Mid-Autumn Festival

Hello from up here. My name is Chang’e, and I live on the moon. It is a quiet, silvery place, and my best friend is a very special rabbit called the Jade Rabbit. He is always busy, pounding special herbs to make magical medicine. Most of the time, it’s just the two of us. But on one special night each year, everything feels different. On the 15th day of the 8th month in the lunar calendar, my home, the moon, becomes the biggest and brightest it will be all year. It shines like a giant, glowing pearl in the dark sky. On this night, I feel so close to all the wonderful people on Earth. I can see the world below me twinkle with lights, and it feels like I am watching over a very happy party.

I wasn't always the lady on the moon. A long, long time ago, I lived on Earth with my husband, a brave hero named Hou Yi. He was a great archer who was rewarded with a magic potion for his courage. This potion could let a person live forever. We decided to keep it safe. But one day, while Hou Yi was away, a bad man tried to steal the potion from our home. I knew I couldn't let him have it. So, I made a quick decision and drank the potion all by myself to protect it. The moment I did, a strange thing happened. I felt as light as a feather. I began to float up, up, up, leaving my home behind and drifting all the way to the moon. And this is where I have lived ever since. Every year on this special festival night, I look down and see families on Earth celebrating together. They light colorful paper lanterns that glow like tiny, floating stars, and they eat yummy mooncakes that are round, just like my moon home.

Seeing everyone gathered together makes my heart feel warm. Even though I am far away, I don't feel lonely on this night. The bright moonlight connects me to everyone on Earth. This festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival, is a time to be thankful for family and friends and to share good food. It is a celebration of being together. So, the next time you are outside and see the big, full moon shining down, I hope you will think of me. Know that I am looking right back at you and the Jade Rabbit is beside me, waving. I am sending happy wishes for your family, hoping you are all happy, healthy, and together.