The Legend of Nian

The Legend of Nian written by Karen Mokler illustrated by Chang Chang Hu.

《年兽的传说》，作者凯伦·莫克勒，插画师胡畅畅。

Long ago in China, people were afraid of Nian, the dragon beast.

很久很久以前的中国，人们都很怕龙形怪兽“年”。

Nian had a sharp horn and a huge mouth. He could eat five people in one big bite. Glump.

年兽长着尖尖的角和血盆大口。 它一口就能吞下五个人。 咕咚。

All year long, Nian slept deep in the ocean. By the end of winter, he was very hungry.

一整年里，年兽都在深海里呼呼大睡。 等到冬末的时候，它就饿得不行啦。

Each year, just before the Chinese New Year, Nian would climb out of the ocean.

每年春节前夕， 年兽都会从海里爬出来。

He would look for people to eat. Nian liked to eat children best. People would run away and hide in a cave.

它会到处找人类来吃。 年兽最爱吃小孩子了。 人们纷纷逃到山洞里躲起来。