Mei hated springtime Springtime meant Nian was hungry Nian was the fierce dragon that used to rule the land until a magical warrior put a spell on him Because of this spell Nian was forced to hide in a mountain under the sea But every spring Nian came out to fill his empty stomach He especially loved to eat little boys and girls
Mei was scared Her whole village was scared They could hear the rumbling of Nian’s stomach That’s how they knew winter was over and spring was coming
The night before the first day of spring the magical warrior visited Mei in her dreams The warrior said to Mei Hundreds of years have passed and a new year is coming Nian’s power grows stronger And my spell grows weaker each year I can no longer keep him in the mountain under the sea You must defeat Nian You must do this in fifteen days or Nian will be free forever My cane will help you Mei asked Why me You were born in the Year of the Golden Dragon It is your destiny
