The Fallen Moon (Inspired by Three Prompts)

I have taken on the challenge of writing a Japanese folktale.
It is about 2,000 characters long, so I would be happy if you could read it when you have some time. ☺️
Thank you in advance. 🙇

Once upon a time, there was a lively boy named Taro.

One night, during a full moon, Taro was gazing at the moon from his window when it slowly moved downward and finally splashed into the pond.

When Taro hurried to the pond, the moon was bobbing on the surface and said, looking a bit embarrassed.

"I was looking at my own reflection in the pond, and I was so captivated by it that I fell in!"

Taro said to the moon with a look of disbelief.

"You're such a careless moon to come down so far that you actually fell in! Though, I must admit, you do have a lovely glow tonight."

Then the moon said happily, with a hint of excitement.

"Right! You really get it! Anyone would be captivated by me!"

"...Well, not enough to fall into a pond, though."

"You can say that again!"

The two laughed together for a while, and when things settled down, Taro said.

"...Well, I'm going to head home now! You should get back to the sky soon, too."

As Taro waved goodbye and started to leave, the moon said in a panic.

"Wait, hold on!! Even if you leave me here, I can't get back on my own!! ...Could you please toss me back up into the sky?"

"What!! You fell in even though you can't get back up!?"
Taro reluctantly lifted the moon.

"Man, you're heavy..."

Grumbling, he tossed the moon up into the sky, but after a while, it fell back down.

"...Darn, that wasn't high enough... You need to throw me from a higher spot, or I won't be able to return to the sky..."

Seeing the dejected moon, Taro thinks for a while before speaking.

That's it!! Tomorrow, there's a mountain pass a little walk from here, so why don't we try throwing it from the top of the pass!

Really!? That would be a huge help. Alright, I'm counting on you tomorrow!!

The moon smiled, shining brightly.

The next day.

Taro took the moon and went to the mountain pass.

He threw it into the sky with all his might, but it fell back down again.

It was so close... I wonder if there's a higher pass than this one?

Taro crossed his arms and thought, but since this was the highest pass around, he was at a loss.

Then, a little bird that had been watching the whole thing from a nearby tree called out to him.

You look like you're in trouble. Shall I help you out?

Taro went over to the little bird and said,

Really!? If you're a bird, you should be able to grab the moon and fly, so please, I'm counting on you! It's pretty heavy, though, can you handle it?

The little bird tried to grab the moon and lift it, but it wouldn't budge at all.

So heavy!! This is impossible, no way!! How could I grab something this heavy and fly with it!!

As the little bird gave up, the moon said, looking a bit sulky,

What's with you two going on and on about how heavy I am... It's a full moon right now, so I'm just a bit plump, that's all!

Then, shall we wait until it's a half moon?

No!! That won't do, that won't do! I have a promise to make rice dumplings with the moon rabbit. Can't you do something?

You're heavy because you're eating dumplings!!

Just as the atmosphere began to drift toward the feeling that all was lost, the little bird suddenly spoke.

If I go to a place higher than this and toss it into the sky, the moon will go back, right?

The moon and Taro nodded in unison.

The little bird puffed out its chest and continued.

Listen and be amazed. I actually have the power to summon rain!! Isn't that amazing? Since it's nice weather today, if I make it rain a little, a beautiful rainbow will stretch between this mountain pass and the one opposite. We just need to throw the moon from the highest point of that rainbow!

What is that ability!! That's amazing!!

What the heck! Were you holding out on us?

Taro and the moon were delighted and decided to have the little bird summon the rain.

The little bird climbed up a tree and began to sing with a volume uncharacteristic of a small bird.

After a while, rain clouds arrived, and along with thunder, it began to pour as if a bucket had been overturned.

This is a downpour!

Taro and the moon hurriedly took shelter in the shade of a tree.

If it isn't rain like this, it won't become a solid rainbow!

The little bird continued to sing, making the air tremble.

Gradually the rain weakened, and as it stopped, a rainbow emerged in the sunlight, arching over the opposite mountain pass.

The seven-colored rainbow looked like a solid bridge, and Taro, holding the moon, climbed up onto it.

When they reached the highest point, Taro planted his feet firmly and threw the moon as high as he could into the sky.

Then the moon said,

Oh, it's working!! I think I can make it back!! Thank you so much!

And with that, it was able to return safely to the sky.

After Taro climbed down the rainbow bridge, he thanked the little bird and said goodbye, telling it he would go play again soon!

That night.

As Taro gazed at the moon from his window, he felt as if the moon were calling to him.

He went outside for some reason, and a white rice dumpling fell from the sky, so Taro hurriedly caught it.

“This is a thank you for returning it to the sky. It’s freshly made, so it’s delicious.”

“Wow!! It’s a dumpling from the moon!! Thank you so much!”

Saying that, Taro immediately ate one.

It was a very delicious, chewy dumpling, so he decided he would take some to the little bird tomorrow.

The end.