The moon is the central part of many myths and legends in Native American and Chinese cultures. Many cultures around the world believe that the moon holds much power and has a great influence over our lives.
The Man in the Moon Myth
Myth retrieved on September 11, 2012, from http://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/MoonQuest/maninmoon.html
Ages ago there went one Sunday morning an old man into the wood to hew sticks. He cut a bunch and slung it on a stout staff, cast it over his shoulder, and began to trudge home with his burden. On his way, he met a handsome man in Sunday suit, walking towards the church.
" Don't you know that it is Sunday, when all good Christians should be resting from their labours?" said the stranger. "Sunday on earth, or Monday in heaven, it's all the same to me!" laughed the old man.
" Then bear your bundle forever, and as you value not Sunday on earth yours shall be a perpetual moon day in heaven; and you
shall stand for eternity in the moon, a warning to all sabbath-breakers" and the stranger banished him to the moon.
The Woman on the Moon
Myth retrieved on September 11, 2012, from http://kathrynvercillo.hubpages.com/hub/10-Interesting-Myths-and-Legends-About-The-Moon
In Chinese culture, it is said that a woman, named Chang'e, and her husband were once made into mortals after making the gods very angry because of their bad behavior. Chang'e and her husband tried to become immortal again by drinking a magic potion. Chang'e became too greedy and drank too much of the potion, and floated up to the moon where she remains stuck for the rest of time.
Legends and myths are a great way to introduce students to other cultures and to historical events. In my classroom, we will read stories about various cultures, and discuss actual historical events that have taken place in space and on the moon.
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