Folktales help children connect with their cultural roots by transmitting shared values, traditions, and collective memory across generations. We present a folk tale excerpted from Bird Folktales of Meghalaya for Children by Glenn C Kharkongor with Illustrations by Balaiamon Kharngapkynta & Careen Jolin Langstieh (Martin Luther Christian University Press, 2024)

After the Diengiei had fallen and the rays of the sun shone on the Earth once again, it was decided to hold a grand celebration. All living things, led by man, held a dorbar meeting to plan the festival. A large field was cleared for the feasting, music, and dancing. All were invited, and the special guests were the Sun and Moon.

The Earth was a dark and cold place when it was created. Mother Earth had two children. The Sun was the first child, a daughter, and the second child was a boy, named Moon. They were given the responsibility to brighten the earth by day and night.

Sun and Moon, brother and sister, came together for the festival. The people and the animals were strangers to them, so they stayed close to each other. They ate by themselves and even danced with each other. The animals made fun of the couple for behaving like husband and wife.

Sun and Moon became angry and left the party. They decided that they would not shine their light any more on Earth. Sun and the Moon hid themselves in a deep cave. Once again, the Earth became dark. In panic and desperation, a dorbar was held of all living things. It was decided to send an ambassador to Sun and Moon to plead with them to come back.

Lion, king of the jungle, was elected for this important task. He was a strong and handsome ambassador. When he reached the cave, he roared loudly, “The king of the jungle has come.” On Earth, the roar would frighten all animals. Sun said, “Do you think you can scare us?” and she refused to talk to the lion.

Having failed in his mission, Lion slunk back to the forest. The largest bird, U Kohkarang, a pied hornbill, volunteered to go. His striking black and white plumes looked beautiful when he soared in the sky. He suggested, “Let me take a present for Sun and Moon.” Man and the animals all agreed, and the best jeweler in the land was asked to make a golden sceptre for Sun. Full of confidence, the hornbill flew through the skies with the sceptre in his beak. When he reached the cave, he bowed and said, “Dear Sun, I have brought a gift for you.”

This angered Sun, who scolded the hornbill, “I own the whole universe. I do not need your cheap present.” She threw the sceptre back at the hornbill and it got stuck on top of his beak. And that is how the hornbill got its horn.

Having failed again, the animals were perplexed. Another meeting was called. The announcement went all over the land, and everyone was ordered to attend. At the meeting, volunteers were called for, but no one was willing to go to the dark cave and meet Sun. One of the animals called out, “Is everyone here?” They looked around and discovered that the rooster was missing. Someone shouted: “Rooster was absent even for the festival to celebrate the cutting down of the tree. Where is he?” At that time, the rooster was an ugly, naked bird, without any feathers. He spent the day hiding among the shrubs and bushes, scratching in the mud and among fallen leaves, searching for seeds and insects. At night, he slept on a low branch, hidden among the leaves. His only friend was the deer. Deer was sent to find the rooster and bring him to the meeting. When they reached the meeting ground, someone suggested, “Let’s send the rooster,” and the cry went around. Everyone agreed. But Rooster said softly and shyly, “I don’t have nice clothes. How can I go and see such an important person.” The woodpecker stretched out a wing, “Take one of my yellow feathers.” And the parakeet said, “Here’s a green feather.” All the birds surrounded the rooster and gave him some feathers. Now he looked like a colorful prince. The rooster could not fly for long distances or high up in the sky. He was very tired by the time he arrived at the entrance of the dark cave. In a soft voice, he called out to Sun. Hearing his gentle call, Sun came out and invited him in saying, “Please join me for a meal.” But Rooster replied, “Just give me a few grains of rice and I will eat outside your door.” After he had eaten, Rooster, in a humble voice, told Sun about the request from all living things on Earth. Impressed by his humility, she promised, “I will grant your wish.”

From now on, I will shine my light and warmth on Earth”. Rooster thanked her gratefully and as he turned to leave, Sun called out to him and said, “From now on, whenever you crow in the morning, only then will Sun rise, and when you crow in the evening, Sun will set.” When he returned to the bright and sunny Earth, all the animals clapped and Man said, “From now on you will live with us as our guest.” And that’s how the Rooster came to live with Man, and surrounded by hens and chicks, his descendants are spread all over the world to this day.