The Golden One

"The Golden One" is a short story that was published in the Target-exclusive edition Myths & Fables. The story was written by George Mann, illustrated by Grant Griffin, and published on August 30, 2020.

Plot summary

According to Ewok legend there was a time when the population of Endor lived difficult lives in a darkness without balance. In this time, Ewok elders foresaw that a light would come to banish the darkness. To this end, they encouraged the Ewoks to live with tolerance and kindness, uniting the tribes together. Their virtue was rewarded when a being so bright came to Endor that he lit up the entire moon. The Ewoks named the being the Golden One, because his presence was so bright that none could look directly at him. After the Golden One's coming, trees grew on Endor and the Ewoks left the caves that they resided in to construct towns in the new forest.

Their civilization flourished and developed art and discourse. However, the Golden One knew that there must be balance, and darkness in places he could not reach would seek to reassert its power. To preserve balance and avoid the war that would result, the Golden One made a pact to share the moon with the darkness, so that Ewoks would know both it and the light in equal parts. He then withdrew to the sky, and the moon experienced a constant cycle of day and night.

For thousands of years the Ewoks enjoyed the balance however darkness threaten to return when strangers came to the moon. These strangers cut down sacred trees and began work on a massive structure above the moon. Responding to their desperate pleas for help the Golden One returned to the moon. Embolden by the presence of the Golden one and his fellow travelers the Ewoks fought the agents of darkness and balance was once again restored.

Media

Collected in

• Myths & Fables

Appearances

Notes and references