Author Archives: Melody Wu

“How the Stars Came to Be”

Age: 20

Date: 03/27/2025

Language: English

Nationality: Taiwanese/ Chilean

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: United States


1. Text:

“My grandpa used to tell me this story when I was little. He said that a long time ago, the night sky was completely dark — no stars, just blackness. People didn’t know when it was safe to travel, and they were always afraid of getting lost. But there was this girl — young, maybe my age at the time — and she decided to do something about it. She climbed up a mountain, carrying this big clay pot full of glowing stones. It was heavy, but she didn’t stop. When she finally reached the top, she threw the stones up into the sky, and they scattered and became stars. That’s why we can travel at night now. And the gods were so impressed that they gave her a star too — so she could keep watch over everyone from above.”

2. Context:

Told by J, who heard this myth from her grandfather when visiting her family in Chile. It was told as a creation story, and Jessica says she loved how it centered a girl as the hero. She said the myth helped her feel proud of being brave and of her cultural roots.

3. My Interpretation:

This myth beautifully blends cosmology with gendered heroism. Many creation myths center men, but this one presents a girl as the bringer of light — literally and symbolically. It reinforces the idea that girlhood and courage are not separate, and that folklore can reflect deep cultural values through simple stories.

“The Boy Who Traded His Voice”

Age: 21

Date: 03/27/2025

Language: English

Nationality: Ecuadorian

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: Spanish

Residence: United States

1. Text:


“So, me and my little brother came up with this story during a long road trip — but I still tell it to kids sometimes. It goes like this: There was once a boy who hated being quiet. He talked constantly, about everything and nothing, until people just stopped listening. One day, he met this spirit in the woods who told him, ‘If you give me your voice, I’ll give you something better — the ability to hear anything, even the things people don’t say out loud.’ The boy agreed without thinking. And suddenly, he could hear people’s thoughts — their secrets, feelings, fears — everything. But he couldn’t say a word. No one could hear him anymore. So he just listened. Forever. That’s the story. I always end it with: be careful what you give up for the sake of being heard.”

2. Context:

Told by Jalen (age 20), who said he made it up with his brother after a long car ride, but that the idea stuck. He now tells it to kids when teaching workshops about communication and listening. He interprets it as a lesson about empathy and restraint — how power can come from silence, not just speaking.

3. My Interpretation:

Though modern in origin, this tale follows a traditional moral structure. It reimagines the classic “deal with a spirit” theme and flips the expected outcome — instead of gaining a voice, the boy loses it. It critiques the desire to dominate conversation and encourages thoughtful presence instead.

“The Girl Who Turned Into the Moon”

Age: 20

Date: 03/27/2025

Language: English

Nationality: Chinese

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: English

Residence: United States

1. Text:

“When I was little, my mom used to tell me a story about a girl who didn’t feel like she belonged in her village. She was kind and quiet, and she loved to watch the moon from her rooftop. One day, she disappeared — no one could find her. But that night, the moon was bigger and brighter than ever, and people said they could see the outline of a girl’s face in it, like she was finally where she belonged. The story goes that she was so gentle and luminous that the sky took her in. And now, whenever you feel alone, you can look up and remember that she’s still watching over the ones who don’t quite fit in.”

2. Context:

The informant said her mom would tell her this story whenever she was feeling out of place or left out. Annie said she used to imagine that the moon girl was her imaginary friend — someone soft, calm, and always there. She now sees the story as a metaphor for girlhood, sensitivity, and the quiet power of being different. “It made me feel like there was a kind of magic in being misunderstood,” she said.

3. My Interpretation:

This legend is a beautiful example of celestial transformation as emotional metaphor. The moon becomes a symbol of refuge for girls who feel unseen — turning isolation into radiance. The narrative draws on themes of longing, gentleness, and visibility, with folkloric echoes of moon goddesses and star maidens. It affirms that softness is not weakness, and that even those who vanish leave behind light.

“The Haunted Sock”

Age: 20

Date: 03/27/2025

Language: English

Nationality: Taiwanese/ Chilean

Occupation: Student

Primary Language: Spanish

Residence: United States

1. Text:

“My little sister used to swear that a haunted sock lived under her bed. Every time she lost a sock in the laundry, she’d blame it on the ghost sock that was ‘collecting friends.’ One time, she left out a cheese stick as an offering. When it was gone in the morning, she said, ‘See? He was hungry. And now I won’t lose any more socks this week.’”

2. Context:

The informant says her sister created the haunted sock story when she was around six. It became a running family joke that they still mention when socks go missing. She says it helped her deal with small fears — and now it’s part of their family’s shared sense of humor.

3. My Interpretation:

This joke functions as a playful child-created legend, giving magical explanation to mundane annoyances. It’s rooted in imagination and control — assigning personality to mystery. Over time, it transformed into a humorous family tradition, illustrating how folklore can emerge from the logic of a child and evolve into shared myth.