Mei and the Red Lantern

Mei pressed her nose against the window. Outside, red lanterns swung from every doorway, and the street was full of people carrying oranges and flowers.

"Lunar New Year starts tomorrow!" said her big brother, Jun.

Lunar New Year is a celebration that follows the moon's calendar. In many countries, like China, Korea and Vietnam, families gather to welcome the new year with food, fun and wishes for good luck.

Mei's grandmother was cleaning the whole house. "We sweep away the old year," she explained, "to make room for good luck in the new one."

Mei wanted to help too. "Can I make a lantern?"

Grandmother gave her red paper, gold ribbon and glue. Red is a lucky color for the new year, she said — it stands for happiness and good fortune.

Mei folded and cut and glued. Her first lantern was lopsided. Her second one tore. She sighed. "It's not working."

Grandmother sat beside her. "The new year is about fresh starts. Let's try again, together." With her help, Mei's third lantern was round and bright, with a gold star on the front.

That night, the whole family ate a big dinner: dumplings shaped like little purses, long noodles for a long life and a whole fish for plenty in the year ahead.

Afterward, Grandmother gave Mei and Jun red envelopes with a little money inside and wished them a happy new year.

The next day, they watched the lion dance in the street. Drums boomed and cymbals crashed as the colorful lion leaped and shook its head. Mei held up her lantern high, and the lion seemed to wink at her.

"Happy New Year!" Mei shouted. It was going to be a very good year.

⭐ The End ⭐