The birth of Xian'a was a marvel in the hidden village deep within the sandy valley. Even though the village …
The birth of Xian'a was a marvel in the hidden village deep within the sandy valley.
Even though the village itself was something of a legend, facing an infant born in the body of an old woman, everyone was still horrified.
The village chief sighed. "The moon waxes and wanes, cycles endlessly. Perhaps she is just a step ahead of us."
Kind villagers scooped up a moon-bun for her. She hadn't yet grown teeth, so they had to soak the bun in hot water until soft and feed it to her bit by bit.
The stronger the wave, the faster the shock subsides. Soon, everyone grew accustomed to this young old woman.
Xian'a sat on the doorstep, looking dazed, watching the villagers come and go. They would stop and greet her kindly.
One day, a boy recklessly came to her side.
"Do you know how to scoop the moon?" The boy's flushed face startled Xian'a. Flustered and shy, she shook her head.
"Everyone in our village knows how! I'll teach you!" The boy stood up eagerly, pulling Xian'a towards the clear spring.
The nimble, agile boy overlooked her unsteady, toddling steps. Xian'a lost her balance but was steadied by the boy's firm hold.
"Bro... ther..." she babbled, instinctively gripping the boy tightly, step by step walking towards the water brimming with moonlight.
That day, she still didn't learn how to scoop the moon. Even though the moon-catching net was light and handy, she couldn't find the right angle to throw it.
But she remembered the net the boy tossed out again and again, and that clear, ringing song.