Ching Yuh and Kyain Oo were stars attendant upon the Sun. They fell
madly in love with each other, and, obtaining the royal permission,
they were married. It was to them a most happy union, and having
reached the consummation of their joys they lived only for one another,
and sought only each other's company. They were continually in each
other's embrace, and as the honey-moon bade fair to continue during
the rest of their lives, rendering them unfit for the discharge
of their duties, their master decided to punish them. He therefore
banished them, one to the farthest edge of the eastern heavens, the
other to the extreme opposite side of the great river that divides
the heavenly plains (the Milky Way).
They were sent so far away that it required full six months to make the
journey, or a whole year to go and come. As they must be at their post
at the annual inspection, they therefore could only hope to journey
back and forth for the scant comfort of spending one short night in
each other's company. Even should they violate their orders and risk
punishment by returning sooner, they could only see each other from
either bank of the broad river, which they could only hope to cross
at the season when the great bridge is completed by the crows, who
carry the materials for its construction upon their heads, as any
one may know, who cares to notice, how bald and worn are the heads
of the crows during the seventh moon.
Naturally this fond couple are always heart-broken and discouraged at
being so soon compelled to part after such a brief but long-deferred
meeting, and 'tis not strange that their grief should manifest itself
in weeping tears so copious that the whole earth beneath is deluged
with rains.
This sad meeting occurs on the night of the seventh day of the seventh
moon, unless prevented by some untoward circumstance, in which case
the usual rainy season is withheld, and the parched earth then unites
in lamentation with the fond lovers, whose increased trials so sadden
their hearts that even the fountain of tears refuses to flow for
their relief.