The Girl Once Known As Sun Ray

Once upon a time there lived a girl that everyone called Sun Ray. Truly, her smile was like a ray of golden sun, for this young girl was always happy. Each day, she ran to greet her forest friends: the creatures of the forest, small and large. The people of the village, when they were in the forest, could hear Sun Ray singing to her forest friends. Sometimes they might see her dancing, for she loved to whirl around as she was singing! When she met any of the townfolk, she’d flash them her bright smile. Sun Ray was beloved by all - by all except the forest’s wizard who was well known by all. This wizard was glum and cheerless. He despised the sound of Sun Ray’s happy singing and hated seeing her dance so fancy free, as if she had no cares . How he wished to wipe the smile from her face. Well known for magic potions, this wizard then concocted a potion to bring the young girl misery. With false good will, the wizard offered his potion to Sun Ray with assurance that it would keep her always healthy and light of step. Despite its bitter taste, she did partake. The potion did not take effect immediately. Sun Ray had no clue what would ensue. Soon, her tongue turned fiery red and awful sores appeared inside her mouth. She lost her ability to sing! At first, she did not feel like smiling too much either. When she walked the forest paths, she felt her body reeling; no longer did she dare to dance at all! Despite the bitter taste that did not leave her mouth, Sun Ray tried her best to be her sunny self; however, there was one more bad thing that happened. She could no longer go out in the sun! Sunlight on her skin now felt so painful that Sun Ray was no longer seen in daylight. She visited her forest friends at night. Instead of the sound of her voice singing, the people of the village heard her happily humming those old familiar tunes, and those who saw her could recognize her still by the way her face lit up around her forest friends. The wizard, who had no powers when the sun went down, could hear the young girl often in the forest late at night. Her lovely lullabies drifted on the wind through his open window. He overheard the people of the village whispering about the girl who wandered through the night, whose face shone softly golden beneath the moon. The evil wizard’s potion could not remove her happy mood, and everyone now knew the girl as Moon Ray. Feb. 16, 2019 for Eve Roper's "A Fairy Tale for Children" Poetry Contest and yes, I would read this to my grandkids!