It is said that in ancient China, there was a monster called "Nian," with horns on its head and extremely fierce. The "Nian" lived deep underwater all year round, and it would come up from the sea on New Year's Eve to eat livestock and harm people.

Therefore, on every New Year's Eve, people in villages and hamlets would flee to the mountains with their elderly and children to avoid the monster's attack.

That New Year's Eve, the people of Tao Hua Village were heading to the mountains for safety when an old beggar arrived from outside the village. He held a staff, had a bag on his arm, his silver beard flowed, and his eyes were bright like stars.

Some villagers were sealing windows and locking doors, others were packing their belongings, some were leading cows and sheep, and everywhere was a scene of chaotic panic.

At this time, no one had the heart to take care of this beggar.

Only an old woman in the eastern part of the village gave the old man some food and advised him to go up the mountain to escape the "Nian" monster. The old man smiled as he stroked his beard, saying, "Grandma, if I stay at your house for one night, I will definitely drive away the 'Nian' monster."

The old woman looked closely at him and saw that he had white hair but a youthful face, full of energy and noble demeanor. However, she continued to persuade him. The beggar smiled without saying anything. The old woman had no choice but to leave her home and go to the mountains for safety.

In the middle of the night, the "Nian" monster entered the village. It found that the atmosphere was different from previous years. At the house of the old woman in the eastern part of the village, red paper was pasted on the door, and the room was brightly lit.

The "Nian" monster shuddered and let out a loud cry.

The "Nian" stared at the old woman's house for a while and then rushed forward with a roar. When it approached the gate, there suddenly came a loud "boom boom" sound from inside the courtyard, and the "Nian" trembled with fear and dared not move forward anymore.

It turned out that the "Nian" was most afraid of red color, firelight, and loud noises. At this moment, the old woman's house door opened wide, and a senior man in a red robe was laughing loudly inside. The "Nian" was terrified and ran away in a hurry.

The next day was the first day of the first lunar month. People who had returned from the safe place were surprised to find the village unharmed. At this moment, the old woman finally realized the promise of the beggar.

The villagers gathered at the old woman's house, where red couplets were pasted on the door, and a pile of bamboo that had not been fully burned was still making a "pop pop" sound in the yard. Inside the house, a few red candles were still glowing faintly...

Overjoyed villagers celebrated the arrival of good fortune by changing into new clothes and wearing new hats, visiting relatives and friends to greet each other. This story soon spread to surrounding villages, and everyone knew how to drive away the "Nian" monster.