【明報專訊】Sunshine and sunset are indispensable to human beings. In Greek mythology, the sun god is called Apollo (阿波羅). In ancient China, there was a similar deity named Dongjun (東君). Their punctuality ensured the source of life.

You might have heard of the legend of Houyi (后羿), who eliminated nine of the ten suns. After the nine suns died, the only one left was cringing (畏縮) in terror. It hid from the people.

"Bloody hell! That boy called Houyi is totally mad! I won't work for these ungrateful people anymore!" It then escaped and no one knew where he had gone.

Then there was no sunshine. People's daily routines were broken. "Oh Heaven! Please send someone to help us!" The people begged mercy from the gods.

Dongjun heard what the people had said and hoped the celestial emperor(玉帝) could offer them assistance. "O' Lord, people see nothing but only impenetrable darkness," said Dongjun. "Also, crops are dying and people are suffering from extreme hunger."

"Yes, I hear people pray that the bright, warm sun would soon rise from the east. I need somebody to visit the sun," the emperor stopped for a second and continued, "But no one dares take this job."

"I'll do it." Dongjun replied, without hesitation.

"Well. I'm speechless. Good luck!" The emperor felt exalted because someone finally took on this difficult task. He then appointed Dongjun as the official to handle the sun.

Dongjun thought that it wouldn't be easy to find the sun. But he came up with an idea. He wore marvellous clothes, rode six dragons without horns, and shined like gold. He pretended to do the sun's job, but his light wasn't enough. All this irritated the sun. It came out from a mountain.

"Hey, you bratty kid," he roared, "Don't be skin-deep (表面的). A sun doesn't just wear beautiful clothes! Let me teach you how to be a faithful sun!"

The sun then realised he hadn't been faithful to his role as a sun. He felt ashamed and turned out to be Dongjun's best friend.

To make sure Dongjun got up every morning, the celestial emperor also sent a chicken to wake him up. Dongjun, together with the sun and chicken, protected people's livelihood from famine and other disasters.

Dongjun wasn't a human being, but he loved the Chinese people so much and the people also loved him. People also personified (擬人化) the sun. They thought the sun turned red during sunset because Dongjun was drunk.

Adapted from a Chinese legend

■Food for thought

Sun gods are just legendary figures. What do you think of the law of nature? Do you take the warm sunlight for granted?

■Glossary

indispensable (adj) 不可或缺的

eliminate (v) 清除

routine (n) 日常程序

faithful (adj) 忠實

[Smarties' Power English 第228期]