The Story of Nian

By 4th graders

Once upon a time, there was a monster called Nian.

This beast lived deep in the ocean. It would sleep
every day of the year, except on the last day of the
Lunar Year, when the cold winter months would turn
into Spring.

Nian would come on land to attack, and eat whatever

it could find and whatever lay in its path.

One year an old lady came to the village and told the
villagers that Nian was afraid of loud noises and the
color red.

The next year, the villagers stayed up all night, lit

firecrackers, lit red lanterns all around their houses,
pasted red paper on their walls and doors, wore red
clothing, danced to loud music, and banged loud gongs
and drums.

That year and every year since, Nian has never

returned. This eventually became a tradition and the
way to celebrate Chinese New Year.