Chinese new year story british council

Here's a story about Chinese New Year from the British Council:

The Story of the Red Envelope

It was Chinese New Year's Eve in a small town in China. The streets were bustling with people preparing for the big celebration. The air was filled with the sweet smell of incense and the sound of firecrackers.

Ling, a young girl, was excitedly helping her mother prepare the traditional New Year's dinner. Her mother was busy cooking a big pot of dumplings, while Ling was decorating the table with red lanterns and flowers.

Just then, Ling's grandfather, a wise and kind old man, walked into the room. He was carrying a small red envelope, which he handed to Ling's mother.

"What's this?" Ling asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

"It's a red envelope, Ling," her mother replied. "It's a traditional gift given to children during Chinese New Year. It's filled with money, which will bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year."

Ling's eyes widened with excitement. She loved receiving red envelopes! She quickly opened it and found a few crisp banknotes inside.

Just then, the doorbell rang. It was Ling's friends, Mei and Wei, who had come to wish her family a happy New Year. Ling's mother invited them in, and they all sat down to enjoy the delicious dinner together.

As they ate, Ling's grandfather told them stories about the legend of the Chinese New Year. He told them about the monster Nian, who was afraid of the color red and the loud noises of firecrackers. He told them about the importance of family and friends coming together to celebrate the new year.

After dinner, Ling and her friends went outside to watch the fireworks display. The sky was filled with colorful lights and sounds, and Ling felt like she was in a magical world.

As the night came to a close, Ling's mother gave her a big hug. "Remember, Ling, the true meaning of Chinese New Year is about spending time with loved ones and looking forward to a bright and happy future," she said.

Ling smiled, feeling grateful for the love and traditions that surrounded her. She knew that this was a special day, one that she would always treasure.

Activities

  1. Ask the children to draw a picture of their favorite Chinese New Year tradition or activity.
  2. Play a game of "Red Envelope" where children have to find the hidden envelopes filled with pretend money.
  3. Make a traditional Chinese New Year's dinner together, such as dumplings or noodles.
  4. Watch a Chinese New Year's parade or fireworks display together.
  5. Learn a few basic Chinese phrases, such as "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (Happy New Year) or "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year's Eve).

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