The Taming of the Sun – Hawaii

This story tells of the origin of summer and winter. One day the trickster hero, Maui, decided he must find a way to slow down the sun which was traveling too fast across the sky. Trees and plants could not grow and farmers did not have enough time to harvest their crops. His mother told him to seek the help of his wise grandmother. Maui's grandmother told him to trap the rays of the sun in nooses and ropes made from coconut fiber. The trapped sun revealed to Maui that he travels fast so that he can sleep longer at night. After much discussion the two of them agreed to a compromise. The sun would travel slowly for half the year so that the trees and plants have time to grow. This is known as summer. In the second half of the year, the sun would travel faster, causing the nights to be longer. This season became known as winter.

Blue Panther