After
Houyi’s wife,
Chang'e consumed the
elixir of immortality, Houyi realized that he would never again be immortal and would soon die. He resolved to pass his knowledge and skills of archery and hunting to the next generation to ensure that they would live on after his death. Other stories are told of Feng Meng, set in times previous to or after this fateful event. In one telling, told during the Chinese 'Mooncake Festival' or
Mid-Autumn Festival, Feng Meng (rendered in this translation as Peng Meng), was the cause of Chang'e's fateful decision to consume the elixir of immortality herself instead of sharing it with him. In this telling, Feng Meng attempted to steal the elixir of immortality from Chang'e by force while Houyi was out. As she realized that she could not defeat him, Chang'e escaped the only way she could—by consuming the elixir of immortality and ascending to the heavens where he could not reach her. == References ==