In Chinese lunar calendar, July 7th is regarded as the Chinese Valentine's Day.
Long time ago, a poor boy lived with his elderly brother and sister-in-law. But he was driven out of home in his early twenties. Having nothing but an old cattle, he moved into a cottage and was called Cowboy (Niulang) by people. One day, the cattle suddenly said to him, 'You are a good boy. If you want to get married, go to the brook and your wish will be realized.'
Cowboy did so, and after a short while, he
saw seven pretty fairies coming and taking a bath in the water.
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Fascinated by the youngest and also the
most beautiful one, he took away her clothes in secret. The other
six fairies went away after bath, so the youngest was left alone.
At that time, Cowboy appeared from behind a tree and asked her to
marry him. He looked so sincere and handsome that she nodded.
They lived a poor but happy life and two years later, they had a son and a daughter. But the Jade Emperor (the dominant god in heaven in Chinese folktales) heard it and was annoyed, for the fairy turned out to be the weaving girl (Zhinv) to weave clouds and rainbows. Without her, the sky was dull, so the queen Wangmu forced her back. Cowboy took his children in two bamboo baskets and ran after her with the old cattle's help. Just then the Queen drew a line between them with her hairpin and it became the Milky Way. Pied magpies were moved by their cries and lots of them gathered and formed a bridge for the couple. And the Queen finally agreed their meeting on every July 7th. |