Ganesha and the Moon

Once on Ganesha's birthday, he received lots and lots of laddoos, his favorite sweet. Ganesha ate so many laddoos that his tummy became very round and full. In the evening, he decided to go for a ride on his mouse, Mushak. While they were riding along a path, a snake suddenly appeared. Mushak got scared and stopped so quickly that Ganesha tumbled off and fell down. His full belly burst open and all the laddoos rolled out. Ganesha quickly gathered the laddoos, put them back in his tummy, and caught the snake to tie it around his belly like a belt so the laddoos would stay inside. The Moon saw all of this and started laughing loudly at Ganesha. Ganesha felt very hurt and angry. He cursed the Moon, saying that no one would ever look at him again. The Moon disappeared and darkness spread everywhere. All the gods prayed to Ganesha to forgive the Moon. Ganesha softened his curse and said the Moon would grow and shrink each month. That is why the moon changes its shape every month, waxing and waning in the sky.