RABBIT and the MOON-MAN
by Cyrus MacMillan · from Canadian Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Rabbit lived with Grandmother in a cold forest. Rabbit was a good hunter. He found food.
Winter came. It was cold. Snow lay deep. Rabbit set his traps. He caught animals. He brought food home. No food came. His traps were empty. Someone took food. Rabbit and Grandmother had no food.
Rabbit went to his traps. Traps were empty. He saw a big footprint. It was long and thin. This was the thief's foot. Rabbit woke early. He went to traps. The thief was always first.
Rabbit made a new trap. It was strong. He put it near old traps. Rabbit hid behind trees. He waited all night. He wanted to catch thief. Rabbit sat quiet.
Soon, a bright light came. It was white. The light went to the trap. Rabbit pulled the string. He caught the light. He tied it to a tree. Rabbit was scared. He ran home fast.
Rabbit told Grandmother. "I caught the thief." Grandmother said, "Go back." "See the thief." "Stop him." Rabbit was still scared.
Rabbit went back. Light was still bright. Rabbit wanted to see. The light was too bright. He found some soft mud. He threw mud at the light. Mud touched the bright light.
A voice spoke. "Why did you catch me?" The voice was not happy. "Why did you put mud on me?" "I am the Man in the Moon." "I must go home now."
Rabbit was scared. He ran home fast. Grandmother listened. "Go back," she said. "Talk to him." Rabbit went back.
Rabbit spoke to the light. "I will untie you." "Promise me two things." "Do not take my food." "Do not come to Earth."
The Man in the Moon agreed. "I promise," he said. Rabbit felt hot light. He was very brave. Rabbit bit the rope. He freed the light.
The Man in the Moon went up. He went to the sky. He had mud spots. The spots were on his face.
Rabbit had new marks. His eyes were pink now. He blinked a lot. His shoulders were yellow. These were special marks.
The Man in the Moon still hides. He tries to clean his face. The mud spots stay. That is why nights are dark.
And that is why Rabbit has special pink eyes and yellow shoulders. And that is why the Man in the Moon has little spots and sometimes hides. Brave Rabbit changed things for everyone.
Original Story
RABBIT AND THE MOON-MAN
Once, long ago, Rabbit lived with his old grandmother deep in the Canadian forest, far from all other people. He was a great hunter, and all around, far and near, he laid snares and set traps to catch game for food. It was winter, and he caught many little animals and birds. He brought them home daily to feed himself and his old grandmother, and he was well pleased with his success. But after some weeks had passed he was unable to catch any game. He always found his traps and snares empty, although many tracks were always around them, and there were many signs that animals were prowling about. He knew then that he was being robbed nightly, and that a thief was pilfering his traps. It was very cold and the snow lay deep in the forest, and Rabbit and his old grandmother were in dire need of food. Every morning Rabbit rose very early and hurried off to his traps, but always he found them empty, for the thief had been ahead of him. He was greatly puzzled, for he could not think who the thief was.
At last one morning, after a new fall of snow, he found the mark of a long foot near his traps, and he knew it was the foot of the game-robber. It was the longest foot-print he had ever seen, long and narrow and very light, like a moonbeam. And Rabbit said, "Now I shall rise earlier in the morning, and I shall go to my traps ahead of the thief and take my game, so that they will all be empty when he comes." Each morning he rose earlier to catch the thief, but the man of the long foot was always there before him, and his game was always gone. No matter how early Rabbit got up, the thief was always ahead of him and his traps were always empty.
So Rabbit said to his old grandmother, "The man of the long foot, who robs my traps, is always up ahead of me, no matter how early I rise. I will make a snare from a bow-string, and I will watch all this night, and I will surely catch him." He made a trap from a stout bow-string and set it beside his snares, and took the end of the bow-string some distance away to a clump of trees, behind which he hid. He hoped that the thief would step into the trap; then he would pull the bow-string and tie him fast to a tree. He sat very quiet, waiting for the man of the long foot to appear. It was moonlight when he set out, but soon it grew very dark in the forest. The Moon suddenly disappeared. But the stars were all shining on the white snow and there were no clouds in the sky, and Rabbit wondered what had happened to the Moon. He waited very still and a little frightened in the starlight.
Soon he heard some one coming, sneaking stealthily through the trees. Then he saw a white light which dazzled his eyes. The light went towards the snares, until it stopped just at the trap Rabbit had set. Then Rabbit pulled the bow-string, closed the trap as he had hoped, and tied the string fast to a tree. He heard sounds of a struggle, and he saw the white light move from side to side, but he knew that he had his prisoner fast and that the man of the long foot was caught at last. He was much afraid of the white light, and he ran home as fast as he could and told his old grandmother that he had caught the game-robber in the trap, and that he did not know who he was, for he was too frightened to look. And his grandmother said, "You must go back and see who it is, and tell him he must stop robbing your snares." But Rabbit said, "I do not want to go until daylight, for the Moon has gone down and the forest is very dark." But his grandmother said, "You must go." So poor Rabbit, although he was very frightened by what he had seen, set out again for his traps.
