The Legend of the March Fair
Long，long ago，there lived many fishermen by the side of Erhai Lake，who had to pay heavy fishing taxes to the government every year and led a tough life.Among the fishermen was an older man surnamed Zhao，who had a single son named Ashan.Ashan was hardworking and courageous by nature，and was a famous young sailor.When he grew up，the older man wanted to choose a satisfactory daughter-in-law for him.The father talked about it many times to the son，but Ashan always got sidetracked each time.It turned out that Ashan had already had a sweetheart.
It was said that one day Ashan went fishing in Erhai Lake.He worked all day long but got nothing till night.He was hungry and rowed around the sea in a small boat，thinking，“It doesn't matter if I have anything to eat or not tonight，but where can I get money to the government tomorrow？”
Ashan thought about it and finally made up his mind，“I will not go home until I catch fish tonight.”He then cast a net after net，but the net was always empty.After he tried 36 times，he dropped the net again when he felt different from other nets.He pulled it to the side of the boat.Ah！It turned out to be a small red fish，shining in the net.He caught the small red fish and rowed ashore to go home.When he had just walked ten steps，the tiny red fish in his hand suddenly jumped to the ground and turned into a young girl with dignified behavior and a beautiful appearance.The girl said，“Elder brother Ashan，I do not mean to be rude.I am the third princess of the dragon king of Erhai Lake.I know you come and go in the wind and rain to fish at sea every day.I admire you so much that I want to be your wife.Would you accept me？”
Being surprised and pleased，Ashan agreed to this engagement and agreed to meet her on the 15th of August in the lunar calendar the following year.Then the third princess went back to the Dragon Palace.
From then on，Ashan had missed the third princess badly.His father，the older man，kept urging him to choose a satisfactory daughter-in-law.Ashan had to tell his father what had happened.The older man nodded his head and agreed to the marriage.
On the evening of the 15th of August，Ashan rowed a boat and set off to the given place.The moonlight was exceptionally bright，and Erhai Lake was calm.With melodious music，the third princess rose from the sea slowly.Ashan quickly helped her land on the boat.The couple rowed the boat to go home.The older man was very happy to see the third princess，and the family lived a happy life.
On the 15th of March in the lunar calendar of the following year，the third princess asked Ashan to go to“the Moon Fair”together.She transformed into a small yellow dragon and let Ashan ride on it，leading Ashan to the sky.When they arrived at the Moon Palace，Ashan saw mountains，waters，flowers，trees and many things he had never seen before.They walked around and found themselves under two big green trees.Suddenly there was cannon fire，and many people came in from all directions，some riding lions and some riding phoenixes.In an instant，there was a crowded street around the big tree.There were too many things unseen before：pearls，corals，agates...However，Ashan was disappointed to find that there were no human farm tools，fishing nets，and daily necessities.
Ashan could not find anything he wanted and was very upset.After wandering around for a while，the couple left the Moon Fair and returned to the earth.As soon as they came back，all the villagers came to ask about the Moon Fair.Ashan said，“Although there are many things in the Moon Palace，we need none of them.There is nothing on the Moon Fair that we need for production and living.I wish we had our fair.”
Then，a lively discussion started.The third princess suggested，“We can move the fair on the moon to the earth so that we can have our own fair and buy and sell whatever we need and we have.”Everyone agreed.
On the 15th of March in the lunar calendar of the following year，the villagers planted two big green trees at the foot of Cangshan Mountain，setting up the first Moon Fair around the big trees.
The news spread further and further like the wind.More and more people came to the fair.With the fair getting busier and busier year by year，the annual March Fair has become a traditional festival for the Bai people in Dali ever since.