Once upon a time, in ancient China, there lived a beautiful weaver girl named Zhinü, and a hardworking cowherd named Niulang. They fell deeply in love and got married. They lived happily together and had two children.
However, Zhinü was actually a fairy, the seventh daughter of the Queen of the Heavens, and she was not allowed to marry a mortal. When the Queen of Heaven found out about their marriage, she was furious and ordered Zhinü to return to heaven.
Niulang was heartbroken when his wife was taken away from him, and he pleaded with the Queen of Heaven to let him see his wife again. The Queen of Heaven, feeling pity for Niulang, allowed him and Zhinü to meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month, on a bridge of magpies that would form in the sky.
The lovers were overjoyed at the chance to be reunited, and they looked forward to their annual meeting. However, the Queen of Heaven's youngest son, who was jealous of their love, told the Queen of Heaven about the secret meeting and she became angry. She punished Zhinü and Niulang by separating them permanently and banished Niulang to the mortal world, while Zhinü was forced to return to the heavens.
The people of the village, seeing Niulang's sorrow, felt compassion and decided to help. They killed Niulang's ox and used its hide to make two stars, one for Niulang, and one for Zhinü. The two stars were placed in the sky, opposite each other, so that they could see each other and be together forever.
The end.