HE SAT VERY QUIET, WAITING FOR THE MAN OF THE LONG FOOT TO APPEAR
When he drew near to his snares he saw that the white light was still shining. It was so bright that his eyes were dazzled and he had to stop far from it. Then he approached nearer, but his eyes soon became very sore. There was a stream flowing beside him, and he bathed his eyes in the cold water, but it brought him no relief, and his eyes felt hot and red, and tears fell from them because of the dazzling light. Then he took great handfuls of snow and threw snowballs at the light, hoping thereby to put it out. But when the snowballs came near to the light they melted and fell down like rain. Then, with his eyes still smarting, Rabbit in his rage scooped up great handfuls of soft black mud from the bottom of the stream, and forming it into balls, he threw them with all his force at the white light. He heard them strike something with a dull thud, and he heard loud yells from the prisoner—the man of the long foot—behind the shining light. Then a voice came from the light, saying, "Why did you snare me? Come and untie me at once. I am the Man in the Moon. It is near to the morning, and before dawn I must be on my way home. You have already spotted my face with mud, and if you do not loose me at once I shall kill all your tribe."
Poor Rabbit was more frightened than before, and he ran home and told his old grandmother what had happened. And his grandmother was also very frightened, for she thought that no good could come of it. And she told Rabbit to go back at once and untie the Man in the Moon, for the night was almost spent, and the dawn would soon be breaking. So poor Rabbit, trembling in his fear, went back to his traps. From a great distance he cried, "I will untie you if you will never again rob my snares, and if you will never come back to earth." And the prisoner in the trap promised, and said, "I swear it by my white light." Then Rabbit approached very carefully. He had to shut his eyes and grope his way because of the bright light, and his lip quivered because of the great heat. At last he rushed in and cut the bow-string snare with his teeth, and the Man in the Moon hurried on his way, for he could already see the dawn in the East. But Rabbit was almost blinded while he was about it, and his shoulders were badly scorched. And ever since that time Rabbit blinks and his eyelids are pink, and water runs from his eyes when he looks at a bright light; and his lip always quivers; and his shoulders are yellow, even when he wears his white winter coat, because of the great light and heat on the winter night long ago when he loosed the Man in the Moon from the snare. And since that night the Man in the Moon has never come back to earth. He stays at his task in the sky, lighting the forest by night; but he still bears on his face the marks of the black mud which Rabbit threw at him. And sometimes for several nights he goes away to a quiet place, where he tries to wash off the mud; and then the land is dark. But he never succeeds in cleaning himself, and when he comes back to his work the marks of Rabbit's mud-balls are still upon his shining face.
Story DNA
Moral
Sometimes, even when defending your own, actions can have unforeseen and lasting consequences for all involved.
Plot Summary
Rabbit and his grandmother face starvation during winter as a mysterious thief repeatedly empties his traps. Rabbit, after several failed attempts to catch the thief, sets a special snare and captures a dazzling, unknown entity. Terrified by its bright light, Rabbit eventually throws mud at it, provoking the captive to reveal himself as the Man in the Moon and threaten Rabbit's tribe. Frightened, Rabbit negotiates the Moon-Man's release in exchange for a promise never to steal again or return to Earth. The encounter leaves Rabbit with permanent physical changes, and the Man in the Moon forever bears the mud marks, explaining both Rabbit's features and the Moon's phases.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to triumph to lasting consequence
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Cyrus MacMillan was a Canadian folklorist who collected many Indigenous stories, often from the Mi'kmaq people. This story reflects a common Indigenous storytelling tradition of explaining animal characteristics and natural phenomena.
Plot Beats (13)
- Rabbit and his grandmother face starvation in winter as Rabbit's traps are repeatedly emptied by a mysterious thief.
- Rabbit discovers a unique, long footprint and realizes the thief is always ahead of him, no matter how early he rises.
- Rabbit constructs a strong snare and waits in hiding through the night to catch the thief.
- A dazzling white light approaches the traps, and Rabbit successfully ensnares the thief, but is too frightened by the light to look at his captive.
- Rabbit's grandmother insists he return to confront the thief, despite his fear.
- Rabbit tries to douse the blinding light with snowballs, which melt, then with mud-balls, which strike the captive.
- The captive, revealed as the Man in the Moon, yells in pain and threatens Rabbit's tribe for the mud on his face and being snared.
- Rabbit, terrified, runs home again, then returns to negotiate with the Man in the Moon.
- Rabbit promises to release the Man in the Moon if he vows never to rob traps or return to Earth.
- The Man in the Moon agrees, and Rabbit, enduring intense heat and light, cuts the snare with his teeth.
