Original Story：
The Midnight wooed the Morning–Star, And prayed her: “Love come nearer; Your swinging coldly there afar To me but makes you dearer!”
The Morning–Star was pale with dole As said she, low replying: “Oh, lover mine, soul of my soul, For you I too am sighing.
“But One ordained when we were born, In spite of Love’s insistence, That Night might only view the Morn Adoring at a distance.”
But as she spoke the jealous Sun Across the heavens panted. “Oh, whining fools,” he cried, “have done; Your wishes shall be granted!”
He hurled his flaming lances far; The twain stood unaffrighted— And Midnight and the Morning–Star Lay down in death united!
Story Explanation and Interpretation
This poetic tale tells the story of Midnight and the Morning-Star, two celestial beings who are deeply in love but are forced to remain apart. Midnight, representing the night, wooed the Morning-Star, longing for her closeness despite the cold distance between them. The Morning-Star, equally saddened, expresses her love but laments that fate has decreed they can only admire each other from afar.
The story introduces a powerful figure, the jealous Sun, who grows angry at their yearning and ultimately intervenes with destructive force. His "flaming lances" symbolize the sunlight that ends the night and the presence of the Morning-Star. Despite this, Midnight and the Morning-Star remain brave and united in death, symbolizing eternal love transcending physical separation and even death.
The narrative explores themes of love, longing, fate, and sacrifice. It reflects on how some forces in life—like the natural order or destiny—can keep loved ones apart, yet true love remains strong and unbroken.
Background and Author Introduction
This story is a classic example of mythological or allegorical poetry that uses celestial imagery to convey human emotions. The characters—Midnight, Morning-Star, and the Sun—are personifications of natural phenomena, a common device in folklore and poetry to explore abstract ideas like love and conflict.
Though the author is not explicitly named here, this type of story often comes from romantic or symbolic poetry traditions, where nature and cosmic elements are used to express deep feelings and moral lessons.
Reflection and Personal Response
Reading this story invites us to reflect on the nature of love and separation. It teaches us that sometimes, despite our strongest desires, external circumstances or rules may keep us apart from those we care about. Yet, love’s power can transcend even these barriers, symbolized by the Midnight and Morning-Star lying "in death united," suggesting a spiritual or eternal connection.
This story also evokes empathy for those who experience longing and separation, encouraging patience, hope, and courage in the face of difficulties.
Lessons for Children and Students
From this story, children and students can learn several important lessons:
- Understanding Love and Patience: Love sometimes requires waiting and accepting that not all desires can be immediately fulfilled.
- Respecting Natural Order: The story shows how some things in life are governed by rules beyond our control, like day and night.
- Courage and Bravery: Midnight and the Morning-Star do not fear the Sun’s wrath, showing courage in adversity.
- Symbolism and Imagery: Students can learn how poets use symbols (like celestial bodies) to represent emotions and ideas.
Practical Applications
- In life and relationships, children can learn to appreciate loved ones even if they are far away and understand the importance of patience.
- In learning, the story can be used to teach figurative language, personification, and poetic devices.
- It encourages emotional intelligence, helping students identify feelings of longing, love, and resilience.
Reading Comprehension Questions
- Who are the main characters in the story?
- Why can Midnight and the Morning-Star only admire each other from a distance?
- What role does the Sun play in the story?
- What does the union of Midnight and the Morning-Star in death symbolize?
- What lessons about love and fate can we learn from this story?
Answers
- The main characters are Midnight, the Morning-Star, and the Sun.
- Because it was ordained that Night and Morning could only view each other from afar, despite their love.
- The Sun is jealous and angry; he intervenes by sending his "flaming lances" to separate them.
- Their union in death symbolizes eternal love that transcends physical separation and even death.
- The story teaches that love can be strong even when separated by fate or circumstances, and sometimes sacrifice and patience are necessary.
This story beautifully combines poetic language with deep emotional themes, making it a valuable piece for children and students to explore both literature and life lessons.
