The Spring Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. We Chinese1it Nian. But do you know that Nian was once the 2of a monster?

A long time ago, the monster Nian lived in the mountains. It mainly ate animals which were 3than itself. But in winter, the animals stayed in the holes and 4went out. It was difficult for Nian to5something to eat. So it came to villages and ate a lot of people. People were so6of Nian that they locked their doors before evening came during winter. One day, an old man came to the village. He told people that Nian was afraid of 7 things—the colour red, fire and noise. He told people to play the drums and gongs, make big fires and set off fireworks to make Nian 8.

9a moonless, cold night, Nian went to the village again. As soon as it opened its mouth, people made too much loud 10and made fire. Nian was really afraid and ran11. Wherever it went, there was noise and fire. When Nian was 12and couldn't run any more, people killed it.

After that, on the coldest day of winter, people eat drums and gongs, and set off fireworks to celebrate the 13of the monster Nian. They14 red lanterns and have a big dinner without sleeping during the 15. In the morning people greet each other happily. So now we have the Spring Festival.

Edinburgh is the world's "festival city". The city holds 12 festivals throughout the year, half of which are celebrated during the months of July and August. Hundreds of thousands of people visit the capital of Scotland during the summer. Here are some of the events you can enjoy.

The Edinburgh International Festival

This is the  original(首创的）festival in Edinburgh, which began in 1947. Actors, musicians, dancers and opera singers from all over the world perform (表演)for big crowds. You need to buy tickets for most of the festival's events, which take place in theatres around the city.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe

This is the largest art festival in the world, with thousands of performances. Anyone can perform at the festival. Go to the Royal Mile, one of Edinburgh's main streets, to watch performers including magicians, acrobats (杂技演员) and comedians. However, it can get very busy, as myriad tourists and local people fill the city streets to enjoy the shows.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival

The largest book festival in the world began in1983 and takes place every year in Charlotte Square Gardens in the centre of Edinburgh. There are more than 700events for children and adults who love books. You can meet a lot of authors, talk to them, and ask them to sign a book or listen to their stories.

The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

Music lovers come to this festival to enjoy musical performances all over the city. Artists per form street theatre, dance and circus (马戏) shows in amazing and colourful costumes. They turn the city into a sea of music and you just can't help joining them.

    Do you like Christmas Day? In westerncountries it is the most important day in the year. All the people come back totheir homes to have the day with their parents or their children.

    On Christmas Day, bells ring everywhere. Theringing bells tell people: Christmas is coming. People sing and dance day andnight. They have a good time.

    Most families buy a Christmas tree for theirchildren. And there are presents hanging from the tree here and there. Peoplealso put presents in their children's stockings. In many places FatherChristmas himself brings presents to them, He is a kind old man. He's in redclothes, with a big bag on his back. In the bag there are a lot of presents.

    Christmas is also a day when people enjoy all kindsof food. But some poor people have no house to go back to and have no food toeat. They even die of cold and hunger on Christmas Day. Have you read the storyA little Match Girl? She died on the morning of Christmas Day.