THE MONSTER AND DEMON OF CHINESE NEW YEAR
1066 Words
THE MONSTER AND DEMON OF CHINESE NEW YEAR
THE MONSTER
Inspired by folklore
The expiring day’s long shadows added fear to the panicked villagers. They were supposed to be in the mountains by now. Urgency hastened their packing, and fussy children worked on everyone’s last nerve.
An old beggar entered the chaotic village, but his request for food and water fell on deaf ears.
The village elder took in the beggar and fed him.
“Why is everyone packing?” the beggar said. “It’s the new year. They should be celebrating.”
The elder lowered her head. “The night’s new moon brings a monster from the sea. It attacks our village and devours anyone it grabs.”
The beggar nodded. “For the hospitality you’ve shown me, I’ll rid you of your monster.”
“No, I didn’t ask for this. It will kill you. Join us in the mountains.”
“Thank you, but I’ll be fine. You be with your people. I must stay and prepare.”
The night brought the new moon and the monster from the sea. The creature scurried into the village. A dwelling adorned in red paper made the monster rear back.
The beggar emerged from the dwelling, dressed in red, making as much noise as he could.
The ruckus assaulted the monster’s senses. It thrashed and struggled to flee.
The beggar lit fireworks.
The explosions startled the creature, and it scrambled away.
The beggar laughed as he lost sight of the monster. The villagers returned and thanked him for saving their village.
Ever since, on Chinese New Year, people wear red, hang red paper on houses, and light fireworks to ensure a good year.
THE LANTERN FESTIVAL
Inspired by folklore
In times past, a sacred bird materialized in our realm. Hunters, unaware the bird was from the heavenly plane, killed it. This infuriated the Jade Emperor, who ordered the gods to burn our realm.
But the gods didn’t agree with the Jade Emperor and told the villagers of his plan.
People hung red lanterns to trick the Jade Emperor into believing their villages were on fire.
When the Jade Emperor looked down on our realm, he believed the red lanterns were flames consuming everything, and he was pleased.
THE CHINESE ZODIAC
Inspired by folklore
The Jade Emperor created a long-distance race for the world’s animals. The first twelve to finish would be honored with its own year.
The rat was clever and tricked his friend the cat into thinking the race was the next day. The cat napped to prepare for the race while the rat began the contest.
The rat encountered an ox who started early because he knew the journey would be difficult.
The rat waved to the ox. “Your legs are more suited for this race than mine. Can you please carry me?”
The ox agreed.
The rat rode the ox, motivating him to go faster.
As they neared the finish line, the rat jumped from the ox and claimed first place.
The ox took second.
The cat missed the race.
This is why cats are not in the Chinese zodiac and are enemies of rats.
THE DEMON
Inspired by folklore
Parents stay up at night to protect their children from a demon. If the demon taps a child’s head three times, a fever will develop. If the child survives, they will suffer mental trauma.
A mother illuminated her son’s cold room with a fresh candle. She smiled as she passed her husband sitting in a chair. She closed the window beside her son’s bed and placed the fragile light on the stand beside him.
Their son fidgeted in bed.
His father suggested their son needed something to tire him and gave him several shiny coins.
His mother provided red paper and told him to wrap the coins, open them, and repeat the process.
The candle burned low. Drowsiness tugged the parents’ heads.
The father woke.
His son slept in bed.
Embarrassment burned the father’s cheeks. I should be a better father and stay awake for my son.
Something moved beyond the open window. It was the demon, and it peeked into the room.
The father tried to stand, but he was paralyzed.
The demon blew out the candle. Darkness filled the room.
The father’s eyes adjusted.
The demon’s tail flicked as its wings filled the room. Its yellow eyes and white teeth pierced the dark as it approached the sleeping child.
The father struggled against his unresponsive body.
The demon licked its lips and raised a fist over the child.
The father tried screaming. Silence remained.
The demon’s knuckle tapped the boy’s head three times.
The father’s heart sank. Tears welled up. But his paralysis was broken. He lunged at the demon.
The fiend laughed and leaped for the window.
Its tail slid across the father’s palm. His fingers curled around the tail.
His son coughed.
He faced his child. The demon’s tail slipped through his fingers, and the fiend flew out the window.
The father cradled his son. He burned with a fever.
The father cried, begging his son to fight the sickness.
A hand grabbed the father’s shoulder. He woke to his smiling wife.
The room was lit. The window was closed, and his son slept in bed beside a low-burning candle.
“You had a nightmare,” his wife said. “Go to sleep. You had a long day and have to work in the morning.”
He shook his head. “I just need to wash my face.”
The mother checked on their son. The dissolving candle extinguished. The red paper beside her child’s head glowed in the faint ambient light, and the coins reflected her image.
The room brightened. Her husband entered with a lantern and replaced the candles.
Something fell in the outer room.
The parents exchanged glances and left.
The demon opened the window, blew out the fresh candle, and approached the sleeping child.
The parents’ footsteps approached.
The demon made a fist, but the red paper beside the child scared it, and the coins reflected the monster’s image.
The fiend recoiled.
Mother and father rushed into the room.
The demon cowered in the corner, hissed, then flew out the window.
Ever since, it has been customary to give children money wrapped in red paper to keep demons away and encourage good luck.
- Writer
