Long, long ago, a bright and energetic girl was born to a farmer and his wife. This couple loved each other very much. So, when they were blessed with a baby girl, they rejoiced greatly at such a blessing.
Unfortunately, the year before the birth of their baby, their crop was ruined by heavy rain that came at the wrong time of planting and harvesting. Thus, they were struggling to survive. Yet, the baby brought such joy to the couple. She laughed often and her smile seemed to ease the difficulties faced by the couple. They named her Yuansiao. She grew to be a beautiful lady.
One day, the Emperor passed through their village and saw this fair and happy maiden. As the Emperor had a daughter who was prone to tantrum fits, he decided to ask the couple to give their daughter to be a friend to his daughter, hoping that Yuansiao could have a positive influence upon his daughter. The couple could not refuse the Emperor, although they were heartbroken to say goodbye to their beloved daughter.
ILLUSTRATIONS: COURTESY OF EXPLORER PUBLICATIONS
(To be continued tomorrow...)
很久很久以前，有位農夫和老婆生了一個聰明又活潑的女孩，這對夫妻十分相愛，所以當他們喜獲明珠時，欣喜若狂。不幸的是，女孩出生前一年，他們的農作物被不該在耕種和收穫期降下的大雨給打壞了，所以生活很困苦。不過女孩帶給他們歡樂，她常笑，而她的微笑似乎減輕了他們的困境，他們將她取名為元宵。而她長大後成為一位美麗的女子。
有一天，皇帝經過他們村子時看見這位美麗開朗的少女，因為皇帝有一位易怒的公主，便決定要求他們將女兒送給公主做朋友，希望元宵能對公主有些正面的影響。這對夫妻沒辦法拒絕皇帝，只好心碎地向摯愛的女兒道別。
ILLUSTRATIONS: COURTESY OF EXPLORER PUBLICATIONS
(明日待續...)
8. tantrum n. — a bad temper, a behavior often characterized by yelling, screaming and kicking 發怒 (fa1 nu4) 例: Do not pay attention to that child when he has a tantrum. (那個小孩發脾氣時別太去管他。) 9. fit n. — a sudden expression of anger, usually over a situation that one is not pleased about 發作 (fa1 zuo4) 例: She had a fit when her wedding dress didn’t arrive on time. (新娘禮服未準時送達讓她大發雷霆。) 10. heartbroken adj. — having intense feelings of sorrow and sadness 心碎的 (xin1 sui4 de5) 例: After saying goodbye to her boyfriend at the airport, my heartbroken sister went shopping to help herself feel better. (我那心碎的姊妹在機場和男友道別後，便上街血拼讓自己覺得好過些。)
A: When is the Lantern Festival? B: The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which fell on Feb. 12 this year. A: Oh no! Did I miss the 2025 Taipei Lantern Festival? B: Yes, you did. But you can still go to the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taoyuan, which will run until this Sunday. A: Let’s go admire the exuberant lanterns. A: 元宵節到底是哪一天？ B: 就是農曆1月15日啊，今年則落在國曆2月12日。 A: 喔不，我是不是錯過了2025台北燈節？ B: 是的，但你還可以去桃園的2025台灣燈會，活動將持續至週日。 A: 那我們去欣賞豐富的花燈秀吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Every February, the small town of Ptuj in Slovenia comes alive with the vibrant celebration of its famous carnival. This festival, with its deep historical roots, is a cherished tradition where local residents come together to ward off the winter cold and embrace the arrival of spring. Participants dress up in furry costumes, transforming into kurenti, mythical monsters believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune for the new year. Although the exact origins of the Ptuj carnival remain a mystery, it is firmly rooted in ancient Slavic and Illyrian cultures. The modern form of the carnival
A: What’s the theme of the 2025 Taiwan Lantern Festival’s main lantern? B: The theme is “Paradise,” and the main lantern is a snake-shaped “infinity” symbol that features a lighting show every half an hour. A: Cool, I heard that there are over 300 lanterns. B: There are even giant lanterns in the shape of Pikachu and some other popular Pokemon characters. A: Let’s go now. A: 2025台灣燈會主燈的主題是什麼？ B: 主題是「無限樂園」！主燈的造型則是蛇形的數學「無限號」，主燈每半小時還有一次燈光秀。 A: 酷喔，聽說總共有300多件花燈作品。 B: 甚至還有皮卡丘和其他熱門寶可夢角色的巨型花燈呢。 A: 哇我們現在就出發吧！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
本文由生成式AI協作，本刊編輯編修。 Tucked away in southwestern Taiwan, Yunlin County is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, rich history, and natural beauty. From its stunning temples and glove puppetry to historical architecture and picturesque landscapes, Yunlin rewards those who venture off the beaten path. Yunlin is renowned for its flourishing temple culture. Temples in this region are not merely places of worship but also communal centers where people gather for festivals, rituals, and social functions. One of the most notable temples here is the Beigang Chaotian Temple, which was built more than 300 years ago and is dedicated to Matsu, the sea
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