Mid Autumn Festival/ Trung Thu Prepared by Phuoc Thi Minh Tran Author/Librarian /Storyteller

Mid-Autumn Festival/ Trung Thu (15th day, 8th Month of Lunar Calendar) This year, it falls on Sunday, Sep. 15, 2016 A great time for family reunion, eating moon cakes and outdoor activities such as lantern parade, lion dance and moon gazing Round shape of moon cake symbolizes familial harmony, happiness and unity Also a romantic night for lovers sitting on the top of the hills watching for the brightest moon of the year Farmers worship the God Land and pray to the moon for a good harvest Children parade on the streets, while singing and carrying colorful lanterns

Offerings and Food Set up altars in family courtyards under the moon with moon cakes and plates full of round fruits (pomelos, pomegranates, peaches, persimmon, grapes) symbolizing the fullness of the moon and family harmony Imperial dishes included nine jointed lotus roots (peace) and watermelons cut in the shape of lotus petals (reunion) Sipping tea in small cups and eating while watching the moon while eating moon cakes is the best of all

CUỘI VÀ CÂY ĐA= CUỘI & The Banyan Tree A kind woodcutter named Cuội discovered the tree with the healing power in the forest and brought it home. Unfortunately Cuội’s wife forgot to water the magic tree with clean and pure water. The tree started to uproot and flew away. He grabbed on the roots in hopes of holding down, but the tree kept flying, flying and took him to the moon. Source: Vietnamese Children’s Favorite Stories, April 2015 Author: Tran Thi Minh Phuoc; Illustrators: Nguyen Dong and Nguyen Thi Hop

Cá Hóa Rồng/ Carp That Wanted to Become a Dragon The carp worked hard and eventually transformed itself into a dragon. This is the story behind the mythical symbol, Cá hóa rồng A lesson of patience and perseverance: parents use this story to encourage their children to work hard so that they can become whatever they want to be.

The Jade Rabbit=Thỏ Ngọc Every day, all of the animals gathered under the moonlight and shared wonderful stories with each other. One day, the rabbit suggested that they all needed to make a good deed by sharing some of their food with poor people and hungry children who came to the forest. The Genie was passing by and listening to all the sweet vows. He was touched by the rabbit’s unselfishness, kindness, and courage and decided to place the rabbit to the moon for all to remember. Source: Vietnamese Children’s Favorite Stories, April 2015 Author: Tran Thi Minh Phuoc; Illustrators: Nguyen Dong and Nguyen Thi Hop

Moon Cake During the Yuan dynasty (A.D.1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. People and leaders were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule, and tried to rebel without it being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government.