這年除夕，桃花村的人們正扶老攜幼上山避難，從村外來了個乞討的老人，只見他手拄拐杖，臂搭袋囊，銀須飄逸，目若朗星。鄉親們有的封窗鎖門，有的收拾行裝，有的牽牛趕羊，到處人喊馬嘶，一片匆忙恐慌景象。這時，誰還有心關照這位乞討的老人。只有村東頭一位老婆婆給了老人些食物，並勸他快上山躲避“年” 獸，那老人捋髯笑道：婆婆若讓我在家呆一夜，我一定把“年”獸攆走。老婆婆驚目細看，見他鶴髮童顏、精神矍鑠，氣宇不凡。可她仍然繼續勸說，乞討老人笑而不語。婆婆無奈，只好撇下家，上山避難去了。
The middle of the night, "years" to break into the village of animals. It found that the village atmosphere, unlike in previous years: the first lady Village home, the door paste big red, brightly lit candles inside the house. "Year" all animalsa bang. "Year" towards mother-in-law home glower moment, then head over the pastforward. Almost at the entrance to the hospital from a sudden "bang flap" sound of bombing, "year" every tremble, and then move forward together a dare. In fact, "year" fear red flames and炸響. At this time, opening the door to let mother-in-law's house, wearing only a hospital Dahongpao elderly laughter. "Year" scaring the daylights out, embarrassed fled the spurt.
半夜時分，“年”獸闖進村。它發現村里氣氛與往年不同：村東頭老婆婆家，門貼大紅紙，屋內燭火通明。“年”獸渾身一抖，怪叫了一聲。“年”朝婆婆家怒視片刻，隨即狂叫著撲過去。將近門口時，院內突然傳來“砰砰啪啪”的炸響聲，“年”渾身戰慄，再不敢往前湊了。原來，“年”最怕紅色、火光和炸響。這時，婆婆的家門大開，只見院內一位身披紅袍的老人在哈哈大笑。“年”大驚失色，狼狽逃躥了。
The next day is the first day, people who sought refuge back safe and sound very surprised to see the village. At this time, the old lady came before, and hastened to the villagers described the promise of the elderly begging. Together villagers over to the old lady, and mother-in-law saw the door close to the red paper, yard pile of bamboo is still unburned "flap"炸響inside several red candles also issued a Yu ... ... joyvillagers to celebrate the auspicious arrival of their new clothes to wear for a new hat, say hello to friends and relatives at home Daoxi. This matter quickly spread around the village, people are aware of the expulsion of "years" beast approach.
第二天是正月初一，避難回來的人們見村里安然無恙十分驚奇。這時，老婆婆才恍然大悟，趕忙向鄉親們述說了乞討老人的許諾。鄉親們一齊擁向老婆婆家，只見婆婆家門上貼著紅紙，院裡一堆未燃盡的竹子仍在“啪啪”炸響，屋內幾根紅臘燭還發著餘光……欣喜若狂的鄉親們為慶賀吉祥的來臨，紛紛換新衣戴新帽，到親友家道喜問好。這件事很快在周圍村里傳開了，人們都知道了驅趕“年”獸的辦法。
Since then the annual New Year's Eve, families paste red couplets, set off firecrackers; household candles Tongming, Shou-more-year-old question. Early in the morning early to go pro-string Daoxi Friends say hello. This custom of the more mass the more widely and became the most solemn of Chinese folk traditional festivals.
從此每年除夕，家家貼紅對聯、燃放爆竹；戶戶燭火通明、守更待歲。初一一大早，還要走親串友道喜問好。這風俗越傳越廣，成了中國民間最隆重的傳統節日