# The Story of the Opal explained — On a Pincushion

> Chapter companion for On a Pincushion by Mary De Morgan.

## What happens

A Sunbeam, curious about a Moonbeam he hears described by the birds, defies the enmity between Sun and Moon to see her. They meet secretly, fall in love, and ultimately perish together when the Sun discovers their union, their mingled tears and blood creating the opal with its shifting colors.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

The Sunbeam and Moonbeam defy cosmic enmity for love, ultimately sacrificing their lives.

### Nature and the Supernatural

Personified Sunbeams and Moonbeams, talking birds, and the magical origin of the opal.

### Consequences of Greed and Discontent

The Sunbeam's discontent with his solitary existence leads to his tragic end.

## Character check-ins

### The Sunbeam

Protagonist of the embedded tale; falls in love with a Moonbeam and dies with her.

### The Moonbeam

Loved by the Sunbeam; she perishes with him, their essence forming the opal.

### The Nightingale

Messenger and confidant who facilitates the Sunbeam and Moonbeam's meetings.

### The Old Bullfinch

Grumpy bird who disapproves of the Nightingale's songs about the Moonbeam.

### The Brooch

Tells the story of the opal to the other jewelry items on the pincushion.

### The Owl

Mentioned as the chief judge who eats misbehaving birds.

## Key lines

> All the Sunbeams are in reality tiny Sun-fairies, run down to earth on golden ladders, which look to mortals like rays of the Sun.

Sunbeams are actually small fairies descending on golden ladders that appear as sunlight.

_Establishes the supernatural nature of sunbeams._

> It is not known, but the Sun and Moon are enemies, and that is why they never shine at the same time.

The Sun and Moon are secretly enemies, which explains why they are never seen together.

_Sets up the central conflict for the love story._

> I cannot bring myself to believe anything so improbable," said the Shawl-pin, scornfully.

The Shawl-pin dismisses the Brooch's story as unbelievable.

_Framing device showing skepticism about the tale._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-story-of-the-opal
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_a_pincushion_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters