Lady in the Moon

The children were excited. It was time for the Moon Festival. Grandma Wang came to stay with the family, and she was going to make moon cakes. It was a tradition at this time of the year.

Biff, Chip, and Kipper had never seen moon cakes before. “Try a little,” said Grandma. Kipper tasted one, but he did not like it. He quietly put it into his pocket. “What is the Moon Festival?” asked Biff. He was three and did not remember it from last year.

“It’s the time when the moon is biggest and brightest,” said Jiabin. “The full moon brings happiness,” said Grandma. “It is a time when families come together.” That evening, Jiabin told the children an old legend.

A long time ago, a man named Hou Yi won a special liquid called the elixir of life. The elixir could make a person live forever. Hou Yi told his wife, Chang’e, “Nobody must find it. Hide the bottle.” But a wicked man named Pang Meng discovered the secret and tried to take the elixir from Chang’e.

When he demanded the bottle, Chang’e had no choice but to drink the elixir herself. Suddenly, Chang’e began to float into the sky. She floated higher and higher until she reached the moon, where she would live forever. From that day on, Hou Yi looked sadly up at the full moon, thinking of his beloved wife.

“What a sad story,” said Kipper. “Yes,” said Grandma, “but it is also a beautiful one. When we look at the moon, we think of the people we love.”

That night, the family went outside together to look at the moon. Grandpa brought his telescope. “Look through this,” he said. Chip looked first and smiled in surprise. Then Kipper looked and gasped. “I can see Chang’e on the moon!”

Grandpa laughed. “It’s just a trick. There is a small picture inside the telescope.” “What a clever idea,” said Biff. “Now I will always remember the legend when I see the full moon.”

It was time to eat. The table was full of food, and everyone felt happy. “The Moon Festival is wonderful,” said Biff. The family sat together, eating, talking, and enjoyed looking at the bright full moon shining in the sky.