Our Lives, Our Dreams: OYY English Magazine 2013-2014 2013-2014 | Page 18

Our Celebrations A Coin Can Talk Yanatte-Class 173 Spring Festival was coming. The man was antsy. He couldn’t decide whether or not to visit his parents during the Spring Festival. It took two days for a single trip by train to his hometown, and the holiday was not long enough to do that. He couldn’t afford the plane tickets for his whole family. And it apparently was not a good choice to ask his parents to come and visit because of their poor health condition. His parents were growing old and they didn’t have much time together with him. The man’s wife said to him gently, “Let’s flip a coin. If it’s a head, we go to visit them. If it’s a tail, we stay here.” He nodded his head with sad resignation and threw a coin into the air. The coin dropped to the ground. It’s a tail! His tears came down right away. He wanted to flip again! His wife touched his shoulder. “See, the answer is clear right now. Let’s go visit your parents.” When you find yourself in a dilemma, it’s a good choice to flip a coin because if you want to flip again after the first time, you’ve already got your answer. The Spring Festival Riley-Class 104 Spring Festival is January 1st. Before Spring Festival arrives, Chinese people usually clean their houses and buy new clothes for their children. On the last day of the old year, there’s a big family dinner where people will often eat dumplings. On the morning of Spring Festival, we usually get up very early. All of the family members will go to visit their relatives and friends on the first day of the New Year. We usually greet each other and say, “Happy New Year!” For the New Year, Chinese people perform lion and dragon dances. Many people have a good time during the Spring Festival. Some Chinese people eat dumplings for good luck. Do you like Spring Festival?