The Singing Scoutmaster: Island in the Sky and the Gift of Night, The

Long, long ago, in the time before humans walked the Earth, a great island floated in a vast ocean. This island was not like any we know today, for it hung from the sky itself by four thick ropes. The sky was solid rock, and it kept the island suspended over the endless waters below. But there was a problem—this world was covered in darkness, and no light shone upon the land.

The animals on the island grew tired of the dark. They could not see each other or enjoy the beauty of the land. So, they decided to bring light to their world. They went up to the sky and fetched the sun. Carefully, they placed it in the sky on a path that stretched from the east to the west. The sun began its journey, crossing the sky each day, bringing light and warmth to the land below.

The Great Spirit saw what the animals had done and was pleased. He called all the animals and plants together and spoke to them: "I have a challenge for you. I want you to stay awake and keep watch for seven days and seven nights. Those who succeed will be rewarded with special gifts."

All the animals and plants tried their best. For the first few nights, everyone stayed awake, watching the new sun cross the sky. But as the days passed, many grew tired and fell asleep. Only a few plants managed to keep their leaves open and alert for all seven days and nights. These were the pine, the cedar, and a few others. Because they stayed awake, the Great Spirit blessed them, saying, "You will remain green and full of life all year round, even in the cold winter months."

The other plants, who had dozed off, lost their leaves when winter came. They shivered in the cold, their branches bare, wishing they had been able to stay awake for just a little longer.

The same happened with the animals. Many tried to stay awake, but one by one, they drifted off to sleep. Only a few managed to keep their eyes open through the long nights. The owl, the mountain lion, and a handful of others succeeded. For their endurance, the Great Spirit gave them a special gift. "You will be the ones who can see in the dark and move about without fear. You will have the night as your time to roam and hunt."

And so it was that those who stayed awake received gifts that would serve them forever. The evergreen trees stood proud and tall, keeping their color no matter the season. The owl and the mountain lion prowled through the darkness, their eyes glowing as they moved silently through the night.

Then, after the animals and plants had found their places in the world, the first people appeared on the island. They looked around at the plants and animals, at the sun crossing the sky, and at the night creatures stirring in the shadows. They knew that the world was now balanced, a place where day and night each had its own purpose and where every living thing had its own role to play.

And so, the island continued to float in the great ocean, hanging by its ropes from the sky above, bathed in light by day and embraced by the mysteries of the night. The people, the plants, and the animals all lived together, honoring the gifts given to them by the Great Spirit, in this world of light and shadow.