The Weaver Girl's Sister: A Tale of Stars and Family

Long ago, in the heavens beyond the clouds, lived a beautiful girl named Zhinu, also known as the Weaver Girl. She was a skilled weaver, making magical garments from the stars, and her cloth shone brightly like the Milky Way. Zhinu’s story is well-known, but not many people know about her kind-hearted sister, Xiangnu, who played a very important part in the tale.

The Weaver Girl and Her Sister

Zhinu was the youngest daughter of the Heavenly Emperor and lived in the celestial palace. While Zhinu spent her time weaving, her sister, Xiangnu, had a different talent. Xiangnu loved nature and spent her days tending to the glowing flowers and trees in the heavens. She took care of all the animals that lived in the stars and made sure the gardens were always beautiful.

Although they had different talents, the two sisters shared a strong bond of love and affection. While Zhinu’s beauty and skills made her famous, it was Xiangnu’s kindness that made her loved by everyone in the heavenly realm.

The Weaver Girl Meets Her True Love

One day, a young cowherd named Niulang, who had heard stories of the beautiful Weaver Girl, found himself gazing at the stars. He was poor but hardworking, and when he saw Zhinu weaving by the Milky Way, he immediately fell in love with her. Zhinu also fell for Niulang, and they shared a deep love for each other.

However, their love was forbidden. The Heavenly Emperor, Zhinu’s father, was angry when he learned about their love. He believed that immortals should not marry humans, so he separated the two. Zhinu was placed on one side of the Milky Way, while Niulang was placed on the other. They were no longer able to be together, and both were heartbroken.

The Role of Xiangnu

When Xiangnu, the Weaver Girl’s sister, found out that her sister was sad, she was very upset. She didn’t want to see Zhinu suffer, so she decided to help her. Xiangnu’s love for her sister was stronger than anything else, and she knew she could do something to bring them back together.

With determination in her heart, Xiangnu went to the Heavenly Emperor. “Please, Father,” she asked, “let Zhinu and Niulang meet once a year. Let their love be reunited for just one day.”

The Heavenly Emperor saw how much Xiangnu cared for her sister, so he agreed to her request. He allowed a magical bridge of stars to appear across the Milky Way, but only once a year. The bridge would be built by magpies flying from Earth to the sky. Each year, the magpies would create the bridge, and Zhinu and Niulang would meet for a short time before being separated again.

The Legend Lives On

The story of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd is celebrated during the Qixi Festival, also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day. People celebrate the love between Zhinu and Niulang, and they remember the role of Xiangnu, who made their reunion possible. During the festival, people look at the stars and imagine the two lovers being reunited by the bridge of stars made by the magpies.

It’s said that, if you look carefully at the sky, you can see Zhinu and Niulang’s stars shining brightly. The magpies are believed to form the bridge across the Milky Way so the two lovers can meet, though they can only be together for one day.

The Lessons of the Story

The story of the Weaver Girl’s sister teaches us many important lessons:

• Love and family are powerful – Xiangnu’s love for her sister and her willingness to help shows us how strong family bonds can be.
• Kindness can make a difference – Xiangnu didn’t just feel sad for her sister; she took action to help, teaching us that small acts of kindness can change lives.
• True love endures – Despite being separated, Zhinu and Niulang’s love never faded. Their love shows us that true love can overcome any obstacle, no matter how far apart people are.

Looking Up at the Stars

The next time you look up at the night sky and see the Milky Way, think of the Weaver Girl, her sister Xiangnu, and the love that reaches beyond the stars. And who knows? Maybe, on the Qixi Festival, when the magpies make the bridge, you’ll feel the magic of love crossing the sky.