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[wenzili]

Part3: The �Birthday Grab�

Under the thunder-like firecracker sound, children nearby dashed to the birthday party site in all the directions.

Meanwhile, handful peanuts, sweets and cookies were constantly being thrown out from inside door.

� Birthday Grab!�� Birthday Grab�, the children were so excited that they all were cheerfully snatching at the food as hailing.
Since the food was thrown out more and more often, the pouncing and shouting became more and more exciting too.

The atmosphere in birthday party was really turning hot.

In this moment, parents with the little baby, known as long-life star, on arms appeared in front of the door and repeated same shouting as children doing.

Finding such a joyful scene, the little star would stretch out the little arms shouting and laughing to tears.

Why had this custom been continued from ancient time?

One of the most senior people in our town once explained to me.

�Since the �birthday grab� sounds like �long life� in our local dialect; and the children�s shouting and pouncing looks like the situation when the ministers had a pilgrimage to the emperor.
Above all, parents firmly believed it was good for baby�s future fortune.� Said the old man.

I trusted his explanation and fully understood the fact that in this way, both the baby and adults had got their enjoyment and spiritual intoxication respectively.

(To be continued by P4:� Birthday Fumbling�)
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