"Sun, Moon, Dust" is a 2017 fantasy short story by Ursula Vernon. It was first published in Uncanny Magazine.
Allpa's grandmother bequeaths him a magical sword which, when drawn, invokes three warrior spirits — Sun, Moon, and Dust — who are sworn to aid him in combat. However, Allpa is a potato farmer, and has no need of warriors.
"Sun, Moon, Dust" was a finalist for the 2018 Hugo Award for Best Short Story.[1]
Apex Magazine called it "sweet [and] quiet", noting that it is "about growth of all kinds".[2] Tangent Online considered it to be a "delight", lauding Vernon's "seamless" exposition, but questioned whether the story's resolution was compatible with the nature of the sword's enchantment.[3] Amal el-Mohtar, who subsequently read the story for Uncannys podcast, stated that it was "kind (and) charming ", and about "the right to not be a warrior".[4]