Moonson and the Goose-Girl

Gloranthan Folk Tales

Gloranthan Songbook

Moonie Madness

Carmanian Sources

Malkioni Scriptures

It happened the day we celebrate the rebirth of the Red Goddess, and there she was, on her way to her greatest temple in Blessed Torang, accompanied by all the gods and saints and spirits from the Moon, and with her child, Moonson the Red Emperor, along for the day as well.

Now, Moonson being a mortal was struggling a bit to keep up with this heavenly host, and he couldn't help envying his Mother's power. "It's all very well being Emperor," he said, "but it must be so much better being the Red Goddess, and being able to do anything you want."

The Goddess smiled, and said: "There are many people who would be surprised to hear you say that. They look up to you as a God yourself."

"True enough, everyone salutes me, and prostrates themselves before me, and obeys my every whim. But they all really adore you, don't they: it's not through fear or hope of favour that they give you their truest love and loyalty."

The Goddess said: "But love flows both ways, my son: I must reach down to them, even as they reach up to me."

"And besides," Moonson went on, "you're the undisputed ruler of the Three Realms of the Cosmos, while I only rule a fraction of Glorantha."

The Goddess benignly said, "Well, then, my son: it's not always so glorious being the Goddess."

"Oh, but I would so like to be the Red Goddess, on this day of all days, and go walking in procession through the Temple at Torang with everyone singing my praises."

"Well then, for today you will be the Goddess, and I will be the Emperor." And because the Goddess willed it, it was so.

So they carried on towards Torang, the Red Goddess (who was the Emperor, now) and the Red Emperor (who was really the Goddess), and all of the gods and saints and spirits from the Moon, and now they can see the city walls in the distance: but here in front of them is a muddy farmyard, and a small girl who should be minding a flock of geese. But she's not doing that: no, she's leaving them, and she's skipping off to Torang, as happy as can be.

"Hold on, girl," says the Emperor (who is being the Goddess today, remember?): "Where are you off to?"

"I'm going to Blessed Torang, great lady," she says, "to see the rebirth of the Red Goddess Herself. I'll join the crowds at the Temple, and sing in the Chorus of Animals, and maybe I'll get to see the Emperor as well."

"But who will look after your geese while you're gone?"

"Ah, the Goddess Herself will care for them. And I'm off to Torang." And she went.

So the Red Emperor (who was really the Goddess), and all of the gods and saints and spirits from the Moon went on to the celebrations in Blessed Torang, while Moonson stayed behind in the muck of the farmyard, minding the geese.

Notes:

This story is borrowed from "Saint Peter and the Goose-Girl," a traditional Russian folk-tale.