Once upon a time, the earth was a hot and uncomfortable place to live. The sky was lit by ten suns, each one blazing hot and causing great distress to the people. The earth was scorched and barren, and life was a constant struggle for survival.

However, in this unbearable hardship, a hero named Houyi emerged. He was brave and strong, with a heart full of compassion for the suffering people. He decided to help the people and save the world from the scorching heat.

Houyi had a powerful bow and a quiver full of arrows. He aimed at the sky, drew back his bowstring, and shot an arrow with all his might. One by one, he shot down nine of the ten suns, leaving only one to provide light and warmth to the world.

The world was saved, and the people rejoiced. The heat subsided, and the earth began to flourish once again. For his bravery and service, a goddess rewarded Houyi with a magic elixir that could grant eternal life.

The goddess warned him that the elixir was very powerful and should be used wisely. Houyi, being a humble man, didn't want to live forever without his beloved wife, Chang’e. He decided to entrust the elixir to her, for safekeeping.

One day, while Houyi was away, a wicked man named Pangmeng came to their house. He had heard about the magic elixir and desired its power for himself. He demanded that Chang’e give him the elixir.

Chang’e, fearing the harm that Pangmeng could cause with the elixir, refused to give it to him. In her desperation to protect the world from Pangmeng, she made a courageous decision. She swallowed the elixir herself.

As soon as she swallowed the elixir, Chang’e felt her body getting lighter and lighter. She began to float off the ground, rising higher and higher. She found herself leaving the earth and flying towards the moon.

Chang’e looked down at the shrinking earth with a heavy heart. She knew she was leaving behind everything she loved, including her beloved husband, Houyi. But she also knew that she had made the right decision.

As she flew higher, Chang’e saw the moon getting closer. It was a barren and desolate place, but she was not afraid. She knew that she was destined to live there, watching over the human world from afar.

When Chang’e landed on the moon, she found herself not alone. A rabbit was there, hopping around and looking curiously at her. The rabbit was to be her only companion in this lonely place.

Back on earth, Houyi returned home to find Chang’e gone. He was devastated. He called out her name, but there was no answer. He searched everywhere, but he could not find her.

The goddess appeared before the grieving Houyi. She told him about Chang’e’s sacrifice and her journey to the moon. Houyi looked up at the moon, heartbroken, knowing that his beloved wife was now so far away.

Houyi missed Chang’e terribly. He would gaze at the moon every night, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. He wished with all his heart that Chang’e could come back to him. But he knew it was impossible.

To remember Chang’e and her sacrifice, people began to hold ceremonies. They would gather together and look up at the moon, sending their thoughts and prayers to Chang’e. They honored her bravery and selflessness.

On Mid-Autumn Day, people would have special celebrations. They would light lanterns and send them floating into the sky, creating a beautiful spectacle of light. Each lantern represented a wish for Chang’e.

They also started the tradition of eating mooncakes on this day. The round shape of the mooncakes symbolized unity and completeness. It was a way for them to feel closer to Chang’e, who was watching over them from the moon.

The mooncakes were filled with sweet and savory fillings. Each bite was a reminder of Chang’e’s sweetness and her boldness. The people savored each mooncake, feeling a connection to Chang’e.

Over time, the story of Chang’e became a legend. Children would listen in awe as their parents told them about the brave woman who flew to the moon to protect the world. They would gaze at the moon, imagining Chang’e living there.

Chang’e, living on the moon, would look down at the earth. She would see the lanterns floating up towards her and feel the love and respect from the people. She knew that she was not forgotten.

She would also see Houyi, her husband, looking up at her from the earth. She could feel his love and his longing. She wished that she could return to him, but she knew that she had a duty to fulfill.

Chang’e, with her moon rabbit by her side, continued to watch over the human world. She saw the world change and grow, but she remained the same. She was a constant presence in the sky, a symbol of sacrifice and love.

Houyi, although saddened by the loss of Chang’e, was proud of her. He knew that she had made a noble choice. He continued to honor her every Mid-Autumn Day, keeping her memory alive.

The tale of Chang’e became a timeless story. It taught people about bravery, sacrifice, and love. It reminded them to appreciate their loved ones and the world around them. And it gave them hope, even in the darkest of times.

And so, every Mid-Autumn Day, people would look up at the moon and remember Chang’e. They would celebrate her bravery and selflessness. And they would share her story, passing it down from generation to generation.