The story of Lady Chang É Flying to the Moon (嫦娥奔月, Chang E Ben Yue) originated from the worship of the stars by the ancient Chinese. In fact, the myths and legends from ancient times in China tell the story of Chang E (嫦娥) being forced by Fengmeng (逢蒙). According to the existing written records, it first appeared in ancient books such as Huainanzi (《淮南子》) in the in the Western Han Dynasty (西汉). Helplessly, after eating an immortal medicine given to her husband Houyi (后羿) by the Queen Mother of the West (西王母), Chang E flew to the Moon Palace. According to Huainanzi, Chang E fled because she stole the medicine that her husband Houyi took from the West Queen Mother, and flew into the Moon Palace, turning into a poisoned toad.

The book has 9 chapters in the following order:

Chapter 1: The Ancient Sun (第一章：远古太阳)

Chapter 2: Houyi Appears (第二章：后羿出现)

Chapter 3: Three-footed Raven (第三章：三足乌鸦)

Chapter 4: Chang E's Life (第四章：嫦娥身世)

Chapter 5: Beautiful Legends (第五章：美丽传说)

Chapter 6: Every Mongolia (第六章：逢蒙)

Chapter 7: At the Moon (第七章：奔月之时)

Chapter 8: Different Chang E (第八章：不一样的嫦娥)

Chapter 9: The Story of Spring (第九章：春天的故事)

The current book volume, Chinese Short Stories 5, is a Level 1 Chinese reading practice book. It would introduce you to the famous Chinese folk story of the Lady Chang É Flying to the Moon. The 5th volume in the Selected Chinese Short Story Series (中国短篇小说精选) includes both the Chinese text (simplified characters) and pinyin Romanization. With about over 500 unique Chinese characters, the volume would be suitable for the beginners, lower intermediate and advanced level Chinese language learners (HSK 1-6). Overall, the reading series offers you a variety of elementary level books (Level 1/2/3/4/5/6) to understand China as well as practice Chinese reading fast.