• There was a time, long ago when the moon stayed the same all through days and nights. It was a round, white disk that simply hung in the sky. However, Artemis one day had plenty of reason to change this, all because of the troubles of a young girl.
    Once there was a young girl named Leyta. Poor Leyta had many troubles. Her mother had died a long time ago. Her father had gone mad with grief. Her father would bet her when he grew upset. Every day in her life felt like she was in the underworld. Leyta was always miserable.
    Leyta knew that the goddess Artemis protected young maidens like herself. She realized that if she prayed to her or made a sacrifice at her temple, maybe help would be sent to her. Unfortunately, her father forbade her from leaving their home. Leyta had no way to get help.
    That night, after Leyta cried herself to sleep, she had a sign in her dreams. In it, she saw Artemis approach her. “Step out into the moonlight, brave one. You shall see he nature of life in the moon.” Leyta didn’t know what Artemis meant, but she knew that it was best to trust her.
    When she saw the moon, Leyta couldn’t believe her eyes. When she looked up at it in the sky, it would grow, disappear, and then appear and grow back to its normal circular shape. It continued growing, disappearing, appearing and again and shrinking. Then she heard Artemis’s voice in her ear.
    “This is the nature of life. Your life may be dark at the time, but I promise it would grow brighter and brighter, better and better.” Leyta gazed up at the moon and watched it change. “Thank you” S=she whispered.
    Ever since, the moon would change, night by night. Those who are wise know that it is promising a better life tomorrow.