Chang'e's Flight to the Moon

From my silent, silver home, I watch the world turn below—a beautiful blue and white jewel spinning in the dark. My name is Chang’e, and though I am now known as the Moon Goddess, I was once a mortal woman who lived a life filled with sunshine and the laughter of the man I loved, the great archer Hou Yi. Long ago, our world suffered under the heat of ten suns that scorched the earth, but Hou Yi, with his mighty bow, shot nine of them from the sky, saving humanity and becoming a hero. This is the story of how that heroism led to an impossible choice, a story you might know as the Tale of Chang’e's Flight to the Moon. It is a story of love, sacrifice, and how I came to live in this lonely, luminous palace. As a reward for his bravery, the gods gifted my husband a single vial containing the elixir of life, a potion that would grant immortality. We cherished it, planning to share it one day, but destiny had a different, more solitary path for me. We hid the elixir in a wooden case, promising each other we would not use it until we were ready to face eternity together, a promise I never intended to break.

Hou Yi was not only a hero but also a teacher, and he had many students who admired his skill. However, among them was a man named Fengmeng, whose heart was filled with greed and jealousy. While most saw a savior in my husband, Fengmeng saw only a man who possessed something he desperately wanted: the elixir of immortality. One day, on the 15th of August in the lunar calendar, Hou Yi went hunting with his students, but Fengmeng feigned illness and stayed behind. Once my husband was gone, Fengmeng broke into our home, his sword drawn, demanding the elixir. I knew I was no match for him in a fight. I clutched the case containing the vial, my mind racing. I could not let such a precious and powerful gift fall into the hands of someone so cruel. With no other choice, I made a decision that would change my fate forever. I unstoppered the vial and drank the entire potion myself. Instantly, a strange lightness filled me. My feet lifted from the ground, and I began to float, drifting out of the window and up into the sky. I reached for my home, for Hou Yi, but I was powerless against the elixir's pull. I floated higher and higher, past the clouds, until the Earth was just a distant memory and I landed gently on the cold, quiet surface of the Moon.

When Hou Yi returned home and learned what had happened, his heart was shattered. He called my name to the night sky, but only the silent, glowing moon answered. In his grief, he looked up and thought he could see my figure in its luminescence. To honor my memory and show me he would never forget, he arranged a table in our garden with my favorite fruits and sweet cakes, a tribute under the full moon's light. My only companion here is a gentle Jade Rabbit, who is always busy pounding herbs for another elixir, perhaps one that could one day return me home. From my new home, I watched Hou Yi’s loving tribute. The people of his village, moved by his devotion, began to do the same. They would gather with their families under the full moon, lay out offerings of food, and pray for good fortune. This tradition grew and spread, becoming the Mid-Autumn Festival. Families reunite, share round mooncakes that symbolize togetherness and the full moon, and tell my story to their children. They look up at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of me and my Jade Rabbit, a reminder of a love so strong it bridges the distance between Earth and the stars.

Though my life here is quiet, it is not without purpose. I have become a symbol of beauty, elegance, and the bittersweet nature of sacrifice. My story has been woven into the fabric of culture, inspiring countless poems, paintings, and songs throughout history. It teaches that even in separation, love can create traditions that bring people together. Today, my name journeys beyond myth. The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program named its robotic missions 'Chang'e' in my honor, sending explorers to the very palace I call home. It shows that my story is not just one of loss, but one of endless wonder and aspiration. So, when you look up at the full moon, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival, think of me. Know that my story is a bridge between the ancient world and the future, a tale that reminds us to cherish our loved ones and to see the beauty in the glowing moon, a constant, watchful presence in the night sky.

Reading Comprehension Questions

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Answer: Fengmeng's character is defined by greed and jealousy. The story shows this when it says his 'heart was filled with greed and jealousy' and that he didn't see a hero in Hou Yi, but only a man who had the elixir he 'desperately wanted.' His actions of faking an illness, breaking into their home, and threatening Chang'e with a sword further prove his selfish and cruel nature.

Answer: Fengmeng pretended to be sick to avoid going hunting with Hou Yi and the other students. Once they were gone, he broke into Chang'e and Hou Yi's home and demanded the elixir of immortality. To prevent the greedy Fengmeng from getting it, Chang'e drank the elixir herself. Immediately after, she became weightless and floated out of her window, up into the sky, and landed on the moon.

Answer: The story teaches that great love can lead to great sacrifice. Chang'e sacrificed her life on Earth with Hou Yi to protect the elixir, a gift earned by his heroism. In turn, Hou Yi's love was so strong that his personal tribute to her created a tradition that brings families together every year. It shows that even when people are separated, their love can create a lasting legacy.

Answer: Devotion means loyal, profound love and dedication to someone or something. Hou Yi showed his devotion to Chang'e after she was gone by calling her name to the sky and setting up a tribute table with her favorite foods under the full moon. This act was a way to honor her memory and show that his love for her remained strong despite their separation.

Answer: The story connects the ancient myth to modern times by mentioning the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. This real-world space program named its robotic lunar missions 'Chang'e' in her honor, showing that her story continues to inspire wonder, aspiration, and the human desire to explore the moon.