Origin of the Lunar Melody

By WolfSinger

In a time when the world was young and life was new, the goddess Artemis gazed onto the earth from the highest peaks of Mt. Olympus. She wanted to keep a sharp eye on the animals, being the guardian of the creatures. Because she could not make frequent visits to the earth to keep a constant watch on the creatures, Artemis decided to appoint a group of animals to be in charge. Little did Artemis know that the group she chose could cause so much destruction.

Artemis mentioned her plan to the messenger god Hermes, and sent him to earth with a message: “The goddess Artemis will soon arrive to observe all creatures and appoint the ones she finds the most worthy as rulers. The particular species must have certain qualities such as beauty, nobility, loyalty, reliability, and intelligence.” The speech was followed by a sudden clamor of shrill bleating, barking, squawking, and stomping of hooves. Once the din ceased, the creatures looked from one animal to another to view their competition and to contemplate their chances of becoming the ruler. The dumber animals, realizing they had no chance at all, bowed their heads and slipped secretively away from the mob of zealous creatures.

Over the next few days the animals practiced proper manners, and worked on their disposition; sure enough, Artemis came as she said. She smiled, amused by the awkward, unnaturally decent behavior some of the animals portrayed. The pigs and the boars had created a routine bathing schedule, and some of the horses had their manes combed by other animals blessed with fingers. Artemis was even greeted politely by a badger waddling its way through a summer meadow. Though the animals’ behavior was impressive and much improved, the goddess knew it was merely an act to please her so they might be chosen to rule over the other creatures. She continued her search to find the most worthy animal.

Many months later, Artemis found herself deep in the heart of an entrancing forest. Winter had come, and the air was crisp and frozen. Artemis looked up to the sky and feared that it would snow, preventing her from searching. Silently in the bitter cold it fell lightly onto the earth—the crystallized raindrops formed by the dark, ominous clouds above. The snow came in sparse amounts at first, and then decided to disperse itself throughout the rest of the woods. It was then she saw it, camouflaged in the thick mist; the creature she had been searching for. “It’s an arctic wolf,” she whispered to herself, “the most beautiful of all the wolves.” She ventured nearer toward the splendid creature that was sniffing the newly fallen snow. “I have been searching for you, wolf” she began. The wolf cocked its ears in the direction of her voice, then lifted its head and positioned its crisp, clear blue eyes in such a way that they locked onto the goddess’s.

“Why have you sought me?” The wolf questioned in a sweet, melodious voice that possessed the power to hypnotize the unwary.

“For months I have searched all across the land to find the creature that possessed beauty, nobility, loyalty, reliability, and intelligence. Today, I have laid my eyes on such a creature.” There was a long silence.

“What is it that you want?” It asked.

“I wish for you to rule over the other animals. I am unable to do this job alone, for I live too far away from here.”

“This I can do, but not alone. I shall need the help of my pack, if it is permitted,” the wolf explained.

“That will be fine,” Artemis said, pleased.

Artemis trusted this seemingly divine animal so much that she did not bother to check on its progress for five years. After time had passed however, Artemis grew curious of the happenings on earth. She asked Hermes to bring her news of the latest events. He returned, distressed.

“When the animals heard me mention your name,” Hermes began, “they begged me to send you to them. They are in desperate need of your help.”

Startled by the information, Artemis quickly returned to the earth. It was in ruins, with scarce signs of life anywhere. There was no music from the birds, and no chipmunks were scurrying. She did however, find a sick, underfed rabbit.

“What has happened here?” She asked the old rabbit in horror. After a few hoarse coughs, the rabbit explained.

“Nothing but terror has come from our leaders. They hunt out of control, killing many creatures. The only ones who have had any benefit from this arrangement is the pack itself. Not once have they showed compassion to any creature but themselves.” The rabbit paused, collecting its thoughts. “There is one thing that amazes me. Though they have more than enough to eat, the litter this year consisted of only one pup. I expected many more.”

“They must be stopped, and severely punished. Do they greatly adore this pup?”

“Oh yes. She is so very precious to them, being the only pup. They would be devastated to lose her.” The rabbit’s expression did not change; he had not realized Artemis’s plan. The goddess was deeply saddened, because the rabbits were once such intelligent creatures. Fear of the wolves had taken over their minds.

Artemis climbed a high peak, and withdrew her silver bow and a single, shining arrow. She scanned the horizon, now stained a rosey pink by the morning sun, searching for the pack. At last she spotted the wolves, asleep. The pup was awake and alone, pouncing on a dandelion. Artemis raised her bow and aligned the gleaming point of the arrow to the pup’s heart. The string sounded, echoing throughout the valley. The goddess never missed her shot.

Artemis then traveled to the stars and placed a shining, silver orb in the sky. It would appear whenever the sun was not seen, as a symbol of comfort to all creatures. The globe she called the moon was to remind the animals that she was their guardian during the night, and that they need not be afraid. The wolf pack hated the sight of the moon and was enraged whenever they saw it at its fullest, remembering Artemis and their lost pup. They expressed their mourning by howling long into the night before seeking their revenge—killing more of Artemis’s beloved creatures.

The End

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