With darkness swallowing the land, the world was open to such corruption by the deities of evil, Set and Farashiega. I did not mention them on the deity page, because the Tameress do not worship them, merely observe that their presence is needed to maintain Maat. It was cold and dark. The young godlings, Ka Terri and Temys were under the teachings of Thoth and Wadjyt and soon grew weary of sitting back and learning how to survive darkness. "Where is the light?" Asked Temys one day to the teachers. " When will we see the sun rise again to warm the world and give it life once again?" " When will the fields grow lovely flowers?" Ka Terri chimed in to Her twin's questioning. " When will the bees return to make honey? When will the animals emerge from hiding to give birth? When will the grass become green and the leaves bud again?" Still young, but very restless, the godlings persisted such questions daily. Finally, Thoth and Wadjyt revealed, " There will be no warm sun. There will be no flowers. And, there will be no light. With the mourning of Bastet and the duties of Anubis in the Otherworld in the West, there is no one to look after the world. It is rightly cold, like the world would be without love. Now is the time without love and without hope. Nothing but corruption around every corner. The only way to survive is to learn how to do so." The godlings were not amused by such talk. Ka Terri twitched Her whiskers and Temys flicked His ears. " If such is the case," Temys began, " What will end this time of darkness?" " The sun must be found." Wadjyt replied, " It must be found and it must rise." "But," Thoth added, " It is a dangerous journey. " Dangerous, but we cannot have our world in imbalance." Ka Terri argued. " We must raise the sun, or the world will die in its own evil." It was so. Seeing there was no talking the godlings out of Their decision, the deities of education prepared the godlings for Their journey to the East to find the sun. For days They traveled. It was cold and harsh. They constantly feared coming into contact with Set and Farashiega, the god of evil and corruption and the goddess of temptation and lies. But, these deities knew the godlings were outset, and decided to make the next night the longest and darkest ever known. It was to Their plan that it would never be daylight again. The plan worked. The night fell and it was the coldest, darkest night the godlings, or any being had ever known. Ka Terri and Temys walked close together to keep warm, but it was all They could do. It seemed the dark deities had won. It was too dark for the godlings to see. Without Their vision, They would never find the East and never raise the sun. They were about to give up hope. But, something happened. A sparrow happend across Them in the darkness. It heard Them mourn Their failure and flew off. It soon had told every creature it could find of the dilema. Soon, the humans were informed of the problem. They gathered together to discuss what should be done. "I have an idea!" One of the townspeople declared, " If They cannot find Their way because of darkness, then let us shed them some light." It was the perfect idea! Men, women, and children gathered with lanterns and candles and placed them along the road. Some put on their best boots, planning to follow the godlings on Their journey. The godlings soon saw the light and were amazed. For, the dim lights, which were just enough, were accompanied my singing. these were dongs of the animals and the townspeople. Immediately, They stopped Their mourning and rose to Their feet. So many things depended on Them and this journey meant the differnece between exsistance and extinction. They couldn't give up! Ka Terri and Temys walked with Their ears erect, following the sweet songs and following the sweet dim lights. Soon, They emerged from the woods and were headed East once again. They were overjoyed when They finally reached the horizon. "We made it!" Ka Terri cheered. But, Temys shook His head, " We are not finished yet, Ka Terri. We must still raise the sun. Without that accomplishment, our journey would be in vane." The godlings peeked over the horizon. The sun lay weak and dim below Them. Ka Terri and Temys glanced at Each Other and discussed how to raise the sun. With much talk, it was decided They must raise it with Their bare hands. So, down They reached, the songs of the townspeople behind Them. Then, up, up, up They pulled the sun and rose it high above Their heads. It was done! The sun rose high in the sky and the deadly night of the dark deities was over, and so was the time of corruption! The godlings finally took Their place of power! Songs of praise were played for Them and it started to become bright and warm once again. "It will take much time to undue what the Dark Ones have done." Temys remarked to Ka Terri upon the horizon. She gave a nod, "Yes. It will take much warmth to bring back the life of the plants and make the land suitable for rebirth. But, in the meantime, the corruption must end and peace should finally come to all the creatures of Earth. Let them not fear their neighbors nor fight visciously and needlessly for survival." Let us not forget the people. They were greatly rewarded for helping the godlings. The women and maidens of that town, upon their death were taken by the godlings and placed forever in the skies to light the way for all who travel in the darkness. These women and maidens becamw the brightest stars in the sky. As for the men and boys, they were given a second life. They became as sall as Ka Terri's spots and grew lights upon their bodies. These men and boys became fireflies. Temys, feeling the animals deserved rewards, blessed the sparrow and all the birds with a song to remind them of the melodies shared on the night the sun was raised over the horizon. So, every year, there is a nigh longer than all other nights. The godlings are guided to the East every year to raise the sun and end the corruption set forth by the Dark Ones. It is a joyous evening and a joyous day. The longest night is over, and one should be thankful for surviving such a dreaded time. When the sun arises on that day, merriment should be aplenty. Midi playing: Carol of the Bells Back
