One lovely day as spring turned to summer, Princess Moonbeam realized that her time with the bamboo–cutter and his wife was near an end as she had grown up and it was time for her to return back to her true mother, the Moon Lady in the sky.
With news of this, the bamboo–cutter and his wife cried out, “Stay with us, moonchild!”
But the small butterfly landed on the bamboo–cutter’s shoulder and whispered gently to the kind–hearted couple:
Let her go. For she must be one with where she is from. She has given you all the joy in the world, just as you have done the same for her. All the comfort you could hope for came in a small time, but your souls will be forever healed with the memories you share with your sweet Moon Maiden.