- The Man in the Moon rushes back to the sky, bearing the mud marks on his face.
- Rabbit is left with permanently pink, blinking, watery eyes, a quivering lip, and yellow shoulders as a result of the encounter.
- The Man in the Moon occasionally disappears from the sky to try and wash the mud off, explaining the dark nights, but never succeeds.
Characters
Rabbit ★ protagonist
A small, agile rabbit, typically covered in a thick, soft white winter coat. After his encounter with the Moon-Man, his eyelids are pink and sensitive to light, and his shoulders are permanently yellowed and scorched, even beneath his white fur.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural fur coat serves as his attire.
Wants: To provide food for himself and his grandmother, to protect his territory from thieves.
Flaw: Overwhelming fear, which often causes him to flee or act impulsively.
Starts as a successful hunter, becomes a victim of theft, then a fearful but ultimately brave solver of the mystery. He learns the consequences of his actions and bears permanent physical marks from his encounter.
Resourceful, determined, easily frightened, protective of his grandmother, quick-thinking.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small white rabbit standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has pink eyelids that are slightly closed as if blinking, and its lip quivers. Its fur is white, but its shoulders are distinctly yellowed and scorched. It has large, sensitive ears and a twitching nose. An expression of slight fear and apprehension. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Grandmother ◆ supporting
An old, likely frail woman, living in the harsh conditions of the Canadian forest. Her appearance would reflect a life of hardship and wisdom.
Attire: Practical, warm clothing suitable for the Canadian winter, likely made of homespun wool or animal hides. Perhaps a simple, dark-colored tunic or dress with a shawl.
Wants: To ensure her and Rabbit's survival, to guide Rabbit with her wisdom.
Flaw: Her physical frailty and dependence on Rabbit for food.
Remains a steady, guiding presence throughout the story, her wisdom influencing Rabbit's actions.
Wise, pragmatic, firm, concerned for Rabbit's safety and well-being, but also insistent on doing what is right.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly Indigenous woman standing, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a kind, wrinkled face, dark, wise eyes, and long, grey hair tied in a simple braid. She wears a practical, dark-colored wool tunic and a thick, homespun shawl draped over her shoulders. Her posture is slightly stooped with age, but her expression is firm and knowing. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Man in the Moon ⚔ antagonist
Initially perceived as a dazzling white light, his true form is that of a man, but his face is permanently marred by black mud spots from Rabbit's attack. His foot is described as extraordinarily long, narrow, and light, like a moonbeam.
Attire: No specific clothing is mentioned, as he is primarily a source of light. His form is likely ethereal or glowing.
Wants: To steal game from Rabbit's traps, possibly out of mischief or a need for sustenance, and to return to his celestial duties.
Flaw: Vulnerable to physical traps and the mud that permanently disfigures him; bound by his own oath.
Starts as a mysterious thief, is caught and humiliated, and then forced to make an oath, forever bearing the marks of his encounter and staying in the sky.
Arrogant, demanding, quick to anger, threatening, but ultimately bound by his oath.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tall, slender humanoid figure, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe, glowing with an intense, dazzling white light. Its face is clearly visible, but it is permanently splattered with distinct black mud spots. Its eyes are bright, and its overall form suggests an ethereal, celestial being. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Rabbit's Grandmother's Lodge
A small, cozy dwelling deep within the Canadian forest, serving as Rabbit's home with his grandmother.
Mood: Warm, safe, but increasingly anxious due to lack of food
Rabbit discusses his hunting failures and plans with his grandmother; he returns here after encountering the Moon-Man.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, rustic Indigenous Canadian winter lodge, possibly a wigwam or a simple log cabin, nestled deep within a snow-covered boreal forest. Smoke gently rises from a central vent or chimney. The interior is dimly lit by a warm, flickering fire, casting long shadows on the timber or bark walls. Animal furs and woven mats cover the floor, and simple wooden tools or baskets are visible. Outside, heavy snow blankets the ground and the branches of spruce and pine trees. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Rabbit's Trapline in the Forest
A specific area in the deep Canadian forest where Rabbit sets his snares and traps, characterized by deep snow and animal tracks.
Mood: Eerie, tense, mysterious, later frightening due to the Moon-Man's presence
Rabbit discovers his traps are being robbed, sets a special snare, catches the Moon-Man, and later confronts him here.
Image Prompt & Upload
A desolate, snow-covered clearing deep within a Canadian boreal forest at night. Tall, dark spruce and pine trees, heavy with snow, loom under a sky filled with countless bright stars. A winding, frozen stream cuts through the scene, its banks lined with snow. Patches of dark, soft mud are exposed along the stream's edge. Moonlight, initially bright, then completely absent, leaves the scene in stark starlight, highlighting the deep snow and the intricate patterns of animal tracks. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
