Let me tell you a story, which explains the yearning wolves have for the moon. The moon is where the moon goddess lives. She is the daughter of Father Sky and Mother Earth. She is the reason the moon glows. Centuries ago she came to earth.

She was bored floating in the sky night after night; she had no freedom. From her home on the moon she could see the earth and all its' creatures; she ached to be with them. She especially loved the wolves because they were free and wild, she wanted to be free like them.

Moon wanted adventure and freedom; she pleaded with her parents. "Please mother, father, let me be go to earth."

Mother Earth was fine with the idea. She wanted the girl to come to earth so Moon could experience all the wonderful things on her home.

Father Sky, on the other hand was ferociously against the idea, "No," he boomed, "if you go down there you will get into trouble, it will be difficult for me and your mother to protect you."

Father Sky didn't want his daughter to go because he could see the dangers of the world below; none more dangerous than the humans. He saw their greed and hunger for power. He didn't want Moon to get hurt.

Moon was a stubborn girl and wouldn't give up without a fight. "I won't get into trouble; I'll come back up at night, you won't even know I'm gone."

She begged and pleaded. She wore her father to his breaking point. Finally, after he could no longer take her persistent badgering, he relented. "You may go, but you must take a guardian with you."

Moon agreed without hesitation, "I will do anything to be free."

Father Sky needed someone he knew could protect his beloved daughter from herself and from dangers on the earth. Moon was too trusting he thought, she saw only the good in people.

Gently he took the spirit of his daughter and divided it. He placed her soul into two different bodies. One half of the spirit went into the body of a shimmering white wolf; all her goodness and benevolence. The other half, her ferocity, strength, and power went into the body of a wolf black as night. This was the guardian. She was called Darkside.

At first it was disorientating being without her darker emotions. All the more so for being able to see it right in front of her. Moon was shy of this strange being. It was a part of her, yet separate.

After a few days being around each other Moon recognized the dark wolf as herself, just as she was the dark wolf. Soon they were inseparable, closer than sisters. They were ready to begin their journey.

Mother Earth and Father Sky had some rules before they left. "We are going to let you two go, but you must follow our rules or we will bring you back to the spirit world and you will be forbidden to return to earth."

Father Sky began with his rules, "Darkside, you must protect Moon and always keep her safe. I want you to stay away from the humans."

Mother Earth let out a sigh, "They aren't all evil like you think they are. Most are filled with compassion and gentleness. My only rule is don't hurt the humans."

Moon and Darkside nodded. Moon was anxious to leave, "Can we go now?"

"Yes," Father Sky said, "Just remember, you must always protect your spirit. Without it you won't be able to return home."

The two spirits left with promises to behave and began their adventure. Moon finally felt free and wild. Wherever the two spirit wolves went, they were followed by the earth wolves. The earth wolves felt great pride and honor because the goddess and her guardian had chosen the wolf form.

One day the spirits came across a village of humans. Like Father Sky, Darkside didn't trust these creatures, yet Moon yearned to visit and learn about the humans. Against her better judgment Darkside allowed her to go.

At first the humans were terrified of the great beasts. In time Moon was able to comfort and convince them they were gentle and wished them no harm. The humans believed and trusted the white creature, but still feared the fierce Darkside.

Moon loved the humans, she watched them love one another and help each other. She wondered why Father Sky thought they were so wicked. Not all the humans were good though. The shaman of the village had an evil heart; he saw the immense power he could gain from controlling the spirits.

One day while Darkside slept, the evil man lured the naïve and trusting Moon away from the village. He knew if the spirit of Moon took the place of his own he would have great power, knowledge, and immortality!

He convinced Moon to share her spirit with him. He said they would forever watch over and protect the villagers. Moon trusted his lies; she loved the humans and wanted them to be safe. Slowly she let her spirit flow into the shaman.

Jerking awake from her sleep Darkside knew Moon was in trouble. Frantically she looked around, but couldn't find Moon anywhere. Then the scent of the goddess flooded her nose along with the foul stench of the shaman. Tearing through the woods, Darkside followed the scent to a clearing.

Moon's soul was being eaten by the twisted man; soon Moon would have no soul left.

Leaping at the shaman, Darkside quickly destroyed the evil.

The black wolf turned to Moon, who was dying from the loss of her soul. Darkside gathered her own spirit and pushed the energy to Moon. At first nothing happened and Darkside feared she had failed, but a twitch of Moon's paw and a shallow intake of breath chased the doubt away.

Moon rose from the ground and looked at her shaken sister. Darkside looked at Moon and shakily said, "Return to the sky where you belong and shine brighter than ever before."

Moon just nodded, she couldn't speak; her throat was closed with despair. They had broken all the rules their parents had set for them. Their consequence was banishment from earth, but Darkside couldn't return to the spirit realm without her spirit. They would be separated.

Moon returned to her home on the moon, which would never be whole long as Darkside was on earth.

After Moon left the clearing they approached the fallen spirit. Mother Earth began, "We know what you have done."

Darkside bowed her head, "I am terribly sorry for breaking the rules, but I would do it all again to save Moon. I will accept the consequences."

"Because you followed the most important rule, protect your sister," Father Sky said, "We will let you live, but you will never be allowed to return to the spirit world."

Her parents departed; leaving the broken wolf alone in the world.

Darkside wandered alone and despaired. She'd lost everything she loved, her sister and her home. She would never again see her sister's smile or hear her laugh. As she wandered, she was joined by earth wolves offering solace and comfort.

Nothing could lighten her dark mood. Darkside was filled with pain and longing. She wanted her sister and finally when she could take it no longer and her pain couldn't be contained, she screamed with all her might pouring out all her sadness. The wolves were knocked to the ground from the strength of the fallen spirit's agony; they lifted their heads and sang back understanding their own loss. The sad song was heard everywhere. The grief of the wolves was known by all.

Mother Earth felt the ache of the guardian sister and had mercy. She gave Moon permission to come back to earth, but only on the day of the dark moon. For that day, the two sisters would be united. The loneliness and sadness of the dark wolf was gone, replaced with hope and joy.

Father Sky heard the song and saw the reunion; he wouldn't take away what Mother Earth had given. In his heart he knew they had been harsh; they couldn't undo what they had done, but he could allow them to be happy.

When the moon is full the song of the wolves is one of waiting and longing. Then on the night of the dark moon their song is one of reunion and happiness.