In which this is the last of the holiday stories, Happy New Year!

Jacques Bonhomme Complains of the Useless Stars

  by: Helen Waddell (1889-1965)     translated from the Chinese; written B.C. 780

I see on high the Milky Way,

But here's a rougher road.

The Sacred Oxen shining stand;

They do not draw our load.

The Sieve is sparkling in the South,

But good and ill come through.

The Ladle opens wide its mouth,

And pours out naught for you.

At dawn the Weaving Sisters sleep,

At dusk they rise again;

But though their Shining Shuttle flies,

They weave no robe for men.

 

Lupin Goat Gruff and Dobby Goat Gruff, 2009

Star light, star bright,

The first star I see tonight;

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight.  

--Traditional rhyme