Mei, a bright-eyed Chinese girl with jet-black hair tied in two neat braids, sits at her desk, clutching a jade pendant. Her classmates chatter quietly, eyeing her curiously as she prepares for her presentation about Chinese culture. "Today, I want to share something special from my family's heritage," she begins, her voice steady despite her nerves.

Mei sits beside her grandmother, Nainai, whose silver hair is pulled into a bun. Nainai carefully ties the jade pendant around Mei’s neck, explaining its significance. "Jade is more than a stone, Mei. It stands for wisdom, kindness, and the strength of our ancestors," she says, her wrinkled hands holding Mei's gently. "Does everyone in our family wear jade, Nainai?" "Yes, and every piece tells a story. Yours is shaped like a lotus, a symbol of purity,"

"Jade has been cherished in China for thousands of years. It’s used in festivals, celebrations, and even to show respect to elders," Mei explains, her confidence growing. One curious classmate, Anna, raises her hand, eyes shining with interest. "What other traditions are important in your family?"

"During the Mid-Autumn Festival, we eat mooncakes and admire the full moon together," she shares, distributing small pieces for her classmates to taste. "On Lunar New Year, we give red envelopes with lucky money to wish each other prosperity. Our fans are used in traditional dances to tell stories," The students marvel at the colors and designs, appreciating the rich symbolism.

"Your culture is beautiful, Mei. I never knew how much meaning was behind these traditions," "Thank you, Anna. Sharing them helps me feel closer to home, and I hope others understand why they matter," A gentle breeze carries the scent of spring, wrapping the girls in a moment of friendship.

She reflects on the day’s events, grateful for her family's stories and the chance to teach others. "I learned that culture is not just about what we do, but why we do it. It connects us to the past and helps us share our hopes for the future," The lantern’s light flickers, illuminating Mei’s determined smile as she dreams of passing her traditions on to new friends.