As he was still creeping forward, a pebble slipped from under his hand and made a noise. The maidens started off at once, and, climbing into a large basket, they vanished in the sky. The young man went back to his fasting lodge, and, all the next day, wondered as to whether they would ever come back. In the evening he watched and listened. The sound of distant songs he again perceived after a while. The maidens were now returning to the lake. So he crept down to the edge of the reeds and grasses. While they came out of the sky, he was there, looking at them. Their big basket then landed on the beach. Stepping out of it, they again began to sing and dance around. As lie was watching them, his delight was so great at this beautiful sight that lie did not move or do anything to disturb them. After having danced together for a long time, they began to dance one at a time. Then the fairest of the seven sisters danced all by herself, as it was now her turn. Never had her youthful admirer beheld anything so beautiful. Without his even heeding it, his voice rose and expressed his delight. They all vanished in an instant, as the first time.
And, every evening, he came down there in the same way. It grew upon him, in the end, that he should try and capture the maiden whom he so admired. As they were dancing there. one evening, he rushed in their midst. They ran to their basket swinging there, in the air. The maiden whom he loved happened to be the last to climb into the basket; so he seized her by her girdle, as she had just laid a hand on the edge of the basket. He clung fast to her, and was lifted into the air. But the girl had to quit her hold; and they both fell to the ground. The young man told her about his love and begged her to become his wife. The maiden was grieved, but not truly angry. She said to him, "We are the Seven Sisters, and have always been living together. We are the group of stars which you have often seen in the sky. It has always been our custom, at this time of the year, to come down to the earth to dance and play." And she explained to him that she could not become his wife unless he would first get into the sky with them.
So they both ascended into the sky land, where everything was wonderful. All of one's wishes were at once realized, without the slightest effort.
Now then, the young man and the maiden returned from the sky. Henceforth they lived together as husband and wife. This is why, nowadays, we can see among the Pleiades only six of the maiden sisters. Sometimes the shadow of the seventh one may just be perceived. |
