Folktales from India: The Time the Sun Refused to Shine- A Folktale from Nagaland

The Time the Sun refused to Shine – A folktale from Nagaland

“When the earth was very young, all the birds and animals began to complain that they found the sun too bright and hot. Some of them even wished that the sun would not rise every day so that they could have some respite. The sun heard everything that was said, as he crossed from one part of the world to the other, and he was very angry. So one morning he refused to rise.

At first, the animals and birds were very happy. It was cool. They could sleep for as long as they wanted. But soon, some of the birds and animals that could not see well in the dark (and there were many) began to get very hungry. They began to complain again, but this time because the sun was not there. They blamed each other and said what a stupid idea it had been to ask the sun not to rise.

Finally, they got together and decided to send a delegation to plead with the sun. So a small group of birds and animals went to the sun and begged him to come back.

But the sun was still to agree. ‘Too bad’, he said. ‘You should have thought clearly about what you wanted. I help the plants to grow, and the flowers to bloom. All the animals and birds, and even man need me to stay alive, but you were too stupid to know that.’

The group went back sadly. But everyday life got more difficult, and soon everyone was in a state of depression and despair. Who could they send next? Who could win over the sun? Finally, someone suggested the cock. He looked good, spoke clearly and politely, and most importantly he had never complained about the sun as the others had.

The cock was flabbergasted. ‘But all of you have failed,’ he said. ‘The most mighty beasts and beautiful birds have spoken to him. How could you expect me to succeed?’

But they continued to beg him. ‘You must save the earth’, they pleaded. So very reluctantly, the cock went off to meet the sun.

‘My lord the sun, chief of creation,’ he said. ‘I beg you to come back and heal the earth. You are hot and bright, and we need this heat and this light. Nothing grows without you. We cannot see the beauty of the earth without you. All is darkness and despair. I speak for all the smaller animals and birds. We have nothing to eat, for the plants do not grow anymore. We are being killed by the ones who hunt in the night, for we cannot hide all the time nor see in the dark. We did not want you to go away, but no one listened to us, only to the roaring of the big animals.’

The sun was touched. ‘If only there were more creatures like you,’ he said, ‘I would think of returning. But there are so few of you.’

‘Nit at all,’ said the cock. ‘The earth is full of small creatures, some so small you can hardly see them. It was foolish of them to allow the big ones to make the most noise. They will never make that mistake again. And I promise that I will be there every morning to greet you.’

So the sun came back the next morning, and the first to welcome him was the cock, who crowed with delight, and has done so every morning since then.”