JULY 25: The Earth Visits the Moon
“When Mr. Moon is ‘eclipsed,’ as they say, it means the earth gets in the way, and when Mr. Sun is ‘eclipsed’ it means that Mr. Moon is in the way. And that makes it dark—for an Eclipse is a shadow,” explained daddy.
“Mr. Moon was shining hard. He was very bright and the sky seemed to be lighted up by him. All the stars were out and were twinkling with joy and fun, for well they knew what was going to happen.
“Mr. Moon was also looking very fat and well! Goodness! but he was round and big and jolly! He blinked one eye and then he winked with the other, and he said to himself:
“‘The Earth is going to pay me a visit to-night. I am highly honored. It’s not often that the earth comes my way—and that’s why I am all dressed up in my best.’
“Pretty soon the grown-ups on the Earth saw a shadow come over part of Mr. Moon’s face. Very, very slowly he grew darker, and the Earth people all came out of doors to watch what was going to happen.
“‘I’m pretty important, I am,’ said Mr. Moon to two very tall pine trees. And the pine trees whispered back in the slight, rustling breeze:
“‘Yes, Mr. Moon, you’re very important. And you show us off too. We look handsome, and dark, and tall, when you throw your light over us.’
“‘Hush—’ said Mr. Moon. ‘The Earth is on its way.’
“And only half of Mr. Moon could be seen now. The other half was covered up by a dark shadow.
“‘That’s the earth throwing its shadow on the moon,’ said the grownups to each other. But up in the sky the Moon was saying:
“‘Well, how do you do, Mr. Earth? It’s a long time since I’ve seen you. And how have you been all this time?’
“‘Well,’ said the Earth, as it cast its shadow over Mr. Moon still more, ‘I’ve been in my usual good health. I still am a pretty good and solid soul, you know. I stand for so much too! I let folks walk all over me, and still I never murmur in the least. I let the King of the Clouds pour down on me—and Mr. Sun warms me up with his rays so that I begin to grow thirsty again.
“‘And,’ the Earth continued, ‘sometimes the children dig me up—and I don’t mind in the very least. It’s just my nature, I suppose!’
“‘Yes,’ said Mr. Moon, ‘you are a good-natured old soul.’
“‘Old?’ asked the Earth. ‘Why, every spring I am just as young and fresh again as if I were not a minute old. Whatever do you mean, Mr. Moon?’
“‘That’s true,’ said Mr. Moon. ‘You certainly do come up younger every spring—but you have been around a great many years.’
“‘It’s a good thing I have,’ laughed the Earth; ‘and now tell me how you have been?’
“Mr. Moon was almost entirely covered by the Earth’s shadow as he began his talk:
“‘I am shining as brightly as ever, and I still change my suit several times a month. In fact, there’s not much difference in me—or in my life. I do much the same things always. I’m what you might call a very sensible old fellow. I do everything right on time, and enjoy myself hugely.’
“‘There, there,’ said the Earth. ‘I must be going again.’
“‘What short visits you pay,’ said Mr. Moon as he began to show his brightness again.
“‘Do you know why I do that?’ whispered the Earth.
“‘No,’ said Mr. Moon, and he took a little walk along the sky.
“‘Because,’ said the Earth, ‘grown-ups think it’s a wonderful thing when I call on you. I don’t let them get used to it—and so they think that it’s very, very m-a-r-v-e-l-o-u-s! Look at all the Earth people, and then you’ll agree with me.’
“And of course, true enough, down on the Earth, every one was looking at the Eclipse.”