The Jade Rabbit

Long ago, in a time when the earth and the heavens were closer, there was a wise and kind-hearted Jade Emperor who ruled over the heavens. One day, the Jade Emperor decided to visit the world to see how people were living. He disguised himself as an old traveller and walked among the people.

During his journey, he met three animals—a fox, a monkey, and a rabbit. They were all very kind and wanted to help the old man. The fox offered him fish, the monkey gave him fruits, and the rabbit, having nothing to offer, decided to give what he could. The rabbit jumped into the fire and offered himself as a meal for the traveller.

The Jade Emperor, seeing the rabbit’s selflessness and bravery, was deeply moved. He revealed his true identity and told the rabbit that he would be rewarded for his great sacrifice. Instead of punishing the rabbit for jumping into the fire, the Jade Emperor took him to the moon, where he would live forever as a symbol of kindness and selflessness.

On the moon, the rabbit became known as the Jade Rabbit. He spent his days making and preparing the famous mooncakes, which are a special treat during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Jade Rabbit's kind spirit remains a beloved symbol of the festival, representing purity, sacrifice, and the hope that good deeds will always be rewarded.