The Lady in the Moon

Mid Autumn Festival

So legendary and to me of no religious connotation. Legend has it that Chang Er swallowed some elixir pills and floated to the moon whereas her heroic partner in hunter Hou Yi who was known for elevating many out of poverty lost her in the process of her escape from the evil one. To add meaning to the relationship they were to meet on the 15th day of the Autumn calendar annually. So legendary and yet it has been able to attract a crowd of followers to commemorate this auspicious day.
The Chinese entrepreneurs have come out with the most elaborate form of moon cakes in the market ; adding merriment and amusement to countless families. What I am most impressed is that this simple legend is reason for the young and old to come together in family love and celebration. It is not a rare sight to see the old folks accompanying boys and girls holding the lantern and parade along lanes, streets and alleyways. It made me recall the days of old when I too held those paper lanterns and paraded with chums along the alleys of Muar town. Later we brought the practice to Subang Jaya when my own children did just that around the neighbourhood. Legend has its way of bringing people around ; a good one.

This is what happens on this day. You munch peanuts, drink Chinese tea and snack on the moon cakes. But alas, how much can you snack at my age? The fat and sugar is a no no in a sensible diet. You see. You have much but you cannot consume for health; meaningless, meaningless, meaningless. But that's reality.
So, under the moon, dad and I drank tea, munch a few nuts, ate a couple of slices of moon cake and that's it. Another Mid Autumn Festival season completed.

In our loneliness, little Pablo gives us some light joy to see him playing with the furry toy. He must have thought it is his playmate. There is nothing else to do but to look at his adorable expressions and playfulness.

It normally doesn't rain on this day and it is not raining now.

The moon is out there.

Happy Mid Autumn.