Moon Glasses

An Allegory 🌕🖤♀️

Johnny looked over at his mom as they drove the few miles from the market back home on Friday night. She turned and smiled at him. Her eyes looked a little funny, as they always did when she wore her glasses.

All grown-ups and older kids wore those glasses at night. Some of Johnny’s friends had started wearing them, too. He’d asked Dad when he could get his own glasses, now that he was growing up. Dad said it wouldn’t be long now, and again explained it was important to wait until the right time, so his eyes would be healthy.

Mom parked the car in the driveway, and they both got out, and started carrying the bags into the house.

It was so bright out tonight! Johnny looked to see if Dad had turned the outside light on, as he sometimes did. But the light wasn’t on. He realized where the light was coming from. He looked up, and saw the Moon was glowing brightly, perfectly round.

“Mom, the Moon is so beautiful, isn’t she? It’s like she lights up the whole night – without even trying, just being herself!”

“Johnny! Don’t look – it will hurt your eyes! Let’s get these inside, right away!”

Surprised by this answer, Johnny looked at his mom. She was hurrying, but she was also smiling. He really didn’t understand what was going on. But Mom knew best, and would explain anything he needed to know.

Johnny helped his mom put a few items in the refrigerator and freezer, and then she took off her glasses and looked at him.

“I’m so proud of you, son! You’re really growing up! Let’s go sit in the living room and talk.”

They went to the couch, where “talks” usually were held, and sat down.

Mom smiled again.

“Johnny, tell me what you noticed about the Moon tonight.”

Johnny smiled to remember the Moon. “She was so bright, lighting up the whole night, without even trying! So round and full, so beautiful, it was like magic!”

Mom nodded vigorously.

“I know exactly what you mean! It does seem like that. Johnny, you said she wasn’t even trying – did you feel like she was working hard?”

He shook his head. “No, it’s like she doesn’t need to – it’s just natural for her to glow like that, it’s just how she is!”

Mom smiled and nodded. “And when does she glow, Johnny?”

“At night, of course!”

“And when do people work – like Dad and me, and others?”

“Well, usually during the day, except for police, or baseball players, or supermarkets, stuff like that.”

Mom was beaming now.

“I’m so proud of you, son! You’re so grown up. You’re ready to learn the truth about the Moon!”

She paused briefly.

“So, as you noticed, the Moon only glows at night, and she does it without even trying. You got it exactly right. Son, the Moon is so tricky, so deceitful. You see, the Moon refuses to work. She sleeps all day. And when she does get up at night, she still doesn’t work hard – she just sits there, not even trying.”

Johnny was confused; he couldn’t imagine the Moon was like that. But he knew his mom had to be right. She wanted him to know the truth, and not be tricked by the Moon – or by anyone.

“Johnny, have you noticed anything else about the Moon? Is she the same every night?”

Johnny thought briefly. “No, Mom, she’s always different! Tonight is the brightest I can ever remember her being. Sometimes, she’s not as bright, and sometimes, I can’t see her at all.”

Mom grabbed his shoulder and squeezed.

“You are so sharp, Johnny, so observant! It’s just like you said. Do you know the word ‘moody’?”

“I don’t think so, Mom.”

“Well, ‘moody’ means that someone is in a different mood every time you see them. One day laughing, another day angry, another day crying, another day silent. Do you know what I mean?”

“Mom, one of my teachers is like that!”

Mom giggled. “I thought you would know what I mean. Well, the Moon is extremely moody – she is all over the place. She doesn’t consider anyone but herself. If she’s feeling OK, she’ll glow some. If not, she just doesn’t show up at all.”

“Wow, that’s not right,” Johnny said.

“No, it certainly isn’t, son. Johnny, you mentioned that the Moon is beautiful?”

By now, Johnny was unsure even of that.

“Well, Mom, the way she glows up in the dark sky, and lights us down here, she sure seemed beautiful to me.”

“I understand, son! So, remember when I said the Moon is tricky? She’s actually a witch! Do you know about witches?”

Johnny’s eyes went wide. “Yes, Mom, I do – they use magic against others!”

“Exactly. The Moon actually isn’t beautiful – she’s ugly! But since she’s a witch, she knows how to make herself look that way!”

Johnny shook his head.

“Wow, Mom. I guess I was completely wrong about the Moon. She’s terrible!”

“Johnny, it’s OK – it happens to all of us. That’s why we wear –“

Mom moved her hand towards Johnny. She was holding a folded pair of glasses, with a “J” on the frame.

“ – glasses at night – so we can see the Moon as she truly is!”

Mom handed Johnny the glasses. He was so proud. It had been a very confusing night, but he was so grown up now, he could understand the truth.

“Congratulations, son. Now, you know the truth about the Moon!”

Mom took out her own glasses.

“Johnny, would you like to try out your new glasses now?”

“Yes, Mom – let’s go!”

He felt like running, but he walked slowly with his mom as they went to the back door. She put her glasses on, and he did, too, and they went outside.

“Johnny, it’s safe to look at the Moon now, with your glasses on.”

He looked up. The Moon wasn’t a sweetly glowing heavenly body, full and round and beautiful. It was misshapen, with parts missing, grayish-brown. It looked like something was leaking from it.

Johnny was a little sad. He had loved the Moon’s effortless, magical glow. But he was so glad he knew the truth, now. He would not forget.