beams, racing back into the arms of the sky.
From that day on, the sunlight visited both the sky and the sea. It danced on the water during the day, then returned to the sky each night. And in the sea’s depths, a little of that light remained, giving a glow to the coral and fish so the ocean would never forget the time it tried to keep it forever.
Moral / Life Lesson:
The story of How the Sea Stole the Sunlight teaches that love without sharing can lead to harm, and that the beauty of the world comes from balance. Holding too tightly to what we desire may harm others, but letting go allows all to thrive.
Knowledge Check
- What is the moral of the folktale “How the Sea Stole the Sunlight”?
The story teaches that balance and sharing are essential for life to flourish, showing that holding on too tightly can cause harm. - What cultural group does the tale “How the Sea Stole the Sunlight” come from?
This folktale originates from the Micronesian tradition in Oceania. - Why did the sea steal the sunlight?
In the tale, the sea stole the sunlight out of jealousy for the sky and the desire to keep its warmth and beauty forever. - How does the folktale “How the Sea Stole the Sunlight” explain a natural phenomenon?
The story explains why sunlight shines on the ocean by day but leaves at night, and why parts of the sea’s depths still glow. - Is “How the Sea Stole the Sunlight” considered a trickster tale, ghost story, or moral fable?
“How the Sea Stole the Sunlight” is a moral fable and cosmic tale that reflects values of balance, sharing, and harmony in nature. - How is this folktale relevant to modern readers?
The message of “How the Sea Stole the Sunlight” remains relevant as it encourages generosity, cooperation, and respect for the needs of all living things.
Cultural Origin: This folktale comes from the oral tradition of the Micronesian peoples of Oceania.
