The Moon or the Banana Tree

21 The Moon or the Banana Tree There was a time, long ago, when only one man and one woman lived on the earth. They were the first humans made by a creator with great love and compassion. The creator wished that they might choose how they would die when their years ran out. He explained to them that they could choose to die like the moon, or like the banana tree. " If you choose the moon, " said the creator, " each month, you will slowly die, a piece of you disappearing each night. But then, you will be slowly born again, just like the moon, bit by bit. If you choose the banana tree, you will live a long and good life. But then, you will die forever. But, at your feet, there will always be fresh young leaves, and these will grow into new banana trees. " The man and woman took their time to decide. " If we choose to die like the moon, we will always have life, " said the woman. " We will always be here, renewed each month. "

“ That is true, " said the man. “ But we will always be alone. We will never have children to laugh with us or to help us in our labours here on Earth. And it will be a lonely life for just you and me. " After much deliberation, they decided to choose to die like the banana tree. They wanted to have children in their home. They could not imagine a life without offspring. When the first man and woman died, there were many green shoots growing, and there were many children on the carth. In this way, the first man and woman chose to live a happy life with children. And that is why we too have only a small number of years on Earth. But when we die, we leave many descendants to take our place.