The Story#
A long, long time ago, there was a kind young man named Niulang.
Niulang was very poor. Only an old ox kept him company. This old ox was special—it was a magical ox!
One day, the old ox said to Niulang: “Niulang, tomorrow the fairies from heaven will come down to bathe in the river. Hide the pink dress, and that fairy will become your wife.”
Niulang followed the old ox’s words and indeed met a beautiful fairy named Zhinv.
Zhinv was the granddaughter of the Queen Mother of Heaven. Her job every day was to weave colorful clouds.
Niulang and Zhinv fell in love. They got married and had a pair of lovely twins, living a happy life.
But when the Queen Mother found out, she was very angry!
“How can a fairy marry a mortal!” The Queen Mother sent heavenly soldiers to take Zhinv back to heaven.
Niulang carried his children and chased and chased. He was almost catching up.
The Queen Mother pulled out her golden hairpin and drew a line across the sky—
“Whoosh!”
A wide Milky Way appeared, separating Niulang and Zhinv.
Niulang cried on one side of the river, Zhinv cried on the other. Their crying moved the magpies.
Every year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, thousands of magpies fly over to form a bridge, letting Niulang and Zhinv meet.
Little friends, on summer nights, look at both sides of the Milky Way. The two brightest stars are Niulang and Zhinv!
What the Story Teaches Us#
Niulang and Zhinv’s love moved the magpies. This story tells us that true love is precious, and we should cherish the time we have with the people we love.