It tells of a young cowherd called Niulang and the beautiful Zhinü, seventh daughter of the Goddess of Heaven. They got married without the Goddess' knowing of it and they had a happy marriage as well as two children. However, when the Goddess did find out, she forced Zhinü to return to heaven and get back to doing her duty of weaving clouds.
Of course, Niulang was very upset about this, but he had no idea what to do until his ox started talking to him one day. The ox instructed Niulang to kill him and wear his hide so he would gain the power to travel to heaven and get his wife back. Niulang did as he was told and, taking his two children with him, flew off to heaven. The Goddess soon discovered what he was trying to do, though, and used her hairpin to create a wide river of stars in the sky to keep Niulang and Zhinü separated forever. This river was the Milky Way.
Because of the river, the two lovers can only sit on one side and watch each other from across, but hope isn't completely lost to them for once a year all the magpies in the world form a bridge with their wings so that they can be together for a single night.
/hugs 1/2
Of course, Niulang was very upset about this, but he had no idea what to do until his ox started talking to him one day. The ox instructed Niulang to kill him and wear his hide so he would gain the power to travel to heaven and get his wife back. Niulang did as he was told and, taking his two children with him, flew off to heaven. The Goddess soon discovered what he was trying to do, though, and used her hairpin to create a wide river of stars in the sky to keep Niulang and Zhinü separated forever. This river was the Milky Way.
Because of the river, the two lovers can only sit on one side and watch each other from across, but hope isn't completely lost to them for once a year all the magpies in the world form a bridge with their wings so that they can be together for a single night.