The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
Once upon a time, a bamboo cutter lived with his wife in a small hut. Every morning, he went to the forest to cut bamboo and bring it home. Then he and his wife made objects from bamboo and sold them at the market.
They were a poor couple and had no children at all. But they were happy together.
The Discovery of the Girl in the Bamboo
One day, while cutting bamboo in the forest, he saw a strange bamboo right in the middle. The bamboo was glowing like a full moon. The cutter was very curious. He carefully made a light cut in the bamboo to open it. And at that moment, he could not believe his eyes.
— It's... it's a little girl!
Inside was a little girl. She was as small as the cutter's finger. She was the most beautiful child he had ever seen. He decided on the spot to take her home to his wife.
Luna, the Gift from Heaven
He carefully took the girl in his palm and returned home. He had to be very careful not to crush her.
— Quickly, my love! Come see what I found!
He told her the story and slowly opened his hands. The whole house lit up instantly. The two were surprised.
— She shines just like the moon. We should call her Luna. — Luna! She is so beautiful!
The wife took a piece of cloth and wrapped Luna. While she admired her, a gentle breeze came through the window. The little girl nearly flew out of the woman's hands. She tried to hold Luna as tightly as she could.
Finally, when the wind stopped, the cloth fell and the little girl transformed into a normal-sized child. The two looked at each other, surprised.
— Our little Luna is going to be quite spirited, isn't she?
The Luck Luna Brought
The next day, the cutter went to the forest again to cut bamboo. The bamboo cutter and his wife knew right away. It was their little Luna who had brought them luck.
From then on, every day the cutter came home with a gold nugget. Soon they became rich. They gave Luna good food and dressed her in expensive silk.
The Beautiful Lady Luna
The months passed and their girl grew faster than you'd think. In no time, Luna transformed into a stunning young lady. Her hair was silkier than the expensive clothes she wore. Her eyes sparkled like stars. Her skin was as fine as a feather, and her smile was brighter than the moon itself. She was probably the most beautiful woman in the world.
The Father's Worry and the Marriage Discussion
But the cutter had another reason to worry. The villagers began asking him about the beautiful girl in their house. One evening, after Luna fell asleep, the cutter spoke with his wife.
— I'm worried. I told everyone I found her alone in the forest and brought her home to take care of her. But she's grown up now and everyone is talking about her beauty. — Yes, I know. We can't keep her in the house forever.
Luna's Impossible Demands
The next day, the cutter spoke with his daughter about marriage. He told her there were many suitors who had asked for her hand.
— No, Father! I can't live without you. Why do you want to send me away? — Oh, my child! I can't live without you either, but I can't keep you in this house forever. I love you, but love doesn't teach us to be selfish. I must let you go, to live your life. I will never force you to marry someone against your will, but at least get to know your suitors well.
Luna loved her father very much and could not refuse him.
The Suitors' Trials
The next day, five suitors came to see Luna. They couldn't take their eyes off her. Luna looked at them without a smile on her face and spoke to them without any emotion in her voice.
— I will ask each of you to bring me different things from different places. I will marry only the one who brings me what I have asked for.
— I will bring you the dark and gloomy moon if that's what you ask, my love. Just tell me! — Let me tell you two words: get out! This beautiful lady doesn't need your gloomy moon! I will bring her all the stars from the sky she desires! — Don't listen to any of them, princess! I will bring you the brightest pearl from the ocean! — I want neither the moon, nor the stars, nor a pearl from the ocean. But I want exactly what I ask from each of you.
She then asked the first suitor to bring her a stone bowl from a monk in India.
— But the bowl must shine brighter than me.
From the second suitor, she asked for a branch from the only tree that grew on the peak of the highest mountain near the Eastern Sea. Its roots were made of silver and its trunk was made of gold. Its branches bore fruit made of jewels.
— And I want the original branch from the tree. Don't insult me by bringing a fake one.
The third suitor had to go to China and bring her the fire rat's cloak. The fourth had to bring her the seven-colored gem. It was on a dragon's head.
— And finally, find the swallow that carries a shell in its stomach and bring me that shell. Thank you all for coming.
The Suitors' Failure
Luna knew her demands were impossible, but it was the only way she could remain with her parents forever. The weeks passed and the suitors did not return.
