When the Moon Learned to Cry

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When the Moon Learned to Cry

In the quiet village of Aeloria, nestled between the dark forests and the shimmering lake, there lived an old woman named Maelis. She was known for her wisdom and her strange connection with the moon. On every full moon night, she would climb the winding hill behind her cottage, sit beneath the great oak tree, and gaze at the moon as though it were a dear friend. The villagers spoke of her as a keeper of secrets, one who could communicate with the stars and understand the language of the sky.

But what they didn’t know, what no one ever spoke of, was the bond Maelis shared with the moon — a bond that went beyond the stars and the quiet whispers of the night.

Long ago, when Maelis was but a child, she had been visited by the moon. It had appeared in her dreams, descending from the heavens in a pale, silver glow. It spoke to her then, in a voice as soft as the winds that rustled the leaves at night, telling her that it had watched over her since the day of her birth. It had kept her safe, held her close, and guided her through the darkest times. It promised to always be there, to always shine for her, no matter where she was or what might come.

The moon was more than a celestial body in the sky. It was a part of Maelis, and she was a part of it. Over the years, the bond between them had grown stronger. But like all things in life, even the brightest stars must fade, and the clearest skies must eventually cloud over.

One evening, when Maelis was much older, the village faced an unexpected darkness. A storm had swept through the land, a violent and unforgiving tempest that tore through the trees and flooded the streets. The people of Aeloria gathered together, hiding in their homes, praying for the storm to pass. But Maelis, sitting at the edge of the lake, noticed something that no one else saw.

The moon was gone.

It had vanished from the sky, leaving only an empty, starless expanse where it once gleamed. Maelis felt a knot tighten in her chest. The moon had always been there, faithfully shining over her, never missing a night. But now, it was gone. She could feel the absence as a deep ache, one that gnawed at her very soul. The world felt suddenly colder, and the stars — those twinkling dots of light — seemed far too distant to offer any comfort.

For the first time in her life, Maelis felt truly alone.

Determined to find the moon, Maelis set out that very night. She knew the path to the top of the hill, where she had always gone to seek the moon's company. She climbed higher and higher, her heart pounding in her chest, until she reached the oak tree where she had spent countless nights in peaceful silence with the moon. She stood beneath its gnarled branches, staring up at the empty sky, and whispered her name into the wind.

"Moon," she called softly, "Where have you gone? Why do you leave me in the darkness?"

The wind carried her words, but there was no answer.

Maelis closed her eyes, her mind racing. She reached out with her heart, trying to feel for the familiar pull of the moon’s presence. And then, as if in response, she felt a faint tremor in the air. It was the softest of whispers, a sigh carried on the breeze.

I am here, Maelis.

The voice of the moon echoed through her mind, and she gasped in relief. But the moon’s tone was not as it had been before — there was sadness in its voice, a deep sorrow that Maelis had never heard before.

I have learned to cry, the moon said, its voice trembling with emotion. I have watched over the world for eons, shining brightly, never faltering, never showing weakness. But I am tired now, Maelis. The weight of the world’s sorrow has become too heavy for me to bear alone.

Maelis’s heart ached with empathy. She had always known the moon to be a symbol of strength, of unwavering constancy. The idea that it could feel sorrow, that it could weep, was almost too much for her to comprehend.

But why? Maelis whispered back, her voice full of love and concern. Why must you cry?

The moon’s glow dimmed slightly, and Maelis could feel its grief as if it were her own.

I have seen the suffering of the world, the moon explained. I have watched as people hurt each other, as they destroy the very earth I illuminate. I have seen kindness lost to greed, love lost to hate. And I have no way to stop it. I am but a light in the sky, a witness to the endless cycle of pain.

Maelis stood in silence, her mind racing. She had never considered that the moon, so far away and eternal, could feel the weight of the world’s sorrow. It had always been a constant in her life, a reminder of something pure and unchanging. But now, the moon seemed so vulnerable, so deeply connected to the suffering of the earth.

With a heavy heart, Maelis sat beneath the oak tree, closing her eyes. She reached out, as she always had, to the moon. But this time, she didn’t just seek its presence. She offered something in return.

Moon, she said softly, if you have learned to cry, then you must also learn to heal. Cry, yes. Let your sorrow flow like the rivers after a storm. But remember this: you are not alone. You have me. You have the world beneath you, full of beauty and love, even if it is hidden at times. Let your tears wash over us, but don’t forget that even the darkest night can give way to the dawn.

There was a long silence before the moon spoke again.

Thank you, Maelis, the moon whispered, its voice stronger now, though still full of sadness. You remind me that even in the darkest of times, there is always a chance for healing. Perhaps... I can still shine.

The next night, when the storm had finally passed, Maelis looked up at the sky. The moon had returned, its light shining softly through the clouds, as though it had found peace again. The stars shimmered around it, more brilliant than before, as if they, too, had learned to shine brighter in the wake of sorrow.

And so, Maelis sat beneath the oak tree, watching the moon rise higher and higher, knowing that the moon had learned to cry — but it had also learned to heal, just as she had. And in that moment, she realized that sometimes, the greatest strength comes not from never shedding a tear, but from having the courage to weep, and then finding the strength to rise again.