According to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar (农历), for every 19 years there will be seven leap months(闰月). This year in 2023, there are two Februarys. There are some traditions during leap month in China, which are different in different places.

ln some parts of Central China's Henan province, daughters will prepare wild goose-shaped pastries (老雁馍)for their parents before the leap month comes, wishing for happiness and luck. In some parts of East China's Shandong province, the married daughters will send fish made by dough(面团) to their parents, which means "wealth". And they will also send dough-made toads (蟾蜍) to wish their parents good health.

People living near Wuyi Mountain in East China's Fujian Province have the tradition of drinking tea during leap month, and only women can attend. Women in the village take turns holding the tea party, and they drink tea while talking to one another.

Just like other festivals, a get-together dinner is very important among the traditions of the leap month. When leap month comes, parents will invite the married daughter to return home and have dinner together, wishing for happiness and good luck.

    Some people ski (滑雪) down mountains. Others climb huge rocks or photograph dangerous animals. Why do people enjoy risky activities like these?

    Some people take risks simply because it makes them feel good. Psychologist (心理学家) Marvin says that this kind of explorers (探险者) are always looking for change and excitement. When people do something new or risky, a chemical (化学物质) in the brain creates a pleasant feeling. They love this feeling and want to experience it as often as possible.

    Other people don't take risks for the feeling of excitement but to achieve a goal. For example, Mike Fay went on a dangerous 2,000—mile special journey in central Africa. He worked to help save the wildlife there. Fay's expeditions helped create 13 national parks.

    For other people, such as extreme athletes (极限运动员), taking risks is part of their job. Sports psychologist Shane says extreme athletes see the world differently. In a dangerous activity, most people probably do not feel in control. Extreme athletes are different: they feel in control in dangerous situations. The danger can even help them. For example, skier Daron Rahlves says that being afraid makes him try harder to succeed.

    Most of us are not extreme athletes or explorers. However, we still take risks in our lives. Some of us take social risks, such as speaking in front of a large group of people. Sometimes, we take financial risks, such as buying a house. And sometimes we take career risks, such as leaving a job or starting a business. Most people take risks in some areas of life, but not in others. What kind of risk—taker are you?

    In the town of Lampang in northern Thailand, there is an unusual group of musicians. They play many different kinds of music—from traditional Thai songs to music by Beethoven. Both children and adults love this group. What makes them so popular? Is it their music? Their looks? Yes, it's both of these things, but it's also something else: they're elephants.

    These musical elephants are from the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) in Lampang. The TECC protects elephants. It teaches people to understand and care for these huge, but gentle, animals. And, like many zoos around the world, the TECC encourages elephants to paint.

    Richard Lair works with the TECC. He knew that elephants hear better than they see. So he had an idea: if elephants are intelligent and they have good hearing, maybe they can play music. To test his idea, Lair and a friend started the Thai Elephant Orchestra. During a performance, the elephants play a variety of instruments, including the drums and the xylophone. The animals also use their voices and trunks to make sounds.

    But can elephants really make music properly? Yes, says Lair. they're very creative. Humans may encourage the animals to play instruments, but the elephants make their own songs; they don't just copy their trainers or other people. There are now CDs of the group's music, which make money for the TECC. And the music these artists create is pretty amazing.