qī xī jié七夕节：niú láng zhī nǚ牛郎织女de的ài qíng爱情gù shì故事
Today is the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the Qixi Festival in China.
This festival is sometimes called the "Festival of Begging for Skills."
Its most famous legend is the love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
It is said that long ago, the Cowherd was a kind young man, and the Weaver Girl was a fairy from heaven.
The two fell in love and got married, living a happy life together.
But the Heavenly Emperor did not allow them to be together and separated them, only allowing them to see each other across the Milky Way.
Later, every year on July 7th, magpies build a bridge so they can meet briefly.
In ancient times, girls especially valued Qixi.
On this night, they would look up at the sky and pray to be as clever and skillful as the Weaver Girl.
Therefore, Qixi is also called the "Festival of Begging for Skills," meaning to ask the Weaver Girl for skillful hands.
In some places, girls compete in threading needles to see who is faster; in others, they make "Qiaoguo," a type of fried snack.
Today, young people prefer to treat Qixi as "China's Valentine's Day."
Many couples exchange gifts, have meals together, or look up at the stars.
Although traditional customs have declined, the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl continues to remind people that true love is worth waiting for.