The cutter told his wife that the second suitor had been caught in a storm on the Eastern Sea and had to return without the branch. The third suitor tried to find the fire rat but found a monster that bit him. The fourth tried to find the dragon, but when asked to enter the dark forest, he gave up in fright. And the fifth tried to catch the swallow but was pecked by it.
The Only Suitor Who Returned
The only suitor who returned was the one asked to bring a stone bowl from a monk in India. He brought the most brilliant bowl, but it didn't shine brighter than Luna.
— Is there truly no one in this land who can marry our daughter?
The Emperor and the Marriage Proposal
— The Emperor! In our house! Oh, we are blessed! — I must bow before you, for I have come to ask for your daughter's hand. I have heard about the things asked of those who wanted to marry her. With your permission, I would like to speak with her, to find out what kind of demand she would have for me. — Of course! Please, have a seat! I'll call her right away!
The Emperor waited excitedly to see Luna. When she appeared before him, the Emperor was impressed by her beauty. He was determined to marry her.
Luna's Wish
But Luna had something to say.
— Oh, noble sir! I know you can give me anything I wish. The dragon's gem, the rat's cloak, the branch from the golden trunk are challenges you can easily overcome. So I will ask you for just one thing. Respect my wish of not wanting to marry, and don't try to find out why.
Friendship with the Emperor
— You are right. I can give you anything you wish. And if that's what you ask of me, then your wish is my command. But could I ask something in return? You are a strong woman. May I have the honor of being your friend?
The Emperor and Luna became friends and spoke often. The bamboo cutter never let another suitor into the house. He didn't want to upset Luna again.
Luna's Secret
One evening, entering the room, he saw Luna sitting by the window. She was looking at the moon with tears in her eyes.
— Luna! Why are you crying? — It's a dream I have every night, Father. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry. — What, what dream? — I dream that I'm taken to the moon by the moon people. And last night, a voice told me that the day has come. On the fifteenth day of the month, they will come to take me. I don't want to leave you!
Preparations for Luna's Departure
The cutter looked at the moon. All this time, for the first time, he realized the moon was dim, as if someone had stolen its light. He worried about his daughter. He immediately sent a message to the Emperor and asked for his help. The Emperor swore he would not let anyone take Luna.
— On the fifteenth day of the month, I want two thousand guards in front of Luna's house! No one touches her!
The fifteenth day arrived. Luna's house was surrounded by two thousand soldiers with bows at the ready. The Emperor himself drew his sword and stood in front of the house. The cutter took Luna to the cellar. Her mother held her tightly. They were all ready to defend her.
Luna's Departure
When suddenly, a powerful light shone from the sky.
— What is this? I can't see anything!
From the sky descended a splendid chariot, with many little fairies flying around it. They were playing a beautiful melody on flutes. Suddenly, Luna closed her eyes and floated toward the music. She flew from the basement of the house, and her parents ran after her. The fairies touched Luna with a sparkling silver feather, and Luna's dress transformed into another long, white, flowing gown. She opened her eyes and smiled brightly. Her fear disappeared.
Luna's Role and Goodbye
She went to her parents and embraced them.
— Father, you have taken such good care of me, but I must return to my people to fulfill my duty. — What? I don't understand! — The moon is dim because I am here on earth. I am the light of the Moon. The Moon is incomplete without me. I am the light that guides people on dark nights. I wandered away that day and forgot who I was when I set foot on earth. Confused and tired, I settled into the bamboo and you found me. — And now you must leave? Won't you miss us? — Mother, I will come to see you every night. The only time you won't see me will be when there is no moon in the sky. You have been an extraordinary friend, but I must leave now.
Luna's Legacy
Luna climbed into the chariot, saying goodbye to her people on earth. She was not sad, for she knew she would always watch over them from the sky. The chariot took her up to the moon.
The cutter wiped his tears and waited for the moon to return. And it did, in the form of the full moon's light. The moon shone full of light. The Emperor never married. Every night, he gazed at the moon for hours and smiled at his one true love.
The cutter turned his big house back into his old hut, for only that way could they let the moonlight into their home through the roof during the night. The cutter and his wife spent the rest of their lives in peace.
The End.
