“My dear daughters, have you noticed how oblivious the men and women below seem to be?” It was the beginning of time. The Earth was young and her children, just learning how to make fire. “Yes, Father,” Egaia said. “The people below do not seem to care about the sky,” Solara continued. “My dear daughters, why do you think it is so?” “Father, we do not know. Maybe they do not understand beauty?” “You have already taught them a few things,” he answered. “This should not be an impossible task for the two of you. You are, after all, the most revered painters in the firmament.” On that day, it was decided. Egaia and Solara would use their unrivaled artistic skills to change the landscape of the sky. “At night, humans hide in their caves to sleep,” Egaia started as soon as their father had left the room. “During the day, they are busy hunting, eating and fighting,” her sister added. “We need to catch their attention at dusk and dawn,” they cried in unison. “Well, my dear sister Solara, what do you think we should do?” “Methinks, I only see one way. The Sun?”  “What are you suggesting?”  “That we make it the star of the show!”  “My, oh my,” Egaia acquiesced with a smile. “I just have the most perfect idea for colors and strokes!” “And I shall use the latest dream I had to inspire my brush.” For weeks, the two sisters refused to leave their studio. For weeks, they experimented with different combinations of hues and glows. With every stroke, their canvas transformed into a living painting. Yellows, oranges, pinks, and dazzling reds came together and mixed in the most enchanting ethereal dance.  “Dear ones, the sky of the Earth is alive!” Their father had finally been allowed access to the room.  “See how the people below are now looking towards us? Their eyes are wide and glowing,” Egaia declared. “They are pointing at the stars and the Moon too,” Solara added. “My beloved daughters, you have once again created a masterpiece. Once again, you have made me proud. But you must remember that the people below quickly forget things. Beauty is fleeting and we must ensure that they continue to seek it.” “If you allow me, dear Father, I shall continue painting the sky of the Earth every dawn,” Egaia said. “And I shall like to do the same every nightfall,” Solara echoed. “Very well, my daughters, very well. That way, the sky of the Earth will always look different.” Since that day, at the beginning of time, the human race has stared at the heavens in wonder. Sunsets and sunrises remain important events for men and women around the world. They often gather in groups to watch them. ©2023 Cendrine Marrouat This story was written in response to the Mythmaker Challenge organized by Vocal in July 2023. Theme: “Write a myth to explain the fabled origin story of why something exists.”

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