A Egyption Tale: The Lost Star: Nut’s Forgotten Child
Long, long ago, in the golden lands of ancient Egypt, the sky wasn’t just empty space—it was a goddess! Her name was Nut, and she stretched her body high above the Earth, forming the sky with stars, clouds, and sunshine.
Nut was kind, wise, and loving. She had many children, and some of them became the most important gods and goddesses in Egyptian stories. But what if I told you that one of Nut’s children went missing—a lost god whose story was forgotten in the sands of time?
Let’s dive into the magical tale of Nut, her children, and the mystery of her missing child.
Who Was Nut?
Nut (pronounced "Noot") was the beautiful goddess of the sky. She was often shown as a tall woman with stars painted on her body, bending over the Earth like a bridge.
Every morning, she would give birth to the sun god Ra, and every night, she would swallow him, only to give birth again the next morning. This was how Egyptians believed day and night happened!
Nut was married to Geb, the god of the Earth, and together they had five famous children:
- Osiris – the god of the afterlife.
- Isis – the goddess of magic and love.
- Set – the god of chaos and storms.
- Nephthys – the goddess of night and protection.
- Horus the Elder – the sky god (different from baby Horus).
But wait—some ancient stories whisper that there was a sixth child, one who was hidden, lost, or forgotten.
The Forbidden Birth
There was a time when the great sun god Ra grew angry with Nut. He said, “You are not allowed to give birth on any day of the year!”
Nut was heartbroken. She wanted children, but she didn’t want to go against Ra’s command.
Then came Thoth, the clever god of wisdom. He had an idea! He played a game with the moon god and won extra time—five secret days that weren’t part of the year. On those days, Nut gave birth to her five known children.
But some ancient stories say that on one of those secret days, Nut gave birth to a sixth child, a baby who was not written in the stars, not included in the stories—a child who vanished before the gods even noticed.
What Happened to the Missing Child?
No one knows for sure. Some say:
- The child was taken away by Ra, afraid the baby would grow too powerful.
- Others believe that the child was born to keep balance in the world and was hidden in the stars, watching over us.
- Some even say that this child is the god of secrets, one who controls things quietly and secretly from the shadows.
Because there is no name, no temple, and no statue, the missing child became one of Egypt’s greatest forgotten stories.
Whispers in the Stars
At night, when Nut covers the world with her starry body, some say you can see an extra twinkle, a lonely star that doesn’t belong to any known constellation. Maybe that star is the spirit of the lost child, shining quietly, waiting to be remembered.
The ancient priests called this the “Child of the Sky’s Silence”—a being full of mystery, who might return one day when the world needs them the most.
What Kids Can Learn from This Story
- Not every hero is famous. Some work in secret to protect the world.
- Even forgotten things matter. A missing story can still be magical.
- Imagination keeps legends alive. When we tell stories, even lost gods are remembered.
The Mystery Continues…
Even today, explorers and scholars search ancient scrolls and pyramid walls, hoping to find a name, a clue, or a sign of Nut’s missing child.
Was it a real god? Or just a tale whispered by moonlight?
Nobody knows for sure. But next time you look up at the night sky and see a lonely star blinking just for you, smile and whisper, “Hello, child of Nut. I remember you.”